Blog - The Purbottar

15 Dec

Guwahati Witnesses Sonu Nigam’s First Solo Concert; Pays Musical Tribute to Zubeen Garg with ‘Mayabini’

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Sonu Nigam's Deewana Tera Tour commenced in Guwahati with a remarkable turnout, marking his inaugural solo concert in the city. Nigam characterized Assam as a unique experience, noting the audience's deep appreciation for music. The concert featured a rich set list, including popular songs like "Kal Ho Naa Ho" and "Suraj Hua Maddham," which elicited enthusiastic responses from the crowd, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the event's scale. Nigam expressed his fondness for Assam, highlighting the affection and respect he has for its people. A poignant moment during the concert was his tribute to Assam's musical figure, Zubeen Garg, where…

15 Dec

Academy of Vedic Vidya launches luxury spiritual lifestyle brand in Kolkata

Business BureauBusiness

The Academy of Vedic Vidya (AVV) on Wednesday announced the launch of Treasures of Veda (TOV), India’s first luxury spiritual lifestyle brand, aimed at bringing authentic Vedic knowledge into modern living. Unveiled in Kolkata, the brand combines traditional Vedic science with contemporary design and premium craftsmanship. According to AVV, Treasures of Veda is positioned in the high-end spiritual lifestyle segment and is targeted at consumers seeking refined and energetically aligned spiritual products.The brand offers a curated range of gemstones, rudrakshas, healing crystals, yantras and puja kits. Each product is astrologically validated, mantra-energised and Vedic-cleansed to align with individual spiritual needs.…

15 Dec

Samsung marks 30 years in India, pushes AI-driven innovation vision

Business BureauBusiness

Samsung has announced a renewed innovation strategy as it completes 30 years in India, placing Indian talent and local product development at the centre of its next growth phase. The company, which posted revenue of ₹1.11 lakh crore, said its new vision #PoweringInnovationForIndia will expand India-led design, manufacturing, and AI-based technologies across its global portfolio. Samsung said India now houses two major manufacturing plants, three R&D centres, and a design facility, all contributing to products used worldwide. Over 14,000 patents have been filed from India, reflecting the country’s rising role in cutting-edge technology development. Kolkata’s consumer electronics market, one of…

15 Dec

From Today, Indians Can Visit Historic Doklam and Cho La as Sikkim Launches Regulated Battlefield Tourism

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim will open two of its most sensitive and historically important border areas; Doklam and Cho La for domestic tourists from today marking a significant step in India’s expanding battlefield tourism initiative. The decision allows Indian citizens to visit locations that have played a crucial role in the country’s military history but have so far remained largely closed to the public due to their strategic importance. The move is part of the central government’s wider Ranbhoomi Darshan programme, which aims to give people an opportunity to learn about major conflict sites across India and understand the sacrifices made by soldiers…

15 Dec

Veteran Journalist and Assam Tribune Chairman Prafulla Govinda Baruah Passes Away at 93

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Prafulla Govinda Baruah, one of Assam’s most respected journalists and the long-time Chairman of The Assam Tribune Group, passed away on Sunday night at the age of 93. He breathed his last at around 9.30 pm at a private hospital in Guwahati, where he had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments for the past few days, family sources said. Baruah’s death marks the end of an era in Assam’s journalistic history. Widely regarded as the doyen of journalism in the state, he played a key role in shaping responsible, balanced and principled reporting in the Northeast over several decades. He…

15 Dec

Johns Hopkins University, great learning launch AI in healthcare program; strong interest in Kolkata

Business BureauBusiness

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has partnered with Great Learning to launch a 10-week AI in Healthcare program, a move that has drawn strong attention from Kolkata’s growing medical and health-tech community. The online program, designed by JHU faculty, enables healthcare professionals to apply artificial intelligence to preventive care, diagnostics, operations, and decision-making. The course does not require coding knowledge and is aimed at doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical professionals, consultants, and policymakers. Participants receive a Certificate of Completion from Johns Hopkins University along with six Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Industry observers in Kolkata say the city’s hospitals and tech-enabled diagnostic centers are…

15 Dec

Turkish Airlines launches Phnom Penh flights, boost connectivity for Kolkata travellers

Business BureauBusiness

Turkish Airlines has expanded its global footprint by launching flights to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, marking a significant boost for travelers from Kolkata who increasingly rely on Istanbul as a key transit hub. With this addition, Cambodia becomes the airline’s 132nd country and the 11th city it serves in Southeast Asia. The new route strengthens commercial ties between Türkiye and Cambodia and expands the carrier’s Far East network to 20 cities. For Kolkata passengers, the development offers improved one-stop access to Cambodia; an emerging tourism and business destination known for its cultural heritage and growing trade links. The…

15 Dec

Turkish Airlines opens first European lounge abroad; Kolkata flyers to benefit from enhanced connectivity

Business BureauBusiness

Turkish Airlines has opened its first-ever European lounge outside Türkiye at Edinburgh Airport, strengthening its global premium service network and offering enhanced travel comfort for passengers from cities like Kolkata who frequently use Istanbul as a major international transit point. The lounge, inaugurated on December 10, spans 673 sq. metres and accommodates 149 guests with facilities such as Turkish pide service, buffet dining, relaxation zones, Wi-Fi, prayer rooms, baby-care rooms and accessible restrooms. The airline, operating flights to more countries than any other carrier, said the move reinforces its commitment to European markets. Chief Operations Officer M. AkifKonar stated that…

15 Dec

Kolkata sees employers brace for higher health costs as India’s 2026 medical trend hits 11.5%

editorNorth East

Employers across Kolkata are preparing for another year of rising employee healthcare expenses, as India’s medical trend rate is expected to reach 11.5% in 2026, according to Aon’s latest Global Medical Trend Rates Report. The projection marks a slight moderation from 13% in 2025 but still remains above the global average of 9.8%. Local HR managers and insurance brokers say this rise is already influencing budgeting discussions in major Kolkata business districts such as Sector V and Dalhousie. Companies are reassessing benefit plans as cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal issues and cancer continue to be the biggest cost drivers. Hypertension and poor…

15 Dec

Seven Rohingyas apprehended in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Seven members of the Rohingya community were detained in Assam's Cachar district while allegedly attempting to cross illegally into Bangladesh from India. The group, comprising one man, three women, and three children, was apprehended at Hilara railway station. Local residents became suspicious of their movements and reported them to the police, who confirmed that the group would be "pushed back" to Bangladesh after necessary verification procedures were completed.