Blog - The Purbottar

25 Nov

Communication on solar street lights meant for HEC mitigation

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Premier biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak with support under the CSR initiative of LIC Housing Finance Limited (LIC HFL), has installed 10 solar street lights across several villages-Rangapani, Kukurbhukia, Paharpur, No. 1 Sikaridanga, No. 2 Sikaridanga, Angrajuli, Jamuguri, and Kuchubil—located under the Udalguri and Mazbat blocks of Udalguri district of Assam. These villages fall within areas that are highly vulnerable to Human–Elephant Conflict (HEC), where frequent elephant movements during night hours pose serious risks to the safety, livelihood and well-being of local communities. The installation of solar street lights is aimed at improving night-time visibility in strategic locations such as village…

25 Nov

Honda’s road safety mission reaches Cooch Behar schools, inspires young ambassadors

Business BureauBusiness

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) conducted a major road safety awareness drive at Jenkins School and Vivekananda Vidyapeeth (V.V.H.S) in Cooch Behar, engaging over 2,400 students in interactive sessions on safe and responsible road behaviour. The initiative aimed to instill everyday safety habits in young minds, emphasizing simple yet crucial practices such as wearing helmets, using pedestrian crossings and avoiding distractions. The participating students were introduced to real-life scenarios through demonstrations, virtual riding simulators and Honda’s scientifically designed modules. They were also trained in KikenYosoku Training (KYT) to help improve danger prediction skills. HMSI highlighted its broader commitment to…

25 Nov

Three-year defense supply contracts should be restored, according to DACS; a delegation from Sikkim talks with senior officials in New Delhi

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a significant effort to strengthen Sikkim’s cooperative sector and secure long-term stability for the state’s farming community, a high-level delegation from the Denzong Agricultural Co-operative Society (DACS) held a series of important meetings in New Delhi on Monday. The team was led by Satish Chandra Rai, MLA-cum-Chairman of DACS, and Dhiraj Pradhan, Managing Director of the Society. The discussions began with a meeting with Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Defence Secretary, Government of India, and senior Army officers. The delegation strongly appealed for the restoration of the earlier system under which DACS received three-year contract sanctions for supplying essential items…

25 Nov

Kotak Mahindra Bank marks 40th Foundation Day with stock split to boost retail participation

Business BureauBusiness

Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced a major stock split to mark its 40th Foundation Day, with the Board approving the sub-division of its equity shares to make them more affordable and enhance market liquidity. The decision, taken at a board meeting in Mumbai, will see each existing equity share of face value ₹5 split into five shares of face value ₹1 each, subject to regulatory and statutory clearances. Part-time Chairman C S Rajan said the milestone reflects Kotak’s long-term commitment to shareholder value. “To encourage wider investor participation by making the Bank’s equity shares more affordable and liquid, the Board…

25 Nov

Assam CM unveils high-tech Agriculture Hub in Khetri under Indo-Israel project

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Center of Excellence for Vegetables in Khetri in Kamrup (Metro) district was opened on November 24 by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. It is a flagship facility created under the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project to bring state-of-the-art agricultural technologies. Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora and Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar attended the inauguration ceremony, which marked a significant turning point in India-Israel collaboration in contemporary irrigation and farming. Speaking at the function, Chief Minister Sarma stated that the recently established facility exemplifies the solid agricultural innovation collaboration between Israel and India. He thanked the visiting delegation and the…

25 Nov

1,300 “Lachits” recreate the legacy of Lachit Borphukan by marching alongside Hengdang in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a powerful public display of Assamese pride and historical remembrance, a massive procession of 1,300 participants—each symbolically representing legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan—marched along the Sootea–Jamugurihat stretch on Monday. Carrying traditional hengdang (Ahom-era swords), the participants walked more than 10 kilometres, turning the entire route into a vibrant celebration of courage, culture, and collective memory. The march, organised on the occasion of Lachit Divas, drew widespread attention from locals who lined up along the highway to witness the spectacle. The event was coordinated by Kanyaka Bohumukhi Krishi Pam, which now aims to enter the feat into the Assam Book…

25 Nov

Animated documentary on La-chit Barphukan released

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

The animated documentary 'Lachit – The Warrior', celebrating Assam's legendary Ahom general Lachit Barphukan, was released on Monday by Pi Media across social media platforms, coinciding with Lachit Divas. Directed by senior IPS officer Parthasarathi Mahanta, the film highlights Assamese courage, discipline, and patriotism epitomized by Barphukan. The documentary has already been featured in 50 international film festivals, including the prestigious International Film Festival of India, New York Lift-Off Film Festival, and Cannes – Marché du Film. It has won a total of 19 best documentary awards and several other accolades globally. By showcasing Barphukan’s heroism, particularly in the historic…

25 Nov

Rising Meningitis threat puts spotlight on vaccination drive across India

Business BureauBusiness

In a renewed public health push, medical experts and child health advocates have urged parents to prioritise timely meningitis vaccination, warning that the deadly “brain fever” continues to claim thousands of young lives every year. With over 2.5 million cases reported globally annually and nearly 70% of fatalities occurring in children below five, the Meningitis Awareness Initiative seeks to highlight the importance of early detection and prevention. India remains among the top three countries with the highest meningitis-related deaths, driven largely by Acute Bacterial Meningitis. Of the three major pathogens, Neisseria meningitidis shows a case fatality rate of up to…

25 Nov

USD vs INR: Why is rupee nosediving?

Purbalee DuttaBreaking News

The Indian rupee recovered slightly on Monday after a steep fall on Friday, supported by strong intervention from the Reserve Bank of India to curb volatility. The currency traded at 89.16 per U.S. dollar on November 24, gaining 0.35% in a day after briefly touching a record low of 89.48 last week, close to the key 90-per-dollar mark. Reports suggest the RBI sold dollars in both the order-matching system and the non-deliverable forward market to stabilize sentiment. The rupee had slipped past 88.80 on Friday—a level market participants believe the RBI had been protecting for some time—renewing downward pressure that…

24 Nov

GE Aerospace to pump $14 million into Pune facility as it marks 10-year milestone

Business BureauBusiness

GE Aerospace has announced a USD 14 million investment to expand its Pune manufacturing facility, coinciding with the site’s tenth anniversary. The move follows last year’s USD 30 million expansion and aims to enhance the plant’s capabilities in advanced engine components through upgraded manufacturing processes and automation. “Our Pune team has delivered components for some of our most advanced commercial jet engines with safety and quality at the forefront,” said Vishwajit Singh, Managing Director of GE Aerospace Pune. “This investment underscores our commitment to the Make in India initiative and advancing India’s role in global aerospace manufacturing.” Since its inception,…