Blog - The Purbottar

06 Mar

Femina GameChangers Northeast 2026 honours women leaders driving enterprise and social impact

Business BureauBusiness

Guwahati hosted a celebration of leadership, enterprise and community impact as Femina, one of India’s leading women’s lifestyle brands, organised the Femina GameChangers Northeast 2026 at Vivanta on March 2. The event recognised trailblazing women who have made significant contributions across sectors such as entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, arts and social service in Northeast India. The programme opened with the traditional lighting of the lamp and was attended by distinguished guests including eminent singer Manisha Hazarika, social activist Shri Nabam Vivek, Assam Gaurav awardee Meenakshi Das, Drugs India founder Shri Dzen Phukan, educationist P.S. Reddy, social activist Amaresh Roy, Dr Saumen…

06 Mar

Village Rockstars 2 by Rima Das Releases in Theatres Today

riya EditorAssam

Rima Das’s highly anticipated film 'Village Rockstars 2' premiered in theatres in Assam, serving as a sequel to the acclaimed 'Village Rockstars' (2017), which was India's official entry for the Oscars. This installment follows the character Dhunu, now a teenager, as she navigates the challenges of adolescence while pursuing her passion for music. Set against the backdrop of rural Assam, the film explores everyday life, family struggles, and the resilience of a young girl. 'Village Rockstars 2' has received international accolades, including the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film at the Busan International Film Festival. Critics have lauded the film…

06 Mar

West Asia Emerges as Key Market for Asian Cars Amid Global Trade Tensions

nanika EditorInternational

New Delhi, March 6: India and China remain among the largest exporters of automobiles to West Asia, shipping vehicles worth billions of dollars each year to the region. However, the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran has raised concerns about potential disruptions to this crucial trade route.The conflict, which entered its seventh day on Friday, has heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor through which a significant portion of Asia’s vehicle exports to West Asia are transported. Shipping activity along the route has slowed amid fears of possible attacks.For China, West Asia is the second-largest overseas market…

06 Mar

Numaligarh’s bamboo-based ethanol factory is awaiting technical success

Banasree SarkarAssam

A bio-refinery effort to produce ethanol from bamboo was initiated by the historic Numaligarh Refinery, which was founded under the Assam Accord. Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the project on September 14 of last year. It is regarded as one of the nation's biggest second-generation ethanol projects. It has since been discovered that the project has not yet attained the necessary technical success to begin production, despite the expectation that it would commence shortly after the inauguration. It should be mentioned that in 2018, Assam Bio-Ethanol Private Limited (ABEP) started building the bio-refinery on the grounds of Numaligarh Refinery.…

06 Mar

Arudha SIF launches equity long-short fund; NFO opens March 5

Business BureauBusiness

Arudha SIF by Bandhan Mutual Fund has announced the launch of the Arudha Equity Long-Short Fund, an open-ended equity strategy under the Specialised Investment Funds (SIF) framework. The New Fund Offer (NFO) will open on March 5 and close on March 18, 2026. The fund is positioned for investors seeking a more adaptive portfolio amid market swings, shifting leadership and heightened volatility. Investments can be made through licensed distributors, investment advisors, online platforms or directly via the company’s website. Commenting on the launch, Vishal Kapoor, CEO of Bandhan AMC Limited, said the strategy aims to balance return potential with structured…

06 Mar

Maan Panu’s ‘The Last Letter’ strikes emotional chord ahead of digital release

Business BureauBusiness

Emerging indie pop singer-songwriter Maan Panu has released his latest single The Last Letter, a mellow and introspective track that explores themes of heartbreak, closure and personal growth. Known for his quietly expressive songwriting, Panu’s new release presents what he describes as a confession — a conversation with the past that transforms unresolved emotions into music. Unlike dramatic heartbreak anthems, The Last Letter leans into stillness. The song reflects on unsaid words, unfinished conversations and a love that lingers without demanding attention. Sharing his thoughts on the track, Panu said, “The Last Letter carries the weight of endings, but also…

06 Mar

BJP Nears Candidate Finalisation for 90 Seats as Alliance Seat-Sharing Talks Continue in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Seat-sharing discussions among partners of the ruling alliance in Assam have begun, and a final decision is expected to be announced in the coming days, senior state minister and president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Atul Bora, said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, Bora confirmed that the first round of discussions on seat distribution for the upcoming Assembly elections has already taken place between the AGP leadership, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The talks are part of ongoing consultations among alliance partners to reach a mutually agreeable formula before the elections. “Yesterday we…

06 Mar

Search Operation Launched After Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Fighter Jet Goes Down in Remote Assam Forest Area

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

A Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in the hilly terrain of Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening, shortly after taking off from the Jorhat Air Base. The incident created concern among residents in nearby villages and prompted an immediate search and rescue operation in the remote hill area. According to initial information, the aircraft had taken off from the 47 Squadron of the Jorhat Air Base as part of a routine sortie. Two pilots were on board the fighter jet at the time of the flight. Soon after take-off, contact with the aircraft was…

06 Mar

Major Blaze Destroys Railway Workshop in Dibrugarh

riya EditorAssam

A significant fire erupted at the railway mechanical workshop in Dibrugarh district, Assam, on Thursday, with no reported injuries. The incident occurred at the first mechanical railway workshop in Northeast India, located in Kadamani, causing panic in the vicinity. Smoke was first detected coming from a store inside the workshop, prompting local residents and staff to alert authorities. Fire and emergency services responded promptly, deploying six fire tenders from Dibrugarh and Lahowal to combat the fire, which lasted several hours. Preliminary reports suggest that welding operations were in progress in the store prior to the outbreak, with authorities suspecting that…

06 Mar

Sukhoi Su-30MKI Crash in Assam Claims Lives of Two Pilots

riya EditorAssam

On the evening of the previous day, a tragic incident occurred in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, where a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. The deceased pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. The IAF has publicly acknowledged their sacrifice, expressing deep sorrow over the loss and offering heartfelt condolences to the families of the aviators during this difficult time. The aircraft was on a training mission and had taken off from Jorhat airbase before it crashed near the location identified…