Blog - The Purbottar

25 May

Kokrajhar Police Suspect Drowning Behind Death of Two Schoolgirls

riya EditorAssam

The mystery surrounding the deaths of two schoolgirls in Kokrajhar has taken a significant turn after district police stated that preliminary investigations suggest the students died due to drowning in a pond. The incident, which had triggered widespread tension and speculation across the district, involved two students of Dholmara Higher Secondary School whose bodies were recovered from a pond in Lalkura Second Block village under Dholmara on May 21. The deceased students were identified as Anamika Bara and Sarita Lakra. Following the recovery of their bodies from a tea garden pond, Kokrajhar Police launched an extensive investigation with assistance from…

25 May

Sikkim Chief Minister Congratulates Justice Rai on Elevation as Patna High Court Chief Justice

riya EditorSikkim

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has congratulated Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai on her elevation as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court, calling it a "historic" and proud moment for the people of Sikkim. The chief minister, in a Facebook post, stated that it is a matter of "immense pride, honour, and happiness" for the state that Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai is set to assume one of the highest judicial positions in the country. He highlighted that Justice Rai is the first woman judge from Sikkim to attain the distinguished position of Chief Justice of a high court, describing her…

24 May

Bonus Issues in Focus: LIC and PAE Limited Reward Shareholders with Free Shares to Boost Liquidity and Signal Financial Strength

Preeti SinghBusiness

Bonus shares and stock splits are key corporate actions companies use to reward existing investors and make their stock more accessible in the market. Bonus shares are additional equity shares issued free of cost to current shareholders, funded from a company’s accumulated reserves and surplus. While they increase the total number of shares held by an investor, the overall value of the holding remains unchanged immediately after the issue. Such moves are often seen as a sign of a company’s robust financial health and are aimed at reinforcing shareholder confidence.Stock splits work similarly in principle. In a split, the face…

24 May

BHIM app records over 300% growth in FY26 as digital payments surge

Business BureauBusiness

The BHIM Payments App, developed by NPCI BHIM Services Limited, registered a sharp rise in digital payment transactions in FY26, recording a 301 per cent increase in total transaction volumes compared to FY25, the company said on Thursday. According to the company, monthly transaction volumes on the app increased from 5.93 crore in April 2025 to 21.6 crore in March 2026. The growth momentum continued in April 2026, with transaction volumes touching 22.49 crore and transaction value reaching ₹26,040 crore. In West Bengal, the app witnessed rising adoption in daily payment activities, with 71 per cent of transactions categorised as…

23 May

From Weed to Wealth: Women Near Laokhowa-Burhachapori Sanctuary Turn Water Hyacinth into ‘Green Gold’

Paromita EditorAssam

Women living in villages around the Laokhowa Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary (LBWLS) are transforming the invasive water hyacinth weed into eco-friendly handicrafts, creating a sustainable source of livelihood while supporting conservation efforts in the region. Located in the Assam valley and connected to the landscape of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, the Laokhowa-Burhachapori sanctuary has been undergoing ecological restoration after large-scale eviction drives cleared encroachments from the protected area, once known as a major habitat for the greater one-horned rhinoceros. To reduce the dependence of nearby communities on forest resources and strengthen wildlife conservation efforts, biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, in…

23 May

Wildlife Smuggling Bid Foiled in Guwahati, 26 Rare Tokay Geckos Rescued

Paromita EditorGuwahati

A major wildlife smuggling attempt was foiled in Guwahati after police recovered 26 rare Tokay Gecko near Basistha and arrested two alleged smugglers during a late-night operation. The operation was carried out by Gorchuk Police based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the illegal transportation of protected wildlife species. According to sources, the tokay geckos were brought to Guwahati on a motorcycle from Karbi Anglong and were allegedly being prepared for transportation outside the state through the ISBT area. Police intercepted the accused before the animals could be moved further. The arrested individuals have been identified as Ikramul Hussain and Jamiruddin.…

23 May

Indian Army Organises Project NAVBHARAT to motivate youth in a Drive Towards Becoming Worthy Citizens of Viksit Bharat

Paromita EditorAssam

The Spearhead Division of the Spear Corps conducted a vibrant and inspiring programme under Project NAVBHARAT at Likabali on 23 May 2026, marked by patriotic zeal and enthusiastic public participation. The initiative reflected the Indian Army’s continuous efforts to connect with the youth and strengthen the spirit of national unity and service. Students from Likabali and nearby Silapathar actively participated in a variety of educational and motivational activities organised during the event. Special lectures and short films based on Operation Sindoor were presented to motivate the younger generation by showcasing stories of bravery, determination and selfless service towards the nation.…

23 May

Tata Soulfull launches millet muesli range to tap growing wellness market

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Soulfull has expanded its breakfast portfolio with the launch of its new Ultimate Millet Muesli range, aimed at consumers looking for targeted nutrition solutions linked to weight management, protein intake and gut health. The company on Tuesday announced that the new range includes three variants — Tata Soulfull Ultimate Millet Muesli Slimcare for weight management goals, Ultimate Millet Muesli Hi-Protein for protein goals, and Ultimate Millet Muesli Probiotic for gut health support. The products are built around millets as the core ingredient as the company looks to strengthen its position in India’s growing millet-based foods segment. Alongside the launch,…

23 May

Vigilence sleuths recover Rs 1.18 cr from house of brother in-law of tainted Assam official

Paromita EditorAssam

Officials of the Directorate of Vigilence and Anti-Corruption have seized cash amounting to Rs 1.18 crore during a search conducted at the house of the brother in-law of tainted Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer Lachit Kumar Das at Beltola area of Guwahati.Some land documents were also seized during the raid, an official source said on Saturday.Das, posted as the additional director of land records, was arrested on Thursday on corruption charges.Nearly Rs 50 lakh in cash, Rs 80 lakh in fixed deposits and other items were also recovered from Das's Guwahati residence after his arrest.Das was arrested by sleuths from the…

23 May

NCVET holds first Research Advisory Committee meeting to boost evidence-based skilling policies

Business BureauBusiness

The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), on Tuesday convened the first meeting of its Research Advisory Committee (RAC) to strengthen research-driven policymaking in India’s vocational education and training ecosystem. The meeting was chaired by Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE and Chairperson of NCVET. Senior representatives from government bodies, industry, academia, think tanks and research organisations participated in the discussions, including NITI Aayog, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Directorate General of Training (DGT), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), IIM Calcutta, NCAER, TISS, Ashoka University and NIEPA. The committee discussed…