Blog - The Purbottar

16 Jul

Ashok Leyland shares downgrade after 1:1 ex-bonus issue

editorBusiness, News

Shares of Chennai-based commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland fell by 2.11% to a low of ₹122.80 on the BSE. Ashok Leyland shares also fell by 2.15% to a low of ₹122.70 on the National Stock Exchange. The stock began trading at 1:1 ex-bonus issue rate from Wednesday, July 16. Ashok Leyland's board had announced the bonus issue of shares while announcing its fourth quarter results on May 23. The company had reported a net profit of ₹1,246 crore in the January-March quarter, up 38% from ₹900 crore in the same period last year. Ashok Leyland's operating revenue grew 6% to…

16 Jul

Toyota Glanza levels up with six airbags, prestige edition targets premium hatchback buyers

Business BureauBusiness

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has announced the introduction of six airbags as standard across all variants of the Toyota Glanza. The update reflects a rising trend in the Indian auto market where consumer preference is shifting towards safety-equipped, value-driven models. To further enhance customer appeal, TKM has also unveiled a limited-period ‘Prestige Package’—available until July 31, 2025. The package includes dealer-fitted accessories like premium door visors, chrome-accented body mouldings, illuminated door sills, and a rear skid plate, aimed at improving both aesthetics and comfort. With over two lakh units sold in six years, the Glanza remains a strong performer. It…

16 Jul

Škoda Auto achieves new milestone with 300 customer touchpoints

Business BureauBusiness

Škoda Auto India has hit a major milestone by crossing 300 customer touchpoints across 172 cities, reinforcing its aggressive expansion strategy in the country. The Czech automaker, which recently recorded its highest-ever H1 sales in India, is celebrating 25 years in the Indian market and 130 years globally. The expansion is particularly focused on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which now account for 75% of the total touchpoints. Over the past nine months alone, Škoda has entered more than 30 new cities, enabling quicker, more consistent sales and service experiences nationwide. Ashish Gupta, Brand Director of Škoda Auto India,…

16 Jul

Sikkim empowers police and vets to tackle animal cruelty

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has launched a multi-agency crackdown, equipping police officers, veterinary professionals, and community volunteers with the tools and training necessary to treat animal abuse as a serious criminal offence. The campaign signals a shift in how the state plans to handle cruelty cases—not as minor infractions, but as precursors to deeper societal violence. On July 15, nearly 70 police officers from across the state participated in a dedicated workshop held at the Sikkim Police Headquarters. The session, organized jointly by the State Animal Husbandry Department and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, focused on strengthening…

16 Jul

Guwahati investors pump Rs 15.5 cr into Tata Arbitrage Fund amid market volatility

Business BureauBusiness

Investors from Guwahati have collectively invested ₹15.5 crore in the Tata Arbitrage Fund over the past three months. Arbitrage funds, known for exploiting price differences between cash and futures markets, are increasingly preferred by those seeking stability without direct exposure to equity risk. Between April and June 2025, arbitrage funds across India attracted a staggering ₹43,077 crore, outpacing inflows into other hybrid and equity mutual fund categories, according to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI). Tata Arbitrage Fund alone recorded inflows worth ₹5,217 crore during this period, with its Assets Under Management (AUM) reaching ₹14,274 crore…

16 Jul

Toyota eyes Northeast growth, opens new Gargya Toyota dealership in Guwahati

Business BureauBusiness

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched a new dealership—Gargya Toyota—in Guwahati, Assam. The move comes as part of the automaker’s broader plan to tap into emerging regional markets and strengthen its presence across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The newly inaugurated 5,100 sq. ft. 1S (sales) facility, located at GS Road, Dispur, was opened in the presence of Mr. Arun G Nair, Vice President, Chief Representative – East Region, and Mr. Rahul Dev Sharma, Dealer Principal of Gargya Toyota. The outlet will offer Toyota’s complete product range including the Innova Hycross, Fortuner, Hilux, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Camry Hybrid, and…

16 Jul

Asharikandi’s terracotta Gets Bhutan’s attention

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

His Excellency Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, Consul General of Bhutan, visited the iconic terracotta village of Asharikandi in Gauripur, Dhubri district, Assam, on Tuesday, July 15. The visit was part of Bhutan’s broader initiative to integrate traditional art and heritage into the forthcoming Mindfulness City project at Gelephu, an ambitious vision championed by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Renowned for its Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged terracotta craft, Asharikandi has long held a prominent place in India's artisanal landscape. The Consul General’s visit underscored growing interest in cross-border cultural synergy, with Bhutan exploring how Asharikandi’s vibrant and intricate terracotta art could…

16 Jul

Heatwave Grips Southern USA, Power Grid Under Strain

Mohini BarmanInternational

A severe heatwave is sweeping across the southern United States, with temperatures soaring past 45°C in parts of Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. The National Weather Service has issued red alerts, advising people to avoid outdoor exposure and conserve energy. Hospitals in Houston and Phoenix have reported a 30% rise in heatstroke and dehydration cases. Authorities are urging citizens to check on the elderly and vulnerable, while energy providers are struggling to maintain uninterrupted supply. The crisis has reignited debate over climate resilience, with experts pointing to similar risks in densely populated South Asian cities like Dhaka and Kolkata during prolonged…

16 Jul

Measures to prevent diseases spread by vectors in Dima Hasao

Banasree SarkarAssam

Dr. Jesmin Begum, Dima Hasao, Joint Director of Health Services, Dr. Marina Changsan, Additional Chief Medical & Health Officer, and Debajit Saikia, District Vector Borne Disease Consultant, participated in a press conference on malaria, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis prevention. They said that in order to put preventive measures into place, the health department organized teams with other line departments and established a joint regulatory team in seven municipality regions. They also asked everyone to do their part to stop vector-borne illnesses. During the press conference, it was disclosed that the municipal departments and other market places in the districts, including…

15 Jul

Lepcha seeks support for modern tea processing unit in Sikkim’s Nathang-Machong region

editorSikkim

D.T. Lepcha, a member of the Rajya Sabha from Sikkim, has reiterated his call for the resuscitation of the ancient trade route between India and Tibet via the Nathula Pass. Dr. Lepcha met with Aishwarya Singh, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, today at Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi, to stress the economic and strategic significance of reopening the trade channel. Dr. Lepcha emphasized Sikkim's special status as a border state and stated that resuming trade through Nathula will strengthen regional ties, assist India's Act East Policy, and improve local economies. "There is historical significance to the Indo-Tibet trade…