Blog - The Purbottar

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…

15 Jul

‘Sabse Pehle Life Insurance’ campaign urges Indians to prioritise protection over investments

Business BureauBusiness

In a bid to tackle India’s widening life insurance protection gap—now at 87% and over 90% among youth—the Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC) has launched the next phase of its national campaign, Sabse Pehle Life Insurance. The initiative aims to reshape financial planning behaviour by placing life insurance as the first step toward financial security. The campaign, backed by all 24 life insurers in India, focuses on emotionally resonant storytelling to highlight the urgent need for life coverage. It challenges the conventional focus on wealth-building while neglecting basic financial protection. A central part of the campaign includes a revamped digital knowledge…

15 Jul

At the Barbaruah Tea Estate, Nokhyotro hosts an educational awareness campaign

Banasree SarkarAssam

Nokhyotro—A Journey of Light is a new non-governmental volunteer organization that was founded in December 2024 with the goal of uplifting communities via awareness-raising and education. Members of Nokhyotro have been actively engaged in raising awareness of a range of social concerns since the organization's founding, with a particular emphasis on education, creativity, and the holistic development of children. A key member of the organization, Abhijit Chakravarty, led Nokhyotro in an educational awareness event at the Barbaruah tea estate on July 13. 18 committed interns who are now undergoing training with the NGO participated in the event, which was arranged…

15 Jul

Assam-based slice SFB reports strong growth across the state and the broader Northeast region

Business BureauBusiness

slice small finance bank (slice SFB), headquartered in Assam, has reported strong growth across the state and the broader Northeast region, further cementing its role as a key financial partner in the region’s development. Over the past year, slice SFB has witnessed a 20.7% increase in its deposit base across Assam alone, reflecting growing customer trust and deepening financial inclusion in the state. In the same period, the bank has created more than 400 new jobs in the Northeast, reaffirming its commitment to enabling local opportunity and economic empowerment. To serve its growing customer base, slice SFB is expanding its…

15 Jul

Nothing expands India portfolio with launch of flagship Phone (3) and Headphone (1)

Business BureauBusiness

Nothing, the London-based consumer technology company, today announced the official launch of its flagship Phone (3) and its debut over-ear audio product, Headphone (1), in the Indian market. The two premium products are now available across leading platforms including Flipkart, Flipkart Minutes, Vijay Sales, Croma, Myntra, and top offline retail stores nationwide. The Nothing Phone (3) comes in Black and White variants, starting at ₹62,999 for the 12GB+256GB model and ₹72,999 for the 16GB+512GB configuration. Key highlights include a Snapdragon® 8s Gen 4 processor, triple camera system with a 1/1.3” sensor, and a 6.67” AMOLED display with ultra-slim bezels. Enhanced…

15 Jul

Rare birds discovered in Kaziranga’s first grassland bird survey

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, globally celebrated for its one-horned rhinoceroses and Bengal tigers, has achieved another major milestone in biodiversity conservation. The park has released findings from its first-ever Grassland Bird Survey, revealing the presence of 43 species of grassland birds, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, as well as several birds endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. Conducted between March 18 and May 25, 2025, the extensive survey spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, marking the first time Kaziranga has systematically assessed its grassland avifauna. This effort is being hailed by…

15 Jul

Saudi Arabia to Open First Alcohol-Serving Resorts for Foreigners

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a surprising liberalization move, Saudi Arabia will soon permit alcohol in select luxury resorts within newly created tourism zones like NEOM and the Red Sea Project. The policy is designed to attract more Western tourists as part of the Vision 2030 initiative. Strict regulations will govern alcohol sales, and consumption will remain prohibited in public areas and for citizens. Travel analysts in Bangladesh and India note this could shift outbound tourism trends, especially among affluent Gulf-bound vacationers. The development also opens up business opportunities for regional hospitality companies seeking partnerships in Middle Eastern tourism infrastructure.

15 Jul

73% in East India wary of illegal mosquito incense sticks, reveals Good Knight Study

Business BureauBusiness

A recent study by Good Knight, India’s leading mosquito repellent brand under Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL), reveals that 73% of citizens in East India feel uneasy using illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks. The study, titled "One Mosquito, Countless Threats", was conducted by YouGov to understand consumer attitudes toward mosquito repellents and the rising concern over unregulated products. The survey shows East India, including Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, expresses the highest discomfort nationally, surpassing regions like North (69%), South (67%), and West (67%). Additionally, 56% of respondents in East India are highly particular about their choice of repellents,…

15 Jul

NASA Announces Crewed Mission to Mars in 2031

Mohini BarmanNASA

NASA has officially declared 2031 as the target year for sending humans to Mars, marking a major milestone in interplanetary exploration. The announcement came during a briefing at the Johnson Space Center, where mission details including spacecraft design and international collaboration were discussed. Astronaut selection will begin in 2027, with test flights scheduled in 2029. NASA is partnering with ESA (Europe) and ISRO (India) for tech and training support. The news has sparked excitement among students and researchers in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, with universities exploring space research tie-ups and STEM exchange programs.

15 Jul

HCLTech’s Q1 profit downturn, revenue rises

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, HCLTech on Monday said its consolidated net profit declined 9.7 percent to Rs 3,843 crore in the April-June quarter of the current fiscal. The IT services company has projected revenue growth of 3-5 percent for FY26. According to regulatory filings, HCLTech had reported a net profit (attributable to the company's owners) of Rs 4,257 crore in the same period a year ago. Revenue from operations grew 8.1 percent to Rs 30,349 crore in the quarter under review, as against Rs 28,057 crore in the first quarter of FY25. Sequentially, profit declined 10.7 percent, while revenue grew marginally by…