Blog - The Purbottar

16 Jun

Zinc futures prices upgrade on high demand

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, June 16: Zinc prices rose marginally to Rs 250.55 per kg in futures trade on Monday on strong spot demand. The price of zinc contract for July delivery rose 35 paise, or 0.14 per cent, to Rs 250.55 per kg on the Multi Commodity Exchange in a business turnover of 1,787 lots. Zinc prices rose in futures trade as participants increased their deal sizes following a pick-up in demand from consuming industries, market sources said.

16 Jun

Campus Activewear named title partner of Bengal Pro T20 League 2025 to boost regional sports and brand presence

Business BureauBusiness

Campus Activewear, one of India’s leading sports and athleisure footwear brands, has partnered with the Bengal Pro T20 League 2025 as the Title Partner for the upcoming season. The move highlights the brand’s commitment to empowering grassroots sports and reinforcing its connection with youth audiences across regional markets. With the league featuring both men's and women's formats, to be broadcast on Star Sports 3 and streamed on FanCode, Campus aims to translate its brand philosophy—“Move Your Way”—into meaningful action by investing in India’s emerging sporting talent. The partnership reflects Campus’s long-term vision of combining performance with aspiration while celebrating the…

16 Jun

Sikkim holds sacred puja after climb on holy mount Khangchendzonga

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Indigenous communities in Sikkim held a sacred purification ritual following a recent expedition to Mount Khangchendzonga—an act they view as a violation of their most sacred guardian deity. The emergency puja, conducted on June 15, was led by the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), the Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (SILTA), and concerned citizens across the state.The ritual, rooted in 8th-century Buddhist beliefs, sought forgiveness from the divine protectors of Sikkim for what the communities described as a spiritual desecration of Mount Khangchendzonga. Revered not as a mere mountain but as a “Ghajin” deity, Khangchendzonga holds immense religious and…

16 Jun

DGT and Shell India launch EV training program to power India’s green workforce

Business BureauBusiness

The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, has partnered with Shell India to launch a nationwide training program focused on Electric Vehicles (EV) and Green Skills. Implemented by the Edunet Foundation across Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, the initiative will equip thousands of ITI and NSTI students with industry-ready skills in electric mobility and renewable energy. Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, hailed the initiative as “a generational opportunity” for India’s youth to lead the global green economy. “This program aligns skilling with…

16 Jun

Stable Money raises Rs 173 crore from Nandan Nilekani’s Fundamentum, expands presence in Kolkata

Business BureauBusiness

India’s leading digital fixed-deposit platform, Stable Money, has secured ₹173 crore in Series B funding led by Fundamentum Partnership, co-founded by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. Existing backers including Aditya Birla Ventures, Z47, RTP Global, and Lightspeed also participated in the round, reaffirming confidence in Stable Money’s fixed-income investment model. Founded in 2022, the wealthtech platform enables users to invest in fixed deposits with returns up to 9.1%, offers instant withdrawals, and eliminates the need for savings accounts. Deposits come with RBI-backed DICGC insurance of up to ₹5 lakh. The company has already onboarded over 20 lakh users across India, managing…

16 Jun

Assam Government tightens regulations on pig transport

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Assamese government has issued a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that regulates the movement of live pigs both inside and beyond the state in an effort to stop the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department released the instructions with the intention of preserving Assam's pig population and the means of subsistence for individuals who depend on the livestock industry. The SOP states that any shipment of live pigs must now be accompanied by thorough paperwork, such as a valid purchase bill, GST challan, E-way bill, and a health certificate from a laboratory approved…

16 Jun

Kenya Declares National Emergency as Drought Crisis Deepens

Mohini BarmanInternational

Kenya’s government has declared a state of national emergency as prolonged drought continues to ravage crops, livestock, and livelihoods. Over 3 million people are in urgent need of food and water, with Turkana and Garissa counties worst affected. President William Ruto has called for international assistance, while the UN is coordinating a $450 million humanitarian appeal for East Africa. The drought has triggered concern across South Asia, including India and Nepal, which face erratic monsoons and extreme weather linked to climate change. Agronomists suggest this could be a wake-up call for coordinated regional efforts on climate-resilient farming.

16 Jun

Assam CM criticizes UPA’s resource allocation based on Sachar report

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a sharp political critique, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 15 launched a scathing attack on the resource allocation policies of the previous UPA government, particularly those influenced by the Sachar Committee report. Speaking at a public event, Sarma questioned the Congress-led government’s decision to prioritize minority communities in development schemes, arguing that the rightful claim to national resources should lie with tribal and indigenous populations. Recalling the UPA era, Sarma pointed out that the Sachar Committee — formed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure — had laid the groundwork for directing government resources towards religious minorities.…

16 Jun

Apple Unveils AI-Powered iOS 18 at WWDC 2025

Mohini BarmanInternational

At its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California, Apple launched iOS 18, featuring an all-new AI assistant called “Apple Intelligence.” Unlike competitors, Apple promises on-device processing and strict user privacy—clearly differentiating itself from Google’s cloud-based approach. Tim Cook emphasized, “We believe privacy is a fundamental human right. AI should not come at the cost of your data.” The update introduces smart message summarization, context-aware Siri, and on-screen real-time translation in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi and Bengali. Apple’s new AI strategy is likely to appeal to growing markets in South Asia, where data protection is becoming a policy priority.

16 Jun

Raju Dhakal emerges as a pillar of hope for Assam’s Gorkhas

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), one name that is making a quiet but strong impact is Raju Dhakal. Known for his humility and determination, Dhakal has become a respected leader for the Gorkha community and beyond. He serves as the General Secretary of the Assam Gorkha Sammelan (AGS), the oldest and most influential Gorkha organization in the state. He is also the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Through these roles, Dhakal is playing a key part in shaping a more inclusive and fair future for thousands of…