Blog - The Purbottar

20 Jan

Assam’s Growth Will Drive Northeast’s Economic Future: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held discussions with Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran ahead of his scheduled meeting with representatives of the global semiconductor industry at the World Economic Forum (WEF) later on Monday. The Chief Minister said the Tata Group is playing a key role in anchoring Assam’s semiconductor sector. He added that the state government is keen to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem by collaborating with major global players. The meeting comes as Assam seeks to position itself as an emerging hub for semiconductor manufacturing and allied industries. Positioning Assam as a regional growth engine, Chief Minister Himanta…

20 Jan

Young Boxers Shine at 20th Sub-Junior & 21st Youth State Championship in Rumbuk

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The four-day State Level 20th Sub-Junior Boys’ and Girls’ and 21st Youth Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championship 2026 concluded on a positive note today at Rumbuk, bringing together young boxing talent from all parts of Sikkim. A total of 111 boxers, representing every district of the state, took part in the championship. Over the four days, the young boxers competed in different weight categories and age groups. The bouts were closely fought, with participants showing good discipline, fitness, and determination inside the ring. Coaches and officials noted the steady improvement in skills among the young boxers, reflecting the growing interest…

20 Jan

Kokrajhar Sees Mobile Internet Shutdown as Tensions Escalate

Sonakshi SarkarNews

Amid public outrage over a killing in Kokrajhar district, the Assam government has suspended mobile internet services effective immediately. Voice calls and broadband via fixed lines will remain operational. This action follows a report from the District Magistrate regarding a serious law and order situation that arose on January 19, when a vehicle with three Bodo individuals struck two Adivasi persons. In retaliation, the Bodo individuals were attacked, resulting in the vehicle being set on fire. The clash escalated tensions between the Bodo and Adivasi communities, leading to roadblocks on the National Highway, the burning of tyres and some houses,…

20 Jan

Nissan names Gagan Mangal as Head of Communications for India operations

Business BureauBusiness

Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. has appointed Gagan Mangal as its new Head of Communications, effective January 12, 2026. Based in Gurugram, Mangal will lead all communications functions for the company in India. He will report to Katherine Zachary, Vice President – International Communications, and work closely with Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India. Announcing the appointment, Vatsa said Mangal joins the company at a crucial phase as Nissan accelerates its brand resurgence and prepares for upcoming product launches in India. He added that Mangal’s strong understanding of the Indian media landscape will help strengthen the company’s communications strategy…

20 Jan

Rural Development Push: Centre Releases Rs 213.9 Cr for Assam’s Local Bodies

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Union Government has allocated Rs 213.9 crore as the first installment of XV Finance Commission Untied Grants for Rural Local Bodies in Assam for the financial year 2025-26. This grant is distributed among 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 eligible Block Panchayats, and 27 eligible Zilla Parishads. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti recommend these grants for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs), which are subsequently released by the Ministry of Finance. These Untied Grants are designated for local needs across 29 subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding…

20 Jan

Northeast Conclave cum Buyer-Seller Meet Held in Guwahati by APEDA

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Northeast Conclave cum Buyer-Seller Meet, organized by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with the Assam Agriculture Department, took place in Guwahati. Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora inaugurated the event, emphasizing its significance for positioning Assam and the Northeast as global exporters of Agri-horticultural products. He highlighted the region’s export potential, showcasing products such as Joha rice, Komal Cahul, Black Rice, litchi, orange, ginger, and pineapple, all supported by organic farming practices. Bora noted that unlocking this potential necessitates strong infrastructure, market access, and collaboration, particularly through APEDA. He pointed out that Assam's…

20 Jan

WhatsApp emerges as Bharat’s digital backbone as non-metro consumers drive next growth phase: Rukam Capital Study

Business BureauBusiness

India’s consumption story is rapidly shifting beyond metros, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and small towns shaping the country’s next phase of growth, according to a new consumer study released by Rukam Capital. Titled Beyond Metros: The Real Story of Bharat’s Next 500 Million, the report finds that 84–89% of Bharat consumers now use WhatsApp as their primary digital platform, spanning communication, product discovery and even commerce. The study highlights a clear shift in influence and decision-making. Content creators have overtaken celebrities as trusted voices, with 22–23% of consumers relying on creator recommendations, while celebrity influence has fallen…

20 Jan

Bajaj Auto launches new Chetak C25 electric scooter at Rs 91,399

Business BureauBusiness

Bajaj Auto Ltd. on Friday announced the launch of the all-new Chetak C25, expanding its electric scooter portfolio with a younger and more city-focused offering. The new model is priced at ₹91,399 (ex-showroom Delhi) and will be available across all Chetak showrooms pan India. The Chetak C25 has been designed for everyday urban mobility, targeting customers looking for a light, agile and stylish electric scooter. While aimed at younger riders, the scooter retains Chetak’s core identity of solidity, reliability and a strong metal body, which has found acceptance among families, women and young couples. Featuring a neo-classic design, the scooter…

20 Jan

IndiaSkills North-East Meet begins in Guwahati, 162 youth compete across 26 skills

Purbalee DuttaBusiness

The IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025–26 for the North-East was inaugurated on Sunday at Gauhati University, bringing together young participants from all eight North-Eastern states to compete across 26 skill categories. The event was inaugurated by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, who said that the youth of the North-East are prepared to take a leading role in India’s skilled workforce. Organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship with the National Skill Development Corporation as the implementation partner, the competition is being held in the region for the first time. A total of…

20 Jan

Mob Violence in Kokrajhar: One Killed, Four Injured, 19 in Police Custody

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Police have detained 19 people in connection with the killing of a youth in a mob attack at Gouri Nagar under Kokrajhar Police Station on Monday evening. The incident, which took place on suspicion of cattle theft, has led to tension in parts of Kokrajhar district, especially in the Karigaon area.Superintendent of Police Akshad Garg said police have started a detailed investigation into the case. He confirmed that 19 individuals have been detained so far and are being questioned to establish their role in the incident. He added that the situation is being closely monitored.According to police sources, the incident…