Blog - The Purbottar

02 Jun

Supreme Court rejects petition against Assam’s ‘push back’ policy

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Supreme Court of India has declined to entertain a petition challenging the Assam government's push-back policy, designed to tackle infiltration from Bangladesh. The court advised the petitioner, All BTC Minority Students Union, to approach the Guwahati High Court regarding the matter. The petitioner alleges that the state of Assam has reportedly launched a sweeping and indiscriminate drive to detain and deport individuals suspected to be foreigners, lacking Foreigners Tribunal declarations, nationality verification, or having exhausted legal remedies. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reaffirmed the state's adherence to legal processes, stating, "We respect legal processes. If someone is…

02 Jun

1,500 tourists to be evacuated as BRO rebuilds route to Lachung

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has restored vital road connectivity to Lachung in Sikkim’s Mangan district, paving the way for the evacuation of nearly 1,500 stranded tourists from Lachung and Lachen starting Monday, officials confirmed. Following heavy rains and a sudden cloudburst on May 30, extensive damage was inflicted across North Sikkim’s key tourist routes, including landslides, breaches, and damaged bridges. The affected roads—Lachung-Chungthang-Shipgyere-Sanklang-Dikchu and others—were left impassable, trapping hundreds of tourists. BRO teams cleared landslides, repaired damaged stretches, and restored one-way vehicular passage near the suspension bridge at Phidang, ensuring safe transit for rescue operations. Two bailey bridges on…

02 Jun

Landslide in North Sikkim’s Chatten claims three; search for more underway

Mohini BarmanSikkim

Three bodies have been recovered after a landslide struck Chatten in North Sikkim around 7 pm on June 1, causing damage to nearby habitats. The recovered bodies include some combatants. Authorities suspect more individuals may be missing. Identification of the deceased is currently underway, while search and rescue operations continue to locate the missing. This is a developing story. It will be updated.

02 Jun

Student from Howrah excel at the 2024–25 Olympiad Awards

Business BureauBusiness

Biswarup Seal, a tenth grader from PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya in Howrah, has secured the first rank nationally in the prestigious National Science Olympiad (NSO) for the 2024-25 academic year. Awarded a gold medal and a merit certificate, Biswarup stood out among millions of students across 72 countries who participated in this year’s SOF Olympiad exams. This year’s Olympiad witnessed participation from approximately 96,499 schools across 4,000 cities, including over 22,300 students from Howrah. Renowned local institutions such as Don Bosco School, Oxford High School, Chandanapara Children’s Academy, and The Holy Child also took part. Mahabir Singh, Founder Director of…

02 Jun

Pioneer boosts innovation with new R&D center in Bengaluru, eyes growth in Indian automotive sector

Business BureauBusiness

Pioneer India, a subsidiary of global automotive electronics leader Pioneer Corporation, officially inaugurated its new Research & Development (R&D) center in Bengaluru, reinforcing its commitment to advancing automotive and mobility technologies. The state-of-the-art facility focuses on cutting-edge solutions including automotive vision systems, advanced driver assistance (ADAS), digital cockpits, AI-powered mobility platforms, and connected two-wheeler technologies. Designed to support OEMs, aftermarket, and B2B sectors like fleet operators and insurers, the center aims to accelerate product development tailored for both Indian and global markets. “India’s talent and mobility ecosystem make Bengaluru an ideal hub to lead innovation in connected and intelligent vehicle…

02 Jun

Local leaders restore broken road—and villagers’ faith

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Two newly elected panchayat leaders from Dhubri district in Assam have taken the initiative to repair a crucial village road with their own money—drawing praise and gratitude from the local community. The road, located in Barjan village under the Dingdinga Gram Panchayat in Tamarhat, had been severely damaged by recent monsoon rains. Muddy, broken, and nearly impassable, the stretch had become a daily hazard for hundreds of villagers, particularly school children, farmers, and the elderly.But instead of waiting for government funding or district-level approvals, Ward Member Alamgir Mollah and Anchalik Panchayat Member Manzoor Alam rolled up their sleeves and acted.…

01 Jun

Godrej Jersey survey reveals 1 in 3 Indians prefer milk as a beverage

Business BureauBusiness

On the eve of World Milk Day, Godrej Jersey unveiled a nationwide consumer insights report titled “Bottoms Up… India Says Cheers to Milk!”, revealing that one in every three Indians prefers milk as a beverage. Conducted by YouGov, the survey sheds light on the evolving preferences of Indian consumers, with 50% opting for flavoured milk or adding flavour at home. The findings also highlight a significant shift among Indian parents, with 45% offering flavoured milk during the day and 44% during playtime as a refreshing and nourishing option for children. Bhupendra Suri, CEO of Godrej Jersey, said, “We’re redefining what…

31 May

Three students from Hooghly secure top ranks in the SOF Olympiad exam for 2024-25

Business BureauBusiness

Hooghly witnessed outstanding academic achievements as three local students secured top ranks in the prestigious Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) exams for 2024-25. Sourik Nayak of K.D. Memorial School clinched first place in the International Mathematics Olympiad, earning a gold medal and merit certificate. Saptajit Ghosh from Explore International School secured the second rank in the National Science Olympiad, receiving a silver medal, while Kaustav Debnath of Techno India Group Public School took third place in the International Social Studies Olympiad with a bronze medal and merit certificate. This year’s SOF Olympiad attracted millions of participants from 72 countries, with over…

31 May

NEEPCO under fire over Assam flood impact

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A massive flood disaster has unfolded in Assam’s Lakhimpur district after the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) reportedly released water from one of its dams, leading to a sudden and dangerous rise in river levels. The deluge has submerged over 230 villages, displaced thousands, and claimed the life of one resident in Pahumora village. Panic swept through the region early on Friday morning as rising waters inundated homes, croplands, schools, and key roadways. The worst-affected area, the Naoboicha-Gendheli stretch, witnessed the 15th National Highway going underwater, effectively cutting off road connectivity and isolating large sections of the population. Relief…

31 May

3-Lakh and Counting: Toyota Fortuner & Legender Continue to Dominate Indian Roads

Business BureauBusiness

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has crossed a significant milestone with cumulative sales of its premium SUVs—Fortuner and Legender—reaching 3 lakh units in India. This achievement highlights Toyota’s dominance in the segment, driven by its reputation for reliability, performance, and customer-centric innovation. The Fortuner, launched in 2009, continues to be a benchmark with its 2.8L diesel engine delivering 204 PS and 500 Nm torque, coupled with Toyota’s robust ladder-frame architecture and advanced 4x4 capabilities. Its bold exterior, premium interiors, and commanding road presence have made it a preferred choice for performance-focused SUV buyers. The Legender, launched in 2021, builds on this…