Blog - The Purbottar

21 May

Rapido rolls into Dibrugarh: Bike taxi services launched to boost urban mobility and jobs

Business BureauBusiness

Rapido, India’s leading ride-hailing platform, has officially launched its bike taxi services in Dibrugarh, aiming to strengthen first and last-mile connectivity across the city. The app-based service is now live, offering residents a faster, affordable, and more convenient commuting option. With this expansion, Rapido seeks to create 2,000 new job opportunities in Dibrugarh by encouraging local youth to sign up as "Captains." The move is expected to not only ease urban commutes but also empower residents through flexible earning avenues. Rapido already facilitates over 3.5 million rides daily across India and has generated more than 9 million jobs nationwide. Co-founder…

20 May

UK Hospitals to Use Robot Nurses for Elderly Care

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a major advancement in healthcare tech, NHS hospitals across the UK have started trials of robotic nurses to assist in elderly care. These robots help with medication reminders, mobility assistance, and even basic conversations to reduce loneliness. The robots, developed in collaboration with Japan, are part of the UK government’s AI in Health initiative. Early trials show a 30% improvement in patient satisfaction and reduced workload for nurses. Healthcare providers in India and Bhutan are also exploring similar tech to meet rising elderly care demands. The UK’s experience may influence future adoption of robotics in South Asian eldercare systems.

20 May

NASA to Launch First AI-Powered Satellite for Climate Monitoring

Mohini BarmanNASA

NASA is set to launch its first AI-integrated climate satellite—ClimaSat-1—next month, designed to gather real-time data on global temperature, sea levels, and greenhouse gas levels. The AI system will process data onboard, minimizing delays and increasing forecasting accuracy. Unlike previous models, ClimaSat-1 uses machine learning to prioritize climate events like cyclones, forest fires, or drought zones. South Asian scientists are already collaborating with NASA to use this data for regional early warning systems. With countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal facing frequent climate disasters, this mission could provide critical support. It marks a breakthrough in how AI will shape our…

20 May

19 including 2 women candidates held in Sikkim for cheating during NVS recruitment exam

Mohini BarmanSikkim

Police detained 19 candidates for allegedly using sophisticated electronic communication devices to cheat during the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Non-Teaching Recruitment Examination. The incident occurred on Sunday at Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School in Gangtok. According to officials, 17 men and 2 women were apprehended at the examination venue after they were found in possession of discreet communication gadgets aimed at facilitating cheating. The devices were reportedly used to seek outside assistance during the examination. All 17 male candidates have been formally arrested, and an FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the…

20 May

Medanta reports strong Q4 performance, declares maiden dividend amid robust FY25 growth

Business BureauBusiness

Global Health Limited, operating under the Medanta brand, reported a strong financial performance for Q4 and FY25, while declaring its first-ever dividend of 25% (INR 0.50 per share). The company posted a consolidated total income of INR 9,542 million for Q4 FY25, reflecting a 14.1% year-on-year increase, and an EBITDA of INR 2,476 million, up 20% with a margin of 26.0%. Despite a one-time exceptional expense of INR 499 million due to the merger of MHPL with GHL, adjusted Q4 PAT stood at INR 1,387 million, up 8.9% y-o-y. For the full year FY25, Medanta reported a total income of…

20 May

India showcases combat readiness with largest drills in Northeast

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Indian Armed Forces have launched an intensive series of live-fire drills at the Dollungmukh Firing Range in Assam’s Lakhimpur district. Nestled within the Dulung Reserve Forest, near the sensitive Arunachal Pradesh border, the high-intensity military exercises began on May 20 and are set to continue through August 31. The operations, which include real-time bombing, rocket launches, and aerial assaults, mark a significant escalation in the use of this strategically located firing range. For the first time, the Dollungmukh area is hosting full-spectrum aerial and rocket warfare simulations—an expansion from its earlier, more limited use by the Indian Air Force,…

20 May

Assam Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass proposes the idea of keeping Manas National Park open throughout the year

Banasree SarkarAssam

Given that Manas National Park is flood-free and has the potential to greatly improve the region's tourism prospects, Assam Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass has suggested keeping the park open to visitors all year round. Speaking at a public gathering in Baksa district's Salbari, Dass emphasized that Manas has not seen any floods since 2011, in contrast to Kaziranga National Park, which frequently experiences seasonal flooding. He pointed out that this makes the park appropriate for year-round visitors. Dass highlighted the park's rising stature in Assam's tourism industry by saying, "Given the Chief Minister's recent visit to Manas, it would be…

20 May

Zomato shares downfall 5%, analysts raise concerns over intensifying competition; Swiggy also drops nearly 2%

editorBusiness, News

Zomato Share Price: Zomato shares fell 5% to ₹264.85 per share on the NSE after global brokerage firm Jefferies raised concerns over rising competition in the quick commerce space. After Zomato's shares more than doubled in value in 2024, analysts at Jefferies forecast that 2025 could be a breather year, with the stock possibly shifting gears into a price consolidation phase. According to news reports, the brokerage said that aggressive strategies by existing players and entry of new competitors could lead to higher discounts, which could pose risks to Zomato's medium-term profitability. The brokerage said that apart from Zomato's Blinkit,…

19 May

Gold futures jump: Prices gain by Rs 918 per 10 grams

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, May 19: Gold prices on Monday rose by Rs 918 to Rs 93,359 per 10 grams in futures trade as speculators created fresh deals amid strong spot demand.On the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold contracts for June delivery rose by Rs 918, or 0.99 percent, to Rs 93,260 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 10,743 lots.Analysts said fresh deals by participants led to the rise in gold prices.Globally, gold futures rose 0.80 percent to USD 3,229.30 an ounce in New York.

19 May

Skill India launches AI-powered assistant on WhatsApp to revolutionize digital skilling nationwide

Business BureauBusiness

In a groundbreaking move to boost digital skilling across India, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) today unveiled the Skill India Assistant (SIA), an AI-powered digital tool developed in partnership with Meta. Powered by Meta’s open-source Llama AI models, SIA is the first large-scale public skilling initiative on WhatsApp, making it easily accessible to millions of users nationwide via +91 8448684032 and the Skill India Digital Hub. The initiative aims to provide personalized skilling course recommendations, locate nearby training centers, and highlight job opportunities tailored to individual needs. Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary emphasized how AI integration into WhatsApp…