Blog - The Purbottar

03 Sep

Two luxury cruise ships to set sail on Brahmaputra: Sarbananda Sonowal

Banasree SarkarAssam

For the Brahmaputra River, the central government will send out two opulent cruise ships valued at Rs 250 crore. In addition, 100 barges—cargo vessels—will be in service in the Ganga, Barak, and Brahmaputra. This was said by Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), during a road show in Guwahati that served as a prelude to India Maritime Week 2025. "Two luxury cruise ships are being built at a combined investment of Rs 250 crore for deployment on the Brahmaputra River," Sonowal told reporters here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give the keynote presentation at the…

03 Sep

Bangladesh Launches Satellite-Based Flood Monitoring

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has rolled out a satellite-based flood monitoring system, designed to give rural communities more accurate early warnings during monsoon season. The system, developed in collaboration with Japan, provides real-time rainfall and river-level data, which is shared through mobile alerts and community radio stations. Officials said the project could save thousands of lives and prevent large-scale crop losses, particularly in flood-prone districts like Kurigram, Jamalpur, and Sylhet. Experts believe the initiative can also be adapted in neighboring India and Nepal, where river systems are interconnected. Regional disaster management groups welcomed the move, calling it a model for South Asia.

03 Sep

Thousands Displaced as Storm Surge Hits Communities

Mohini BarmanInternational

A powerful hurricane made landfall in Florida, USA, on Thursday, bringing torrential rain, winds of over 150 km/h, and massive storm surges. Authorities confirmed widespread flooding in coastal towns, with power outages affecting more than two million households. Emergency shelters have been opened in schools and community centers as rescue teams continue evacuations. U.S. President Joe Biden urged citizens to follow safety advisories, promising federal assistance. Airports in Miami and Orlando canceled hundreds of flights, disrupting domestic and international travel. Analysts warn that the damage could cost billions of dollars, making it one of the worst storms in recent years.

03 Sep

slice SFB appoints ex-RBI Executive Director Eugene Karthak as Chairman to boost Northeast focus

Business BureauBusiness

slice Small Finance Bank (SFB) has appointed former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Executive Director Eugene Emmanuel Karthak as its Part-time Chairman and Independent Director, reinforcing its leadership in the Northeast. Karthak, who served over three decades at the RBI, led key departments including Information Technology and Corporate Services, and also worked as Regional Director in Delhi and Bengaluru. He played a pivotal role in regulatory compliance, policy implementation, and institutional productivity. Currently, he also serves as Director of the Guwahati-based Indian Institute of Bank Management, and is on the Governing Council of CAFRAL, Mumbai. With its headquarters in Assam,…

03 Sep

The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee chastises the state for using the incorrect Pang Lhabsol date in an official publication

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has renewed its criticism of the state government over a long-standing error in an official publication that incorrectly mentions the date of the Pang Lhabsol festival. The issue, first raised by the committee over two decades ago, continues to stir concern among Sikkimese communities. The controversy dates back to 2004 when the Sikkim government published the Sikkim Studies Series (Culture, Part-1, Volume-III). In the book’s section on culture, Pang Lhabsol is listed as being observed every year on September 2. SIBLAC maintains that this information is misleading, as the festival follows the Sikkimese…

03 Sep

Dibrugarh hosts “Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan” orientation to empower tribal communities

editorAssam

The Dibrugarh District Commissioner's Office Training Hall hosted the district-level "Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan" orientation session. The primary goal of the Union Government's "Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan," an ambitious and forward-thinking program administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is to raise the standard of living and independence of the tribal people. Through the provision of suitable training and the involvement of non-governmental organizations, this program aims to empower government employees as original workers. The Tribal Affairs Department of the Government of India launched the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan with the goal of achieving the full development of the tribal community through the…

03 Sep

Medanta’s Dr. Ashok Rajgopal achieves 40,000 knee replacements, strengthens India’s orthopaedic care

Business BureauBusiness

Medanta Gurugram, ranked India’s best private hospital by Newsweek for six consecutive years, on Friday honoured Dr. Ashok Rajgopal, Group Chairman of the Medanta Institute of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Orthopaedics, for completing 40,000 knee replacement surgeries—a landmark that highlights Medanta’s leadership in orthopaedic excellence. Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta, hailed Dr. Rajgopal’s “unwavering dedication to patient care,” while Group CEO Pankaj Sahni praised his expertise and compassion. Patients also shared moving testimonies of regaining mobility and independence. India faces a growing crisis of joint health, with nearly 60 million people projected to suffer from knee osteoarthritis by…

02 Sep

North east’s business excellence celebrated at ET Industry Leaders Awards 2025 in Guwahati

Business BureauBusiness

The ET Industry Leaders Awards North East 2025, organized by The Times of India in association with Byatikram Group, concluded successfully at Hotel Vivanta, Guwahati, honoring exceptional achievers from across the region. The ceremony brought together business leaders, innovators, and social contributors on one platform to celebrate outstanding contributions in education, healthcare, journalism, art, and social service. The event commenced with the National and State Anthem, followed by ceremonial lamp lighting. Distinguished guests included Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Rana Pratap Kalita, Dr. B. Kalyan Chakraborty, Prof. Dr. Nachiketa Tripathi, actor Nishita Goswami, and Dr. Saumen Bharatiya, President of Byatikram Group. Thirty-one…

02 Sep

Coal output upgrade 12% in April-August

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi: Coal production from captive and commercial mines across the country rose 11.88 percent year-on-year to 73.92 million tonnes (MT) during the April-August period of the current fiscal. Dry fuel production from captive and commercial mines was recorded at 66.07 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. "The cumulative figures up to August for FY 2025-26 show robust year-on-year growth, with production increasing by 11.88 percent and dispatch increasing by 9.12 percent over the corresponding period of the previous year," the coal ministry said in a statement. The increase in production reflects improved operational efficiency across…

02 Sep

Grand Shopsy Mela returns; Flipkart’s hyper value platform launches biggest festive sale

Business BureauBusiness

Shopsy by Flipkart has announced the return of its biggest annual shopping event, the Grand Shopsy Mela (GSM), running from August 29 to September 7. The sale, themed “Aise Girenge Dam, Shopping Hogi Subah Shaam,” promises unmatched affordability with over 1 crore products priced under ₹149 across fashion, lifestyle, home, and beauty categories. This year’s edition brings a wide range of offers including Grand Jhatpat Deals, Crazy Offers, Jackpot Deals, and hourly price drops, making festive shopping accessible for millions of families in Tier 2, 3, and 4 towns. According to Kapil Thirani, Business Head of Shopsy and Flipkart Marketplace,…