Blog - The Purbottar

20 Aug

Russia To Welcome Indian Exports Amid 50% US Tariffs

Purbalee DuttaBreaking News

Following the US move to impose tariffs on Indian goods, Russia has offered to open its markets for Indian exports. The Russian Embassy also criticised US pressure on India over its oil imports, stating that such actions disrupt global supply chains and threaten energy security for developing nations. “If Indian goods face hurdles in the US, Russia welcomes them,” said Roman Babushkin, Chargé d'Affaires at the Russian Embassy, as quoted by ANI. Commenting on India’s oil trade, Babushkin highlighted that Russia is a major producer and India a key consumer. He warned that unilateral actions destabilise pricing, create supply issues,…

20 Aug

Golaghat Nagarik Mancha urges DC to control prices during Bhadoh month

editorAssam

The Golaghat Nagarik Mancha asked the Golaghat district's district commissioner to make sure that during the Assamese month of "Bhadoh," the cost of necessities like gram pea, moong, and edible oil doesn't go up. The mancha's president, working president, and general secretary signed a memo that was delivered to the Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday. The memorandum made clear that the average person had suffered as a result of the recent increase in the cost of necessities. The price rise would make it more difficult for devotees to give prayers and carry out rituals at namghars, mandirs, and temples during the…

20 Aug

U.S. Air Force’s X-37B Spacecraft Gears Up for Mission 8

Mohini BarmanNASA

Set for launch on August 21, 2025, the U.S. Space Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (Mission 8) will ride a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission is testing next-gen technologies including laser-based communications and a quantum inertial sensor optimized for space operation. The tests aim to boost data security and improve satellite communication resilience. South Asian space agencies—from ISRO in India to emerging programs in Nepal and Bhutan—are watching these developments as they shape future regional collaboration in secure space tech.

20 Aug

The new government will determine the future of VCDCs in Bitcoin, according to Himanta

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the fate of the Village Council Development Committees (VCDCs) in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) will be determined only by the government elected after the upcoming assembly polls.Speaking to reporters, CM Sarma stated, “Whether VCDC should be scrapped or not will be decided only by the government that forms here. BJP is not the enemy of anyone.” His remarks come amid rising political discussions in the BTC region, where the relevance and functioning of VCDCs have become key talking points ahead of elections. The Chief Minister emphasized the BJP’s focus on…

20 Aug

$1 Million Challenge Opens for Revolutionary Infrastructure Ideas

Mohini BarmanInternational

The U.S. Department of Transportation, through ARPA-I, has announced a new $1 million “Ideas Challenge” to encourage breakthrough innovations in public infrastructure. Open to individuals, startups, and academic teams, the competition seeks concepts that improve commuting safety, efficiency, and affordability—from smart road management to predictive maintenance systems. Ten finalists will present proposals in early 2026, vying for significant funding and development support. South Asian urban planners—especially from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal—are watching closely, considering similar innovation contests to solve transit challenges in growing metropolitan hubs.

19 Aug

Mahindra unveils Global Vision 2027, showcases next-gen SUVs on NU_IQ platform

Business BureauBusiness

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., India’s leading SUV manufacturer, has unveiled its Global Vision 2027, presenting four futuristic SUV concepts — Vision.S, Vision.T, Vision.SXT, and Vision.X. Built on the all-new modular, multi-energy NU_IQ platform, these models are set for launch from 2027. The NU_IQ platform combines modularity, adaptability, and advanced technology to redefine SUV mobility across India and global markets. It supports multiple powertrains, front- and all-wheel drive, and both left- and right-hand-drive configurations. Mahindra says the design philosophy, branded HEARTCORE, blends expressive styling with practicality, promising command seating, superior driving dynamics, flat-floor architecture, lightweight build, and sci-fi inspired NU_UX digital…

19 Aug

Mudra scheme’s NPA to upgrade to 9.8% by March 2025

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi: The non-performing asset (NPA) rate against loan amount disbursed by scheduled commercial banks under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has risen from 5.47 percent at the end of March 2018 to 9.81 percent by March 2025, Parliament was told on Tuesday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that the NPA rate on loan amount disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) for scheduled commercial banks by March 2025 is 2.19 percent, while it was 2.71 percent at the end of March 2018. She said the PMMY scheme is primarily…

19 Aug

Eicher Trucks & buses expands eastern presence with new dealership in Barasat

Business BureauBusiness

Eicher Trucks & Buses, a business unit of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd. (VECV), has inaugurated its new 2S dealership, Future Automobile Agency Pvt. Ltd., in Barasat, West Bengal. Strategically located on NH-12, connecting Kolkata to Siliguri, the facility is designed to deliver superior uptime for Eicher truck and bus customers in the region. Spread across approximately 22,000 sq. ft., the modern facility features multiple service bays, trained technicians, advanced diagnostic tools, and genuine spare parts to ensure quick service delivery. It aims to support businesses engaged in agricultural produce, poultry farming, market load operations, and intercity passenger transport. In Kolkata,…

19 Aug

Manipal Hospitals expands in east, sets new benchmarks in Kolkata healthcare

Business BureauBusiness

Manipal Hospitals, India’s largest healthcare network, has reinforced its presence in Eastern India with a major expansion in Kolkata. With seven hospitals—five in Kolkata and two in Siliguri—the group now provides 1,200 beds, 450+ ICU beds, 40 OPDs, seven Cath Labs, and over 1,100 doctors, making it the largest healthcare provider in the region. The network’s Kolkata hospitals have already achieved milestones including Eastern India’s first wireless pacemaker injectable AI procedure, over 1,000 robot-assisted knee replacements in less than two years, and advanced cardiac interventions such as TAVI and Bachmann’s Bundle Pacing. Speaking on cardiac care, Dr. Debopam Goswami said,…

19 Aug

Study finds better way to predict CKD outcomes

Purbalee DuttaHealth

In a major advancement for kidney health, researchers have identified key biological markers that could vastly improve how chronic kidney disease (CKD) is diagnosed and managed. A simple blood or urine test may now offer clearer predictions about how the disease will progress, potentially transforming care for millions of patients worldwide. The study highlights Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1), a specific indicator of kidney damage found in both blood and urine. Higher levels of KIM-1 were strongly linked to increased risks of mortality and kidney failure. This discovery could help clinicians identify which patients are at the greatest risk and which…