Blog - The Purbottar

21 Apr

‘Amader Golpo Kotha’ returns; 220 child survivors shine through art at Kolkata event

Business BureauBusiness

In a powerful display of courage and creativity, over 220 child survivors of trauma took center stage at the second edition of Amader Golpo Kotha - Dwitiyo Porba held at Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Bhasha Bhavan, National Library of India. Organized by Prakruthi, a Kolkata-based NGO, the event celebrated the transformative journey of children from government and NGO-run child care institutions across West Bengal through Creative Arts Therapy (CAT). Performances ranged from theatre, classical dance, and self-defense to an impactful body percussion act by nearly 100 children, showcasing the deep therapeutic value of rhythmic expression. These children, many from institutions…

21 Apr

Jan Dhan deposits increase to Rs 2.63 lakh crore

editorBusiness, News

As of April 9, 2025, deposits in Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) bank accounts rose to Rs 2.63 lakh crore, an all-time high. It also shows that the average cash deposit per account was at an all-time high of Rs 4,760.Overall there are 552.8 million PMJDY accounts, with a total of 379.8 million RuPay debit cards issued. The total balance in these accounts is Rs 2,63,145 crore, as against Rs 2,34,997 crore a year ago.Though it was estimated that these accounts were opened primarily to receive government benefits, these accounts have been a major source of low-cost funds for…

19 Apr

Nissan rolls out free nationwide AC check-up camp, offers discounts on services

Business BureauBusiness

Nissan Motor India has launched a nationwide free AC check-up camp for its customers, reinforcing its customer-first approach and commitment to high-quality service. The special service camp will run from April 15 to June 15, 2025, across all 123 authorised Nissan service workshops in India. The initiative offers a 12-point AC check-up and a complimentary car top wash, along with discounts of up to 10% on labour charges and up to 15% on Value Added Services (VAS), at the discretion of dealers. Trained professionals will carry out all inspections using Nissan Genuine Spare Parts to ensure optimal service and customer…

19 Apr

Dubai Bank Unveils “Amina” to Modernize Sharia-Compliant Services

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

A leading Dubai-based financial institution has launched “Amina,” the world’s first artificial intelligence assistant dedicated entirely to Islamic banking. The AI system can answer Sharia-related queries, assist with digital transactions, and recommend financial products tailored to individual needs—all in Arabic, English, and Urdu. This move is part of the UAE’s push to lead in Islamic fintech and AI innovation. Amina uses machine learning to stay updated with fatwas from global Sharia boards, ensuring compliance with Islamic laws on finance and lending. The assistant has already been tested with 50,000 users in the UAE and is now being expanded to other…

19 Apr

California Faces Record Wildfires Amidst Extreme Heat

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

California is grappling with one of its earliest and most intense wildfire seasons in recent memory, as extreme heat and dry conditions fuel over 20 large blazes across the state. Firefighters have been deployed from neighboring states to combat the spread, especially in the northern Sierra Nevada region. Experts attribute the intensity of the fires to prolonged drought and rising temperatures linked to climate change. Over 12,000 residents have already been evacuated, with at least 50 homes destroyed so far. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and requested federal support. Environmental groups are calling for urgent reforms…

19 Apr

Police in Sribhumi have confiscated a large number of Yaba tablets

Banasree SarkarAssamSribhumi police

A large number of Yaba tablets were confiscated by the Sribhumi police from an SUV traveling from Imphal as part of a significant crackdown on the interstate drug trade. From the car, 1.50 lakh tablets in total were found. The Sribhumi Police stopped the car at Kandigram in Badarpur on Thursday and took two people into custody after receiving a confidential tip. They were identified as Suman Uddin of Patharkandi in Sribhumi district and Yahaiya Khan of Moirang in Manipur. According to a police source, the estimated cost of the medicines that were confiscated on the global illicit market was…

19 Apr

National Housing Bank meeting in Guwahati aims to boost housing finance in North-East

Business BureauBusiness

In a significant move to boost housing finance in the North-East, the National Housing Bank (NHB) hosted a meeting with MDs and CEOs of Housing Finance Companies, Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) on April 17, 2025, in Guwahati. The event, themed "Unlocking Potential: Housing Finance as a Catalyst for North-East Development," aimed to discuss how housing finance can accelerate growth in the region. The meeting, graced by Shri Manoj Ayyappan, Joint Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, and Shri Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary (HFA) from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, also featured the…

19 Apr

JK Tyre brings high-octane Indian Racing Festival to Guwahati on May 20

Business BureauBusiness

Motorsport enthusiasts in Guwahati are in for an adrenaline-fueled treat as JK Tyre, in collaboration with Adventure-X Fusion Tribe, gears up to host the Indian Racing Festival on May 20 at IIT Guwahati. The roadshow will feature high-speed stunts, open-wheel race cars, and world-class performances, showcasing JK Tyre’s commitment to making motorsport more accessible across India. Guwahati, considered the gateway to the Northeast, has steadily emerged as a motorsport hotspot. With prior hosting of zonal rounds for the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup and talent hunts, the city has nurtured racing talent that reflects the region’s growing enthusiasm for speed…

19 Apr

Flipkart drives e-commerce surge in West Bengal joins growth momentum

Business BureauBusiness

West Bengal’s e-commerce landscape is witnessing robust growth, led by Flipkart’s expansive operations that have empowered over 4.2 lakh sellers and created more than 1 lakh direct and indirect jobs. The platform has seen a 70% rise in seller onboarding and a 150% increase in product listings year-on-year, highlighting the growing digital adoption among MSMEs, artisans, and small businesses. High-performing categories include kids’ clothing, women’s ethnic wear, fashion wearables, and food & nutrition, with major cities like Kolkata, Howrah, Asansol, Durgapur, Kharagpur, and Siliguri contributing to strong sales. The district’s participation in categories like ethnic wear and food products is…

19 Apr

Special Task Force foils ₹71 crore drug smuggling operation in Kamrup

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major breakthrough against cross-border drug trafficking, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police foiled a high-stakes narcotics operation on Friday, seizing banned substances worth a staggering ₹71 crore from the Amingaon area in Kamrup district. Two individuals involved in transporting the drugs have been arrested, officials confirmed.Acting swiftly on a specific intelligence input, STF personnel launched a meticulously planned operation and intercepted two suspicious vehicles entering Assam from a neighbouring state. Upon thorough inspection, the team recovered 2.7 lakh Yaba tablets—popularly known as the “crazy drug”—along with 520 grams of high-grade heroin concealed in 40 soap boxes.…