Blog - The Purbottar

19 Jan

Northeast to Host First-Ever India Skills Competition Starting Jan 19

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is conducting the Northeast Regional Competition of IndiaSkills 2025-26 at Gauhati University, starting Monday, which marks a pivotal development in India's skilling ecosystem. Inaugurated by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary, this four-day event emphasizes the government's dedication to skill development and competitive excellence in emerging regions. It is notable as the inaugural IndiaSkills Regional Competition exclusively for the Northeastern states, with participants from all eight states competing across 26 skill categories. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, highlighted this initiative's aim to showcase regional talent and foster inclusion. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) collaborates as…

19 Jan

Big Relief for Aspirants: Assam Increases Police Recruitment Age Limit to 26

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

On January 18, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a revision of age eligibility criteria for Assam Police recruitment, aimed at expanding employment opportunities for youth. The upper age limit for applicants has been raised to 26 years, with the minimum age remaining at 18. This revision, applicable to upcoming recruitment drives, is designed to benefit many aspirants previously ineligible due to age restrictions, addressing long-standing demands for broader employment avenues and strengthening the police force with a more diverse applicant pool. Additionally, special relief measures have been introduced for persons with disabilities who passed the written stage of…

19 Jan

Major Security Action in Assam: 14 Foreign Nationals Pushed Back, Says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, January 18, announced that 14 foreign nationals were apprehended and pushed back from the state following a coordinated security operation. Sharing the development in a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said the operation was carried out in the early hours and involved individuals who had allegedly entered Assam illegally." You may be hiding in plain sight, but we will hunt you down and expel you from India,” Sarma wrote, adding that those apprehended included both “fresh infiltrators” and individuals described as “experienced troublemakers.” Reiterating the state government’s zero-tolerance…

17 Jan

Modi Attacks Congress at Bodo Cultural Event, Says BJP Government Cleansing Assam of Past Failures

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing it of decades of misgovernance in Assam and claiming that the BJP’s “double-engine government” is now correcting those failures and restoring peace and development in the state. Addressing a massive gathering at Sarusajai Stadium during a grand Bagurumba dance performance involving nearly 10,000 Bodo artists, the Prime Minister said Assam’s transformation stood in stark contrast to its troubled past. Modi arrived in Guwahati on Saturday evening as part of a two-day visit to poll-bound Assam, marking his second recent tour of the state. “Where bullets once…

17 Jan

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Accuses Congress of Undermining Assamese Identity Over Rejaul Karim Remarks

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party of weakening Assamese identity and self-respect by staying silent on what he termed “highly dangerous and objectionable” remarks made by Rejaul Karim Sarkar, a former All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) leader. Rejaul Karim resigned from the Congress just 60 hours after joining the party. Speaking on the controversy that has dominated public debate over the past week, Sarma said there was no objection to individuals joining or supporting the Congress, calling it a matter of personal political choice. However, he maintained…

17 Jan

Amit Shah to Visit Dibrugarh on January 30; Foundation Stone of Second Assam Assembly Complex to Be Laid

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Dibrugarh on January 30 to lay the foundation stone of Assam’s second Legislative Assembly complex and formally mark the completion of the first phase of the Khanikar Stadium redevelopment project, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday. The Chief Minister made the announcement during a Facebook Live interaction, stating that the proposed Assembly complex in Dibrugarh is a major step towards developing the city as Assam’s second capital. He said that once the complex becomes operational, two sessions of the Assam Legislative Assembly will be held annually in Dibrugarh, while the…

17 Jan

Oriflame introduces Opt Optimals Even Out Range to tackle dark spots and uneven skin tone

Business BureauBusiness

Oriflame has expanded its Optimals skincare portfolio with the launch of the new Opt Optimals Even Out range, aimed at addressing dark spots, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The Swedish beauty and wellbeing brand said the range has been developed for consumers looking for clearer, brighter and more even-looking skin through a gentle and simplified skincare routine. Hyperpigmentation remains one of the most common skincare concerns in India due to high sun exposure, pollution, hormonal changes and post-acne marks. To respond to this demand, Oriflame said the new range is dermatologically tested and powered by a blend of Niacinamide, Rainbow…

17 Jan

PM Narendra Modi flags off first Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat train

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Guwahati-Howrah run Vande Bharat Sleeper train was inaugurated virtually, while the corresponding Howrah-Guwahati train was formally flagged off by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Malda Town Railway Station. Operated and maintained by the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, the new Vande Bharat Sleeper has a 16-coach configuration, comprising 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches and one AC First Class coach. The train has been designed for long-distance overnight travel and offers upgraded onboard systems compared to conventional sleeper services. The Howrah-Guwahati corridor is one of the busiest rail routes linking Assam with eastern India, used extensively by…

17 Jan

HDFC Bank Q3 results

Purbalee DuttaBreaking News

India's largest bank by market capitalisation, HDFC Bank, reported a 11.5% year-on-year (YoY) rise in its standalone profit to ₹18,653.75 crore for the December quarter of the current financial year (Q3FY26). In the same quarter last year, the bank's profit was ₹16,735.50 crore. The bank's net interest income (NII) rose by 6.4% YoY to ₹32,615 crore from ₹30,653 crore in Q3FY25. The bank said its core net interest margin (NIM) stood at 3.35% on total assets, and 3.51% based on interest-earning assets. Operating profit before provisions and contingencies rose by 8.4% YoY to ₹27,097.80 crore from ₹25,000.40 crore in the same quarter last year. Gross advances…

17 Jan

Term insurance emerges as key financial safety net for Indian families

Business BureauBusiness

In a fast-developing economy like India, term life insurance can provide critical financial security. In the wake of the bread winner’s unfortunate and untimely demise, their dependents can have a secure life when their financial requirements are taken care of. Term insurance offers high life cover at relatively low premiums, making it an ideal instrument for securing the financial future of your loved ones in your absence. A 30-year-old healthy male without any pre-existing conditions and who is a non-smoker, for instance, can be eligible to secure a ₹1 crore cover for a 30-year term by paying a monthly premium…