Blog - The Purbottar

11 Feb

After 25 Years, Assam Tea Exports Jump by 40 million Kg, Says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

On February 11, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a significant accomplishment for the state's tea industry, reporting a 40-million-kilogram increase in tea exports after 25 years. He highlighted that overall tea production in Assam has risen by 50 million kilograms, with orthodox tea now accounting for nearly half of the production, a variety that has garnered strong international demand. In the financial year 2025–26, Assam's tea exports have grown considerably, a trend not mirrored in South India, where production has decreased by 10 million kilograms. Further, total tea sales from Assam increased by 19 million kilograms, with orthodox…

11 Feb

Assam CM Says Ink Attack Plot Against Gaurav Gogoi Thwarted, FIR Registered

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused elements within the Congress party of plotting to stage violent incidents involving their own leaders to garner public sympathy for the upcoming Assembly elections. He announced that police had already taken preventive measures, including an arrest, in response to the alleged conspiracy. During a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma detailed that a whistle-blower from Congress had informed the police about a plan to throw ink on Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, purportedly to create a political narrative that would favor the opposition party. Based on this information, the police registered a preventive FIR…

11 Feb

EC Orders Parties, Candidates to Publish Manifestos by February 15

editorNepal

The Election Commission (EC) has directed political parties and candidates contesting the upcoming House of Representatives election to publish and submit their election manifestos by Falgun 3 (February 15).The decision applies to all parties participating in the Falgun 21 election, as well as candidates contesting under the first past-the-post (FPTP) system. The Commission stated that manifestos must be prepared and submitted in accordance with Section 37 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082.Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said political parties are required to submit their published manifestos to the Election Commission, while individual candidates must file theirs with…

11 Feb

Tata Motors begins operations at new Tamil Nadu plant; Range Rover Evoque first to roll out

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (TMPV) and its subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc. (JLR) on Monday announced the commencement of operations at their new manufacturing facility at Panapakkam in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet district. The plant marks the first phase of a greenfield project that will produce next-generation vehicles, including electric vehicles, for both Tata Motors and JLR brands. The first vehicle to roll out from the facility is the locally manufactured Range Rover Evoque, a globally popular luxury SUV known for its premium design and craftsmanship. The plant was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the…

11 Feb

Hyatt appoints S. Vidyashankar as Regional VP of Human Resources for India & Southwest Asia

Business BureauBusiness

Global hospitality major Hyatt has appointed S. Vidyashankar as the Regional Vice President of Human Resources for India and Southwest Asia, reinforcing its leadership team as the company continues to expand across the region. With over 23 years of experience in hospitality human resources, including more than two decades with Hyatt, Vidyashankar is expected to play a key role in shaping the company’s regional people strategy. In his new role, he will work closely with regional and hotel leadership teams to strengthen leadership capabilities, nurture talent, and promote people practices aligned with Hyatt’s global purpose and values. The focus will…

11 Feb

Berger Paints posts stable Q3 revenue, profit margins face pressure amid demand fluctuations

Business BureauBusiness

Berger Paints India Limited reported largely stable revenue growth for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, even as profits declined due to scale effects, continued brand investments and market uncertainties. According to the company’s Q3 results, consolidated revenue from operations stood at ₹2,984 crore, marginally up 0.3% from ₹2,975.1 crore in the same quarter last year. EBITDA remained almost flat at ₹471 crore, while net profit fell 8.3% year-on-year to ₹271.3 crore. On a standalone basis, revenue rose 0.4% to ₹2,595 crore, while net profit declined 2.5% to ₹298.4 crore. For the nine-month period ended December 2025, consolidated revenue grew…

11 Feb

Not All Sugar Swaps Are Healthy: What a Nutritionist Recommends

editorHealth

As more people try to cut down on refined sugar, alternatives like jaggery, brown sugar and monk fruit are gaining popularity. But are they truly healthier? A nutritionist says the answer isn’t as simple as it seems.Excess sugar intake has been linked to serious health risks, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity. While replacing white sugar may seem like a smart move, not all substitutes offer real benefits.Palm jaggery, a traditional favorite in Indian households, is often considered natural and nutritious. Though it contains small amounts of minerals like iron, experts say…

11 Feb

DPDP compliance fast-track may hurt startups, investors flag risks at policy briefing

Business BureauBusiness

Experts have cautioned that compressing compliance timelines under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules could strain businesses and weaken investor confidence, particularly in the startup ecosystem. The concerns were raised during a media briefing hosted by InGovern Research Services. While industry stakeholders broadly welcomed the intent to strengthen data privacy, speakers warned that advancing implementation timelines from the originally proposed 18 months to 12 months — and in some cases immediate enforcement — could impose disproportionate operational and financial burdens. They stressed that DPDP compliance requires deep changes in technology architecture, governance systems and internal processes, not just paperwork.…

11 Feb

Royal Stag BoomBox Season 4 returns with multi-city music tour, Kolkata to host opening show

Business BureauBusiness

Seagram’s Royal Stag BoomBox, the popular experiential music festival known for blending Bollywood melodies with hip-hop beats, is returning with its fourth season, promising its biggest edition yet. The multi-city tour will travel across four major youth hubs—Kolkata, Vizag, Mumbai and Mohali—bringing together leading Indian music artists and immersive fan experiences. Season 4 will begin in Kolkata on February 21, followed by Vizag on March 7, Mumbai on March 14 and Mohali on March 28. The festival will feature a star-studded line-up including Badshah, Armaan Malik, Divine, Neeti Mohan, Nikhita Gandhi, Rashmeet Kaur, Sreerama Chandra and legendary rock band Fossils.…

11 Feb

Supreme Court Modifies Gauhati HC Order, Upholds Assam’s Forest Eviction Drive with Safeguards

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Supreme Court modified the Gauhati High Court’s order concerning eviction drives in Assam's reserved forests after reviewing the Assam government's affidavit detailing the procedures for such actions. The affidavit stipulates that a Joint Committee of forest and revenue officials will assess the legitimacy of eviction notices, ensuring that occupants can present evidence before any action is taken, with a mandatory 15-day notice for removal on established encroachment. The court upheld the procedural fairness of this approach, prompting Assam's Chief Minister to highlight that over 1,25,326 bighas of forest land have already been freed from encroachment. The ruling favored the…