Blog - The Purbottar

14 Apr

Sunrise Spices blends Bihu traditions with AI-powered festive cheer

Business BureauBusiness

In a vibrant fusion of culture and technology, ITC’s Sunrise Spices has launched a unique digital campaign to celebrate Rongali Bihu, featuring an AI-powered image filter that transforms selfies into traditional Assamese portraits. As Bihu festivities sweep across Assam and beyond, Sunrise’s new initiative allows users to scan a QR code or click a link to turn their photos into stylized images showcasing Assamese attire and festive elements. The AI filter is designed to deepen cultural connection and spread festive joy, especially among tech-savvy youth and Assamese communities living outside the state. Sunrise Spices, known for its authentic blends, is…

14 Apr

Sunrise Spices brings back rustic Bihu vibes to Guwahati with ‘Smritir Rongali’

Business BureauBusiness

In a vibrant revival of Assam’s cultural heritage, ITC’s Sunrise Spices has launched its Rongali Bihu campaign, ‘Smritir Rongali’, to reconnect urban dwellers with the traditional spirit of the festival. The initiative, unfolding from April 14 to 17 across Latashil, Chandmari, Khanapara, and Geetanagar in Guwahati, recreates an immersive village-style Bihu experience right in the heart of the city. The campaign features bamboo huts, haystacks, earthen lamps, and soulful folk music, offering a nostalgic nod to rural Assam. Cultural performances, traditional games, and festive canters traveling through neighborhoods bring the celebration to life. Sunrise has also embraced innovation with an…

14 Apr

Helicopter Crash in New York Kills Six

Sonakshi SarkarACCIDENT

A sightseeing helicopter carrying six people, including a family of Spanish tourists, crashed into New York City's Hudson River on April 13. The Bell 206 aircraft encountered mechanical failure shortly after takeoff and spiraled into the river. All six passengers, including three children, were pronounced dead at the scene despite rapid emergency response. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. This incident has reignited debates over the safety of aerial tours in heavily populated urban areas. Local officials are also facing scrutiny over licensing and oversight practices. The crash has deeply saddened…

14 Apr

Sikkim NGO under fire as 192 distributed goats d*e mysteriously

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a shocking incident from Sikkim's Gyalshing district, 192 goats distributed under a government-linked welfare scheme have mysteriously died, triggering an official investigation into possible procedural violations and negligence. The goats were handed over to beneficiaries in the Arithang-Chongrang GPU on March 4 by the NGO Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) and its local coordinators. According to Gyalshing District Collector-cum-District Magistrate Tenzing D. Denzongpa, the distribution was carried out without prior approval from the District Administration or the Animal Husbandry Department. “The goats were not quarantined or subjected to medical checks, as mandated by state regulations,” Denzongpa said in a…

14 Apr

UPI transactions rise to 18.3 billion in March

editorBusiness, News

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded a robust 13.6 percent growth in transaction volumes in March, hitting a new peak of 18.30 billion transactions, according to the latest data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). While the top five UPI apps - PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, Navi and Super.money - retained their rankings, Axis Bank moved to the sixth spot, overtaking fintech unicorn CRED, which slipped to the seventh spot. This shift follows a similar pattern seen in February, when Super.money displaced CRED to enter the top five. In March, Axis Bank's growth was driven by a…

14 Apr

Rabha Development Council to be formed by August, CM declares

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In Assam, Tankeshwar Rabha was sworn in for a third consecutive term as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) on Sunday. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the RHAC Secretariat in Dudhnoi and witnessed participation from a host of senior leaders and officials. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the event as the chief guest and made a strong pitch for granting constitutional status to the RHAC. The oath-taking ceremony marked the formal induction of the newly elected RHAC members, who were voted into office following the council elections held on April…

12 Apr

JK Tyre’s racing festival brings speed and excitement to North-East consumers

Business BureauBusiness

JK Tyre& Industries Ltd., a trusted name in the Indian tyre market, is bringing motorsport excitement to consumers across the North-East with the “JK Tyre powered Indian Racing Festival – a carnival of Total Control.” The high-adrenaline tour, scheduled from April 12 to 22, will rev up the streets of Kohima, Aizawl, Shillong, Guwahati, and Gangtok with thrilling racing showcases and stunt performances. The event features a mix of electrifying experiences—international Formula 4 and Wolf cars, drifting in high-performance Lexus and BMW cars, gravity-defying superbike stunts, and junior karting sensations—all running on JK Tyre’s Levitas Ultra range. For consumers, it’s…

12 Apr

More than 100 people lost their lives by severe storms in eastern and northern India

Banasree SarkarNorth Eastrainfall

A wave of extreme weather, including hailstorms, lightning, and torrential rains, has ravaged both the eastern and northern parts of India. Bihar was hardest hit, followed by Uttar Pradesh, with officials in all three states on high alert. Jharkhand also reported serious crop damage and injuries. Bihar, the region most severely impacted by this meteorological catastrophe, saw a sharp rise in the number of fatalities to 80. Hailstorms and lightning struck several regions, causing widespread damage. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the relatives of those slain, and State Disaster Management Minister…

12 Apr

Assam govt summons 5 schools in Assam for poor HSLC results

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Inspector of Schools, Kamrup (Metro) district, issued a show-cause notice to five high schools in the city after their HSLC 2025 examination results recorded a pass percentage below 25%. The schools in question- Barsojai High School, Maligaon High School, NPME High School, Piling kata High School, and Dispur Govt HS School - have been flagged for underperformance, raising serious concerns about the quality of education and administrative supervision in these institutions.

12 Apr

Sonowal launches Rs 67.77 cr maritime education projects, highlights government’s modernization push

Business BureauBusiness

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a girls’ hostel at the Indian Maritime University (IMU) Kochi campus and virtually inaugurated infrastructure projects across six IMU campuses, marking a major push towards modernizing maritime education in India. The total estimated cost of these 17 projects is ₹67.77 crore. The newly announced girls’ hostel in Kochi, to be developed at ₹13.11 crore, aims to enhance accommodation facilities for female maritime students. The Minister also unveiled a series of upgrades across IMU campuses in Chennai, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai Port, and Visakhapatnam, which…