Blog - The Purbottar

07 Apr

Sikkim BJP reiterates its support for Article 371(F) and indigenous rights

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

On the occasion of its 46th Foundation Day and the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s merger with India, the Sikkim unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reiterated its firm commitment to protecting the rights of indigenous communities and strengthening Article 371(F) of the Constitution. During the celebration, party leaders passed key resolutions calling for stronger constitutional safeguards to preserve Sikkim’s unique identity. Article 371(F grants special provisions to Sikkim following its merger in 1975. The BJP demanded Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for twelve left-out communities in the state, citing historical relevance and the constitutional protections under Article 371(F). The party…

07 Apr

Assam’s first unicorn NESFB steals spotlight at Startup Mahakumbh 2025

Business BureauBusiness

North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB), Assam’s homegrown banking trailblazer and the region’s first unicorn, took center stage at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam from April 3 to 5. Making its national debut after merging with fintech unicorn slice, NESFB showcased a bold roadmap for tech-driven, inclusive banking aimed at realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The bank unveiled AI-powered flagship branches and launched two high-return digital products—a Digital Savings Account linked to the RBI repo rate with daily interest credits, and a Fixed Deposit offering up to 9% interest. With fully digital onboarding and…

07 Apr

UK’s NHS Launches Nationwide Mental Health App for Youth

Sonakshi SarkarUK

The National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom has launched a free mental health app designed to support youth struggling with anxiety, depression, and stress. Named “MindMate”, the app uses AI-based chat support, therapist booking, and mindfulness exercises. It’s part of a broader £150 million mental health reform targeting youth aged 13–25. UK Health Secretary Victoria Atkins stated, “We need to meet young people where they are—on their phones—with services that can genuinely help.” The app is expected to benefit over 3 million young people in the UK. In countries like Bangladesh and India, where adolescent mental health is…

07 Apr

CM of Assam emphasizes how indigenous shaping state’s cultural legacy

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hailed the cultural contributions of the state’s indigenous communities, particularly the Bodo people, during the 32nd Annual Conference of the Dularai Bathou Goutham (All Bathou Mahasabha) held at Pathalikuchi in Tamulpur district. Addressing the open session of the event, CM Sarma acknowledged the deep-rooted cultural, spiritual, and religious practices of indigenous groups that have enriched Assam’s heritage. He emphasized the importance of preserving these traditions, calling them a vital part of the state’s “cultural corpus” and a reflection of the wider ethnocultural identity of the nation. “The customs, rites, and ceremonial traditions…

07 Apr

Apple to Manufacture iPhones in Indonesia from 2025

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Apple Inc. is set to begin iPhone manufacturing in Indonesia by mid-2025, marking a strategic move to diversify its production lines beyond China and India. The decision follows Indonesia's tech investment reforms and a rapidly growing domestic market. The factory, to be established in Java, is expected to generate over 5,000 direct jobs. Apple’s partner, Foxconn, will spearhead the initial phases, with local government incentives encouraging the use of Indonesian components. Indonesia's Ministry of Industry stated the move will boost national electronics exports and attract further global investments. This development is also of significance to South Asian markets, as it…

07 Apr

Britannia NutriChoice launches NutriPlus app to make health tracking easy and accessible

Business BureauBusiness

Britannia NutriChoice, one of India’s leading biscuit brands, has introduced the NutriPlus app, a smartphone-based wellness tracker aimed at simplifying health monitoring for the everyday consumer. Developed in partnership with Aktivo Labs, the app is accessible by scanning any NutriChoice pack—eliminating the need for wearables or complicated tech setups. The NutriPlus app has seen over 1.5 lakh sign-ins within a year, underscoring rising consumer interest in accessible health solutions. It offers users a single NutriScore, derived from lifestyle metrics such as steps taken, sleep quality, fibre and water intake. Over the past year, the average NutriScore improved from 60 to…

07 Apr

Palak Muchhal dazzles at Sanskriti University’s Spark 2025 musical night

Business BureauBusiness

Sanskriti University lit up with music and celebration on the second day of Spark 2025, as renowned Bollywood playback singer Palak Muchhal delivered a soul-stirring performance that left the audience captivated. The grand musical evening began with a ceremonial lamp lighting by Chancellor Sachin Gupta and CEO Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, marking the official start of the event. Muchhal's enchanting voice and emotional renditions created a magical atmosphere, making it a night to remember for students and faculty alike. Chancellor Gupta, addressing the gathering, emphasized the university’s commitment to holistic education and cultural enrichment. “Sanskriti University continues to host events like…

07 Apr

Polycab India expands fan portfolio with launch of energy-efficient ‘Super ROI’ range

Business BureauBusiness

Polycab India, a leader in the electrical solutions space, has launched its new ‘Super ROI’ range of fans, reinforcing its foothold in the fan category. With this move, the company introduces energy-saving and performance-driven fans designed with cutting-edge BLDC technology and modern aesthetics, aiming to meet the rising demand for energy-efficient home solutions. The Super ROI fans promise up to 50% energy savings and 25% higher air delivery in select models. Built with 100% copper winding motors and a four-year warranty, these fans feature reverse rotation for winter use and are available in over 30 color options. This innovation reflects…

07 Apr

Alleged irregularities in the expansion project for the Digboi oil refinery

Banasree SarkarAssamDigboi

Young people without jobs in rural Digboi have expressed grave worries about purported anomalies in the contract awarding process for the Digboi Refinery Expansion Project in the Tinsukia region of Assam. With an estimated cost of Rs 740.20 crores, the project intends to increase the refinery's capacity from 0.65 to 1 million metric tons annually. Young people claim that once Keller Ground Engineering India Pvt. Ltd. was awarded the original contract, work was delegated to a small group of people, including tycoon Hemanta Agarwal and three other people, avoiding local contractors. One of the main problems was that more over…

07 Apr

ONGC, Oil India shares fall up to 8% – Key factors explained

editorBusiness, News

Shares of state-run oil explorers Oil India Ltd and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) fell up to 8% on Friday, April 4, following a massive drop in crude oil prices overnight.Both Brent and WTI crude declined nearly 7% on Thursday. While WTI fell towards the $66 per barrel mark, Brent prices dropped to $70 per barrel.This drop in Brent crude was caused by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) announcing an unexpected, larger-than-expected production hike. While OPEC+ had planned to raise production by 1.38 million barrels per day in May, they announced a 4.11 million barrel per…