Blog - The Purbottar

04 Apr

Tieedi and Tetra Pak launch initiative to empower waste workers, boost recycling in Darjeeling

Business BureauBusiness

Households and businesses in the Darjeeling district now have a structured way to recycle their used beverage cartons, thanks to a partnership between Tieedi Permaculture Foundation and Tetra Pak. The initiative aims to formalize waste workers, provide them with training and healthcare support, and ensure responsible recycling of aseptic beverage cartons. Tieedi, an environmental organization focused on zero-waste solutions, has teamed up with Tetra Pak, a global leader in food packaging, to establish a decentralized collection and recycling system. Used cartons will be collected through a network of waste workers and community volunteers before being sent to KhatemaFibres in Uttarakhand…

04 Apr

Germany to Ban Gas-Powered Cars by 2035

Sonakshi SarkarGermany

Germany has officially announced a ban on the sale of gasoline and diesel-powered cars by 2035, aligning with the European Union’s push for a carbon-neutral future. The country plans to shift entirely to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, making it one of the most ambitious climate policies in the auto industry. Transportation Minister Volker Wissing stated, “This is a necessary step toward a sustainable future. Germany must lead in green mobility.” Automakers like Volkswagen and BMW have already started ramping up electric vehicle (EV) production. Critics argue that the transition could impact jobs in the traditional automotive industry, but the government…

04 Apr

France Introduces Four-Day Workweek to Boost Productivity

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

In a groundbreaking labor reform, France has introduced a four-day workweek for public sector employees in select regions, aiming to improve work-life balance and enhance productivity. The policy, which reduces the traditional 35-hour workweek to four days without a pay cut, is set to be tested for a year before expanding nationwide. French Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt stated, “This reform is designed to create a healthier work environment and increase efficiency.” The government believes fewer working days will reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction. While many employees welcome the change, some businesses are concerned about potential disruptions in operations. However,…

04 Apr

Rongali Bihu workshop was organized by the Asom Chatra Parishad Golaghat district

Banasree SarkarAssamRongali Bihu

Parishad Asom Chatra A ten-day Rongali Bihu workshop was conducted by the Golaghat district unit. It began on March 30 at Samannaykhetra in Golaghat town and ended on April 8. The Bihu workshop attracted over a thousand attendees. Nayana Bharali, Asha Bora Phukan, and Ranjit Gogoi provided coaching for the session. Biswajit Gogoi, the organizer's secretary, stated in a press release that the workshop aimed to introduce Bihu culture to the younger generation. Both boys and girls were observed attending the Bihu workshop dressed traditionally. Experienced individuals provided instruction in traditional Bihu dance and dhool playing.

04 Apr

Dhubri Panchayat elections to focus on gender equity and inclusivity

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Dhubri district administration in Assam has rolled out a comprehensive plan for the upcoming Panchayat elections, focusing strongly on inclusivity, gender equity, and the smooth conduct of democratic processes across the region. Announcing the details at a press conference, Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath said the district is all set to witness polls in 128 gaon panchayats, 20 zilla parishad constituencies, and 10 anchalik panchayats. Elections will be held across 1,465 polling stations situated in the Dhubri, Bilasipara, and Golakganj subdivisions. The electorate in Dhubri’s rural constituencies stands at over 10.43 lakh voters, comprising 5,37,445 male voters, 5,05,736 female…

04 Apr

Bank of Baroda shares jump, global turnover rises over 11% to ₹27 lakh crore in March quarter

editorBusiness, News

Bank of Baroda updated its March quarter turnover for the 2024-25 financial year (Q4FY25) on Thursday, April 3. The public sector bank's global turnover rose 11.44% to ₹27.03 lakh crore as of March 31, 2025, from ₹24.25 lakh crore in the same period a year ago. Bank of Baroda shares jumped 3.02% to hit an intra-day high of ₹238.50 per share on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday. Its global advances stood at ₹12.31 lakh crore, a 12.88% year-on-year rise from ₹11.73 lakh crore in Q4FY24. Meanwhile, its domestic advances grew 13.70% to ₹12.31 lakh crore from ₹8.98 lakh…

03 Apr

Himanta Sarma inaugurates major infrastructure projects in Jorhat

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday launched three major infrastructure projects in Jorhat, with a combined investment of ₹110.75 crore. The newly inaugurated projects include a state-of-the-art Convention Centre, a two-lane railway flyover, and an Automated Testing Station, aimed at enhancing public amenities and regional connectivity. The Chief Minister inaugurated the Chinnamara Convention Centre, constructed at a cost of ₹19.98 crore. Spanning 3,118 square meters, the facility can accommodate 120 people and is expected to serve as a hub for conferences and cultural events in Upper Assam. A two-lane railway flyover, built at an expenditure of ₹78.27 crore,…

03 Apr

Women in Sandwich Generation must take proactive steps to take charge of their financial planning

Business BureauBusiness

Women in Sandwich Generation must take proactive steps to take charge of their financial planning including improving their financial know-how, said Edelweiss Life’s Chief Distribution Officer Anup Seth. The company recently released a study which shows 50% women in this generation cite lack of understanding of various financial instruments as a challenge to wealth creation. Sandwich Generation are individuals between ages 35 and 54 years, providing for 2 generations – ageing parents and growing children. The study, conducted in collaboration with YouGov, also shows that more than half the women in this generation feel they are behind on meeting their…

03 Apr

Good health isn’t just about living longer; it’s about living a healthy and better life

Business BureauBusiness

World Health Day, observed on April 7, is a reminder that good health isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living a healthy and better life. One of the most important factors is nutrition because a balanced diet plays a key role in overall health. A simple yet effective step is incorporating nutrient-rich foods like almonds into daily meals. California Almonds, India’s most popular almonds, are a natural source of 15 essential nutrients, including protein, dietary fiber, healthy fats, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E, making them a smart addition to a healthy lifestyle.Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head – Dietetics, Max Healthcare, New…

03 Apr

Halder Venture Limited expands with acquisition of KS Oil’s Haldia unit

Business BureauBusiness

Halder Venture Limited (HVL) has acquired KS Oil Ltd’s manufacturing unit in Haldia, significantly boosting its refining capacity and market reach. The move, approved by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on March 20, 2025, and finalized with physical possession on March 28, 2025, is expected to drive annual revenue growth of over ₹1,500 crore. The Haldia unit includes a 500 TPD (tonnes per day) edible oil refining facility, a state-of-the-art packaging unit, and 33,000 MT storage tanks. This acquisition expands HVL’s refining capacity five-fold and provides direct port access, allowing efficient sourcing of imported crude edible oil. The…