Blog - The Purbottar

19 Jul

Gangtok clash sparks political dispute in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Political tensions flared in Sikkim after a reported violent incident near Gangtok’s Sadar Police Station on the night of July 17, involving members of the Citizen Action Party (CAP). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come down hard on the Sikkim Police, accusing them of negligence and demanding full disclosure, including CCTV footage from the site. The incident, which reportedly took place within or near the premises of Sadar Police Station, has reignited debate over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. BJP spokesperson Passang Gyali Sherpa, addressing the media in Gangtok, condemned the alleged attack and questioned…

19 Jul

Lagos Hosts Africa’s First Smart City Hackathon

Mohini BarmanInternational

Lagos has become the first African city to host a continent-wide Smart City Hackathon, drawing over 800 participants from 14 countries. The event, co-organized by the African Development Bank and Google Africa, aims to address urban issues using technology. Winning projects included an AI-powered drainage monitor to prevent floods and an app to optimize public transport routes. The Nigerian government plans to fund four of the top projects. Urban planners in South Asia, including in Kolkata and Kathmandu, are now looking at similar civic-tech hackathons to crowdsource urban innovation from youth.

19 Jul

California Declares Emergency Over Wildfire Season

Mohini BarmanInternational

California has declared a state of emergency after over 50 wildfires erupted across the state amid an intense heatwave. The largest, the Sunset Valley Fire, has already burned 70,000 acres near San Bernardino, forcing the evacuation of 25,000 residents. Governor Gavin Newsom activated the National Guard and requested federal disaster relief funds. Authorities blame the unusual spike in temperatures, prolonged drought, and strong winds for accelerating the crisis. Experts from South Asia are also watching the situation closely, as parts of India and Bangladesh face similar climate-induced wildfire risks in forested zones.

19 Jul

ixigo shares jump over 15%, hit new 52-week high after Q1 results

editorBusiness, News

Ixigo shares: Shares of travel services provider Le Travenues Technologies (Ixigo) rose 15.24% to hit a new 52-week high of ₹206 on the BSE, a day after the company announced its June quarter results. On the National Stock Exchange, ixigo shares rose as much as 15% to hit an intraday high of ₹206.20. Ixigo's operating revenue rose 75% to ₹321 crore in the quarter ended June 2025 from ₹184 crore in the same period a year ago. Its net profit rose 28% to ₹19 crore as against ₹15 crore in the same period last year. Operationally, ixigo reported strong performance…

18 Jul

Crude oil prices upsurge on spot demand

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, Crude oil prices rose by Rs 76 to Rs 5,868 per barrel in futures trade on Friday as traders increased the size of their deals following strong spot demand. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, the price of crude oil contract for August delivery rose by Rs 76 or 1.31 percent to Rs 5,868 per barrel in a business of 11,533 lots. Analysts said crude oil prices rose in futures trade as participants increased their deals. Globally, West Texas Intermediate crude was trading 0.80 percent higher at $68.08 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 0.65 percent to $69.97 per…

18 Jul

Tata Motors Unveils Ace Pro: India’s Most Affordable 4-Wheel Mini-Truck

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, creating a new milestone in cargo mobility with the launch of the all-new Tata Ace Pro, heralding a transformative era in small cargo mobility. With an unbeatable starting price of just Rs. 3.99 lakh, the Tata Ace Pro is India’s most affordable four-wheel mini truck, delivering exceptional efficiency, unmatched versatility, and superior value. Designed to empower a new wave of entrepreneurs, the Tata Ace Pro is available in Petrol, Bi-Fuel (CNG + Petrol), and Electric variants – providing customers with the flexibility to choose the ideal solution for their business needs. Customers can…

18 Jul

JSW Cement proudly announces the launch of CHD JalKavach

Business BureauBusiness

JSW Cement has launched CHD JalKavach, a revolutionary super-premium cement powered by Turbo Gel Technology, marking India’s first water-repellent cement specifically engineered for moisture-prone regions like West Bengal and Bihar. Announced by JSW Cement CEO Nilesh Narwekar, the product promises superior resistance to seepage, dampness, and corrosion—common challenges during the monsoon season in Eastern India. “The weather in this region compromises concrete longevity. CHD JalKavach is a targeted solution for stronger, longer-lasting structures,” said Narwekar. Formulated with a polymer-enriched hydration matrix, the Turbo Gel Technology enhances compressive strength and workability. The cement’s slag-based composition also supports JSW’s sustainability goals, offering…

18 Jul

Assam faces agricultural crisis as CM orders emergency irrigation measures amid rain shortfall

editorAssam

On July 17, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presided over a meeting at Lok Sewa Bhawan with senior Agriculture Department officials and experts from the Regional Meteorological Centre to evaluate the effects of insufficient rainfall on Assam's agriculture. After reviewing data from the impacted districts, CM Sarma gave the Assam Chief Secretary instructions to increase departmental action and irrigation measures in order to assist farmers. However, the state's farmers are left in a precarious position as they are unable to plant paddy seedlings in their fields due to insufficient rainfall and inadequate irrigation facilities. Some farmers are using folklore to…

18 Jul

Skill India Mission marks decade of empowerment, 6 crore trained

Business BureauBusiness

Union Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, today inaugurated a week-long celebration commemorating the 10-year milestone of the Skill India Mission. Coinciding with World Youth Skills Day, the event underscored the mission's profound impact, having trained over 6 crore individuals across the nation. Minister Chaudhary, describing the journey as 'Kaushal ka Dashak' (Decade of Skill), highlighted the mission's role in transforming India's youth into a dynamic workforce, both domestically and globally. He noted the consolidation of fragmented skilling efforts into a unified "whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach." Significant achievements include the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana…

18 Jul

Indian Racing League makes history with first-ever driver draft for 2025 season

Business BureauBusiness

The Indian Racing Festival 2025 roared to life with a historic milestone — the Indian Racing League (IRL) conducted its first-ever official Driver Draft at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, unveiling a full lineup of 24 drivers across six city-based franchises. The event brought together franchise owners, motorsport executives, and media to mark a transformative moment in Indian motorsport, promising a more inclusive, data-driven, and competitive season ahead. Each team selected a diverse quartet comprising an international ace, a domestic Indian talent, an emerging Indian-origin or global racer, and a female driver. Notable inclusions include Neel Jani, Jon Lancaster, and Raoul…