Blog - The Purbottar

15 Jul

Rare birds discovered in Kaziranga’s first grassland bird survey

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, globally celebrated for its one-horned rhinoceroses and Bengal tigers, has achieved another major milestone in biodiversity conservation. The park has released findings from its first-ever Grassland Bird Survey, revealing the presence of 43 species of grassland birds, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, as well as several birds endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. Conducted between March 18 and May 25, 2025, the extensive survey spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, marking the first time Kaziranga has systematically assessed its grassland avifauna. This effort is being hailed by…

15 Jul

Saudi Arabia to Open First Alcohol-Serving Resorts for Foreigners

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a surprising liberalization move, Saudi Arabia will soon permit alcohol in select luxury resorts within newly created tourism zones like NEOM and the Red Sea Project. The policy is designed to attract more Western tourists as part of the Vision 2030 initiative. Strict regulations will govern alcohol sales, and consumption will remain prohibited in public areas and for citizens. Travel analysts in Bangladesh and India note this could shift outbound tourism trends, especially among affluent Gulf-bound vacationers. The development also opens up business opportunities for regional hospitality companies seeking partnerships in Middle Eastern tourism infrastructure.

15 Jul

73% in East India wary of illegal mosquito incense sticks, reveals Good Knight Study

Business BureauBusiness

A recent study by Good Knight, India’s leading mosquito repellent brand under Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL), reveals that 73% of citizens in East India feel uneasy using illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks. The study, titled "One Mosquito, Countless Threats", was conducted by YouGov to understand consumer attitudes toward mosquito repellents and the rising concern over unregulated products. The survey shows East India, including Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, expresses the highest discomfort nationally, surpassing regions like North (69%), South (67%), and West (67%). Additionally, 56% of respondents in East India are highly particular about their choice of repellents,…

15 Jul

NASA Announces Crewed Mission to Mars in 2031

Mohini BarmanNASA

NASA has officially declared 2031 as the target year for sending humans to Mars, marking a major milestone in interplanetary exploration. The announcement came during a briefing at the Johnson Space Center, where mission details including spacecraft design and international collaboration were discussed. Astronaut selection will begin in 2027, with test flights scheduled in 2029. NASA is partnering with ESA (Europe) and ISRO (India) for tech and training support. The news has sparked excitement among students and researchers in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, with universities exploring space research tie-ups and STEM exchange programs.

15 Jul

HCLTech’s Q1 profit downturn, revenue rises

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, HCLTech on Monday said its consolidated net profit declined 9.7 percent to Rs 3,843 crore in the April-June quarter of the current fiscal. The IT services company has projected revenue growth of 3-5 percent for FY26. According to regulatory filings, HCLTech had reported a net profit (attributable to the company's owners) of Rs 4,257 crore in the same period a year ago. Revenue from operations grew 8.1 percent to Rs 30,349 crore in the quarter under review, as against Rs 28,057 crore in the first quarter of FY25. Sequentially, profit declined 10.7 percent, while revenue grew marginally by…

14 Jul

India’s retail inflation downgrade to 2.1% in June, the lowest since January 2019

editorBusiness, News

India's retail inflation fell to 2.10% in June, the lowest year-on-year rise in consumer prices since January 2019, according to official data on Monday. Core inflation, measured by the all-India Consumer Price Index (CPI), recorded a sharp fall of 72 basis points from May's 2.82%. This fall marks the longest period in nearly six years when inflation has remained below the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4%. The central bank has not allowed inflation to rise below 2% or above 6% for three consecutive quarters. Food inflation has slipped into negative territory, with the Consumer Food Price Index…

14 Jul

ITC launches ‘Boga Atta’ in Assam, promises taste and hygiene in every bite

Business BureauBusiness

ITC Aashirvaad, India’s leading packaged atta brand, has unveiled a new product ; Aashirvaad Boga Atta specially crafted for Assamese households. Designed to cater to regional tastes, this premium fine white atta aims to elevate traditional meals like luchis, rotis, and pithas with superior quality and hygiene. Assam's market has long relied on loose atta, often lacking consistency and sanitation. With Boga Atta, ITC addresses these concerns by offering a packaged alternative made from high-quality wheat using automated milling processes. The result is a fine white flour ideal for soft, fluffy preparations that form the heart of Assamese cuisine. Speaking…

14 Jul

Stay tuned with warm lemon water

Banasree SarkarHealth

Warm lemon water is a popular daily ritual that aids in weight management and overall health. It contains essential nutrients like fiber and vitamin C, which aid in hunger management. Lifestyle factors like food, exercise, and emotional stability play a significant role in fat loss. Additionally, warm lemon water prepares the stomach for coffee or tea, making it a beneficial addition to a healthy lifestyle. Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, essential for immune system, iron absorption, collagen, skin, and hair health, and are also beneficial for iron absorption. Lemons contain pectin fibre, which can curb appetite and…

14 Jul

Dorjee Tshering Lepcha demands border be officially named ‘Indo-Tibet’

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Dorjee Tshering Lepcha has renewed his call for the central government to officially recognise the boundary between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region as the "Indo-Tibet border", instead of the commonly used "Indo-China border." Citing historical and geopolitical concerns, Lepcha emphasized the need to reflect Tibet’s distinct identity in India’s official communications and policy narratives.During a visit to the border village of Machong in Sikkim on Saturday, Lepcha told reporters that the issue was not new and had already been raised by him during the 2024 Monsoon and 2025 Budget Sessions of Parliament. “This is…

14 Jul

Sony unveils WF-C710N earbuds with dual noise cancelling and smart AI features

Business BureauBusiness

Sony India has launched its latest truly wireless earbuds—WF-C710N—designed for everyday comfort, seamless calling, and immersive audio experiences. Priced at ₹8,990, the earbuds are available starting today across Sony Centers, retail outlets, and online platforms, with an introductory cashback of ₹1,000 valid till July 31. The WF-C710N features Dual Noise Sensor technology, allowing users to enjoy music without external distractions. The Ambient Sound mode offers 20 levels of sound adjustment, enabling users to remain aware of their surroundings. The earbuds also come equipped with AI-powered Precise Voice Pickup, trained on over 500 million voice samples to ensure crystal-clear calls even…