Blog - The Purbottar

17 Aug

Lenskart launches ‘Drishti Ki Daud’ to turn everyday steps into glasses for those in need

Business BureauBusiness

Lenskart has launched ‘Drishti Ki Daud—Run for Vision’, a nationwide virtual run on August 15 and 16 aimed at linking everyday fitness with a social campaign to improve access to vision care in India. Under the Independence Day initiative, Lenskart will donate prescription glasses through its non-profit arm, Lenskart Foundation, based on participants’ steps recorded through the Lenskart app. Participants completing 20,000 steps will unlock one pair of glasses, while 30,000, 40,000 and 50,000 steps will correspond to two, three and four pairs, respectively. The company said more than 350 million Indians cannot afford vision care. Participants can join through…

16 Aug

Tarique Rahman’s Proposed Delhi Visit Uncertain As Dhaka Demands Extradition Of Hasina

Preeti SinghBangladesh

Bangladesh has placed two conditions before creating what it describes as a conducive environment for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to New Delhi. Dhaka has urged India to expedite the extradition process of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and hand over to Bangladesh the alleged killers of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim outlined the conditions during a briefing on Sunday. In a written statement, Karim said officials from Dhaka and New Delhi had been engaged in discussions for several weeks regarding a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India.…

16 Aug

CRPF’s CoBRA Units Conduct 40,231 Ops Till June 2026, Neutralise 641 Maoists

Preeti SinghLatest

More than 40,000 operations conducted by the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) units underline the scale of the security forces’ sustained campaign against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), with thousands of Maoists apprehended or surrendering and large quantities of weapons and explosives recovered. According to an assessment of the CRPF’s operational performance, the force’s counter-LWE strategy has increasingly shifted from individual encounters to sustained security campaigns aimed at weakening Maoist organisational networks, disrupting their logistical capabilities and preventing armed groups from regaining control of areas once cleared by security forces. Official cumulative figures cited…

15 Aug

“Create Responsible Leaders, Not Just Managers”: IIM Shillong Director On Independence Day

Preeti SinghMeghalaya

Indian Institute of Management Shillong celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour and a strong message on responsible leadership, inclusive growth and nation-building.The celebrations began with the hoisting of the National Tricolour by IIM Shillong Director Prof. (Dr.) Arun Mohan Sherry. The 100-foot-high national flag symbolised the institution’s aspirations and its commitment to contributing to India’s development. Members of the IIM Shillong fraternity joined in singing the National Anthem, reaffirming their shared sense of pride and unity.Addressing the gathering, Prof. Sherry urged young management professionals to emerge as responsible leaders who combine professional excellence with empathy, integrity and a…

14 Aug

GU Launches Research Study On Causal Factors Of July 19, 2026 Floods In Upper Assam

Preeti SinghAssam, Guwahati

Gauhati University has constituted a multidisciplinary research team to undertake a scientific study into the causal factors behind the July 19, 2026 floods and their cascading downstream impacts across parts of Upper Assam. The newly constituted research team will now focus on generating scientific evidence on the factors behind the July 19 floods and their downstream impacts. The team will be led by Prof. B.N. Goswami, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, former Director of IITM, Pune, Professor of Excellence and ANRF PM Professor at Gauhati University, with Prof. Parag Phukon, Department of Geological Sciences and Prof. Ratul Mahanta, Department of Economics…

14 Aug

“Insult To Constitution”: Congress Protests In Guwahati Over ‘Purification’ At Kharge’s Haldwani Event

Preeti SinghAssam

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) staged a protest in Guwahati today against the "discriminatory and condemnable" act of the BJP, which allegedly performed a so-called "purification" with Gangajal at a rally venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a public meeting attended by All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge a few days ago.To express solidarity with the AICC President and demand the protection of constitutional values, a protest march (Padayatra) and Satyagraha were organised by the Guwahati City District Congress Committee from the Manabendra Sarma Complex in Dispur. The protest programme was attended by hundreds of party leaders and…

14 Aug

Rima Das’ ‘Not a Hero’ Wins Best Indie Film Award at Melbourne Festival

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam filmmaker Rima Das has added another international honour to her record, with her latest feature film Not a Hero winning the Best Indie Film Award at the 2026 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The award was announced during the festival, where Not a Hero also marked its Australian premiere. This is the second time Das has received the honour, after previously winning the same award in 2019 for Bulbul Can Sing. Das has maintained a strong association with the Melbourne festival, with all five of her feature films having been screened there. She also contributed as a director to…

14 Aug

Nf railway steps up security vigil ahead of i-day

Paromita EditorAssam

Ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has strengthened security arrangements across the zone to ensure the safety and security of passengers, trains and railway property. “Heightened vigil is being maintained at its railway stations, on-board trains and across railway premises, with RPF personnel undertaking extensive patrolling and surveillance. Additional attention is being accorded to sensitive and vulnerable locations to prevent any untoward incident and ensure a safe and secure travel environment during the Independence Day period,” NFR chief public relations officer, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma informed. As part of the…

14 Aug

Guwahati airport advances water sustainability through integrated rainwater harvesting, utilisation initiative

Paromita EditorAssam

In line with its sustainability agenda and commitment towards achieving its Water Positive objective, Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport (LGBI Airport) in Guwahati has strengthened its focus on rainwater harvesting and utilisation through an integrated water management approach across the airport ecosystem.Guwahati receives approximately 1,800–2,200 mm of rainfall annually, making rainwater one of the airport’s most valuable natural resources. The airport has already received approximately 1,320 mm of rainfall till 9 August 2026, presenting a significant opportunity to transform rainwater from a runoff management challenge into a sustainable source of water. As part of this initiative, LGBI Airport has two…

14 Aug

Barbeque Nation opens 20th West Bengal outlet in Berhampore

Business BureauBusiness

Barbeque Nation, one of India’s leading casual dining chains, has expanded its presence in West Bengal with the launch of its new outlet at Mohan Mall, Gorabazar, Sahid Surya Sen Road in Berhampore, Murshidabad. Spread across 3,079 square feet, the new restaurant can accommodate up to 97 guests and is positioned as a dining destination for family gatherings, corporate lunches and other occasions. The outlet features vibrant and contemporary interiors and offers the brand’s signature eat-all-you-can buffet. The buffet includes a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes across starters, main course, desserts and live counters. The menu features local and…