Blog - The Purbottar

01 Nov

An anti-human trafficking awareness session is held at Ranka by the Sikkim Women’s Commission

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A one-day awareness programme on anti-human trafficking was held at the Ranka BAC Hall on October 31, organised by the Sikkim State Commission for Women in collaboration with the National Commission for Women. The programme focused on strengthening community vigilance, improving coordination among agencies, and empowering vulnerable groups through awareness, legal support and protection mechanisms. The event brought together senior students of Ranka Senior Secondary School, Self-Help Group members, ASHA workers, NGO representatives, Ward Panchayat leaders, officials from the Block Development Administration, and staff from the GPU and One-Stop Centre, Gangtok. The broad participation reflected the shared responsibility required to…

01 Nov

Vedanta Q2 profit drops 59% on one off

Purbalee DuttaBusiness

Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Ltd reported a sharp 59% drop in net profit to ₹1,798 crore for the September quarter, despite a 6% rise in revenue to ₹39,868 crore—its highest ever for a second quarter. The decline was mainly due to a one-time write-off linked to its subsidiary Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL), which lost a ₹1,407 crore claim in the Supreme Court under a government power project scheme. TSPL also settled a legal dispute with Sepco for ₹660 crore. However, Vedanta’s Ebitda rose 12% year-on-year to ₹11,612 crore, aided by strong aluminium, zinc, and silver prices. Shares fell 2.6% to…

01 Nov

The Taj Story Fights for Truth, but the Argument Loses Steam

editorBollywood

The movie review of "The Taj Story" highlights Paresh Rawal's role as Vishnu Das, a tourist guide from Agra. The film tackles the reinterpretation of Indian history by following Das as he petitions against the historical evidence supporting Shah Jahan’s construction of the Taj Mahal. He seeks clarification on how the monument's narrative became part of school education and advocates for an excavation to explore what lies beneath the Taj Mahal's marble surface. The film by writer-director Tushar Amrish Goel, initially intended as a courtroom drama, evolves into a complex exploration of longstanding conspiracy theories surrounding the origins of the…

01 Nov

Nissan crosses 1.2 million ‘Made in India’ exports, driven by Magnite success

Business BureauBusiness

Nissan Motor India has achieved a major export milestone with the shipment of its 1.2 millionth vehicle from India, reinforcing the company’s “Make in India, Make for the World” vision. The landmark vehicle, a New Nissan Magnite B-SUV, was flagged off from Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu, to the GCC region, in the presence of Nissan Motor India Managing Director Saurabh Vatsa. Nissan’s export journey from India has been built on the success of models such as the Sunny, Kicks, and Micra, with the Magnite now driving its global momentum. The New Magnite, sold in over 65 countries in…

01 Nov

All of the state’s national parks and sanctuaries have raised their elephant safari fees

Banasree SarkarAssam

The revised prices for elephant safaris in all Assamese national parks and sanctuaries where the activity is offered will go into effect from November 1, 2025, according to the Assam administration. The state Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department announced the increase in elephant safari costs in a notification on October 30, 2025. The decision was made in partial revocation of a notification that was sent out on October 31, 2015, ten years prior. According to the updated prices, Indian travelers will now pay Rs 1,200 per seat per trip, up from Rs 750 previously, and foreign travelers will pay…

01 Nov

Kolkata gets its first premium senior living address on the Ganges

Business BureauBusiness

In a landmark move marking a shift in the city’s real estate landscape, Srijan Realty has launched Primus Ganges, Kolkata’s first premium senior living community on the banks of the Hooghly. The development reflects the city’s demographic evolution, with senior living emerging as a prominent and fast-growing asset class amid declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy in Bengal. Industry data supports this momentum — India’s senior living sector is expected to grow at a double-digit pace over the next decade, according to Mordor Intelligence. Even as Kolkata’s overall residential sales dipped 10% QoQ in Q2 2025, demand for premium…

01 Nov

Key forensic reports in the Zubeen Garg case are sent by Singapore; the chargesheet is scheduled on December 17 by Assam SIT

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the death of Assam’s beloved singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, authorities in Singapore have officially shared his post-mortem and toxicology reports with the Assam Police. The development marks a significant step forward in the ongoing probe, which has been under intense public and political attention since the artist’s sudden passing in September. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday confirmed that the documents, along with procedural guidelines under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), were received by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT was constituted to conduct a detailed inquiry…

01 Nov

Govt, ABCF & BITS Pilani launch startup challenge to boost innovation in NSTIs

Business BureauBusiness

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), along with Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF) and Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) of BITS Pilani, on Thursday launched the Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha: Kaushalta se Udyamita, an innovation and start-up challenge aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among students of National Skills Training Institutes (NSTIs). The initiative, managed by PIEDS and supported under ABCF’s CSR programme, will target over 10,000 NSTI students pursuing skill training across 33 NSTIs in India, including NSTI(W) centres dedicated to women. The challenge will focus on innovation in IT/ITeS, automotive, apparel, electronics & hardware, power, and capital…

31 Oct

Medanta’s Rs 500-crore Guwahati hospital project poised to reshape Northeast healthcare economy

Business BureauBusiness

Medanta has formally commenced construction of its 400+ bed super-speciality hospital in Guwahati, signalling a major private healthcare investment push in the Northeast. The Bhoomi Poojan ceremony, held on October 31, was attended by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Medanta Chairman & MD Dr. Naresh Trehan, Group CEO Pankaj Sahni, and senior government and community leaders, marking the beginning of what analysts see as a significant milestone in strengthening the region’s healthcare ecosystem. With an investment outlay of approximately ₹500 crore, the upcoming hospital at Sarusajai Industrial Estate along NH-27 will feature advanced tertiary and quaternary care, including…

31 Oct

Henna compound found to reverse liver scarring

Banasree SarkarHealth

A natural dye long prized for its use in body art and hair coloring may soon find a life-saving purpose in medicine. Scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered that natural henna, or Lawsonia inermis, contains pigments that could effectively treat liver fibrosis — a chronic and potentially fatal liver disease caused by long-term damage. Liver fibrosis occurs when scar tissue builds up in the liver following repeated injury or inflammation, often linked to excessive alcohol use or conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). If left untreated, the disease can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver…