Blog - The Purbottar

24 Oct

Biden Administration Launches Mega Fund to Tackle Climate Change

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United States has launched a new $50 billion global climate initiative aimed at cutting carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and supporting developing nations in climate adaptation. The plan, announced by President Joe Biden, focuses on partnerships with countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America to promote sustainable technologies. The fund will assist developing economies in transitioning from fossil fuels to green energy, with India, Indonesia, and Kenya expected to be key beneficiaries. Experts say this move strengthens U.S. leadership in climate diplomacy, especially ahead of the COP30 Summit scheduled in Brazil next year. Climate analysts praised the initiative as…

24 Oct

Tata Tea Agni Leaf honors Bihar’s Tikuli art with limited-edition Chhath Puja packs and TVC launch

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Tea Agni Leaf, the leading tea brand in Bihar and Jharkhand, has unveiled limited-edition festive packs inspired by Bihar’s 800-year-old Tikuliartform to mark this year’s Chhath Puja. The four packs illustrate the rituals of NahayKhay, Kharna, SandhyaArghya, and UshaArghya, blending Tikuli motifs with elements of Mithila painting under the artistic direction of Padma Shri awardee Mr. Ashok Kumar Biswas. Complementing the festive packs is a new TVC that captures the devotion, togetherness, and reverence of Chhath Puja through evocative visuals and a soul-stirring soundtrack. The ad showcases families performing rituals, symbolic elements like kharnakikheer, thekua, and arghya, while highlighting…

24 Oct

India’s first talent search for people with impairments is launched in Sikkim by Jhoom International

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Jhoom International, India’s first-ever talent hunt exclusively for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), is set to hold its Sikkim edition, offering a unique platform for young talents to showcase their skills. The initiative is presented by Shantidham Foundation in collaboration with the SKM Social Service Wing, Sarathi, and supported by the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICUN). The talent hunt is open to PwDs aged 10 to 40 years, with participants invited to submit a 1–2 minute video highlighting their talent in categories such as dance, singing, acting, comedy, stunts, magic, recitation, painting, and more. Videos must be in landscape…

24 Oct

Rapid ghat facelifting preparations in Dhubri before Chhath Puja

Banasree SarkarAssam

In preparation for the four-day Chhath Puja rites starting on October 25, the Dhubri government, municipal council, town committees, and Dhubri District Chhath Puja Committee are working to clean up about 41 river fronts (ghats) throughout the district. By worshiping the sun's setting and rising, respectively, the rites would be carried out at the ghats on the evening of October 27 and in the early hours of October 28. The Dhubri district has forty-one ghats, eight of which are in each of the towns of Dhubri and Gauripur. The remaining ghats are spread over Golokganj, Agomoni, Chhoto Guma, Halakura, Sahebganj,…

24 Oct

Sonakshi Sinha Turns Minimalism into Magic in Her Sea-View Mumbai Home

editorEntertainment

Officially, Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal have moved into their new house, which has particular sentimental meaning for the pair. The newlyweds had made an investment in this home long before they were married, even showing off a few photos of it in one of Sonakshi's YouTube vlogs when it was still under construction. Sonakshi shared warm photos of their finished house on Instagram on Thursday, writing, "Feels like home," to give admirers a preview. The house's furnishings, which include a calming white and beige color scheme with striking bursts of color, perfectly capture both of their personalities. Their unique…

24 Oct

Tribes, tea tribes, Morans, and Motoks are exempt from the two-child limit in Assam in order to protect communities

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a landmark decision aimed at preserving the unique identity of vulnerable communities, the Assam government announced on Thursday that tribals, tea tribes, Morans, and Motoks will be exempt from the two-child policy for government employment. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing a press conference after chairing the state cabinet meeting, said the exemption was crucial to prevent gradual extinction of these communities. “If we stick to the policy, these populations will lose their distinct identities and gradually become extinct in the next 50 years,” Sarma said. He noted that the Moran community alone numbers just around one lakh, highlighting…

23 Oct

HUL shares up 2%

Purbalee DuttaBreaking News

Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) shares climbed nearly 3% on Thursday after the company posted stronger-than-expected results for the September quarter, supported by a one-time tax gain. Underlying sales growth came in at 2%, while volume growth remained flat. The company attributed the quarter’s performance to temporary effects of GST rate adjustments and prolonged monsoon conditions across several regions. HUL’s Board announced an interim dividend of ₹19 per share for the financial year ending March 31, 2026. CEO and MD Priya Nair described the results as a “competitive performance” despite short-term challenges, adding that the recent GST reforms are a “positive…

23 Oct

Dhaka Unveils South Asia’s First Highway with Solar Roof Panels

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first solar-powered expressway connecting Dhaka to Narayanganj, marking a significant milestone in South Asia’s green infrastructure development. The 25-kilometer highway features solar panels installed along its central divider and overhead roofs, capable of generating up to 40 megawatts of electricity daily — enough to power nearby communities and reduce grid pressure. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said during the inauguration, “This project represents our vision for a cleaner, self-sufficient Bangladesh.” The initiative aligns with the government’s target to produce 10% of the nation’s energy from renewable sources by 2030. Experts praised the project as a model for…

23 Oct

UK to Ban Sale of New Petrol Cars from 2030

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Kingdom government has reaffirmed its plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars starting in 2030, as part of its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the move is aimed at cutting transport-related emissions, which account for nearly one-third of the nation’s total carbon output. Under the new policy, car manufacturers will be required to gradually increase electric vehicle (EV) sales, reaching 100% by 2030. The government has also announced a £2 billion fund to expand charging infrastructure and provide incentives for EV buyers. However, the automobile…

23 Oct

Sikkim government calls on NHIDCL to take immediate action in response to the frequent NH-10 closures

Banasree SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has raised serious concern over the frequent and prolonged closures of National Highway-10 (NH-10) — the state’s only major road link connecting it with the rest of the country. Officials said the repeated blockages are severely disrupting tourism, trade, and the daily movement of people, particularly during the current peak tourist season. In a strongly worded letter to Samrat Sanyal, General Manager of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), C.S. Rao, Additional Chief Secretary of Sikkim’s Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, drew attention to what he described as a “growing inconvenience” caused by the…