Blog - The Purbottar

07 Aug

Technology investments improve ICICI Prudential Life’s cost efficiency

Business BureauBusiness

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance’s continued investment in technology and automation is translating into improved operational efficiency and lower costs, underscoring the growing role of digital transformation in enhancing productivity across India’s life insurance sector. The insurer reported that its savings cost-to-premium ratio declined to 13.6 per cent in the first quarter of FY2027, down 50 basis points from a year ago, reflecting gains from technology-led cost optimisation while maintaining business growth. The company attributed the improvement to increased adoption of artificial intelligence, analytics and digital platforms such as ICICI Pru Partner Stack and IPRU Edge, which have streamlined customer acquisition,…

07 Aug

Free dialysis services reach over 6,200 kidney patients in Dibrugarh under Assam-Apollo partnership

Business BureauBusiness

The Government of Assam, in partnership with Apollo Dialysis Clinics under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, has strengthened access to free dialysis services in Dibrugarh district through the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP), benefiting thousands of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. The initiative operates dialysis centres at Assam Medical College & Hospital, Moran Community Health Centre (CHC) and Naharkatia Sub-Divisional Civil Hospital, enabling eligible patients to receive hospital-grade renal care closer to home without incurring out-of-pocket expenses. According to official data as of June 2026, the three centres have served 6,288 kidney patients and conducted 44,670 free dialysis…

06 Aug

Iit-guwahati develops ‘e-eye’ for rapid detection of cancer-causing heavy metals, toxicants

Paromita EditorAssam

Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-Guwahati) researchers have developed an optical sensing device that can instantly detect a variety of toxicants in water and other biological samples.Aligned with the Government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission, this innovation addresses a key challenge of ensuring safe drinking water. While the mission aims to provide tap water to every household, maintaining water quality remains a challenge due to different water sources, which may contain heavy metals and other disease-causing bacteria.To address this challenge of water quality monitoring, the research team has developed a portable point-of-care testing device named E-Eye. Working as an electronic eye,…

06 Aug

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Should Not Be Hurried Into Tests, Says Ajinkya Rahane

sunny EditorSports

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise in Indian cricket has made him one of the biggest talking points in recent times. The teenage batting sensation impressed everyone with his record-breaking performances in the IPL, leading to discussions about whether he could soon become a part of India’s Test setup. The 15-year-old opener was selected for India’s tour of Ireland and England, where he made his international debut. However, his first few appearances in T20 cricket were not as spectacular as expected, as he scored 42 runs across three matches. During the England series, Sooryavanshi created history by becoming the youngest Indian player…

06 Aug

Kotak Education Foundation launches Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026 to support 500 meritorious girls

Business BureauBusiness

The Kotak Education Foundation (KEF), the CSR implementing arm of the Kotak Mahindra Group, has launched the Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026 under the campaign theme “One in a Million”, aiming to identify and support 500 meritorious girl students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds across India during the 2026-27 academic year. Now in its sixth year, the scholarship programme seeks to help deserving students pursue professional higher education without financial constraints. Since its inception in 2021, the Kotak Kanya Scholarship has supported 1,525 girls across 24 states. Besides financial assistance, the programme offers mentorship, career guidance, industry exposure and finishing school sessions…

06 Aug

RBI holds rates steady, flags inflation risks as markets eye October hike

Business BureauBusiness

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept its key policy rate and monetary policy stance unchanged, a move that was widely anticipated by market participants. While maintaining status quo, the central bank underscored heightened risks on the inflation front, signalling that price pressures remain a key concern for policymakers. Reacting to the monetary policy decision, Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the RBI's decision was on expected lines but reflected growing caution over inflation. She said the central bank had highlighted amplified inflation risks and added that Kotak Mahindra Bank expects a cumulative 50 basis points…

06 Aug

ICICI Prudential simplifies flood claims process for Assam policyholders

Business BureauBusiness

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has announced a simplified claims settlement process for nominees and beneficiaries of policyholders affected by the devastating floods in Assam, aiming to provide faster financial assistance to bereaved families. The company said it will process death claims on the basis of just three essential documents to ensure quicker settlements during the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Under the revised procedure, nominees can submit a death certificate or any official record issued by government, hospital or police authorities, or proof of compensation provided by the Central or State government as evidence of death. In addition, claimants need to furnish…

06 Aug

NB Marks Strengthens Public Relations and Advertising Services Across North East India

Business BureauAssam

NB Marks has expanded its Public Relations and Advertising services across North East India, strengthening its presence in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. With operations spanning Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tezpur, Silchar, Kamrup, Imphal, Shillong, Tura, Itanagar, Agartala, Aizawl, Gangtok, Kohima, Dimapur, and other key regional centres, the agency is committed to delivering strategic communication solutions tailored to the unique cultural and media landscape of the region. With over 15 years of experience, NB Marks has partnered with government departments, corporate organizations, educational institutions, healthcare institutions, startups, and NGOs to deliver impactful public relations, advertising, media…

06 Aug

Assam’s Didom Daimari Earns President’s Independence Day Honour for Conservation Work

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Didom Daimari, a grassroots conservationist from Angarajuli village in Assam's Udalguri district, has been invited to attend the President of India's prestigious Independence Day 'At Home' reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in recognition of his contribution to wildlife conservation, community-led forest protection and sustainable development. Daimari, who works as a Field Coordinator with conservation organisation Aaranyak, has spent more than a decade working alongside local communities and forest officials to strengthen conservation initiatives in the Bhairabkunda landscape. His efforts have focused on wildlife protection, habitat restoration, environmental awareness, community participation in forest management and reducing human-elephant conflict. The invitation is being…

06 Aug

Vi bundles Spotify Premium with prepaid plans to strengthen entertainment offerings

Business BureauBusiness

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has partnered with Spotify to introduce Spotify Premium as a bundled benefit across select prepaid recharge plans, aiming to strengthen its entertainment portfolio and attract India's growing base of digital-first consumers. The telecom operator on Monday launched three new prepaid recharge options that include Spotify Premium at no additional cost alongside voice, data and entertainment benefits. The flagship Rs. 435 Non-Stop Hero plan offers unlimited 4G/5G data, unlimited calls, 100 SMS per day, JioHotstar (Mobile) access and Spotify Premium with 28 days validity. The Rs. 250 prepaid plan provides 2GB data, unlimited calls, 300 SMS and Spotify…