Blog - The Purbottar

13 Oct

Sentient investigations flag animal welfare concerns across India’s dairy and poultry sectors

Business BureauBusiness

Sentient investigations have documented animal welfare concerns across India’s dairy and poultry sectors, covering operations ranging from small dairy units housing 10 animals to large poultry facilities with estimated capacities of 2 lakh layer hens. The dairy investigation examined more than 100 units across Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. The facilities housed between 10 and 500 animals, averaging around 50 per unit. Investigators reported overcrowding, prolonged tethering, untreated wounds, skin infections and inadequate shelter for calves. A separate investigation covered 21 layer-hen facilities across Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with capacities ranging from approximately 3,000…

13 Oct

Controversy Over Guwahati Festival; Dibrugarh Plans ‘Srishtir Din’ Tribute

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita and BJP MLA Rupak Sarmah have distanced themselves from a proposed Zubeen Mahotsav in Guwahati, clarifying that they are not associated with the event. Margherita also stated that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has no connection with the proposed festival, which has come under scrutiny over the alleged use of names of individuals on its organising committee without their consent. Margherita issued the clarification in a social media post on Monday, October 12, amid growing controversy over the proposed non-governmental event being planned in memory of late Assamese singer and musician Zubeen Garg.…

13 Oct

India’s Food Regulator Intensifies Crackdown on E-Commerce and Dark Stores

nanika EditorBusiness

India’s top food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is preparing to implement tighter rules for quick-delivery online platforms, including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Amazon Now, as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on unsafe practices across the world’s largest consumer market. According to FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Rajit Punhani, e-commerce represents the next major focus area for accountability, with upcoming regulations expected to mandate the clear display of manufacturing dates, expiry dates, and batch numbers on all online food listings. Platforms will also be held responsible for misleading manufacturer claims, while dark kitchens and…

13 Oct

First Accused in Main Case Gets Bail as Amritprabha Mahanta Is Released

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Singer Amritprabha Mahanta, one of the seven accused in the death case of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, was released from Haflong sub-jail on Tuesday, October 13, four days after the Gauhati High Court granted her bail. Justice Pranjal Das of the Gauhati High Court granted bail to Mahanta on Friday, October 9, against a bail bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount, Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar told reporters. The High Court had heard Mahanta’s bail petition over several days, with arguments concluding on Wednesday. The court reserved its order before delivering the decision on Friday.…

13 Oct

India Growth Outlook Upgraded: IMF Raises 2026 Projection to 7% and Expects Sustained Momentum

sunny EditorBusiness

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a major update in 2026 upgrading India's growth projection to 7 percent from its previous estimate of 6.4 percent, fueled by strong domestic demand and continuous contributions from the services sector. Despite global hurdles like heavy oil prices and geopolitical tensions that have left many nations struggling, the IMF's October World Economic Outlook (WEO) revised the figures upward from an earlier 6.7 percent estimate following an impressive first-quarter performance for FY27 where India's GDP grew by 7.8 percent year-on-year, closely mirroring the Reserve Bank of India's decision to hike its FY27 growth forecast…

13 Oct

Assam Minister Calls for Focus on Border Districts Ahead of Census 2027 Phase-II

Preeti SinghAssam

Assam Minister Keshab Mahanta today emphasised the importance of completing the Census exercise within the stipulated timeline while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy.Mahanta, in his address at the State-Level Principal Census Officers’ Conference on Phase-II of Census 2027 in Guwahati today, observed that the Census process had evolved from predominantly manual operations to a more time-bound and technology-enabled system.Referring to the commencement of the next phase, the Minister in charge of the General Administration Department called upon District Commissioners/ PCO (Principal Census Officer) to undertake field visits, identify potential problem areas and ensure all preparations are completed effectively.The Minister…

12 Oct

TMCH Expels Seven Students from Hostel Over Alleged Ragging

Paromita EditorAssam

The authorities of Tezpur Medical College and Hospital (TMCH) have expelled seven students from the Old Boys’ Hostel for three months following complaints of alleged ragging. The action has been taken pending an inquiry by the college administration. TMCH Principal-cum-Chief Superintendent, Prof. Gunajit Das, stated that complaints involving students from the 2022 and 2023 batches were received. The institution also received a complaint from the Anti-Ragging Cell in New Delhi, prompting the authorities to take immediate action through the college's Anti-Ragging Committee and Anti-Ragging Squad. As part of the investigation, the college collected anonymous feedback from students and conducted a…

12 Oct

Medanta hosts women’s health talk in Guwahati to promote preventive care

Business BureauBusiness, Health

Medanta, in association with women’s empowerment organisation Aparupa, organised a Women’s Health Talk in Guwahati on Saturday to encourage women to prioritise preventive healthcare, recognise early warning signs and participate actively in medical decisions. Dr Amita Jain, Associate Director, Urogynaecology at Medanta Gurugram, highlighted how women often overlook their health while caring for their families. She stressed the importance of routine screenings, recognising persistent symptoms and shifting from reactive to preventive care. The session, launched by renowned writer, filmmaker and social activist Runa Laila, founder of Aparupa, also emphasised self-advocacy, preparation for medical consultations and the role of balanced nutrition,…

12 Oct

Navi Mumbai Bengali Association to blend culture, music and cuisine at 47th Sharodotsav

Business BureauBusiness

The Navi Mumbai Bengali Association (NMBA) is set to host its 47th Sharodotsav from October 16 to 20, 2026, at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre in Vashi, bringing Bengali cultural traditions, devotional rituals, music and cuisine to visitors across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). MrSomnathChatterjee, General Secretary, said the five-day celebration would showcase Bengali heritage and create a festive atmosphere. Ashim Kumar Dey also said the event would bring together Bengali traditions, devotional rituals and cultural performances. Themed “Sarodiya – From Soul to Soil”, the festival will feature a 13-foot eco-friendly Durga idol crafted from Ganga soil. The event will be…

12 Oct

BIBA unveils Durga Puja 2026 collection to tap Bengal’s festive fashion demand

Business BureauBusiness

BIBA has unveiled its Durga Puja 2026 festive collection, ‘Too BIBA To Blend In’, as Bengal prepares for its annual festival of fashion, family gatherings and pandal-hopping. The collection is rooted in Indian maximalism and brings together traditional crafts, contemporary silhouettes and festive detailing for the modern Indian woman. The collection features Kalamkari heritage florals, Banarasi brocade, Sanganeri hand-block prints, metallic satin and zari across lehengas, anarkalis, kurta sets, co-ords, shararas, kalidaars and farshi sets. An expanded lehenga range focuses on movement, pairing flared skirts with fitted blouses and coordinated dupattas. Evening styles include halter-neck kurtas and sleeveless jacket sets…