Blog - The Purbottar

17 Oct

The Satra Commission Bill to protect Vaishnavite monasteries has been approved by the Assam Cabinet

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a landmark decision aimed at protecting the spiritual and cultural legacy of Assam, the state government has approved the establishment of the Assam Satra Preservation and Development Commission. The new body will be vested with quasi-judicial powers to safeguard Vaishnavite monasteries—locally known as Satras—along with their ancestral lands and artefacts, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday. The proposed Assam Satra Preservation and Development Commission Bill, 2025, is designed to uphold the centuries-old Vaishnavite tradition initiated by the 15th-century saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva. The commission will work to protect the physical structures, cultural practices, and sacred manuscripts of Satras,…

17 Oct

Godrej’s Diwali film ‘Kanta Didi’ sparks conversation on acceptance and inclusion

Business BureauBusiness

Godrej Industries Group, through its brand-agnostic media property Godrej L’Affaire, launched its Diwali campaign film ‘Kanta Didi’, continuing the #CelebratingAcceptance initiative. The film portrays a domestic worker, Kanta Didi, interacting with a queer couple for the first time, highlighting how understanding and empathy can emerge naturally in everyday life. A moment of hesitation transforms into an honest exchange, with Kanta Didi’s warmth helping Kapil, a newcomer, open up about his identity. Her simple words, “Acha, boyfriend hai? Toh mereko ko kya?”, underscore a philosophy of live and let live, reflecting the campaign’s message that love should be nurtured in every…

17 Oct

Reliance Industries Q2 preview!

Purbalee DuttaFeatured

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is expected to post strong earnings growth for Q2 FY26, driven by improved refining margins and steady expansion in its consumer segments—Reliance Retail and Jio. Analysts estimate net profit to rise about 11% year-on-year to nearly ₹18,450 crore, while consolidated EBITDA may grow 14% to ₹44,400 crore, supported by gains across oil-to-chemicals (O2C), retail, and digital businesses. The O2C segment is likely to benefit from firm refining margins, strong diesel and jet fuel spreads, and a weaker rupee aiding export realisations. Axis Capital and UBS project over 20% YoY O2C EBITDA growth, while JPMorgan sees up…

17 Oct

Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 kicks off in Nagaon to empower the next generation

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Tobacco Free young Campaign (TFYC) 3.0 was introduced by the Nagaon district administration at the District Commissioner's Conference Hall in an effort to address the growing problem of young tobacco usage. Devasish Sharma, the district commissioner, formally inaugurated the campaign. Citing the high prevalence of tobacco use among adults and children in the region, Sarma described the launch as "timely and strategic" and underlined the necessity of a system-wide strategy to address the issue. In order to effectively prevent tobacco usage, he emphasized the significance of interdepartmental coordination, tobacco vendor licensing, and stakeholder capacity building. Since 2023, the Government…

17 Oct

MI5 Reveals Surge in Espionage and Terror Activity from Russia, Iran, China

Mohini BarmanInternational

MI5 Director General Ken McCallum delivered a stark warning during a 2025 address, stating that the UK is facing a rapidly increasing threat from hostile states including Russia, Iran, and China, as well as from organized terror groups. McCallum revealed that state threat investigations have risen by 35% over recent years. He accused these nations of employing covert tactics such as surveillance, cyber espionage, and political influence operations. The United Kingdom has attributed several operations to Russia’s Wagner Group and espionage by China targeting academia and dissidents abroad. He also flagged 20+ Iran-linked plots that were disrupted, along with multiple…

17 Oct

Anoushka Shankar returns to India for grand 30-year celebration tour: Kotak Credit Cardholders will get first access to global icon’s return

Business BureauBusiness

Renowned sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar is returning to India for a landmark six-city tour celebrating three decades on stage. Presented by Kotak Mahindra Bank – Solitaire, the tour will cover Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, and Kolkata in January and February 2025, showcasing her genre-defying blend of Indian classical music, jazz, electronica, and ambient textures. Kotak Credit Cardholders will enjoy exclusive presale access on Skillbox starting 24th October, ahead of general ticket sales. Frederick Dsouza, Business Head – Credit Cards, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said, “Partnering with Anoushka Shankar for her 30-year celebration tour is a proud moment for Kotak. Her…

17 Oct

Nissan expands CNG retrofit to EZ-Shift Magnite, launches integrated fuel lid design

Business BureauBusiness

Nissan Motor India has announced the expansion of its CNG retrofitment program to include the New Nissan Magnite BR10 EZ-Shift (AMT), following strong customer demand for the manual transmission variant. The government-approved retrofit allows owners to combine Nissan’s trusted performance with the cost-efficiency of CNG, now available with a 3-year or 1 lakh km warranty. A key update includes an integrated fuel-filling system within the standard fuel lid, replacing the earlier engine-compartment placement. This design offers quicker refuelling and improved convenience for everyday users. The CNG retrofit kit is priced at ₹71,999, reflecting GST benefits and is available across 13…

16 Oct

Preventive Strategies for Chronic Kidney Disease: What Every Individual Must Know

Business BureauBusiness

Dr. Tarun Kumar Saha is a Senior Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician at Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad says, A silent but serious health condition, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects millions of people worldwide and is becoming more prevalent in India. Characterized by slow loss of renal function, CKD generally progresses unchecked until late stages, early identification and prevention is crucial. For Indian families, understanding preventive measures to CKD can dramatically minimize its occurrence and impact. The first line of defense is prevention. This entails changing lifestyle risk factors that lead to the development of CKD. In India, diabetes and high blood…

16 Oct

Exercise isn’t just for muscles—it’s for minds

Banasree SarkarHealth

For years, scientists believed adult brains couldn’t produce new neurons. But research over the past three decades has proven otherwise. A process called hippocampal neurogenesis—the creation of new brain cells—occurs in adults, particularly in the hippocampus, a brain region tied to memory, learning, and emotion. And one of the most effective ways to trigger this process? Exercise. The Brain-Boosting Power of Movement:Not all exercise benefits the brain equally. The type, intensity, and frequency of activity—and whether it involves cognitive engagement—can make a big difference. One proven method is dual-task walking, which combines movement with mental challenges like counting backwards or…

16 Oct

Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles launches its flagship LPO 1822 bus chassis

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles has launched its flagship intercity bus chassis, the Tata LPO 1822, setting a new benchmark for passenger comfort, performance, and operational efficiency. Designed with full-air suspension and low NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels, the LPO 1822 promises a fatigue-free journey for passengers and drivers, while flexible seating configurations—from 36 to 50-seaters and sleeper layouts—cater to diverse fleet requirements. Speaking at the launch, Mr. Anand S, Vice President and Head of Commercial Passenger Vehicle Business, highlighted that the new platform is tailored to meet evolving passenger expectations and growing intercity connectivity. Powered by a 5.6-litre Cummins…