Blog - The Purbottar

11 Feb

Not All Sugar Swaps Are Healthy: What a Nutritionist Recommends

editorHealth

As more people try to cut down on refined sugar, alternatives like jaggery, brown sugar and monk fruit are gaining popularity. But are they truly healthier? A nutritionist says the answer isn’t as simple as it seems.Excess sugar intake has been linked to serious health risks, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity. While replacing white sugar may seem like a smart move, not all substitutes offer real benefits.Palm jaggery, a traditional favorite in Indian households, is often considered natural and nutritious. Though it contains small amounts of minerals like iron, experts say…

11 Feb

DPDP compliance fast-track may hurt startups, investors flag risks at policy briefing

Business BureauBusiness

Experts have cautioned that compressing compliance timelines under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules could strain businesses and weaken investor confidence, particularly in the startup ecosystem. The concerns were raised during a media briefing hosted by InGovern Research Services. While industry stakeholders broadly welcomed the intent to strengthen data privacy, speakers warned that advancing implementation timelines from the originally proposed 18 months to 12 months — and in some cases immediate enforcement — could impose disproportionate operational and financial burdens. They stressed that DPDP compliance requires deep changes in technology architecture, governance systems and internal processes, not just paperwork.…

11 Feb

Royal Stag BoomBox Season 4 returns with multi-city music tour, Kolkata to host opening show

Business BureauBusiness

Seagram’s Royal Stag BoomBox, the popular experiential music festival known for blending Bollywood melodies with hip-hop beats, is returning with its fourth season, promising its biggest edition yet. The multi-city tour will travel across four major youth hubs—Kolkata, Vizag, Mumbai and Mohali—bringing together leading Indian music artists and immersive fan experiences. Season 4 will begin in Kolkata on February 21, followed by Vizag on March 7, Mumbai on March 14 and Mohali on March 28. The festival will feature a star-studded line-up including Badshah, Armaan Malik, Divine, Neeti Mohan, Nikhita Gandhi, Rashmeet Kaur, Sreerama Chandra and legendary rock band Fossils.…

11 Feb

Supreme Court Modifies Gauhati HC Order, Upholds Assam’s Forest Eviction Drive with Safeguards

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Supreme Court modified the Gauhati High Court’s order concerning eviction drives in Assam's reserved forests after reviewing the Assam government's affidavit detailing the procedures for such actions. The affidavit stipulates that a Joint Committee of forest and revenue officials will assess the legitimacy of eviction notices, ensuring that occupants can present evidence before any action is taken, with a mandatory 15-day notice for removal on established encroachment. The court upheld the procedural fairness of this approach, prompting Assam's Chief Minister to highlight that over 1,25,326 bighas of forest land have already been freed from encroachment. The ruling favored the…

11 Feb

Security Upgrade Row: Assam CM Targets Gaurav Gogoi, Cites Congress Infighting

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that the recent increase in security for Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP Gaurav Gogoi is connected to alleged internal strife within the Congress party. Gogoi raised concerns about security lapses, which led the state Home Department to allocate additional security measures, including three personal security officers and an escort, after he claimed threats to his safety. In response to media inquiries in Bongaigaon, Sarma stated that Guwahati Police had received specific intel regarding an alleged plan to fabricate an incident for “sympathy.” He confirmed that an investigation was underway and…

11 Feb

Authorities Hunt Second Tiger Following Deadly Man–Animal Conflict in Meha

Sonakshi SarkarNews

Efforts are underway to capture the remaining sub-adult tiger involved in a human–tiger conflict that resulted in a fatality on February 2. Following this incident, forest officials identified two sub-adult tigers as “problem animals.” One tiger was found deceased on February 4, leaving the second tiger still at large, as reported by Mito Rumi, the Divisional Forest Officer for the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary. In response, a joint team has been formed that includes members from the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Dibang Territorial Division, Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves, Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC) in Pakke, Itanagar Biological Park, and…

10 Feb

Defence Secretary calls on Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs & Diaspora and Chief of Defence Forces in New Delhi

Paromita EditorNational

Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh called on Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora of the Republic of Seychelles Mr Barry Faure and Chief of Defence Forces, Seychelles Defence Forces Major General Michael Anselme Marc Rosette in New Delhi on February 10, 2026. During the meeting, both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations. They reviewed the growing defence and security collaboration between India & Seychelles, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral engagement and contributing towards peace, stability, and security in the Indian Ocean Region. Both sides also welcomed the upcoming joint…

10 Feb

Nestlé India marks 50 years of MAGGI with commemorative postal stamp

Business BureauBusiness

Nestlé India celebrated the completion of 50 years of MAGGI in India with the unveiling of a commemorative postage stamp, highlighting the brand’s long-standing presence in the country’s processed food market. The stamp was unveiled by Manish Tiwary, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India, along with Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries. The commemorative stamp honours MAGGI’s five-decade journey, during which the brand expanded from instant noodles to a wide portfolio that includes masalas, sauces, soups and ready-to-cook products. The initiative, titled “50 Years of Togetherness,” recognises the brand’s role in shaping convenience food consumption across generations…

10 Feb

Study Documents Kaziranga’s Rich Ecological Knowledge Sustaining Forest-Fringe Communities

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a significant initiative to preserve indigenous wisdom, Kaziranga Park authorities, partnered with the Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB) and the Assam Project on Forest & Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) Phase II, have documented over 150 tradeable natural resources crucial to the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of communities surrounding Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. This comprehensive effort highlights the importance of high-biodiversity areas in cultivating habitats for these resources, vital for the livelihoods of local communities. The documented semi-wild resources, which include seasonal fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and fibers, thrive in Kaziranga's ecosystems. They not only have practical uses but…

10 Feb

Final Electoral Roll Published In Assam Under Special Revision

Paromita EditorAssam

The final electoral roll for the state has been officially published following the Special Revision (SR 2026), a senior election official announced on Tuesday. Earlier, the integrated draft electoral roll was released on December 27, 2025. Prior to that, a statewide door-to-door verification drive was conducted from November 22 to December 20, 2025. The period for filing claims and objections remained open from December 27, 2025, to January 22, 2026. According to the final roll, the total number of voters stands at 2,49,58,139, compared to 2,52,01,624 in the draft roll. Of the total electorate, 1,24,82,213 are male voters and 1,24,75,583…