Blog - The Purbottar

02 Feb

WHO advocacy on low-sodium salt substitutes highlights new direction for salt and nutrition segment

Business BureauBusiness

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged consumers to replace regular table salt with lower-sodium salt substitutes (LSSS) as part of its renewed global push to cut excessive sodium intake, a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. According to WHO estimates, high sodium consumption contributes to nearly 1.9 million deaths worldwide each year. While the organisation recommends limiting sodium intake to no more than 2 grams per day, average global consumption remains over double that level at around 4.3 grams. To address slow progress, WHO has extended its original 2025 target of reducing sodium intake by 30 per cent to…

02 Feb

Gold Slips 3%, Silver Crashes 9% After Budget as Profit Booking Hits Bullion Market

editorBusiness

Gold and silver prices witnessed a sharp correction on February 2, 2026, a day after the Union Budget, as profit booking and lack of fresh policy triggers weighed on bullion markets. Gold prices fell nearly 3 per cent, while silver plunged around 9 per cent in domestic trade.The decline came after the government kept customs duty on gold and silver imports unchanged in the Budget, dampening bullish expectations. On MCX, April gold futures dropped 6 per cent, or ₹9,140, to open at ₹1,43,205 per 10 grams. In the physical market, 99.9 per cent purity gold slipped ₹3,500 to ₹1,65,500 per…

02 Feb

Budget Boosts Assam with Higher Tax Devolution, Infra Push: CM Sarma

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27, saying it is a reform-oriented budget that will bring direct benefits to Assam and the Northeastern states through higher financial transfers, infrastructure development and support to key sectors. Reacting to the Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Sarma said the proposals balance India’s national growth goals with the development needs of regions like the Northeast. He stated that the Budget focuses not only on long-term economic growth but also on practical outcomes at the grassroots level. The Chief Minister said one of the most important gains…

02 Feb

Assam Health Infrastructure Strengthened with ₹3,679-Crore Projects Inaugurated

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a landmark initiative aimed at enhancing the healthcare system in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated several development projects totaling an impressive investment of Rs 3,679 crore. A key highlight was the groundbreaking ceremony for a new building at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), projected to cost Rs 3,300 crore. This redevelopment aims to position GMCH as one of the largest government medical colleges in eastern India, significantly augmenting its capacity with 2,250 beds in general wards, 400 beds in private wards, specialized operation theatres, a 250-bed ICU ward, and extensive parking for 1,670 vehicles. Additionally, the…

02 Feb

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia Named New Chief of Eastern Air Command

Sonakshi SarkarNews

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has taken over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command (EAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). An alumnus of the National Defense Academy, he was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the IAF on June 11, 1988, and is highly skilled, being qualified on all variants of MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar, and Su-30 MKI aircraft. Over his distinguished career spanning more than 30 years, he has accumulated over 3200 hours of accident-free flying and has held various significant Command and Staff appointments. He has commanded a MiG-27 Squadron, led the Tactics…

31 Jan

BJP demands thorough investigation into death of 4 youths from Assam in Bengaluru

Paromita EditorAssam

The BJP's Assam unit has demanded a fair, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the four youths from the State near Bengaluru.The State BJP also urged the Congress-led Government of Karnataka to take immediate and decisive action in this regard, and expressed profound sorrow over the tragic incident.A statement issued by the party stated that Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has already spoken over the telephone with the Chief Minister of Karnataka and has also been in contact with the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru."The Assam Chief Minister has further issued necessary instructions to…

31 Jan

Statue of Ahom dynasty founder unveiledn Guwahati

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday unveiled a statue of Ahom dynasty founder Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha in Guwahati and recalled his contribution in uniting diverse communities.Paying tributes to him on the occasion of 'Me-Dam-Me-Phi', a religious event of the Tai-Ahom community during which offerings are made to gods and ancestors, Sarma said,"Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha established one of the greatest kingdoms of Bharatvarsha, a realm guided by consensus and rooted in the protection of heritage and identity. Today, on the sacred occasion of Me-Dam-Me-Phi, we dedicated his Bhavya Murti in the heart of Guwahati."The Chief Minister's Office (CMO), in…

31 Jan

PM E-DRIVE certification reshapes India’s electric truck market as Montra delivers first heavy-duty EV to UltraTech

Business BureauBusiness

Montra Electric, the e-M&HCV business of the Murugappa Group, has emerged as a first mover in India’s electric heavy truck market after becoming the country’s first manufacturer to receive certification under the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE Scheme. The company marked the milestone by delivering the first PM E-DRIVE–certified electric heavy truck the Rhino 5538 EV 6x4 tractor trailer to UltraTech Cement Limited, signalling growing institutional demand for zero-emission freight solutions. The vehicle was flagged off and handed over by Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility Private Limited), in the presence of senior executives from both organisations. Market…

31 Jan

Amid “Miya” Comment Row, Sarma Invokes Gandhi; Congress Accuses BJP of Diversion Tactics

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Amid a heightened political and ideological conflict surrounding comments made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding "Miya Muslims," Sarma defended his government's stance on illegal immigration by referencing Mahatma Gandhi. He asserted that protecting Assam’s identity and constitutional rights should not be conflated with hatred or communalism. In response to criticism from Gandhi's great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, Sarma claimed that the late leader would have sided with the Assamese if he were alive today, citing that Gandhi had previously advocated for Assam's territorial integrity during the Partition. Sarma contended that “Bapu” would have supported the Assamese people's fight against…

31 Jan

Tata Motors CV business posts strong Q3 FY26 on higher volumes, margins improve

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Motors Limited has reported a strong performance in its Commercial Vehicles (CV) segment for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, driven by higher volumes, improved realizations and disciplined cost management. The CV business recorded revenue of ₹21,533 crore in Q3 FY26, up 17% year-on-year, while EBITDA rose 19% to ₹2,700 crore. EBITDA margin improved to 12.7%, marking the 10th consecutive quarter of double-digit margins, while EBIT margin crossed the double-digit mark to 10.6%. Profit before tax (before exceptional items) increased by ₹609 crore to ₹2,290 crore. Free cash flow surged to ₹4,752 crore during the quarter. Strong operating performance…