Blog - The Purbottar

10 Oct

Bangladesh Parties Agree to Referendum Over Reform Charter

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh’s major political parties have collectively endorsed holding a nationwide referendum on a proposed reform charter, but disagreement remains over when it should occur. The 28-page "July Charter" includes sweeping changes such as term limits for prime ministers, stronger checks and balances, and recognition of Bangladesh as multiethnic and multi-religious. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus supports rapid implementation, while some groups argue for holding the referendum only after parliamentary elections in early 2026. The charter is viewed as a response to last year’s mass protests that deposed Sheikh Hasina amid frustrations over corruption and authoritarianism. For Bangladeshi media, this is a…

10 Oct

UK Signs £350 Million Missile Deal with India

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Kingdom has inked a £350 million (≈ $468 million) contract to supply India with lightweight multirole missiles manufactured by Thales in Northern Ireland. The deal was announced during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to India and is seen as a cornerstone of an expanded defense-industrial partnership. It is expected to secure around 700 jobs in the Thales factory and underpin further arms cooperation between the two nations. In addition, the UK and India advanced a naval collaboration, signing a follow-on agreement for electric-powered ship engines, reflecting deepening military ties in the Indo-Pacific. Indian officials described the arrangement…

10 Oct

Meghalaya loses to Sikkim in the U-19 Opening for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy despite hat-trick heroics

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In an exciting start to the U-19 Men’s Vinoo Mankad Trophy 2025–26, Sikkim registered a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Meghalaya, overcoming a spirited bowling performance that included a stunning hat-trick from a Meghalaya bowler. The match, played on Wednesday, marked a thrilling opener to the prestigious youth tournament, showcasing the emerging cricketing talent from the Northeast. Opting to field first after winning the toss, Sikkim’s bowlers dominated the early stages, bundling Meghalaya out for 99 runs in 36.4 overs. The disciplined bowling attack kept the pressure constant, forcing early breakthroughs and denying Meghalaya any significant partnerships. For Meghalaya, Gaurav Narleng…

10 Oct

Assam BJP holds extended executive meeting in Dibrugarh to finalise 2026 poll strategy

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Assam BJP will continue discussions on Friday to finalise the strategy for the 2026 assembly elections, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The extended executive committee of the party's state unit held discussions on the strategy for the next year's assembly elections during a meeting in Dibrugarh on Thursday, he said. The meeting was ''very constructive and we followed up on various issues'', Sarma said. The day-long deliberations included back-to-back meetings of the BJP’s core committee and office bearers, both focused on evaluating the party’s current position and preparing for the electoral battle ahead. During October 9th session, both…

10 Oct

A businessman in Assam’s Rs 12-crore bogus ITC fraud is apprehended by GST officers

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major crackdown on tax evasion, the Commissionerate of State Goods and Services Tax (GST), Assam, has arrested a Tinsukia-based businessman, Ujjwal Kumar Agarwal, for his alleged involvement in a massive fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) racket valued at around ₹12 crore. The arrest comes after weeks of investigation that exposed a well-orchestrated scheme to defraud the state exchequer through bogus transactions and fabricated invoices. According to the Finance (Taxation) Department, the operation was part of an intensified state-wide effort to curb fake ITC claims that have led to significant revenue losses. Officials said the probe into Agarwal’s firm,…

10 Oct

Vi strengthens digital security with ‘Vi Protect’ launch at IMC 2025; AI-powered measures to curb spam and cyber threats

Business BureauBusiness

Vi, one of India’s leading telecom operators, unveiled its new AI-powered security initiative, Vi Protect, at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025. The platform unifies all of Vi’s consumer, network, and enterprise safety systems to safeguard users against spam, scams, and cyber attacks. As part of this initiative, Vi introduced two key features — an AI-based Voice Spam Detection system and an AI-driven Cyber Defense and Incident Response System for its core network. The voice spam detection feature flags suspicious calls in real time, displaying “Suspected Spam” alerts on users’ screens. Unlike third-party apps, this system operates natively within Vi’s…

10 Oct

Orang to host ‘Shushrusha Setu’ Mega Health Camp on Oct 11

Banasree SarkarAssam

On October 11, the Mazbat Legislative Assembly Constituency's Orang Higher Secondary School will host a massive health camp called "Shushrusha Setu" as part of the State Government's "Sevaai Samarpan" project. The main goal of the special health camp, which is being held in each assembly constituency in Assam, is to offer medical care to children and adolescents under the age of 18. The event will function as a significant outreach initiative in Orang to guarantee that young patients obtain necessary medical care under the guidance of knowledgeable medical professionals. A group of specialized physicians from Tezpur Medical College and Guwahati…

10 Oct

IIM Trichy wins Godrej DEI Lab’s India included on campus case study challenge

Business BureauBusiness

Godrej DEI Lab, the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative of the Godrej Industries Group, concluded its national India Included on Campus Case Study Challenge with IIM Trichy emerging as the winner for their innovative case study on Godrej Agrovet. The competition aimed to engage top B-school students across India in developing actionable solutions to corporate DEI challenges, particularly focusing on women’s retention and attrition in the workforce. The finale, held at Godrej One in Mumbai, featured four finalist teams from IIM Trichy, SIBM Pune, IIM Mumbai, and IIM Lucknow presenting strategies to strengthen inclusion. IIM Trichy’s Team Do and…

09 Oct

G20’s Cross-Border Payments Goals Likely to Miss 2027 Target

Mohini BarmanInternational

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) stated that the G20’s goal to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, and more transparent by 2027 is likely to be missed. When first set in 2021, the targets included bringing average retail payment costs to 1% and ensuring 75% of payments are settled within an hour. But infrastructure complexity, regulatory differences, and coordination hurdles are hampering progress. Some improvements in settlement speed have occurred, but many users are still charged high fees and face opaque processes. The FSB report suggests the G20 may need to extend its deadline or set new benchmarks. Meanwhile, innovations like…

09 Oct

UN Cuts 25% of Peacekeeping Force Amid U.S. Budget Cuts

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Nations has announced a dramatic 25 % reduction in its global peacekeeping presence, which will see 13,000–14,000 troops pulled from missions across more than 50 countries. This decision follows sharp cuts in U.S. funding—from $1 billion down to $680 million—as part of the Trump administration’s broader “America First” budget retrenchment. UN Secretary-General António Guterres defended the move, noting that peacekeeping has historically been one of the most cost-effective mechanisms for conflict prevention. However, several missions in Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, and Somalia will be impacted, and over 60 UN offices are slated for staffing cuts up to 20…