Blog - The Purbottar

01 Dec

Speculations Rife As Mukul Mulls Options Amid Growing Tmc Disconnect

Sonakshi SarkarEntertainment

As former Meghalaya Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Mukul M. Sangma contemplates his next party affiliation, political circles in the state are abuzz amid the political leader reportedly opening channels of communication with “multiple” parties in the state. Sources said Sangma has been in communication with political parties in the state even as the names of these parties remain unconfirmed. Apparently, the disconnect between the seven-time MLA from Songsak and Trinamool Congress (TMC) central leadership in Kolkata has deepened. Insiders say the disconnect deepened after TMC’s poor performance in the 2023 Assembly polls, bagging only five seats, and…

01 Dec

Samsung announces a major scale-up of its flagship Samsung ‘DOST Sales’ Programme

Business BureauBusiness

Samsung India has announced a major expansion of its flagship Samsung Digital & Offline Skills Training (DOST) Sales Programme, aiming to train 9,400 young people from underserved communities for frontline retail roles. The initiative, aligned with India’s inclusive economic growth objectives, combines classroom learning with on-the-job training to prepare participants for careers in organised retail. Since its inception in 2021, the DOST Sales Programme has strengthened India’s retail talent pipeline. The current DOST Sales 4.0 initiative, in partnership with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) and the Telecom Sector Skills Council (TSSC), provides trainees with 120 hours of…

01 Dec

Interim Report On St Status: Assam Govt To Invite Protesting Tribal Groups For Talks

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Government has decided to hold discussions with protesting groups regarding the Group of Ministers’ (GoM) interim report that addresses granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six major communities: Tai-Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). Protests, primarily led by the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), arose following the GoM's presentation of the report during the recent winter assembly session. The CCTOA expressed concerns that the inclusion of these communities could adversely affect the rights and representation of existing ST groups. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated the government's readiness to listen to various…

01 Dec

Meghalaya Is Concerned About Rising HIV/AIDS Cases

Sonakshi SarkarHealth

The Meghalaya health department is alarmed by the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases, with over 10,000 individuals testing positive, including 500 children, particularly in the East Jaintia Hills district, which has the highest infection rate. Many affected children come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, highlighting social challenges amid this health crisis. The main transmission cause has been linked to unprotected heterosexual activities, compounded by individuals' reluctance to seek testing, which delays the detection and treatment of cases. Dr. K.L Iawbor from the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) emphasized the need for collective action to combat the virus, aiming for an HIV-free…

01 Dec

Koch-Rajbongshi Organisations Protest the ST Panel Report and the Disparities in the Election Roll Revision

Sonakshi SarkarPolitical

The United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) faced a significant crisis as Koch Rajbongshi leaders resigned en masse due to the party's inaction on their long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This decision was made during a meeting in Chirang district, where members expressed disappointment over the party's lack of a clear stance on the issue. Leaders from prominent Koch Rajbongshi organizations, including the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation and the All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union, supported the resignations, stating the party president's recent comments were insufficient. They called for the government to address the ST status demand without delay, especially in…

29 Nov

IAC-Life Applauds Bima Gram API for Boosting Rural Insurance Coverage

Business BureauBusiness

The Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC-Life) has welcomed the launch of the Bima Gram API by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), describing it as a key policy intervention to enhance rural insurance coverage and strengthen India’s financial inclusion agenda. Developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Department of Posts’ CEPT, and the Insurance Information Bureau of India, the API links postal PIN codes with Local Government Directory (LGD) codes, enabling insurers to digitally verify a policyholder’s Gram Panchayat (GP) location in real time. The initiative addresses longstanding policy challenges in…

29 Nov

A Sustainable Way to Improve Human-Elephant Coexistence in Udalguri, Assam: Mustard Cultivation

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

To mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC) and support communities affected by crop damage, Aaranyak, with LIC HFL's CSR initiative, has promoted mustard cultivation as an alternative to traditional crops like paddy. Mustard is less palatable to elephants, thereby reducing raiding incidents. In October-November 2025, 150 kg of mustard seeds were distributed to 45 farmers across several villages in Assam's Udalguri District, which frequently suffers from elephant-related agricultural losses. This initiative, based on a needs assessment, aims to bolster livelihoods and foster coexistence between humans and elephants by providing a safer crop option that enhances food security and income stability for local…

29 Nov

Oriflame unveils breakthrough skin longevity research with Oripeptide-3

Business BureauBusiness

Oriflame has announced new scientific findings showing that its patented bioactivating technology, Oripeptide-3, significantly supports key biological drivers of skin ageing. Central to the NovAge+ range, the breakthrough underscores Oriflame’s two-decade-long research into cellular health, skin longevity, and anti-ageing science. Developed to work with the skin’s natural biology, Oripeptide-3 targets five recognised hallmarks of ageing, including DNA protection, cellular renewal, protein quality maintenance, and boosting cellular energy for repair and defence. According to Oriflame’s Director of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Lene Visdal-Johnsen, the technology strengthens the foundation for healthier, more resilient, and youthful-looking skin. Edyta Kurek, Senior VP &…

29 Nov

Delivery of “taragiri,” an indigenous advanced stealth frigate of the fourth Nilgiri class (project 17a)

Sonakshi SarkarENVIORMENT

Taragiri (Yard 12653), the fourth ship of Nilgiri Class (Project 17A) and the third built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Ltd (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on 28 Nov 2025 at MDL, Mumbai, marking a major milestone in achieving self-reliance in warship design and construction. Project 17A frigates are versatile multi-mission platforms, designed to address current and future challenges in the maritime domain. Taragiri is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate that was part of the Indian Naval fleet from 16 May 1980 to 27 Jun 2013, rendering 33 years of glorious service to the…

29 Nov

Godrej Jersey India Lactograph Findings FY25–26’ is revealed by Godrej Jersey

Business BureauBusiness

Godrej Jersey has unveiled the ‘Godrej Jersey India Lactograph Findings FY25–26,’ a study mapping how milk consumption patterns, occasions, and motivations continue to evolve across the country. Research was conducted across eight key cities, uncovering how milk integrates into daily routines while adapting to new lifestyle choices. In East India, the findings spotlight a region where milk is remembered as much as it is consumed. 78% in the East say milk reminds them of childhood, compared to a national average of 57%, making it the strongest “memory-led” milk market in the country. Around 78% also link milk to comfort or…