Blog - The Purbottar

20 Aug

Assam CM calls on PM Modi, discusses flood and development agenda

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and sought his blessings and guidance on the state’s ongoing flood recovery efforts and development agenda.During the meeting at Sewa Teerth in South Block, the Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister of Assam’s roadmap for the next phase of flood response, focusing on rebuilding affected areas, restoring livelihoods and ensuring comprehensive recovery.“Throughout the #AssamFloodResponse, Adarniya Modi Ji remained in constant touch, closely reviewing the situation and extending every possible assistance,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X following the meeting.He said…

20 Aug

PWNSAT 2026 seeks to widen access to competitive exam preparation through scholarships

Business BureauBusiness

PhysicsWallah (PW) has announced the fourth edition of the PhysicsWallah National Scholarship cum Admission Test (PWNSAT) 2026, with the programme focusing on reducing financial barriers for students preparing for JEE and NEET examinations. Free registrations are open to students from Class V to XII and Class XII pass-outs across both PCM and PCB streams. The scholarship initiative provides eligible students with tuition fee waivers of up to 100%, while cash rewards worth up to Rs 2.5 crore are also available. A significant component of the programme is free education and accommodation support for the top 500 eligible students, based on…

20 Aug

PWNSAT 2026 offers financial relief and a fresh opportunity to aspiring JEE and NEET students

Business BureauBusiness

For students aspiring to crack JEE and NEET but facing financial constraints, PhysicsWallah's (PW) fourth edition of the PhysicsWallah National Scholarship cum Admission Test (PWNSAT) 2026 offers an opportunity to access education and academic support. Free registrations are open to students from Class V to XII and Class XII pass-outs from both PCM and PCB streams. PWNSAT 2026 offers scholarships of up to 100% tuition fee waivers and cash rewards worth up to Rs 2.5 crore. A key benefit of the programme is free education and accommodation support for the top 500 eligible students, selected on the basis of their…

20 Aug

Over 100 Dead in Central African Republic Gold Mine Collapse, Rescuers Race to Find Survivors

sunny EditorInternational

A devastating gold mine collapse in the western Central African Republic has killed more than 100 people, with rescuers continuing efforts to locate miners trapped beneath the rubble. The accident occurred Tuesday morning at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye village, in the Nana-Mambere prefecture near the Cameroon border. The rescue operation remains underway, but hopes of finding survivors are fading. Florian Gaguende, one of the miners who survived the collapse, said teams were still searching for people believed to be trapped underground. Red Cross volunteer Gervais Ganagoroh said several survivors sustained critical injuries. Local official Bertrand Be Yangue warned…

20 Aug

Chief secretary retained as appellate authority in Arunachal

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Gauhati High Court has struck down a provision of an Arunachal Pradesh law that allowed the minister in charge of Urban Local Bodies to hear appeals against decisions of the State Election Commissioner in municipal defection cases, holding that the arrangement did not provide an adequately independent and impartial appellate forum. A division bench comprising Justices Kardak Ete and Budi Habung, however, upheld the provision under which the chief secretary can act as the appellate authority under the Arunachal Pradesh Urban Local Bodies (Disqualification on Grounds of Defection) Act, 2014. The judgment was pronounced on August 18 on a…

20 Aug

Home Minister’s Siliguri Visit to Focus on Northeast Connectivity and Border Security

nanika EditorSiliguri

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Siliguri on Thursday for a three-day visit focused on border security and the strategic Siliguri corridor, also known as the Chicken’s Neck, which connects the Northeast with the rest of India. Accompanied by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, senior Union Home Ministry officials and central security force personnel, Shah is expected to review security arrangements along the region’s borders. On Friday, he will visit the Sashastra Seema Bal’s Siliguri Frontier headquarters at Ranidanga, where he is scheduled to perform the bhoomi pujan of a new administrative building, interact with…

20 Aug

Škoda Auto India drives sedan push with new Slavia, Octavia RS and Superb TDI

Business BureauBusiness

Škoda Auto India has unveiled the new Slavia, strengthening its sedan portfolio with refreshed styling, new technology, enhanced comfort and additional powertrain options, while also announcing the return of the Octavia RS and all-new Superb TDI to India. The new Slavia gets all-new LED headlamps and taillamps with sequential turn indicators, redesigned alloy wheels, refreshed interiors and a new Monte Carlo variant. A key introduction is an eight-speed torque-converter automatic paired with the 1.0 TSI engine, making it the first sedan in its segment to offer the combination. The 1.0 TSI also gets a six-speed manual, while the 1.5 TSI…

20 Aug

IIT Bombay launches e-postgraduate diploma in computer science and artificial intelligence

Business BureauBusiness

IIT Bombay Educational Outreach has launched an e-Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (CS & AI), aimed at professionals and graduates seeking deeper expertise in computer science and emerging AI technologies. Designed and delivered by IIT Bombay faculty with Great Learning as the EdTech partner, the one-year programme combines online synchronous and asynchronous learning with an in-person campus immersion at IIT Bombay. Learners can also complete the programme within three years, offering flexibility to working professionals. The curriculum is divided into Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning baskets. Students must complete six courses, with at least…

20 Aug

India Junior International Series brings over 225 young shuttlers to Hyderabad

Business BureauNorth East

More than 225 junior badminton players from eight countries are competing in the India Junior International Series 2026, a Badminton World Federation (BWF)-sanctioned tournament being held at the Kotak Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad from August 19 to 23. Organised with the support of Kotak Mahindra Bank and the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation, the tournament features players from India, England, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, the US and the UAE across singles and doubles categories. The event will provide emerging shuttlers with international competitive exposure and an opportunity to earn BWF ranking points. Kotak Mahindra Bank said the tournament…

20 Aug

Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund posts 18.21% CAGR in three years

Business BureauBusiness

Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund’s flagship Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund has completed three years, with its Direct Plan–Growth option delivering a CAGR of 18.21% since its launch on August 14, 2023, against 12.74% for the BSE 500 TRI as of August 13, 2026. The fund’s Regular Plan–Growth option delivered a 16.59% CAGR during the same period. Across the full market cycle, the Direct Plan recorded an absolute return of 65.2%, compared with 43.3% for the benchmark, while the Regular Plan delivered 58.5%. An investment of ₹10,000 in the Direct Plan at inception would have grown to ₹16,513, compared with ₹14,325…