Blog - The Purbottar

22 Apr

Elections Pause Campus Life: Calcutta University Announces Two-Week Online Shift

nanika EditorKolkata

As West Bengal prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections, Calcutta University has officially instructed all its affiliated colleges to transition to online classes for undergraduate students. The shift, effective from April 22 to May 5, aims to balance the democratic process with academic requirements. A circular issued by the Inspector of Colleges, Diptendu Chatterjee, has directed heads of institutions to take immediate steps to ensure a smooth transition to virtual platforms. The decision is rooted in both logistical necessity and student accessibility. While Calcutta and the surrounding districts of Howrah and Hooghly are not voting in the immediate first phase,…

22 Apr

Four Dead in Guwahati Flood Chaos; Magisterial Probe Ordered into Maligaon Incident

riya EditorAssam

At least four deaths have been reported in Guwahati following heavy rainfall and severe waterlogging, prompting authorities to launch multiple investigations, including a magisterial inquiry. Three bodies were recovered from different parts of the city on Tuesday. While officials have not conclusively linked the deaths to flooding, preliminary findings suggest they may be connected to recent artificial flood conditions. According to police, all three individuals had been missing since Sunday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Balin Deuri said the bodies were recovered from the Basistha River, Mora Bharalu River, and a pond near Lachitgarh. Two of the deceased have been…

22 Apr

Supreme Court Upholds Acquittal in 2017 Hojai Rape-Murder Case Over Probe Lapses

riya EditorAssam

The Supreme Court of India has acquitted Moinul Haque, the prime accused in the 2017 rape and murder of a primary school headmistress in Hojai district, citing major lapses in the police investigation and prosecution. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta upheld the 2022 verdict of the Gauhati High Court, which had acquitted Haque of charges of rape and murder. The apex court dismissed the appeal filed by the Assam government challenging the acquittal. In its judgment, the court observed that the arrest of the accused was “shrouded in a cloud of doubt” and pointed out serious…

21 Apr

Indian Army And NDRF Conduct Joint Flood Relief Training ‘Exercise Jal Raksha-II’ At Sivasagar

Paromita EditorAssam

The Indian Army’s Red Shield Gunners, under the aegis of Spear Corps, conducted Exercise Jal Raksha-II, a joint flood relief training exercise with the NDRF on 20–21 April 2026. The exercise aimed at enhancing operational preparedness and strengthening inter-agency coordination for effective response to flood-related emergencies. The training commenced with briefings on the composition and operational capabilities of Flood Relief Columns, followed by inputs from NDRF on disaster response procedures. Practical demonstrations of rescue equipment and techniques enabled participants to familiarise themselves with standard flood relief protocols. On the second day, activities included ground and drone-based reconnaissance, establishment of a…

21 Apr

Assam BJP to stage statewide protest against ‘Congress’ anti-women stance’ on April 23

Paromita EditorAssam

The Assam BJP will organize “Mahila Akrosh” protests across the state on April 23 against the Congress party’s "anti-women stance".The saffron party will be protesting against the non-passage of the Women's Reservation Bill after Opposition parties led by the Congress voted against it in the Lok Sabha on April 17.Party workers at all levels, district, mandal, and booth, have already mobilized themselves to ensure the resounding success of this agitation, a statement issued by the BJP stated.To effectively implement the protest programme, the State BJP has entrusted special responsibilities to 26 leaders, including Member of Parliament from Guwahati Bijuli Kalita…

21 Apr

Low voltage can spike AC bills by 50%, finds V-Guard study

Business BureauBusiness

A new study by V-Guard Industries has flagged a major but often overlooked factor behind rising electricity bills—low voltage. The research, validated by a NABL-accredited laboratory, shows that sub-optimal voltage can increase air conditioner power consumption by up to 50%, acting as an “efficiency tax” on households. The study examined multiple 1.5-ton AC units from leading brands and found that when voltage drops to 140V–180V—a common occurrence during peak summers—the compressor’s efficiency declines sharply. This forces the AC to run longer to achieve the same cooling, significantly increasing energy usage. V-Guard Managing Director Mithun K Chittilappilly said many consumers misunderstand…

21 Apr

Sunrise Spices showcases Assam’s tribal heritage with ‘Kristir Milan Setu’ during Rongali Bihu

Business BureauBusiness

Sunrise Spices marked Rongali Bihu with a four-day cultural celebration, ‘Kristir Milan Setu – Bridge of Cultural Unity’, bringing Assam’s diverse tribal dance traditions onto a single platform. Held from April 14 to April 17, the initiative highlighted the state’s rich cultural heritage while reinforcing the brand’s deep-rooted connection with Assam. The event featured traditional dance forms including Assamese, Bodo, Karbi, Rabha and Mising, turning the festive week into a vibrant cultural showcase. A total of 56 groups from across the state participated, presenting performances rooted in authenticity and community pride. Each day focused on a different cultural expression, creating…

21 Apr

Post-meal walking: A game changer for blood sugar control

Sonakshi SarkarHealth

A short, brisk walk after eating might be one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost your health — especially if you have diabetes or struggle with high blood sugar levels. According to recent health insights, timing is key. Instead of walking immediately after your last bite, experts suggest waiting 10 to 15 minutes before heading out. This short delay aligns perfectly with the time when blood glucose levels start to rise, making your walk more effective in blunting glucose spikes and aiding digestion. For most people, 10–20 minutes of light to moderate walking at a pace of…

21 Apr

Apple Leadership Shift: Continuity, AI, and the Quest for Innovation

nanika EditorBusiness

Apple Inc. is preparing for a historic leadership transition. The company has announced that longtime leader Tim Cook will step down in September, passing the torch to John Ternus, the company’s current hardware chief. To mark the announcement, Apple released an image of the two executives walking together at the company’s Cupertino campus. Clad in similar attire and sharing a smile, the visual narrative suggests a smooth handover and a commitment to preserving the legacy Cook built over his tenure. However, the transition comes at a pivotal moment for the tech giant. While Cook leaves behind a stable empire generating…

21 Apr

India clears Maritime Insurance Pool, industry sees boost to risk stability and trade confidence

Business BureauBusiness

The Indian government’s approval of a Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool for Indian ships has been hailed as a significant policy move aimed at strengthening the country’s shipping and risk management ecosystem. Reacting to the development, Rishi Mehra, CEO (India) and Head of Strategy, Human Capital, Asia Pacific at Aon, described the decision as a “landmark step” toward enhancing maritime resilience and economic sovereignty. He noted that the initiative would help provide cost stability and build domestic expertise by enabling locally underwritten risk capacity. According to Mehra, this would protect India’s shipping industry from global uncertainties while reinforcing confidence in key…