Blog - The Purbottar

09 Jan

Wildlife conservation push: Assam and Madhya Pradesh to exchange animals

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a landmark initiative for inter-state wildlife conservation, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati to formalize an agreement for the exchange of wild animals. This collaboration aims to enhance biodiversity and restore species that have locally gone extinct. Under the agreement, Assam will translocate 50 wild water buffaloes to Madhya Pradesh over three years, as well as a pair of one-horned rhinoceroses and three king cobras. The rhinos and king cobras will be acclimatized and displayed at Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, while the wild buffaloes will be reintroduced…

09 Jan

India launches second phase of BIMSTEC cancer care training in Visakhapatnam

Business BureauBusiness

The second phase of a specialised cancer care training programme for BIMSTEC countries has begun at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre of the Tata Memorial Centre in Visakhapatnam. Organised in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the four-week programme will train 35 cancer care specialists from BIMSTEC member nations, underscoring India’s expanding role in regional healthcare capacity building. The programme was formally inaugurated on January 5 by C. S. R. Ram, Joint Secretary (BIMSTEC & SAARC), MEA. He said cancer experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are participating, and highlighted the…

09 Jan

First highway-based emergency landing strip in Northeast coming up in Dibrugarh–Moran

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Assam is poised to inaugurate its first highway-based emergency landing strip along the Dibrugarh–Moran stretch of the National Highway, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing the facility's launch in February. The project may receive a notable inauguration by the Prime Minister or the Defence Minister. Spanning 4.2 kilometers, the strip is capable of accommodating civilian aircraft as well as Indian Air Force fighter jets like the Sukhoi and Rafale. Sarma highlighted that this alternative landing option is crucial if Dibrugarh airport is inaccessible. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) is executing the project, which is unique…

09 Jan

A first-of-its-kind fixed health benefit plan with wellness rewards: Aviva Life Insurance launches Smart Vitals

Business BureauBusiness

Aviva India has announced the launch of Aviva Smart Vitals, a first-of-its-kind individual non-linked, non-participating fixed benefit health plan designed to provide financial protection against critical illnesses while promoting healthy living. The plan offers a base sum insured starting from Rs 10 lakh, with options of Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. Policyholders can enhance their coverage up to twice the base sum assured through quarterly wellness-linked rewards of 2.5%, 5% or 7.5%, based on average daily steps tracked via Aviva’s Wellness360 App. The plan pays a lump-sum benefit on first diagnosis of any one of 49 listed critical…

09 Jan

Life insurance industry poised for robust growth in 2026, says IAC-Life Chairperson Kamlesh Rao

Business BureauBusiness

The Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC-Life) Chairperson, Kamlesh Rao, has said that the life insurance sector is moving towards a stronger, more customer-focused future, with key reforms already shaping the way ahead. He said that the year 2025 witnessed several important customer-centric steps that will help make life insurance an essential part of social welfare delivery in India. Rao highlighted major developments such as the change in surrender value norms, GST exemption on certain life insurance products, and the launch of the BimaSugam portal. These, he said, will make life insurance more accessible and useful for people across the country. He…

09 Jan

AIIMS Guwahati inaugurates state-of-the-art Viral Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Guwahati formally inaugurated the Viral Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), a state-of-the-art facility established with financial support from the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The laboratory, which will be contributing significantly to diagnostic and surveillance activities, was formally dedicated on Thursday, marking an important institutional milestone. The VRDL was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Puranik, Executive Director, AIIMS Guwahati, in the august presence of Prof. U.S.N. Murty, Director, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati. The ceremony was attended by senior…

09 Jan

IMK terror module busted in Assam, Bangladesh links revealed through arrests

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The recent arrest of 11 suspected jihadi operatives in Assam has unveiled a purported conspiracy linked to Imam Mahmudur Kafia (IMK), regarded as an extension of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Law enforcement officials reported that IMK was actively seeking to incite jihad and execute terrorist operations in Assam and Tripura. Some detainees had traveled to Bangladesh for indoctrination and training. Investigative efforts highlighted that in late 2024, an arrested suspect, Nasim Uddin alias Tamim, encountered a YouTube channel advocating the notion of “Muzaddid,” which in Islamic tradition refers to a religious reformer expected every century to protect the Muslim…

09 Jan

From Kolkata kitchens to North East homes: Elmac builds on taste, tradition and togetherness

Business BureauBusiness

Elmac, the Kolkata born sauces and condiments brand owned by Desai Foods Pvt Ltd, is known for its best quality Kasundi, a sharp mustard favourite that is well recognised and in demand not only in Kolkata but also all over India. The brand’s range also includes popular Chinese sauces such as Green Chilli Sauce, Red Chilli Sauce, and Soya Bean Sauce. With a strong presence across the East, Elmac is stepping up visibility across the North East this festive season with a high impact outdoor campaign. A familiar name in the region for bold flavours, Elmac continues to be a…

09 Jan

Opposition in Assam lodges FIR against BJP alleging voter deletion

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam's opposition parties have filed a police complaint against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging a conspiracy to remove legitimate voters from the electoral rolls in anticipation of the upcoming Assembly elections. The opposition claims that BJP state president Dilip Saikia instructed party MLAs to eliminate names of voters in 60 Assembly constituencies and specifically charged Minister Ashok Singhal with executing this deletion during a Zoom meeting on January 4, 2026. The complaint emphasizes the need for the preservation of footage from the video conference, as it is deemed essential evidence of the alleged conspiracy. The FIR, submitted to the…

09 Jan

Cash Flow Relief for Vodafone Idea as Dues Repayment Plan Fixes Yearly Outgo

Preeti SinghBusiness

Vodafone Idea (VI) has established a repayment plan concerning its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) obligations, which will limit its annual repayments to $13.79 million over the forthcoming six years. This strategic move is designed to alleviate immediate cash flow challenges for the company while maintaining the overall amount of its outstanding liabilities. The repayment schedule is a critical component of VI's financial management strategy, as it provides a structured path to meet its obligations without further compounding the fiscal pressures it currently faces. On December 31, the Indian government approved a partial moratorium on the dues of a telecoms company,…