Business - The Purbottar

11 Apr

Honda hits 10 million sales milestone in East, strengthens grip in key markets

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Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has achieved a major milestone of 10 million cumulative sales in India’s East region, underlining its growing dominance across states such as West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and the North-East. The company said the achievement reflects steady expansion across metro and semi-urban markets, where two-wheelers remain central to daily mobility. The East has emerged as a key growth engine for HMSI, driven by strong demand in cities like Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati. Popular models such as the Honda Activa and Honda Dio in the scooter segment, along with Honda SP125 and Honda…

11 Apr

ZOYA goes Pink: ABD Maestro unveils mix berries gin amid premium spirits boom

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ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits arm of Allied Blenders & Distillers, has launched ZOYA Pink Mix Berries Gin, expanding its premium ZOYA portfolio with a small-batch, craft-led offering. The launch comes at a time when India’s premium spirits segment is witnessing strong growth, driven by younger consumers exploring craft beverages and experimental cocktails. Industry trends show rising demand for flavour-forward spirits with strong visual appeal and elevated drinking experiences, positioning India as a key global market. ZOYA Pink Mix Berries Gin blends a classic juniper base with strawberry, cranberry, blackberry, and raspberry, creating a visually striking,…

11 Apr

Jio-bp Absorbs Costs as International Crude Hits $100

nanika EditorBusiness

In a significant move for Indian consumers, Jio-bp, the fuel retailing joint venture between Reliance Industries Ltd. and BP Plc, has announced it will not raise petrol and diesel prices immediately. This decision comes despite a sharp spike in international crude oil prices, driven largely by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Speaking on the sidelines of a recent industry event, Jio-bp Chief Executive Akshay Wadhwa clarified the company’s stance, stating, "We are in this with the country." By maintaining current retail rates, Jio-bp joins public sector oil marketing companies in a collective effort to shield the domestic economy from…

11 Apr

BIBA launches summer festive edit for Poila Boishakh, blend tradition with contemporary style

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BIBA has unveiled its summer festive edit to mark Poila Boishakh, aligning with the cultural spirit of renewal and celebration across Bengal. The collection captures the essence of the occasion, where traditional motifs meet modern silhouettes, catering to the evolving style preferences of the modern Indian woman. The edit reflects the customary preference for white and red—symbolic of celebration—through kurta sets featuring bold tones and contemporary prints. Designed for comfort during the warm April weather, the collection incorporates breathable fabrics such as cotton and mul. It includes printed suit sets with floral and earthy accents, sharara sets, A-line silhouettes, and…

11 Apr

BIBA launches Rongali Bihu festive edit, expands seasonal offerings with gifting range

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BIBA has unveiled its summer festive edit to mark Rongali Bihu, aligning its latest collection with the spirit of Assam’s new year celebrations. The launch comes as Bohag sets in, bringing with it traditional festivities, community gatherings, and cultural vibrancy across the state. The collection features a wide range of kurta sets crafted in lightweight cotton and mul fabrics suited for the summer season. Printed suit sets in earthy tones and bold florals are paired with sharara sets and A-line silhouettes, designed for both daytime rituals and evening celebrations. The edit also includes separates such as kurtis, tops, and bottoms,…

11 Apr

Road accidents a preventable crisis, says Fortis Doctor urging public responsibility

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Road traffic accidents continue to pose a serious public health challenge in India, with hospitals witnessing a steady influx of trauma cases that are largely preventable, according to Dr Anindansu Basu, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Fortis Hospital Kolkata. Drawing from his clinical experience, Dr. Basu said emergency rooms routinely handle injuries ranging from fractures to life-threatening trauma, often resulting in long-term disability or death. “Road safety is far more than compliance with traffic rules. It is a critical public health concern that requires collective responsibility,” he said. Global estimates indicate that road accidents claim over 1.35 million lives annually.…

11 Apr

iQOO marks six years with anniversary sale, rolls out offers on flagship smartphones

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iQOO has announced a limited-period anniversary sale to mark six years of its operations, offering discounts and deals on its smartphone lineup from April 6 to April 10 across Amazon and its official website. The company said the offers cover key models including the iQOO 15, iQOO 15R, iQOO 15 Apex, and iQOO Z11x. Over the past six years, iQOO has built a community of over 7 million users, referred to as “Questers”, whose feedback has shaped product development. Among the highlights, the flagship iQOO 15 features a Samsung 2K OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, triple 50MP…

10 Apr

RBI holds rates steady, likely to stay data-dependent: Kotak Mahindra Bank economist

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The Reserve Bank of India has kept key policy rates and its stance unchanged, in line with expectations, according to Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank. Reacting to the latest monetary policy, Bhardwaj said recent measures, including restrictions on offshore speculative activity and easing geopolitical tensions, have provided some relief to the Indian rupee. This, she noted, gives the central bank room to better assess the evolving impact on growth and inflation, as well as the persistence of the balance of payments (BOP) deficit. She added that the RBI is expected to remain firmly data-dependent amid the current…

10 Apr

HPCL ramps up nationwide supply, steps up enforcement amid fuel, LPG demand surge

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Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited has activated a nationwide supply and enforcement mechanism to manage a temporary surge in fuel and LPG demand across select markets, the company said on April 8. In the first week of April, HPCL recorded fuel sales of 2,64,548 KL of Petrol and 4,77,030 KL of Diesel between April 1 and 7. To meet rising demand, the company dispatched 48,099 tankers carrying petrol, diesel and subsidised kerosene, ensuring steady replenishment across its retail network. The LPG segment also operated at full capacity, with 89 lakh cylinders delivered during the same period. HPCL enhanced last-mile access by…

10 Apr

World Health Day alert: Rising illness burden exposes India’s insurance gap

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A recent assessment by TATA AIG General Insurance has flagged a widening gap between increasing health risks and financial preparedness in India, raising concerns on World Health Day. The findings show that serious illnesses, particularly heart disease, are increasingly affecting younger populations, while financial readiness remains alarmingly low. According to a survey conducted among doctors, 59% said that fewer than 40% of heart disease patients are financially prepared for advanced treatment. The situation is further aggravated by a surge in critical illness claims, with lung cancer cases doubling in 2025. Smoking continues to be the primary cause, linked to over…