Business - The Purbottar

03 Mar

Powerade debuts in India as official sports drink of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

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Powerade, The Coca-Cola Company’s global sports hydration brand, has officially entered the Indian market as the official sports drink of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The launch marks a strategic move by Coca-Cola India to expand its portfolio with brands rooted in sport, performance and active lifestyles. Designed as a sports hydration solution, Powerade contains Vitamin B3 and electrolytes to support performance energy during high-intensity training and competitive sport. The drink has been introduced in two low-calorie variants — Mountain Blast (Blue) and Fruit Punch (Red). It will be available from March 2026 at INR 20 for a…

03 Mar

Ai+ launches Pulse 2 at Rs 5,999 with 50MP AI camera, 6000mAh battery; sale from March 11

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Ai+ Smartphone has unveiled its latest budget offering, Pulse 2, priced at ₹5,999 for the launch period, strengthening its push to democratise technology in India. The smartphone will go on sale on Flipkart from March 11 at 12 PM. Pulse 2 will be available in two variants — 4GB+64GB at ₹5,999 and 6GB+128GB at ₹7,999 for the first 24 hours. The device features a 50MP Dual AI rear camera and an upgraded 8MP front camera, promising improved selfies and better image clarity across lighting conditions. The handset packs a slim 6000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support, upgraded from the…

03 Mar

Fossils rock Siliguri as Yaari Jam draws electrifying turnout

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Siliguri came alive with music and energy as iconic Bengali rock band Fossils headlined the House of McDowell’s Soda Yaari Jam, delivering a high-voltage performance that left thousands of fans enthralled. Produced and promoted by TribeVibe Entertainment, the show turned into a vibrant celebration of live music and shared spirit. The crowd erupted as the band performed some of their most loved tracks, including “Hasnuhana”, “Aro Ekbar”, “Bishakto Manush”, “Neel Rong Bhishon Priyo” and “Ekla Ghor”. Each song became a collective anthem, blending nostalgia with soaring rock intensity. Speaking about the show, Fossils said, “Siliguri was incredible. When the audience…

03 Mar

Abbott partners with Novo Nordisk India to launch Extensior®, for advanced diabetes management, broadening access to Semaglutide (Ozempic®)

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Global healthcare major Abbott has partnered with Novo Nordisk India to commercialize Extensior®, broadening access to semaglutide (Ozempic®) for advanced type 2 diabetes management in India. Under the agreement, Abbott will market Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide under the brand name Extensior®, leveraging its strong nationwide distribution network. Extensior® is a second brand of Ozempic®, the world’s most prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonist. Approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes, it delivers significant HbA1c reduction, weight-loss benefits, and proven risk reduction of cardiovascular and kidney events. Semaglutide has been evaluated in over 44 clinical trials and…

03 Mar

Sudipto Sen says he never sets out to make ‘controversial’ films as Charak trailer unveiled

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Filmmaker Sudipto Sen, known for directing The Kerala Story unveiled the trailer of his upcoming folklore thriller Charak, which he has backed as a producer. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on March 6, 2026. Speaking at the trailer launch, Sen addressed the controversies surrounding his earlier films. “Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I do not set out to make controversial films; I simply choose subjects that genuinely move and disturb me,” he said. Recalling the origins of The Kerala Story, Sen said an incident he witnessed in Kochi in 2014 became the seed of the project,…

02 Mar

SBI General Insurance bets on trust narrative, signs Pankaj Tripathi to drive health insurance push

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SBI General Insurance has strengthened its brand positioning strategy with the appointment of Pankaj Tripathi as Brand Ambassador and the launch of its integrated campaign ‘Chuniye Bharosa, Apno Sa’. The move signals a sharper focus on trust-led communication amid rising demand for comprehensive health coverage. As part of the rollout, the company unveiled a health insurance film featuring Tripathi as a dependable family figure, reinforcing themes of responsibility and everyday care. The film, conceptualised and executed by TBWA Lintas, aligns with the insurer’s emphasis on transparency, technology integration and streamlined claim settlements. Management indicated that rising medical inflation and growing…

02 Mar

Renault India posts 31% sales growth in February, Duster buzz lifts momentum

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Renault India reported a strong 31% year-on-year rise in wholesale sales in February 2026, selling 3,495 units compared to 2,676 units in the same month last year. The company said it has maintained growth momentum in the first two months of 2026, registering a 32% cumulative increase over the corresponding period of 2025. The automaker outpaced overall industry growth for the second consecutive month, driven by strong demand for the refreshed Kiger and Triber models. The new Triber led the surge with an impressive 57% year-on-year growth in February. Renault said improved brand favourability since Q3 CY2025 has supported its…

02 Mar

TVS Motor sales jump 31% in February 2026; exports hit record 1.58 lakh units

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TVS Motor Company has reported a 31% year-on-year growth in total sales for February 2026, selling 5,29,308 units compared to 4,03,976 units in February 2025. Total two-wheeler sales rose 30% to 5,07,862 units from 3,91,889 units a year ago. Domestic two-wheeler sales grew 32% to 3,65,471 units against 2,76,072 units last February. Motorcycle sales increased 25% to 2,41,282 units, while scooter sales surged 34% to 2,19,895 units. Electric vehicle sales recorded a strong 60% growth, rising to 38,386 units from 24,017 units in February 2025. The company’s international business posted its highest-ever monthly sales at 1,58,268 units, up 27% from…

02 Mar

SMFG India Credit’s Pashu Vikas Day impacts 1.55 lakh rural lives across 16 states

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SMFG India Credit has announced the successful conclusion of the 8th edition of its flagship rural initiative, Pashu Vikas Day (PVD), impacting over 1.55 lakh lives across India. Held on February 14 under the theme ‘Sarvottam Seva: Pashu, Parivar aur Pragati’, the programme focused on strengthening livestock health and supporting sustainable rural livelihoods. Launched in 2014, PVD has grown into one of the country’s largest one-day cattle welfare drives. This year, the initiative covered 16 states through 510 SMFG Gramshakti branches. Around 1.4 lakh cattle received treatment, while healthcare support was extended to more than 14,000 people, benefiting over 30,000…

02 Mar

Godrej Agrovet launches TAKAI insecticide to tackle major crop pests in Bengal

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Godrej Agrovet Limited, one of India’s leading diversified agri-business companies, on Friday launched TAKAI, a new multi-crop insecticide aimed at strengthening pest management and boosting farm productivity in West Bengal. Powered by CyclaprynTM technology developed by ISK Japan, TAKAI provides quick feeding cessation and long-lasting control against key lepidopteran pests, commonly known as caterpillar-type insects. The company has received label approval for use in rice, maize, chickpea and soybean, while approvals for cabbage and chilli are awaited. In West Bengal, often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of India” with nearly 15 million tonnes of annual rice production, pests such…