Business - The Purbottar

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…

02 Mar

JK Cement expands eastern footprint with Rs 500-crore Buxar unit, targets Bihar’s high-growth market

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JK Cement Ltd. has strengthened its eastern India strategy with the inauguration of its 3 MTPA Grey Cement Grinding Unit in Buxar, Bihar. The Bhavya Lokarpan ceremony was led by Samrat Choudhary, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, under the guidance of Nitish Kumar, and attended by Dr. Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, Industries & Road Construction Minister, and Dr. Nidhipati Singhania, Vice Chairman, JK Cement. Developed with an investment of approximately ₹500 crore, the 100-acre facility located on the Patna–Buxar highway began construction in March 2025. The commissioning marks a shift from dependence on supplies from Prayagraj to localized manufacturing, improving…

02 Mar

Now streaming: ‘Accused’ on Netflix explores truth, power and perception in a psychological drama

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The psychological drama Accused is now streaming exclusively on Netflix, offering viewers a layered narrative that questions truth, judgment and public perception. Directed by Anubhuti Kashyap and produced by Dharma Productions, the film places audiences at the centre of an unsettling accusation. The story revolves around Dr. Geetika Sen, played by Konkona Sen Sharma, a respected gynaecologist whose life begins to fall apart after allegations of sexual misconduct surface. As scrutiny intensifies and public opinion turns harsh, the strain enters her personal life, particularly her marriage to Meera, portrayed by Pratibha Ranta. Rather than adopting a sensational tone, the film…

02 Mar

NSDC expands Centre for Future Skills to integrate global certifications into degree courses

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The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has expanded its flagship Centre for Future Skills (CFS) initiative to embed global certifications and advanced technical training directly into mainstream higher education programmes. The campus-based, technology-integrated model aims to impact one million students over the next decade by aligning degree pathways with global industry standards and emerging technology demands. The initiative is currently operational in 12 institutions, with over 43,000 candidates trained so far. Speaking on the expansion, NSDC CEO Shri Arunkumar Pillai said, “The Centre for Future Skills marks a structural shift in how India prepares its youth for the future economy.…

02 Mar

Mahindra auto sales jump 18% in February; SUVs drive growth with 60,018 units

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Mahindra & Mahindra Limited on March 1 reported total auto sales of 97,177 vehicles in February 2026, registering an 18% year-on-year growth, including exports. The company said it sold 60,018 utility vehicles in the domestic market, up 19% from 50,420 units in February 2025. Overall utility vehicle sales, including exports, stood at 60,685 units. Domestic commercial vehicle sales reached 24,585 units, marking a 10% rise. Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, said, “February saw SUV sales of 60,018 units, a growth of 19% reflecting robust customer demand across the portfolio. Total vehicle sales stood at 97,177 units, an 18% year-on-year growth.”…

02 Mar

Tata Motors reports 32% growth in February, sells 42,940 commercial vehicles

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Tata Motors Limited recorded a strong 32 per cent year-on-year growth in commercial vehicle sales in February 2026. The company reported total sales of 42,940 units across domestic and international markets, compared to 32,533 units in February 2025. According to the company’s sales data, heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) truck sales stood at 13,559 units in February 2026, up from 9,892 units in the same month last year, registering a growth of 37.1 per cent. Intermediate, light and medium commercial vehicle (ILMCV) truck sales rose to 7,577 units from 5,652 units, reflecting a growth of 34.1 per cent. Passenger carrier sales…

28 Feb

Medanta ranked India’s No.1 hospital in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026 list

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Medanta – The Medicity has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in India in Newsweek’s prestigious World’s Best Hospitals 2026 rankings. The survey was conducted in partnership with Statista Inc.. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the Gurugram-based hospital has featured among the world’s leading healthcare institutions. The 2026 rankings assessed more than 2,500 hospitals across 32 countries, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and Canada. The evaluation was based on recommendations from thousands of medical experts, patient experience data, hospital quality indicators, and a Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) implementation survey. Dr. Naresh…

28 Feb

Tata Motors signs MoU to deploy 40 Green Hydrogen Trucks at V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority

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In a major push towards India’s net-zero goals, Tata Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) to deploy 40 Green Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2 ICE) powered heavy-duty trucks at the port. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. Under the agreement, Tata Motors will begin trials with a hydrogen-powered prime mover, followed by phased deployment over the next two years. The project will be funded by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. VOCPA Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit said the move would…

28 Feb

Indian Idol goes global: Season 16 shoots landmark Abu Dhabi episodes on Yas Island

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In a first for the franchise, Indian Idol Season 16 has marked its international debut with two special episodes filmed at Yas Island, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India. Shot at Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the region’s largest indoor theme park, the episodes aired on Indian Idol on February 21 and 22 on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV. The Abu Dhabi specials aligned with this season’s theme, “Yaadon Ki Playlist”, blending nostalgia and timeless music with Yas Island’s immersive entertainment landscape. The judging panel — Badshah, Vishal Dadlani and guest judge Madhubanti Bagchi — along…