Business - The Purbottar

10 Feb

Hanumankind, Vishal Dadlani power Thums Up’s new ‘Taste the Thunder’ anthem

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Coca-Cola India’s flagship billion-dollar beverage brand Thums Up has launched a new high-energy “Taste the Thunder” anthem featuring rapper Hanumankind and singer Vishal Dadlani, marking a major push to strengthen youth engagement ahead of the summer season. The anthem, built around the line “Aaj Kuch Toofani Kartein Hain,” was unveiled at an invite-only showcase in Mumbai attended by the artists along with director Bijoy Shetty, lyricist Varun Grover, and composer Sushin Shyam. Conceptualised by WPP Ogilvy and produced with Universal Music Group, the track blends Hanumankind’s English rap with Dadlani’s powerful vocals, while the video features cricketers Suryakumar Yadav and…

10 Feb

Senior professionals drive India’s AI upskilling surge: Great Learning Report

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Senior professionals are leading India’s artificial intelligence (AI) upskilling wave, with individuals having over 15 years of work experience accounting for more than 40% of all GenAI and AI/ML enrolments in 2025, according to new insights released by edtech firm Great Learning. The analysis, based on behavioural data from over one million learners, highlights how AI skills are increasingly becoming essential for leadership roles and strategic decision-making across industries. The report shows that AI and Machine Learning remained the most sought-after domain in 2025, recording a 17% year-on-year increase in demand, followed by Data Science, Software Development, Cloud Computing, and…

10 Feb

RBI policy outlook: Limited scope for further rate cuts, says Kotak Mahindra Bank Economist

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The Reserve Bank of India’s latest monetary policy decision has broadly aligned with market expectations, with economists indicating limited room for further rate reductions amid emerging inflationary risks. Reacting to the policy announcement, Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) delivered decisions “completely in line with expectations” in terms of both the policy rate and overall stance. Bhardwaj noted that the inflation outlook for the first half of FY27 has been revised marginally upward, reflecting concerns over external price pressures and currency movements. She highlighted that uncertainty persists regarding growth and inflation projections…

10 Feb

Kotak launches India’s first fully digital FPI registration with e-signature onboarding

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Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced that it has become the first custodian in India to enable Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) registration and account opening through electronic signatures, marking a significant step in the digitisation of India’s capital markets. The bank has already issued the first two FPI licences based entirely on digitally signed documentation, aligning the initiative with SEBI’s broader digital-transformation agenda under the FPI framework. The new system allows execution of all onboarding and account-opening processes without physical paperwork, eliminating wet signatures, reducing operational risk and enabling faster access for global investors seeking entry into Indian markets. Kotak said…

10 Feb

Maharashtra orders crackdown on illegal mosquito agarbattis ‘Comfort’ and ‘Sleep Well’

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The Maharashtra Department of Agriculture has ordered a statewide crackdown on the illegal sale of mosquito agarbattis marketed under the brand names “Comfort” and “Sleep Well,” directing insecticide inspectors to initiate raids, seizures, and prosecution of violators under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Retailers and distributors across the state have been instructed to immediately stop stocking and selling the products, with authorities mandated to report enforcement actions to the Commissionerate of Agriculture. The action follows earlier investigations that detected unapproved insecticides in the two products through laboratory testing in Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai, prompting regulatory scrutiny.…

10 Feb

Organic India unveils wellness-focused Valentine’s Day gift hampers

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Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Organic India, part of Tata Consumer Products Limited, has introduced a curated range of wellness-themed gifting hampers designed to promote mindful living and meaningful celebrations. The special “Valentine’s Day Gifting Edit” features a selection of gift boxes that combine organic pantry essentials, herbal teas and wellness products, targeting consumers seeking healthier and thoughtful gifting alternatives. Among the offerings, the Savoury Sweetheart Gift Box priced at ₹1,999 includes certified organic staples such as Himalayan multifloral honey, cow ghee, quinoa, brown rice, chia and flax seeds, jaggery powder, nuts, raisins and the brand’s Tulsi detox kahwa, aimed at…

09 Feb

Elanpro certifies 37 technicians under ‘Cool Skills, Bright Future’ initiative in West Bengal

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Strengthening the commercial refrigeration workforce in Eastern India, Elanpro has successfully completed the West Bengal phase of its “Cool Skills, Bright Future” initiative, certifying 37 service technicians after a six-week specialised training programme. The certification ceremony was held today at the Ramakrishna Mission Industrial Training Centre in Kolkata. Conducted in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Sarthak, the programme trained young aspirants from several districts across West Bengal in installation, servicing, and maintenance of commercial refrigeration equipment such as chest freezers and visi coolers. The training combined classroom sessions, practical demonstrations, and performance assessments, preparing participants for employment opportunities in the…

09 Feb

MATECIA Exhibition surfaces reporter architecture event draw strong response in Kolkata

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The MATECIA Exhibition—Materials & Products for Construction, Interiors & Architecture—held alongside the Surfaces Reporter Architecture Event, concluded a successful three-day run at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan here on February 1. The event brought together architects, interior designers, developers, and building material manufacturers, creating a platform for networking, product showcases, and industry interaction focused on East and Northeast India. The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of industry leaders and senior architects, with Ashish Vidyarthi, National Award–winning actor and Founder of Ashish Vidyarthi & Associates, attending as chief guest. Day two featured a keynote address by Keshav Bhajanka, Executive Director of…

09 Feb

HMSI marks 5 years of road safety training in Guwahati, over 1 lakh people benefited

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Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Safety Driving Education Centre (SDEC) in Guwahati, reaffirming its commitment to promoting safer road habits across the country. The event was attended by District Transport Officer Gautam Das and other dignitaries, who acknowledged the centre’s role in strengthening awareness of safe riding practices. Established in February 2021 in association with the Assam Transport Department, the Guwahati SDEC has trained more than 1,00,000 individuals, including school students, college youth and working professionals, through classroom sessions and hands-on riding modules. The anniversary programme included a ceremonial cake-cutting and special safety…

09 Feb

India’s Largest Refiner Buys Non-Russian Crude as Trade Talks Loom

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Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has purchased around six million barrels of crude oil from West Africa and the Middle East through spot tenders issued last week, traders said.The deals are for April delivery and reflect a shift away from Russian crude as India recalibrates its energy sourcing amid ongoing trade discussions with the United States. In addition to the six million barrels, IOC also bought two million barrels of Upper Zakum crude from trading firm Mercuria. Upper Zakum is produced in the United Arab Emirates.Indian refiners and trading firms typically do not comment on spot market purchases due to confidentiality…