Business - The Purbottar

12 Apr

Terre Armée rebrands as Geoquest to usher in a new era of global innovation

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Global geotechnical engineering leader Terre Armée has rebranded itself as Geoquest, marking a strategic shift towards a broader, innovation-driven identity. The transformation reflects the company’s diversification beyond its flagship Reinforced Earth® solutions into cutting-edge geosynthetics, geohazard mitigation, hydraulic engineering, and sustainable infrastructure. Despite the name change, Terre Armée® will remain an integral part of the brand’s technical offerings, reinforcing its commitment to advanced soil-structure solutions. Geoquest reported annual revenues surpassing €330 million in 2024, showcasing its robust global performance and market leadership. “The name Geoquest captures both our expertise and our ambitions,” said Somnath Biswas, Managing Director, Geoquest India. “It…

12 Apr

West Bengal emerges as growth engine in India’s $8.7 billion sexual wellness market

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India’s sexual wellness industry is witnessing an unprecedented boom, and West Bengal is leading the charge. With a projected total addressable market of $8.7 billion by 2030, the sector is evolving from taboo to trend—driven by growing awareness, digital access, and a cultural shift around intimacy and self-care. Data from MyMuse, a market leader in the space, reveals that 88% of its orders now originate beyond metro hubs like Mumbai and Delhi. West Bengal alone has recorded a 179% year-on-year growth, with non-metro regions such as Darjeeling (2100% spike), Howrah, and North 24 Parganas also showing robust adoption. Kolkata stands…

12 Apr

India’s vegetable oil imports fall 16% in March

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, India's vegetable oil imports fell 16 percent to 9.98 lakh tonnes in March due to a sharp drop in crude sunflower oil shipments, according to industry data.In a statement on Friday, the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) said imports of vegetable oils (edible and non-edible) declined to 9,98,344 tonnes in March 2025 from 11,82,152 tonnes in the same month last year.Edible oil imports declined to 9,70,602 tonnes in March 2025 from 11,49,681 tonnes in the same period a year ago. Imports of crude sunflower oil declined to 1,90,645 tonnes last month from 4,45,723 tonnes in March 2024.Arrivals…

11 Apr

Silver futures rise by Rs 1,216 to Rs 92,811 per kg

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi, Apr 11: Silver prices rose by Rs 1,216 to Rs 92,811 per kg in futures trade on Friday as participants increased their bets.Silver contracts for May delivery on the Multi Commodity Exchange rose by Rs 1,216, or 1.33 percent, to Rs 92,811 per kg in a business turnover of 19,617 lots.Analysts said fresh deals by participants led to the rise in silver prices.Globally, silver was trading 1.99 percent higher at $31.37 an ounce in New York.

11 Apr

Punjab National Bank Siliguri marks 131st Foundation Day with Walkathon Rally on cyber safety

Business BureauBusiness

Punjab National Bank (PNB), Circle Office New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri), celebrated its 131st Foundation Day with a spirited Walkathon Rally, aimed at promoting cyber security awareness among the public. The event kicked off at 6:00 AM and was flagged off by the esteemed Circle Head, Mrs. Sarita Singh, from the Circle Office premises. Marking over a century of banking excellence, the Walkathon saw enthusiastic participation from the Circle Head, staff members from the Circle Office, and employees from various local branches and offices across Siliguri. Their collective presence reflected a strong commitment to both the Bank’s enduring legacy and the growing…

11 Apr

ZFunds launches UPI AutoPay functionality for SIPs on its platform

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ZFunds, Gurugram-based wealthtech company empowering Mutual Fund Distributors (MFDs) across India, has announced the launch of UPI AutoPay functionality for Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) on its platform. Zfunds, the first platform to empower MFDs, lets customers set up SIPs in just three seconds with only a UPI PIN—no paperwork, debit card details, or net banking needed. Introduced in February, the feature has been adopted by approximately 70% of ZFunds partners as their preferred method for client SIP setup. Currently available for monthly SIPs, the company plans to extend this functionality to daily SIP options in the future. “Our estimates suggest…

11 Apr

Over 1 lakh policyholders reap rewards as Aditya Birla Health Insurance drives health-first revolution

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On World Health Day, Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Ltd. (ABHICL) announced a significant milestone in its ‘Health-First’ journey, with over 1 lakh policyholders earning benefits through its pioneering HealthReturns™ model in FY 2024-25. Designed to promote healthier lifestyles, the model recorded more than 350 billion steps walked by users, reflecting a national shift towards preventive healthcare. The HealthReturns™ initiative encourages policyholders to engage in daily fitness activities such as 10,000 steps or burning 300 calories. Those who achieve 325 Active Dayz™ and maintain a Green Healthy Heart Score™ can earn up to 100% of their premium as rewards. In…

10 Apr

India launches ‘Skills Accelerator’ with WEF to future-proof workforce

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The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), has launched the India Skills Accelerator, a national platform aimed at bridging skill gaps and fostering a future-ready workforce. The announcement came during a high-level roundtable held at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi. The Accelerator seeks to drive systemic change through cross-sectoral collaboration, enhancing awareness around emerging skill needs, fostering stakeholder cooperation, and reforming policy frameworks. The initiative will prioritize inclusive upskilling and reskilling, agile career transitions, and scalable training aligned with high-growth sectors like AI, robotics, and energy. Co-chaired by Union Ministers Shri Jayant…

10 Apr

Living with IBS: Managing Symptoms and Improving Quality of Life

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Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from the common gastrointestinal ailment known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Chronic stomach pain, bloating, and variations in bowel movements are its signs, and these conditions can have a big influence on day-to-day living. Abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of these are common symptoms. These symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even months and usually vary. While menopausal women often have fewer complaints, women may have more discomfort during their periods. Even though IBS doesn't directly harm the digestive system, extreme symptoms like rectal bleeding or inexplicable weight…

10 Apr

NSDC launches ‘Sampanna Ghar Abhiyan’ to empower 1.5 lakh Nashik families with skills to build their own homes

Business BureauBusiness

In a major boost to rural housing and livelihood, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), in partnership with Nashik Zilla Parishad and the Quality Council of India (QCI), has launched the Sampanna Ghar Abhiyan, an ambitious initiative to skill over 1.5 lakh families in Nashik district to construct their own homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin. Led by Nashik Zilla Parishad CEO Mrs Ashima Mittal, the project merges housing support with skill development, involving 18 professional associations to deliver hands-on construction training. NSDC will standardise modules and mobilise certified trainers, while Shri Ramkrishna Arogya Sansthan will spearhead grassroots training…