Business - The Purbottar

27 Aug

PPFAS GIFT cuts minimum investment to $500 for global passive funds

Business BureauBusiness

PPFAS Alternate Asset Managers IFSC Private Limited, the GIFT City-based fund management entity of PPFAS, has reduced the minimum initial investment in its two outbound passive funds from US$5,000 to US$500, effective August 25. The reduced threshold applies to the Parag Parikh IFSC S&P 500 Fund of Fund and the Parag Parikh IFSC Nasdaq 100 Fund of Fund, making global index-linked investment strategies more accessible to eligible Indian retail investors. Hema Thakkar, Head – Business Development (Alternatives) at PPFAS, said the move was aimed at widening access to international diversification through straightforward, index-based investment strategies. The S&P 500 fund provides…

27 Aug

Iodised salt plays key role in preventing iodine deficiency

Business BureauBusiness

Iodised salt remains a key component in the fight against iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), with experts highlighting its importance for brain development, healthy pregnancies, thyroid function and overall well-being. According to the India Iodine Survey 2018-19, around 76.3 per cent of households consume adequately iodised salt containing at least 15 parts per million of iodine. However, awareness remains a concern, with only 22.4 per cent of respondents having a correct perception of the benefits of iodised salt. Iodine plays a crucial role in preventing IDD and supporting mental development. Recommended dietary intake varies across age groups, with pregnant and lactating…

26 Aug

TVS iQube MillionR edition marks one million customer milestone

Business BureauBusiness

TVS Motor Company on Tuesday launched the TVS iQube MillionR Special Edition to commemorate the electric scooter crossing one million customers in India. Based on the iQube 3.5 kWh variant, the special edition offers an IDC range of 145 km and is priced at ₹1,40,138, effective ex-showroom in Karnataka. The MillionR edition gets an exclusive Aurora Green Dual Tone colour, premium seat upholstery, special graphics and MillionR badging. It also introduces a front utility storage compartment, increasing total storage capacity from 32 litres to 35.5 litres, along with a USB Type-C charging port. The scooter comes with over 118 connected…

26 Aug

UBL completes safe drinking water project benefiting over 6,000 in Nadia

Business BureauBusiness

United Breweries Limited (UBL), in partnership with WaterAid India, has completed a Safe Drinking Water Project in West Bengal’s Nadia district, providing improved access to safe drinking water to more than 6,000 people across six villages in Kalyani block. The project includes eight solar-powered community drinking water systems, each with a 5,000-litre storage capacity and equipped with arsenic and iron removal technology. The infrastructure was formally handed over to the respective Gram Panchayats, marking the transition of responsibility for its management and maintenance to local institutions. Groundwater arsenic contamination had affected access to safe drinking water in the project villages,…

26 Aug

L&T Secures Major Gas, Offshore Contracts Amid West Asia Revival

nanika EditorBusiness

Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T) has secured 13 orders since early July, including seven from West Asia, signalling a revival in business activity in the region following disruptions caused by the US-Iran conflict. While L&T discloses order values within broad ranges rather than providing exact figures, estimates suggest the company’s average order inflow for the quarter ending September 30 could reach around ₹1.11 trillion, surpassing the ₹1.08 trillion recorded in the previous quarter. Even under a conservative estimate, the new orders could be worth about ₹93,800 crore. West Asia remains a strategically important market for L&T, contributing roughly one-third of…

26 Aug

Boltt enters smartphone market with Ace 5G and Evo

Business BureauBusiness

Homegrown consumer technology brand boltt, from the house of Fire-Boltt, on Tuesday announced its entry into India’s smartphone market with the launch of the Ace 5G and Evo. The two smartphones will go on sale exclusively on Flipkart from September 1 at 12 pm. The Ace 5G is priced from Rs 13,999, while the Evo starts at Rs 10,999. Under introductory Day 1 offers, prices will begin at Rs 12,999 and Rs 9,999, respectively. Both devices feature a 6.79-inch 120Hz display, a 6000mAh battery and Android 16 with a clean, no-bloatware interface. They also come with Google Gemini-powered features, including…

26 Aug

Sigma secures ₹1,600 crore Rolls-Royce aerospace contract

Business BureauBusiness

Defence and aerospace major Sigma Advanced Systems has secured an additional long-term agreement worth nearly £125 million, or approximately ₹1,600 crore, with Rolls-Royce through its recently acquired UK subsidiary, Bromford Precision Solutions. The latest contract follows a previously secured long-term agreement worth around £300 million, or approximately ₹3,800 crore, further strengthening Sigma's presence in Rolls-Royce's UK supply chain and increasing its long-term revenue visibility. Under the new agreement, Bromford Precision Solutions will manufacture aero-engine rings, casings, lock plates and other critical engine structures across Sigma's manufacturing facilities in India and the UK. The arrangement will provide Rolls-Royce with a dual-source…

26 Aug

Kotak BizLabs Season 3 to support over 100 startups across India

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Kotak Mahindra Bank on Tuesday announced the launch of Season 3 of its Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme, a flagship CSR initiative that aims to support more than 100 early-revenue-stage startups across India between August 2026 and October 2027. The programme has expanded its national footprint through partnerships with five incubation hubs, including IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, CIIE Initiatives, NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore, T-Hub and FITT at IIT Delhi. The addition of IIM Calcutta Innovation Park is expected to strengthen the initiative's reach across eastern and north-eastern India. The accelerator will focus on sectors including Agritech, Climate tech, Fintech, Sustainability, Healthtech,…

25 Aug

Barpeta Braves crowned champions as inaugural Assam Premier League concludes

Business BureauBusiness

The inaugural Imperial Blue Packaged Drinking Water Assam Premier League (APL) concluded at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on August 23, marking the launch of a new franchise-based T20 competition aimed at strengthening Assam’s cricket ecosystem. Organised by the Assam Cricket Association, the maiden edition featured eight franchises and 43 matches, providing a competitive platform for emerging and established cricketers from the state. Barpeta Braves emerged as the first-ever champions of the tournament after defeating Guwahati Royals by five wickets in the final. Imperial Blue Packaged Drinking Water served as the founding title sponsor of the league, marking its first…

25 Aug

Godrej Agrovet bets on Aqua Feed to drive next phase of growth

Business BureauBusiness

Godrej Agrovet Limited is positioning its Aqua Feed business as a key growth driver within its broader animal nutrition portfolio, with plans to expand manufacturing capacity, accelerate research and development and target double-digit growth in the segment. The company sees significant headroom in India’s aquaculture sector and aims to strengthen its position among the country’s leading fish feed players. Its strategy will focus on developing superior feed solutions and improving feed conversion ratios, which could help farmers lower production costs, improve yields and enhance farm profitability. Sunil Kataria, MD and CEO of Godrej Agrovet, said fish feed is a strategic…