Business - The Purbottar

01 Jul

Air India Express to launch first direct Guwahati-West Asia flights

Business BureauBusiness

Air India Express has announced the launch of direct flights connecting Guwahati with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, becoming the first airline to offer non-stop services between Northeast India and West Asia. The Guwahati-Dubai service will commence on August 4, while the Guwahati-Abu Dhabi flight will begin operations on August 7, expanding international travel options for the region. The airline said the new services mark its first international operations from Guwahati, one of the largest stations in its network with nearly 120 weekly flights. The direct links to the UAE's two major commercial and travel hubs are expected to strengthen tourism,…

01 Jul

Air India launches ‘Easy Connect’ flights, Guwahati among next cities to join network

Business BureauBusiness

Air India on Thursday launched its first ‘Easy Connect’ flight under the Government of India’s new hub-and-spoke aviation framework, marking the beginning of a nationwide initiative aimed at enabling seamless international travel from cities across the country through the airline’s major hubs. The inaugural Easy Connect service, flight AI1111, departed from Varanasi’s LalBahadurShastri International Airport to Delhi, allowing international passengers to connect onward to nine overseas destinations, including Dubai, Colombo, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kathmandu and Phuket. The service was inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who said the initiative would make international air travel more accessible by…

01 Jul

Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery, sets a new industry standard with diamonds of the highest sparkle

Business BureauBusiness

Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery, has set an industry-first benchmark in natural diamond selection, bringing greater delight and trust to the diamond buying experience. Rooted in the belief that exceptional sparkle is the most visible expressions of diamond quality, this approach builds on the brand’s best-in-class selection standards. Going beyond conventional grading standards, Indriya’s approach to diamond cut and selection evaluates how effectively a diamond reflects, refracts and returns light to deliver superior brilliance, fire and scintillation. Only 1 out of 5 natural diamonds meet these rigorous standards. This shift comes at a pivotal moment for the category. India sits at…

01 Jul

AI and digital maturity reshape India’s MSME growth trajectory

Business BureauBusiness

India's micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector is entering a new phase of technology-led expansion, with artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and digital workplace solutions emerging as critical productivity drivers, according to the Vi Business MSME Growth Insights Study 2026. Based on insights from more than 2.5 lakh MSMEs across 16 sectors, the study found that 57 per cent of enterprises now view AI as essential for scaling business, while 25 per cent have already integrated AI into their operations. The report showed India's Digital Maturity Index (DMI) rising to 60.8 from 58.0 in 2025, reflecting broader adoption of digital…

01 Jul

IndiGo Introduces Discounted ‘No Check-In Bag’ Fares as Airlines Unbundle Basic Services

anuprova EditorBusiness

In a major shift toward unbundled travel services, IndiGo has launched a new "hand-baggage-only" fare tier that offers discounted tickets to passengers traveling without check-in luggage. This strategic move directly follows Air India’s recent introduction of a cheaper "no-meal" option on select flights, signaling a broader industry trend where domestic carriers separate core travel from traditional perks. Under IndiGo's new pricing structure, flyers opting for the hand-baggage fare are permitted only the standard 7 kg of cabin luggage, allowing light travelers to bypass the cost of cargo space and enjoy cheaper base tickets. The budget carrier stated that the initiative…

01 Jul

Vi and Spotify team up to bring premium music closer to everyday users

Business BureauBusiness

Whether travelling to work, exercising, relaxing at home or setting out on a long journey, millions of mobile users rely on music as part of their daily routine. Seeking to enhance that experience, telecom operator Vi has partnered with global audio streaming platform Spotify to provide eligible postpaid subscribers with three months of complimentary Spotify Premium, combining mobile connectivity with premium entertainment benefits. The offer is available on Vi's individual postpaid plans priced at Rs. 451, Rs. 551, Rs. 751 and Rs. 1,201 (REDX), as well as select family postpaid plans, with the benefit extended to the primary member. Eligible…

01 Jul

Indriya unveils ‘Sparkle Like No Other’ campaign to redefine diamond buying

Business BureauBusiness

Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery, has launched its latest marketing campaign, 'Sparkle Like No Other', aimed at highlighting the superior sparkle and quality of its natural diamonds while introducing what it describes as an industry-first benchmark for diamond selection in India. Conceptualised by Ogilvy, the campaign focuses on the visual brilliance of diamonds, with the brand stating that only one out of every five natural diamonds passes its stringent selection process based on light reflection, refraction and return to deliver exceptional brilliance, fire and scintillation. The campaign is led by a brand film featuring actor AditiRaoHydari, who showcases the jewellery in…

01 Jul

Assam-CK Birla Hospitals partnership focuses on strengthening renal healthcare capacity

Business BureauBusiness

CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI, in partnership with the Government of Assam, organised an exclusive Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on renal transplantation in Guwahati, reflecting growing emphasis on public-private collaboration to strengthen specialised healthcare capacity in Northeast India. Held at Vivanta Hotel under the theme *"Advancing Renal Care through Collaboration, Innovation & Expertise,"* the programme brought together nephrologists, urologists, transplant surgeons, physicians and healthcare professionals to deliberate on the latest innovations and global best practices in kidney transplantation. The scientific programme commenced with an introductory session by Dr. Sombrata Roy, Unit Head, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI, followed by presentations from…

30 Jun

Life insurers highlight long-term value amid concerns over short-term assessment

Business BureauBusiness

India’s life insurance industry has reiterated the importance of evaluating insurance products through a long-term lens, emphasizing that the sector continues to provide substantial financial security despite occasional concerns such as mis-selling. The Insurance Awareness Committee–Life Insurance (IAC-Life) said life insurance remains a critical component of financial planning, offering protection, disciplined savings and income continuity for families. Industry leaders noted that judging insurance products based on short-term outcomes can lead to an incomplete assessment of their overall value proposition. According to KamleshRao, Chairperson of IAC-Life, life insurance is designed to deliver benefits over time through financial protection and savings discipline.…

30 Jun

Godrej Properties Expands Chennai Presence with ₹500 Crore Residential Project

nanika EditorBusiness

Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) has acquired a 47-acre land parcel off the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in South Chennai to develop a plotted residential project with an estimated revenue potential of ₹500 crore. The company said the development is expected to offer approximately 1.2 million square feet of developable area, reflecting its continued focus on expanding in high-growth residential markets. Strategically located near OMR, the site offers strong connectivity to major employment hubs along the Siruseri–Kelambakkam corridor, including SIPCOT, as well as Vandalur, Guduvanchery and the broader Mahabalipuram region. The location is expected to benefit from improving infrastructure and rising…