Business - The Purbottar

17 Apr

Star Health expands North-East footprint, business grows 11% in FY26

Business BureauBusiness

Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has expanded its wellness and digital healthcare footprint across Assam and the North-East, reporting an 11% growth in gross written premium to around ₹150 crore in FY26, while covering over 2.2 lakh lives in the region. The company said it has strengthened its regional presence through 20+ branches, 14,300 advisors, 22 Star Gramin Bima Kendras and 130+ network hospitals, covering 868 pin codes. In Assam alone, services now extend across 151 pin codes, with over one million customers using digital health offerings such as telemedicine, wellness programmes, Face Scan and a treatment cost…

17 Apr

Reel Se real star: Birla Studios, Vodafone Idea launch mobile-first talent hunt to democratize acting opportunities

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Birla Studios, in collaboration with Vodafone Idea Limited, has announced the launch of ‘Reel Se Real Star’, a first-of-its-kind mobile-first acting talent discovery platform aimed at democratizing entry into India’s entertainment industry. The initiative seeks to eliminate traditional barriers such as geography, access, and industry connections by enabling anyone with a smartphone to audition digitally. Founded on the idea that talent can emerge from anywhere, the platform allows participants to upload auditions via an app and web-based system, removing the need for referrals. Selected participants will receive mentorship from established directors and creative professionals, ensuring both credibility and skill development.…

16 Apr

India’s LPG market gains stability as enforcement tightens and digital adoption peaks at 98%

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India’s LPG ecosystem is undergoing a notable stabilisation phase, driven by a combination of regulatory enforcement, digital integration, and steady supply-side management, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. A key indicator of this shift is the rise in online LPG bookings to nearly 98%, reflecting improved consumer confidence and a decline in panic-driven demand. This behavioural transition has been supported by technology-led reforms, including OTP-based delivery authentication, now covering 92% of transactions, which has enhanced transparency and reduced leakages. On the enforcement front, over 1.28 lakh inspections and raids since March 2026 have led to the seizure…

16 Apr

Army, BRO lead massive rescue in Sikkim; 1,170 tourists evacuated under operation HimSetu

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In a swift and coordinated rescue effort, the Indian Army, along with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and local civil administration, successfully evacuated over 1,170 stranded tourists under Operation HimSetu in North Sikkim following a landslide disruption. The operation was launched after a landslide washed away a key road stretch near Taramchu, cutting off access to Chatten and leaving hundreds stranded. Acting promptly, Army engineers from Trishakti Corps mobilised resources and constructed a temporary footbridge across the damaged section, enabling safe passage in difficult terrain and adverse weather. Simultaneously, teams cleared heavy snow at Donkyala Pass to restore mobility in…

16 Apr

Nuvoco Vistas reports strong FY26 growth; EBITDA jumps 35%

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Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. has reported a robust financial performance for FY26, posting a 35% year-on-year rise in EBITDA to Rs. 1,881 crore, driven by strong operational execution and premium product demand. Profit After Tax surged sharply to Rs. 360 crore from Rs. 22 crore in FY25. The company recorded cement sales volume of 20.4 million metric tonnes (MMT), marking a 5% YoY growth, while consolidated total income rose 10% to Rs. 11,362 crore. Premiumisation improved by 300 basis points to 43%, supported by strong traction in its Concreto and Duraguard brands. Nuvoco said work at Vadraj Cement facilities is…

16 Apr

Ai+ Nova 2 aims to bring smart technology within reach of everyday users

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Ai+ Smartphone has announced that its latest device, Nova 2, under the newly launched Nova Series, will go on sale starting April 14 at 12 noon. The smartphone will be available exclusively on Flipkart and select retail outlets. The Ai+ Nova 2 is priced at ₹8,999 for the 4GB+64GB variant and ₹10,999 for the 6GB+128GB model, targeting users looking for an affordable yet feature-rich upgrade. Announcing the launch, Madhav Sheth, CEO of Ai+ Smartphone and Founder of NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, said, “The Nova Series is our strongest expression yet of what Ai+ stands for—technology that is accessible, reliable, and built…

16 Apr

Xiaomi introduces REDMI A7 Pro 5G with segment’s largest and slimmest 6.9-inch display

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Xiaomi India on Tuesday launched the REDMI A7 Pro 5G, marking the first Pro model in its A Series, aimed at offering feature-rich performance at an affordable price point. The smartphone features a segment-leading 6.9-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 800 nits, designed for smoother viewing across daily use. The device packs a segment-largest 6300mAh battery, supporting 15W charging and 7.5W reverse charging, while maintaining durability over extended usage cycles. It is powered by an octa-core 5G processor with up to 8GB virtual RAM for improved multitasking. Running on Xiaomi HyperOS 3.0, the smartphone introduces…

16 Apr

Gen Alpha drives household choices, reshapes brand play: Rukam Capital Report

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India’s Gen Alpha, now over a quarter of the population is emerging as a decisive force in consumer markets, with strong digital exposure and growing influence over household purchases, according to a new report by Rukam Capital. Titled ‘Gen Alpha Decoded: The Consumer-Brand Dynamic’, the report highlights that 73% of Gen Alpha already have access to personal smartphones, while 60% use laptops, underscoring their deep integration with technology from an early age. Rukam Capital Founder and Managing Partner Archana Jahagirdar said the generation has the potential to influence up to 80% of household purchase decisions. “They are digitally fluent, shaped…

15 Apr

HPCL delivers 166 lakh LPG cylinders in 13 days, strengthens nationwide supply network

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Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has ramped up its LPG supply operations, delivering over 166 lakh cylinders across India between April 1 and 13, reflecting the resilience of its nationwide distribution network amid rising demand in select markets. The supply chain begins at HPCL’s refineries and import terminals, from where LPG is transported via tankers to bottling plants. Here, cylinders undergo automated inspection, filling, sealing, and safety checks before being dispatched for doorstep delivery. The company also supplied over 3.70 lakh 5 kg Free Trade LPG cylinders and more than 21,400 2 kg cylinders, improving access to clean fuel for…

15 Apr

Operation Sindhu speeds up: India evacuates 2,200 citizens amid Iran–Israel crisis

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Amid escalating tensions in West Asia following the Iran–Israel conflict, India has intensified efforts to evacuate its citizens stranded in Iran, with the Indian Embassy in Tehran playing a central role in the ongoing operation. Under “Operation Sindhu” and related initiatives, more than 2,200 Indians have been evacuated so far, including nearly 1,000 students and over 650 fishermen. With Iranian airspace shut and flights severely restricted, evacuation has been carried out through land routes via Armenia and Azerbaijan. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on April 11 confirmed the safe evacuation of an additional 312 Indian fishermen, thanking Armenia and Foreign…