India - The Purbottar

03 Dec

ICGS Vigraha Embarks on Operational Visit to Indonesia During Overseas ASEAN Deployment

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

As part of its overseas deployment to ASEAN countries, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vigraha is visiting Jakarta, Indonesia from December 02-05, 2025. This operational visit includes extensive activities such as professional interactions, tabletop exercises, shipboard drills, and joint training sessions between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA). These engagements focus on crucial areas like Maritime Law Enforcement, Marine Pollution Response, and Maritime Search and Rescue, emphasizing the need for cooperation due to shared responsibilities in large Exclusive Economic Zones and high maritime traffic. The visit features a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) designed to enhance…

03 Dec

Bharat Ratna for Zubeen Garg: Gaurav Gogoi Raises Demand on Parliament Floor

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday requested the Central government to confer the highest civilian honour of the country, Bharat Ratna, on cultural icon the late Zubeen Garg. The Congress MP also sought justice for Garg, who died in Singapore under mysterious circumstances on September 19, leaving his fans in shock and disbelief. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Gogoi paid rich tributes to Garg, hailing him as a humanitarian who gave the people of Assam hope in the 1980s and 1990s, when the northeastern state was in the grip…

02 Dec

The Territorial Army Recruitment Rally in Solmara, Tezpur, is successfully concluded by the Indian Army

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

A Landmark Example of Civil–Military Synergy and Professional Excellence The Indian Army's Territorial Army Recruitment Rally was successfully conducted at Meghna Stadium, Solmara Military Station, Tezpur, from 15 November to 01 December 2025. This event saw an impressive turnout of 7,282 aspiring recruits from various regions, including Assam, Meghalaya, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, reflecting the youth's strong motivation to serve the nation, especially from remote and high-altitude areas. Organized by the 121 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) The Garhwal Rifles under the Eastern Command, the rally faced significant challenges due to its location, approximately 1,200 kilometers from their base…

01 Dec

Indian Exports to US Crash Amid Escalating Tariffs

Mohini BarmanIndia

According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), Indian exports to the United States suffered a sharp 28.5% drop between May and October 2025. This significant decline, from $8.83 billion to $6.31 billion, is attributed directly to the rapid escalation of US tariffs, which rose from 10% to as high as 50% on key Indian goods. Labor-intensive sectors, including textiles, garments, and gems and jewelry, were hit the hardest, reinforcing the impact of aggressive trade protectionist measures on developing economies.

22 Nov

Bilateral Talks Focus on Reimbursement and Regulatory Frameworks for Ayush Systems

Mohini BarmanIndia

India and Germany held the 3rd Joint Working Group Meeting on Alternative Medicine in Berlin, marking a significant step in advancing cooperation in traditional and integrative healthcare. The core focus of the discussions was on three pillars: integrating traditional medicine (Ayush systems) into public health systems, establishing reimbursement pathways for patients, and strengthening regulatory approval mechanisms. The engagement reflects a shared commitment to fostering evidence-based, people-centred traditional medicine. Key talks involved high-level German health officials and institutions, including the Competence Center for Traditional and Integrative Medicine at Charité University. This collaboration aims to accelerate research, harmonize regulations, and enhance patient…

21 Nov

India Calls for ‘Just Transition Mechanism’ at COP30

Mohini BarmanIndia

At the ongoing COP30 UN Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, India and other developing nations have strongly advocated for the establishment of a 'just transition mechanism'. India's Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, stressed that financing for climate adaptation is an "essential investment," not an optional add-on, and is currently inadequately funded. India emphasized that this mechanism must prioritize strengthening resilience, creating employment, protecting livelihoods, and eradicating poverty in developing countries. It called for the future Global Goal on Adaptation to be country-driven and nationally determined, giving nations the flexibility to define and measure progress based on their unique national circumstances. This…

13 Nov

Mahindra & Mahindra, Manulife form 50:50 life insurance joint venture

Purbalee DuttaIndia

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) announced on Thursday that its board has approved forming a 50:50 life insurance joint venture with Canada’s Manulife Financial Corporation, subject to regulatory clearances. Under the agreement, both companies will hold equal stakes in the new entity. The partnership aims to strengthen their presence in India’s growing financial sector and enhance customer financial wellbeing. This marks an expansion of their existing collaboration, which began with the launch of Mahindra Manulife Investment Management in 2020. Each partner has committed capital of up to ₹3,600 crore ($400 million) over ten years, with an expected initial investment of…

13 Oct

Coral Reefs Face Widespread Dieback as Warming Crosses 1.2 °C Threshold

Mohini BarmanIndia

A major report led by scientists from the University of Exeter, involving 160 experts globally, asserts that the Earth has passed its first catastrophic climate tipping point: extensive dieback of warm-water coral reefs. The report warns that reefs, vital for marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods, are now exposed to conditions beyond their resilience. The global mean temperature has already hit around 1.4 °C above preindustrial levels—well past the 1.2 °C threshold identified for reef collapse. Other ecosystems are also nearing tipping points, such as the Amazon rainforest, polar ice sheets, and major ocean current patterns. The findings emphasize that the…

11 Oct

New Delhi to Host Second WHO Traditional Medicine Summit in December

Mohini BarmanIndia

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of India have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-host the Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from December 17 to 19, 2025. The summit aims to bring together global experts, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to scale integration of traditional medicine into health systems, promote evidence-based practices, and explore harmonization frameworks. The MoU was signed in the presence of India's Minister of AYUSH and senior WHO officials. India has positioned itself as a leader in traditional health care, combining Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems with modern medicine.…

01 Jul

Commercial LPG costs Rs 58.50 less, while domestic prices stay the same

Banasree SarkarIndia

With effect from July 1, oil marketing companies have lowered the cost of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by ₹58.50, which is a positive step for businesses nationwide. Businesses that depend significantly on commercial LPG, like the food and hospitality industries, will benefit from the price reduction, which lowers the new tariff in Delhi to ₹1,665 per cylinder. This represents the third price cut in as many months, indicating a persistent decreasing trend. Prices were reduced by ₹24 in June, whereas in April they were ₹1,762 before being changed to ₹1,723.50. The tariff was lowered by ₹7 earlier in February and…