Blog

11 Aug

Nepal’s Business and Financial Landscape Hakuna

MohiniNepal

Nepal is contemplating the issuance of sovereign green bonds to finance conservation projects targeting glacial melt and river basin protection. Officials say the bonds will support climate resilience in vulnerable terrains and create new investment pathways for sustainable development. Modeled after successful instruments in Indonesia and Western countries, Nepal’s green bonds aim to attract both domestic and international investors. This initiative aligns with discussions in India’s Himalayan states and Bangladesh on mobilizing green capital for environmental resilience, offering a collaborative blueprint for regional investment in nature-based solutions.

11 Aug

Brazil Launches Global Forest Conservation Fund Ahead of COP30

MohiniInternational

Brazil has proposed the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a massive $125 billion climate finance initiative designed to reward countries for preserving tropical forests. Public and private investments will provide results-based payments to nations that maintain low deforestation rates. Under the scheme, countries receive $4 per hectare of intact forest, with deductions imposed for degradation or deforestation. A portion of funds will also be allocated to indigenous and local communities. As COP30 approaches, observers across South Asia—home to critical forest ecosystems—are hopeful that such a model can be adapted regionally to protect biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods.

09 Aug

Medanta Achieves Highest Ever Quarterly Total Income and EBITDA in Q1 FY2026

Business BureauBusiness

Global Health Limited (Medanta), one of the largest private multi-specialty tertiary care providers in North and East India, posted its highest-ever quarterly performance for Q1 FY26, with total income rising 19.1% year-on-year to ₹10,513 million. EBITDA grew 22.6% to ₹2,553 million, while Profit After Tax surged 49.6% to ₹1,590 million. The growth was driven by a 13.3% rise in occupied bed days, improved ARPOB of ₹66,584, and strong performances from both mature and developing hospitals. International patient revenue jumped 33.8% to ₹636 million. OPD pharmacy revenues also saw a 21.6% increase. CEO Pankaj Sahni credited the robust results to higher…

09 Aug

Trial halts begin in South Tripura, rail travel made easier

Sonakshi SarkarTripura

Residents of South Tripura received a major travel boost this week as the iconic New Kanchanjunga Express began trial halts at Jolaibari and Belonia stations, a long-standing demand from passengers in the region. The move, introduced on an experimental basis, is expected to improve travel convenience for students, traders, elderly commuters, and others needing direct rail access to Kolkata. West Tripura MP and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb publicly thanked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the stops. In a social media post, Deb said, “This decision will benefit a large section of our people. It will save time,…

09 Aug

Lunglei’s Project Bloom earns national recognition for maternal, child care

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

Mizoram’s Lunglei district has earned national praise for its flagship maternal and child health programme, Project Bloom, which has dramatically improved health indicators in one of the state’s most challenging regions. The initiative was showcased by Lunglei Deputy Commissioner Navneet Mann at the Best Practices Seminar organised by NITI Aayog in New Delhi on August 7. Project Bloom was selected as one of the 19 best practices nationwide from 329 aspirational districts and 500 aspirational blocks across India, under the theme “Transforming Health: Breakthrough Interventions.”Launched on June 17, 2025, in the Lungsen aspirational block — a remote area known for…

09 Aug

ICICI Bank Hikes Minimum Balance To ₹50,000 On Savings Account

Purbalee DuttaIndia

ICICI Bank has revised the minimum average monthly balance (MAMB) requirement for new savings accounts opened from August onward. As per details available on the bank’s official website, customers in metro and urban areas will now need to maintain a MAMB of ₹50,000, a sharp increase from the earlier requirement of ₹10,000. For customers in semi-urban regions, the new minimum balance is ₹25,000, up from ₹5,000. Meanwhile, in rural branches, the required average balance has been raised to ₹10,000, doubling the previous threshold of ₹5,000. These revised requirements apply only to newly opened savings accounts from August, and not to…

09 Aug

Dhaka Expands Domestic Production to Offset Global Inflation

MohiniBangladesh

Following a spike in global food prices—the highest in over two years—Bangladesh’s government implemented a rapid import strategy for rice and pulses to protect consumers. Simultaneously, they introduced incentives for farmers, including subsidies on seeds and fertilizer, to boost domestic supply. Prices have remained stable, averting social unrest, according to markets analysts. Economists across South Asia are studying Bangladesh’s approach as a potential blueprint for managing global commodity volatility.

09 Aug

Himalayan Glacier Awareness Campaign Launches

MohiniNepal

Nepal has launched a nationwide educational initiative in support of the UN’s International Year of Glaciers' Preservation (IYGP2025). Schools, parks, and local governments are mobilizing awareness drives about glacier retreat and its impact on water security. The campaign involves science exhibitions, documentary screenings, and public workshops on glacier conservation and downstream risks. This educational model is being watched by regional neighbors like India and Bhutan, with talks underway to host a Himalayan glacier preservation summit focusing on cross-border research collaboration.

09 Aug

Brazil Protects New Rainforest Area and Digital Innovation Hub

MohiniInternational

Brazil has expanded protected status for the Peruaçu Caves National Park, a new UNESCO World Heritage site, to preserve biodiversity and local indigenous heritage. Simultaneously, the government has launched a digital innovation hub in Brasília, offering tech startups and researchers access to innovation grants and mentorship in green technology. The dual initiative reflects Brazil’s ambition to balance environment conservation with digital economic growth—a model South Asian nations like India and Bangladesh might emulate in their own natural and innovation zones.

09 Aug

IMD issues red alert: Heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms to lash Arunachal Pradesh for next 3 days

editorArunachal Pradesh

An impact-based weather forecast warning of thunderstorms with lightning and heavy to very heavy rainfall is in effect for the next three days in a number of Arunachal Pradesh districts, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) here. Isolated locations in East Kameng, Kurung Kumey, Papumpare, Lower Subansiri, Lohit, and Longding are likely to see heavy rainfall of 7 to 11 cm in a 24-hour period, while Namsai, Tirap, and Changlang are likely to have extremely heavy rainfall of 12 to 20 cm. Papumpare, Lohit, and Changlang are expected to get extremely heavy rain on August 9–10, while Lower Subansiri…