Blog

15 Sep

India’s vegetable oil imports rose, palmolein declines

Business CorrespondentBusiness, News

New Delhi, India's vegetable oil imports in August rose 7 per cent to 16.77 lakh tonnes compared to the same month last year, despite a sharp drop in refined palmolein shipments following changes in import duty, industry body SEA said on Monday. Total vegetable oil imports stood at 15.63 lakh tonnes in August 2024. The country imported 16.21 lakh tonnes of edible oil and 55,821 tonnes of non-edible oils in August, the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) said. Among edible oils, crude oil imports rose to 16.13 lakh tonnes in August, while refined palmolein shipments declined to 8,000 tonnes…

15 Sep

Instamart unveils Quick India Movement sale, Kolkata braces for festive tech boom

Business BureauBusiness

Instamart has announced its first annual mega event, the Quick India Movement Sale, set to begin on September 19, with discounts ranging from 50–90% across over 50,000 products. The company, known for its 10-minute delivery model, will for the first time extend these deals to electronics, grooming appliances, and home essentials. Some of the major highlights include smartphones like the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite at ₹16,999, OPPO K13x 5G at ₹12,499, and realmeNarzo 70 Turbo at ₹13,999. Laptop deals feature the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim3 at ₹48,999 and ASUS Vivobook at ₹29,999. Popular audio devices such as the JBL Flip 5…

15 Sep

Jawa, Yezdi motorcycles now priced under Rs 2 lakh as GST cut fuels demand

Business BureauBusiness

Classic Legends (CL) has announced new prices for its iconic Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles, now available under ₹2 lakh, following the government’s GST rationalisation. The GST rate on motorcycles below 350cc has been slashed from 28% to 18%, making Jawa and Yezdi among the biggest beneficiaries in the world’s largest two-wheeler market. The company confirmed that it is passing on 100% of the tax benefit to consumers. Models including the Adventure, Roadster, Bobber, and Scrambler are powered by 293cc and 334cc Alpha2 liquid-cooled engines, with the 334cc delivering 29PS and 30Nm torque. “This policy shift makes our performance classics more…

15 Sep

Symbolic Silence: Suryakumar and Salman Skip Gesture Amid Political Tensions

editorSports

India vs Pakistan Handshake Row: Suryakumar had made up his mind on the morning of the game and signaled to the squad that he would not oblige the handshake. Frosty emotions between both sides due to recent tensions at the border. Both captains, India's Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha, were greeted with the traditional roars as they entered the half-filled Dubai International Stadium. However, Surya and Agha did not exchange traditional handshakes during the Asia Cup's final match. Both captains handed over their team lists to the umpire, paused for the traditional talk with the commentator (Ravi Shastri…

15 Sep

Nepal Airlines Eyes Expansion Into South Asia

MohiniNepal

Nepal Airlines has announced plans to expand its fleet and launch new routes to India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan as part of its regional growth strategy. The airline aims to attract more South Asian travelers by offering competitive fares and modernized services. Officials said the expansion would boost tourism and trade, while also giving Nepal greater connectivity with its neighbors. For Nepal-based coverage, this is a national aviation milestone; for Indian and regional platforms, it highlights growing air links that will benefit cross-border tourism and business.

15 Sep

Raju Bista, the Darjeeling MP, names Bharat Chettri as the Namo Yuva Run brand ambassador

Banasree SarkarSiliguri

Darjeeling MP and BJP National Spokesperson Raju Bista on Monday announced that former Indian Hockey Team Captain and Olympian Bharat Chettri will be the Brand Ambassador for the upcoming “Namo Yuva Run” in North Bengal. The event, scheduled for September 21, 2025, is expected to witness massive participation of young people from across Darjeeling, Siliguri, Terai, Dooars, and the wider region. The “Namo Yuva Run” is being organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) to mark the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to organisers, nearly 10 lakh youths will take part in the run, which will…

15 Sep

Bangladesh Expands Metro Rail Services in Dhaka

MohiniBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated a major extension of its metro rail system in Dhaka, aiming to ease chronic traffic congestion. The new lines, developed with Japanese assistance, are expected to carry 500,000 passengers daily. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said modern public transport will improve urban life and reduce air pollution. For Bangladesh-focused reporting, this marks a significant urban upgrade; for South Asian coverage, it reflects the region’s push toward sustainable city transport solutions, comparable to metro expansions in India and Nepal’s planned transit projects.

15 Sep

On September 22, PM Modi will officially open the renovated Tripureswari Temple

Sonakshi SarkarTripura

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Tripura on September 22 to unveil the redeveloped Tripureswari temple, Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on Sunday. Speaking at the Neermahal Jal Utsav in Sepahijala district, Saha said he had personally invited the Prime Minister, who accepted the request to inaugurate the iconic Shakti Pith. “PM Modi is coming to unveil the redeveloped Tripureswari temple on September 22 and offer puja there,” the CM confirmed. The redevelopment project was undertaken under the Centre’s PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme, at a cost of ₹51 crore. The state government has also initiated construction…

15 Sep

Politics is a means to serve society’ at BJP District Meeting, says Darjeeling MP Raju Bista

Banasree SarkarSiliguri

Darjeeling Member of Parliament and BJP National Spokesperson Raju Bista on Sunday addressed the BJP Darjeeling District Organizational Meeting held in Darjeeling town. The meeting brought together district-level party leaders, workers, and karyakartas, who gathered to review ongoing initiatives and prepare for the upcoming “Seva Pakhwada”—a nationwide service campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Speaking at the meeting, Bista underlined that the BJP has always stood firm on the guiding principle of Antyodaya, meaning “upliftment of the last person in the queue.” He reiterated that the party’s vision, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, rests on the foundation of…

15 Sep

Meth pills valued at Rs 7.11 crore are found close to the Mizoram-Myanmar border, and Assam Rifles stop a smuggling effort

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

In a major success against cross-border narcotics smuggling, security forces seized methamphetamine tablets worth ₹7.11 crore near the Mizoram-Myanmar border, officials confirmed on Sunday. The operation, carried out by Assam Rifles troops in Champhai district, highlights the growing challenge of drug trafficking networks operating along India’s porous international borders. According to officials, the seizure took place on Friday when troops noticed a suspicious individual moving near Zokhawthar, a border town known as a sensitive transit point for cross-border activities. On being approached, the individual abandoned a bag and fled into nearby terrain, taking advantage of the difficult landscape. A thorough…