Blog

20 Jan

Maruti Suzuki e VITARA powers India’s EV market growth

Business BureauBusiness

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has launched its first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the e VITARA, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, showcasing its commitment to decarbonisation and mobility for all. Built on the new HEARTECT-e platform, the e VITARA promises superior performance, an impressive range of over 500 km, and a host of premium features including Level 2 ADAS and next-gen connectivity. Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, emphasized the company's strategy to make BEVs appealing through dedicated platforms and tailored products, with India chosen as the global manufacturing hub. MSIL's Managing Director, Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi,…

20 Jan

Tripura rubber plantation surpasses 5-year record

editorTripura

Tripura has surpassed its five-year rubber cultivation target of 30,000 hectare under an initiative of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), and is now aiming to increase the plantation to 69,000 hectare, an official said on Sunday.Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD), backed by ATMA, was launched in 2021 to develop 2 lakh hectare of natural rubber plantation in Northeast and West Bengal over five years. Under this initiative, the Rubber Board had set a target of 30,000 hectare for Tripura. "Tripura has already raised rubber plantations on 47,747 hectare against its five-year target of 30,000 hectare. We…

20 Jan

Mass animal sacrifices to appease Goddess Gadhimai are being revisited

editorFestival

The Gadhimai festival, a traditional Hindu event held every five years in Nepal, is under renewed scrutiny for its mass animal sacrifices intended to appease the goddess Gadhimai. In 2019, estimates indicated up to 250,000 animals were killed during the festival. Despite interventions by Nepalese and Indian courts to phase out and restrict animal sacrifices, the practice persists, with the latest round expected to commence on December 8, 2024. Animal welfare activists continue to advocate for an end to the practice, citing cruelty and exploitation of impoverished communities.

20 Jan

Haa Valley offers visitors a unique glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of Bhutan

editorTravel

Haa Valley, one of Bhutan's least explored regions, has been listed among BBC's top 25 travel destinations for 2025. Known for its pristine natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Haa Valley offers visitors a unique glimpse into Bhutan's traditional lifestyle. The recognition is expected to boost tourism in the region, contributing to local economic development while promoting sustainable travel practices.

20 Jan

Minister Ratan Lal Nath remarks, Tripura advocates for Kokborok’s inclusion in the eighth schedule

Banasree SarkarTripuraMinister Ratan Lal Nath

Tripura Minister Ratan Lal Nath stated that the state administration was working to add the Kokborok language to the Constitution's Eighth Schedule. The Constitution of our nation recognizes 22 different languages. Adding Kokborok to the Constitution's Eighth Schedule is our top objective. Speaking during the primary ceremony to commemorate the 46th Kokborok Diwas at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan in Agartala, Nath stated, "It's our demand." "No initiative was taken to develop the language before 2018," Nath said, subtly criticizing the former Left Front government. To promote the Kokborok language, we gave Gandacherra the name Ganda Tuisa and Baramura the name Hatai…

20 Jan

The traditional victory highlights India’s dominance in the Kho Kho game

editorSports

On January 19, 2025, the Indian men's and women's teams secured victories at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup. The men's team defeated Nepal in the final, maintaining an unbeaten record throughout the tournament. Similarly, the women's team triumphed over Nepal to clinch their title. These wins highlight India's dominance in the traditional sport of Kho Kho.

20 Jan

Adi and Apatani communities sign historic joint declaration at Summit 2025

Sonakshi SarkarArunachal Pradesh

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Adi and Apatani communities came together to sign a historic joint declaration at the Adi-Apatani Summit 2025, held at Giidii Notko, Pasighat. The summit, aimed at fostering unity and mutual respect, was graced by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Home Minister Mama Natung, Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao, and other dignitaries. Chief Minister Khandu lauded the event as a testament to the enduring cultural ties between the Adi and Apatani communities, both tracing their ancestry to Abotani. “This summit symbolizes unity, understanding, and the preservation of Arunachal Pradesh’s diverse cultural heritage,” Khandu remarked. The declaration, jointly signed…

20 Jan

Assam Rifles apprehend drug smugglers, seize Heroin in Mizoram

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

Assam Rifles and the Excise and Narcotics Department seized 7.16 grams of Heroin No. 4 worth ₹5.01 lakh in Siaha town, Mizoram, on January 18. Two individuals involved in smuggling the contraband were apprehended during the operation. Based on specific intelligence about drug trafficking from Myanmar into India, an Area Domination Patrol intercepted the suspects in Siaha. Upon searching them, officials discovered the heroin, reportedly being prepared for handover to a local contact. The seized contraband and the accused were handed over to the police for further investigation and legal proceedings. Drug trafficking remains a significant challenge in Mizoram, which…

20 Jan

Tripura Minister Sudhangshu Das helps elderly man in distress

Sonakshi SarkarTripura

Tripura Fisheries and SC Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das halted his convoy to assist an elderly man in distress on January 19. The incident occurred in the Devichhara Chaumuhani area of the Kamalpur assembly constituency in Dhalai district. The elderly man, found lying by the roadside in critical condition, appeared to need urgent medical attention. Minister Das promptly instructed his vehicle to stop and assessed the situation. He sought help from nearby residents and arranged for the man to be transported to the hospital for treatment. Additionally, the minister ensured the man's family was informed and coordinated with the security department…

20 Jan

Kiwi farmers in Arunachal start their tech-driven education at AAU

Banasree SarkarArunachal PradeshKiwi farmers

In the Keyi Panyor and Lower Subansiri districts of Arunachal Pradesh, a group of twenty-five kiwi farmers from Yachuli and Ziro began a three-day Capacity building for Adoption of Technology (CAT) tour to Assam Agricultural University (AAU) in Jorhat on Sunday.In front of renowned scientist Dr. Hage Munth, NABARD district development manager Dr. Lalit Maurya, KVK Yachuli head, and others, Yachuli additional deputy commissioner Suraj Gurung flagged off the farmers. The NABARD-funded tour, which is being carried out by KVK Yachuli, intends to increase farmers' understanding of contemporary beekeeping methods and how they can be combined with kiwi farming to…