Blog

19 Mar

BHIM App names MS Dhoni as brand ambassador to boost digital payments push

Business BureauBusiness

NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) on Tuesday announced the appointment of former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the brand ambassador for the BHIM Payments App, marking a strategic move to strengthen user trust and expand its digital payments footprint. The association comes as BHIM approaches a decade of operations and aims to scale up adoption with a focus on inclusion and long-term user confidence. The company said the partnership aligns with the shared values of trust, consistency, and reliability, with Dhoni widely regarded for his composure and leadership, and BHIM known for its secure payments infrastructure built on…

19 Mar

Centre’s Small Hydro Power Scheme to Benefit Northeast: Khandu

riyaArunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval to the Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme for 2026-31, highlighting its potential to promote clean energy and support rural economies in the Northeast. "This is a big boost for the Northeast, especially Arunachal Pradesh, where our rivers hold immense untapped potential. The enhanced financial support for hilly and border areas will help unlock clean, decentralized energy in remote regions," Khandu said in a post on X. "Small hydro projects are not just about power. They bring local employment, sustainable development, and strengthen infrastructure in frontier areas without…

19 Mar

Rare Plant Agapetes wardii Recorded First Time in Arunachal Pradesh

riyaArunachal Pradesh

In a notable advancement in botanical research within India, the rare epiphytic shrub Agapetes wardii has been recorded for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh, specifically in the Changlang district. This species was previously exclusive to Myanmar, marking a critical enhancement to the biodiversity of India. Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein praised the finding as a significant scientific breakthrough that underscores the region's ecological richness. He pointed out that this discovery fortifies Arunachal Pradesh’s status as one of India's principal biodiversity hotspots, particularly in the Eastern Himalayan zone. Agapetes wardii is recognized for its epiphytic growth, typically situated…

19 Mar

Mizoram Indigenous Games & Cultural Festival Begins in Aizawl

riyaMizoram

The Mizoram Indigenous Games and Cultural Festival has begun in Aizawl, focusing on reviving traditional Mizo games and cultural heritage. Officials emphasized the crucial role of preserving indigenous traditions amidst the rise of modern sports. They acknowledged the collaborative efforts of Doordarshan and the Mizoram Indigenous Games Association (MIGA) in safeguarding these age-old practices that are at risk of being forgotten. Speakers highlighted that while cultural evolution is natural, it should not lead to the loss of valuable traditional knowledge and practices, urging the younger generation to promote and rediscover indigenous games and cultural values. The inaugural program featured addresses…

19 Mar

Weather Alert: Mizoram Issues Public Advisory

riyaMizoram

In response to recent hailstorms and low-pressure conditions in Mizoram, the state government has instructed Deputy Commissioners to prepare for further weather instability. Forecasts predict widespread light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds with speeds up to 50 km/h across Northeast India. Authorities have warned of possible localized waterlogging and damage, prompting district officials to conduct damage assessments, provide relief, and monitor weather updates actively.

18 Mar

India’s LPG Crisis Persists: Government Incentivizes Piped Natural Gas Transition with 10% Extra Commercial Allocation to States

anuprovaBusiness

The Indian government has officially acknowledged that the nationwide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) situation remains "worrisome" as global supply chains continue to reel from the ongoing West Asia conflict. During an inter-ministerial briefing held on March 18, 2026, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, noted that while online bookings have improved, long queues at distribution centers persist due to persistent logistics bottlenecks and panic-driven demand. To address this, the Centre has introduced a strategic incentive plan, offering an additional 10% allocation of commercial LPG to States and Union Territories that actively facilitate a long-term…

18 Mar

Tripura Assembly Moves TTAADC Polls to April 12 to Respect Tribal and Bengali Festivals

Sonakshi SarkarTripura

The Tripura Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously decided to advance the election date for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) from April 13 to April 12, keeping in view a series of important festivals falling on the original polling day.The decision was taken on the fourth day of the Assembly session after members from across political parties raised concerns about the clash between the poll date and major celebrations such as Buisu, observed by indigenous communities, and the Bengali New Year. Legislators said holding elections on the same day could affect voter participation and disrupt festive observances.The issue…

18 Mar

Opposition and Ruling Party Leaders Push for Job Security, Benefits for Contract Teachers in Tripura

Sonakshi SarkarTripura

The issue of regularising teachers working under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and other contractual arrangements was raised strongly in the Tripura Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, with members from both the ruling and opposition sides highlighting the long years of service rendered by these teachers without job security.Tipra Motha legislator Paul Dangshu and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury spoke in the House, drawing attention to the conditions of thousands of teachers who continue to work on a contractual basis despite serving for many years. Both leaders said the matter required urgent attention from the state government.Paul Dangshu said that…

18 Mar

Axis Finance Set for Growth as Axis Bank Plans ₹1,500 Cr Infusion

nanikaFinance

Axis Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India to infuse ₹1,500 crore into its wholly owned subsidiary Axis Finance, strengthening its non-banking financial arm.The bank announced that its board has cleared the capital infusion, which will be carried out in one or more tranches through a rights issue by March 31, 2027. The decision follows RBI’s approval communicated earlier this month, enabling the lender to proceed with direct funding.This move comes after a key regulatory shift. Earlier restrictions under RBI’s 2024 guidelines had prevented Axis Bank from injecting fresh capital into Axis Finance, forcing the lender to…

18 Mar

Coke Studio Bharat announces its Season 4 artist line-up: Four seasons strong

Business BureauBusiness

Coca-Cola India on Tuesday announced the artist line-up for Season 4 of Coke Studio Bharat, marking the return of the music platform that has gained prominence for blending regional traditions with contemporary sounds. The new season opens with ‘The List,’ featuring a diverse mix of artists including Rekha Bhardwaj, Aditya Rikhari, Kutle Khan, Faheem Abdullah, Arsalan Nizami, Madhur Sharma, Mohammad Faiz and Mame Khan, among others. After three seasons that reshaped India’s streaming music landscape, the platform aims to deepen its engagement with local musical traditions. Season 3 tracks such as Arz Kiya Hai and Holi Aayi Re had topped…