Mohini Barman - The Purbottar

07 Jun

Bhutan delegation in Assam, Meghalaya on 6-day visit

Mohini BarmanAssam

A nine-member delegation from Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) arrived on Saturday at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here on a six-day visit to Assam and Meghalaya, an official said. The delegation was scheduled to visit Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and the Hayagriva Madhava Mandir at Hajo in Kamrup district on Saturday. The delegation will visit the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Umananda or the Peacock Island, the Guwahati Tea Auction centre and the Royal Bhutan Consul General's Office here on Sunday.

06 Jun

Lovlina launches boxing academy in Guwahati; Assam CM pledges Rs 2 crore support

Mohini BarmanAssam

Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has unveiled her boxing academy in Barchandra in north Guwahati and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a grant of Rs 2 crore for its development. Set up on land purchased by Borgohain in 2021, the Lovlina Borgohain Boxing Academy, inaugurated on Wednesday, aims to provide grassroots boxers with professional infrastructure, including a 26x26 boxing ring and a fully equipped gym. The centre is Guwahati’s first of its kind and will cater to youth from across Assam and the northeast.

06 Jun

Bangladesh Launches Electric Bus Fleet in Dhaka

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has introduced its first fleet of electric buses in Dhaka, marking a significant step toward sustainable urban transportation. Developed in collaboration with South Korean and Chinese partners, the electric buses aim to reduce air pollution and modernize the city's public transport system. The new buses offer silent operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and are equipped with advanced ticketing and security systems. The initiative is part of a broader plan to deploy 500 electric buses over the next two years, improving air quality and commuter experience. Neighboring countries like India and Nepal, facing similar urban pollution challenges, are observing Dhaka's transition…

06 Jun

India and Malaysia Explore Semiconductor Collaboration

Mohini BarmanIndia

India and Malaysia are engaging in discussions to collaborate on semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to strengthen their positions in the global chip industry. Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, emphasized the potential for structured engagement between the two nations, highlighting Malaysia's expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and India's growing market. India's semiconductor market is projected to grow from US$38 billion in 2023 to US$109 billion by 2030. Major global players like Foxconn, Micron Technology, Applied Materials, and AMD have already invested in India, signaling confidence in its semiconductor roadmap. Malaysia's longstanding experience in the semiconductor sector positions…

05 Jun

Dhaka’s New Fleet Aims for Sustainable Public Transportation

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

In a significant move towards sustainable urban transport, Bangladesh has launched its first fleet of electric buses in Dhaka. Developed in collaboration with South Korean and Chinese partners, these buses aim to reduce air pollution and modernize the city's public transportation system. The electric buses offer silent operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and are equipped with advanced ticketing and security systems. The initiative is part of a broader plan to deploy 500 electric buses over the next two years, improving air quality and commuter experience. Neighboring countries like India and Nepal, facing similar urban pollution challenges, are observing Dhaka's transition closely. …

05 Jun

India’s Semiconductor Ambitions Attract Global Interest

Mohini BarmanIndia

India's burgeoning semiconductor industry is drawing international attention, with Malaysia expressing a keen interest in collaboration. Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, highlighted the potential for structured engagement between the two nations, emphasizing Malaysia's expertise in key areas of semiconductor manufacturing. India's semiconductor market is projected to grow from US$38 billion in 2023 to US$109 billion by 2030. Major global players like Foxconn, Micron Technology, Applied Materials, and AMD have already invested in India, signaling confidence in its semiconductor roadmap. Malaysia's longstanding experience in the semiconductor sector positions it as a valuable partner for India. …

05 Jun

Floods submerge 60 pc of Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, threatening one-horned rhino habitat

Mohini BarmanAssam

Around 60 per cent of Assam's Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the highest density of one-horned rhinoceroses in the country, has been submerged due to flooding caused by rising waters from the Brahmaputra River, threatening the habitat of the endangered animal species. According to sanctuary authorities, 10 out of 17 anti- poaching camps inside the 16 sq km protected area have been inundated, severely affecting forest operations and forcing wildlife, including the iconic species, to move to higher ground. "After June 1, we have received a significant influx of water from the Brahmaputra through channels linked to the sanctuary," said…

03 Jun

Eviction drive carried out along Assam-Meghalaya border for widening of NH-217

Mohini BarmanAssam

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) carried out an eviction drive at Dinadubi near Dudhnai, along the Assam-Meghalaya border, to facilitate the widening of National Highway 217. The drive, conducted under the directives of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, targeted encroachments on the Assam side of the Dinadubi Bazar area. The operation involved the demolition of several commercial establishments and shops to clear the way for highway expansion. It was conducted in a peaceful manner, with the presence of officials from the local administration, NHIDCL, and police personnel from Dudhnai, Damra, and neighboring areas of…

03 Jun

UK Bans Disposable Vapes to Curb Teen Addiction

Mohini BarmanUK

The United Kingdom has announced a nationwide ban on disposable vapes starting January 2026, citing a dramatic rise in e-cigarette use among teenagers. The new law will also restrict flavored vape liquids that appeal to minors. The UK’s Health Secretary said the ban aims to protect children from nicotine addiction and potential long-term health effects. Retailers found violating the law will face fines and license suspensions. The move is being watched by South Asian countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, where vaping is gaining popularity among urban youth. Public health experts are urging similar regulations to prevent a future addiction crisis.

03 Jun

California Battles Early Wildfire Season as Drought Returns

Mohini BarmanInternational

California is facing an unusually early and aggressive wildfire season, with over 20,000 acres already scorched in the northern regions due to dry conditions and high winds. Emergency services have ordered evacuations across parts of Butte and Tehama counties, with over 2,000 firefighters deployed. Officials blame a severe drought resurgence and record heat for the fires, reigniting concerns about climate resilience and forest management in the United States. Satellite images show thick smoke affecting air quality across western states, prompting health advisories in Nevada and Arizona. Environmentalists are urging other countries, including India and Nepal, to study California’s approach to…