Mohini Barman - The Purbottar

24 May

Canada Announces New Immigration Reforms to Attract Skilled Workers

Mohini BarmanCanada

Canada has unveiled a new immigration policy aimed at attracting global tech talent, healthcare professionals, and skilled tradespeople. The system, launching in early 2026, will use AI-driven screening to fast-track applications from high-demand sectors. This move comes amid Canada’s labor shortage, especially in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia. The government has confirmed new bilateral agreements with India and Bangladesh to facilitate applicant pools. Nepal and Bhutanese tech workers and students may also benefit through third-country sponsorship pathways. South Asian educational consultants have welcomed the changes, predicting a surge in applications from the region.

22 May

Dhaka Metro to Launch Smart Ticketing System by December

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh is upgrading its urban transport with a smart ticketing system for the Dhaka Metro. The new system, based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, will allow passengers to pay digitally using mobile phones and smartcards. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has partnered with a Japanese firm to develop the system. Trials begin in August, and full implementation is expected by December 2025. The initiative aims to ease congestion, reduce fare fraud, and encourage more people to use public transit. Indian and Nepalese urban planners have shown interest in similar models for metro projects in Kathmandu and Tier-2 Indian…

22 May

UK Passes Historic AI Regulation Bill in Parliament

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Kingdom has passed its first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Regulation Bill, aiming to set ethical and operational standards for AI development and usage. The legislation, approved by the House of Commons on Monday, mandates transparency in AI training data, bans biometric surveillance in public places, and introduces penalties for AI misuse. The bill is being hailed as a blueprint for Europe, drawing praise from tech giants and human rights organizations alike. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called it “a forward-thinking framework to guide innovation responsibly.” Indian, Bangladeshi, and Nepalese tech sectors—many of which supply AI labor and services to…

22 May

Haibargaon Railway Station become first redeveloped station in Assam, PM inaugurates it

Mohini BarmanAssam

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Thursday attended the inaugural programme of the redeveloped Haibargaon Railway Station in Nagaon district as Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the railway station. This event stands out as a landmark in the national rollout of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), as Haibargaon becomes the first railway station in Assam, among 50 stations identified in the state, inaugurated under this ambitious scheme. The inauguration is part of a nationwide event covering 103 redeveloped stations, where Haibargaon's inclusion, constructed at a project cost of approximately Rs. 15.85 crore, signals the beginning of a new…

21 May

Google Unveils Quantum Processor That Outpaces Supercomputers

Mohini BarmanInternational

Google has announced a significant leap in quantum computing with its new processor, “Neptune Q,” capable of solving problems in seconds that would take traditional supercomputers years. The breakthrough was revealed at the Quantum Tech Summit in California on Monday. The processor uses 256 qubits—double the number from their 2019 model—and has successfully completed molecular simulations and cryptographic code testing. Google claims this innovation will soon revolutionize drug development, weather forecasting, and financial modeling. The implications are global. Universities in Bangladesh and Nepal, already partnered with Google’s education outreach, are expected to gain access to its simulation tools, enhancing regional…

21 May

Former Sikkim Parliamentarians call on Governor Om Prakash Mathur at Raj Bhawan

Mohini BarmanSikkim

A delegation of former Members of Parliament (MPs) from Sikkim, comprising representatives of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Sikkim, Om Prakash Mathur, at Raj Bhawan. The meeting served as a platform for a warm and reflective interaction, where the former parliamentarians engaged in insightful discussions with Governor Mathur. The dialogue touched upon their experiences in the Indian Parliament and the developmental journey of Sikkim over the years. The gathering took a nostalgic turn as the former MPs shared memories of their respective tenures, recounting the challenges and accomplishments that marked…

21 May

Assam Cabinet rolls out paid PSO scheme, mega concert plan and wage hike for tea garden workers

Mohini BarmanAssam

In a series of decisions taken during the cabinet meeting today, May 21, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing a press conference at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Golaghat district, announced several cabinet-approved initiatives ranging from security measures to economic and infrastructure development. Highlighting growing concerns over personal safety, CM Sarma announced the implementation of a paid Personal Security Officer (PSO) system. Individuals who feel their lives are under threat can now avail a government-assigned PSO by paying Rs 75,000 as remuneration. “This system is being introduced for those who genuinely feel threatened and have been…

20 May

UK Hospitals to Use Robot Nurses for Elderly Care

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a major advancement in healthcare tech, NHS hospitals across the UK have started trials of robotic nurses to assist in elderly care. These robots help with medication reminders, mobility assistance, and even basic conversations to reduce loneliness. The robots, developed in collaboration with Japan, are part of the UK government’s AI in Health initiative. Early trials show a 30% improvement in patient satisfaction and reduced workload for nurses. Healthcare providers in India and Bhutan are also exploring similar tech to meet rising elderly care demands. The UK’s experience may influence future adoption of robotics in South Asian eldercare systems.

20 May

NASA to Launch First AI-Powered Satellite for Climate Monitoring

Mohini BarmanNASA

NASA is set to launch its first AI-integrated climate satellite—ClimaSat-1—next month, designed to gather real-time data on global temperature, sea levels, and greenhouse gas levels. The AI system will process data onboard, minimizing delays and increasing forecasting accuracy. Unlike previous models, ClimaSat-1 uses machine learning to prioritize climate events like cyclones, forest fires, or drought zones. South Asian scientists are already collaborating with NASA to use this data for regional early warning systems. With countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal facing frequent climate disasters, this mission could provide critical support. It marks a breakthrough in how AI will shape our…

20 May

19 including 2 women candidates held in Sikkim for cheating during NVS recruitment exam

Mohini BarmanSikkim

Police detained 19 candidates for allegedly using sophisticated electronic communication devices to cheat during the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Non-Teaching Recruitment Examination. The incident occurred on Sunday at Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School in Gangtok. According to officials, 17 men and 2 women were apprehended at the examination venue after they were found in possession of discreet communication gadgets aimed at facilitating cheating. The devices were reportedly used to seek outside assistance during the examination. All 17 male candidates have been formally arrested, and an FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the…