Paromita Editor

Natural Rubber (NR) plantations in North East India under Project INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) have recorded a significant milestone after completion of five years of the initiative.Launched in financial year 2021–22, the INROAD Project helped in creation of 1,79,376 hectares of new NR plantations across 113 districts in the North Eastern region of India over the last five years and is expected to complete 200,000 hectares of new plantations originally targeted. This represents the highest natural rubber plantation expansion in the country within such a short span.INROAD is a landmark and first-of-its-kind global initiative, wherein the…

A review meeting of Mission Flood Free Guwahati was held under the chairmanship of Assam Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Kaushik Rai at Janata Bhawan on Tuesday, to assess the situation arising out of the heavy rainfall that led to waterlogging and flooding in several localities of Guwahati.The meeting reviewed the prevailing situation and deliberated on both immediate and long-term measures to tackle urban flooding, strengthen drainage infrastructure and improve inter-departmental coordination.Detailed discussions were held on identifying bottlenecks in major drainage channels, carrying out regular desilting and cleaning of drains, strengthening pumping and dewatering mechanisms, expediting ongoing drainage projects…

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced a series of major infrastructure, healthcare and employment initiatives while replying to the discussion on the State Budget during the eighth day of the Assam Legislative Assembly. Presenting the government's long-term development roadmap, Sarma said a medical college will be established in Mankachar within the next five years to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in western Assam and improve access to quality medical education and healthcare services. The Chief Minister also announced plans to generate employment opportunities for nearly one lakh youths through the development of satellite cities, which are expected to emerge…

The body of the Assam Rifles jawan who was killed in an IED blast in Nagaland on Monday will reach his home in the Mendhar area of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.Havaldar Mohammad Iqbal died and four other personnel were injured after a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near an Assam Rifles convoy in Nagaland's Chümoukedima district on Monday.The explosive device was suspected to have been concealed inside a roadside auto-rickshaw and detonated remotely as an Assam Rifles vehicle was passing through the area.The blast occurred near Shokhuvi, close to the Longi area on the road…

The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) has welcomed internationally renowned academician, education leader, researcher, and advocate of holistic education, Dr. Dorji Thinley as professor in the Department of English.Prof. Thinley, who hails from the Kingdom of Bhutan, was formally felicitated by the University's senior leadership during a special programme held on campus yesterday.With an illustrious career spanning several decades in Bhutan's higher education sector, and a Ph.D. from the University of New England, Australia, Prof. Thinley brings to RGU a wealth of expertise in teacher education, academic leadership, quality assurance, research, international collaboration, and mindfulness-based education.Speaking on the occasion, Prof.…

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu held a review meeting with a delegation from Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), led by its CEM Tuliram Ronghang, at Janata Bhawan in Dispur on Monday to discuss key education-related issues concerning the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.The meeting reviewed the progress and requirements of Higher Education and School Education, including Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Adarsha Vidyalayas, with a focus on improving access to quality education and strengthening educational infrastructure.Earlier this month, the KAAC along with a delegation of MLAs from Karbi Anglong and representatives of the Karbi Anglong…

Security forces on Tuesday intensified search operations in Nagaland's Chumoukedima district, a day after an improvised explosive device (IED) blast near Sukhovi claimed the life of an Assam Rifles jawan and injured four other personnel along with a civilian. According to a Defence spokesperson, additional teams of the Assam Rifles and Nagaland Police have been deployed to trace those responsible for the attack, which occurred on Monday when Assam Rifles personnel were travelling in a mini truck. The deceased has been identified as Havildar Mohd Iqbal of the 28 Assam Rifles, who was posted at the Assam Rifles Training Centre…

Raijor Dal president and Sibsagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Monday criticised the Assam government's pushback of alleged illegal Bangladeshi nationals, alleging that the exercise lacks legal validity and is being used to keep the issue politically alive. Addressing reporters, Gogoi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of turning a "non-issue into a political issue" by promoting a pushback strategy instead of establishing a legally recognised mechanism to deport undocumented migrants. According to Gogoi, the issue of illegal immigration can only be resolved through bilateral discussions between India and Bangladesh. He claimed that neither the Assam government nor the Centre has…

Lakhimpur MLA Manab Deka on Tuesday participated in the discussion on the Assam Budget during the 16th Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, highlighting the state government's initiatives in the semiconductor industry and the Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector. Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, Deka said the government's vision for the semiconductor sector would open new avenues for industrial growth in Assam. Describing semiconductors as the "fuel of the 21st century," Deka said their importance today exceeds the role petroleum played in the 20th century. He noted that the…

Social reformer Ajay Oli from Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand has been walking barefoot for over a decade to raise awareness about children's rights. The 33-year-old activist reached Guwahati on Friday as part of his month-long awareness campaign across Northeast India, urging people to join the fight against child labour and child begging. Oli stopped wearing footwear in 2015, taking a personal pledge to continue his barefoot journey until every child is given access to education, dignity and a safe childhood instead of being forced into labour or begging. Through his campaign, he encourages communities to ensure that children remain in schools…