Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

16 Oct

From Varanasi to Burj Khalifa, Tinsukia Pandals Blend Tradition and Modernity

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Durga Puja celebrations in Assam’s Tinsukia district are taking on a distinctive character this year, with pandal organisers drawing inspiration from religious destinations, historic temples, royal palaces and modern architectural landmarks from across India and abroad. From the sacred ghats of Varanasi to Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa, the seven pandals are showcasing a wide range of themes that combine religious devotion, cultural heritage and creative design. Each pandal offers visitors a different experience, reflecting the organisers’ efforts to bring diverse architectural styles and cultural influences into the festive celebrations. The Manav Kalyan Shri Marwari Durga Puja pandal is inspired by…

15 Oct

Arunachal’s Proposed Siang Mega Project Faces Protests Amid Calls for Jobs, Infrastructure and Safeguards

Sonakshi SarkarArunachal Pradesh

Arunachal’s 11,200-MW Siang hydropower project raises hopes of jobs but faces local resistance Arunachal Pradesh’s proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) has sparked a debate over development, employment and infrastructure, with some residents hoping for better roads and public services while protesters raise concerns over land, the environment and community rights. The project, proposed along the Siang River, has drawn attention to the development needs of communities living in the region, where difficult terrain and limited connectivity have long affected access to essential services and economic opportunities. While some residents see the project as a possible source of employment…

14 Oct

Yingkiong Rally Intensifies Opposition to Siang Project, Protesters Demand Halt to PFR Process

Sonakshi SarkarArunachal Pradesh

Protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) continued in Yingkiong, the headquarters of Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district, on Tuesday, as residents from several villages gathered for a peaceful rally and meeting demanding the release of detained protesters and the withdrawal of security forces from the region. The district administration relaxed prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), allowing the protest to take place. The restrictions had initially been imposed in Yingkiong for 30 days from October 11. The protest was organised by the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW) and…

13 Oct

Controversy Over Guwahati Festival; Dibrugarh Plans ‘Srishtir Din’ Tribute

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita and BJP MLA Rupak Sarmah have distanced themselves from a proposed Zubeen Mahotsav in Guwahati, clarifying that they are not associated with the event. Margherita also stated that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has no connection with the proposed festival, which has come under scrutiny over the alleged use of names of individuals on its organising committee without their consent. Margherita issued the clarification in a social media post on Monday, October 12, amid growing controversy over the proposed non-governmental event being planned in memory of late Assamese singer and musician Zubeen Garg.…

13 Oct

First Accused in Main Case Gets Bail as Amritprabha Mahanta Is Released

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Singer Amritprabha Mahanta, one of the seven accused in the death case of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, was released from Haflong sub-jail on Tuesday, October 13, four days after the Gauhati High Court granted her bail. Justice Pranjal Das of the Gauhati High Court granted bail to Mahanta on Friday, October 9, against a bail bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount, Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar told reporters. The High Court had heard Mahanta’s bail petition over several days, with arguments concluding on Wednesday. The court reserved its order before delivering the decision on Friday.…

12 Oct

Ahead of Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Visit, Road Repairs Begin Near Himashree Boro’s Home Amid Unanswered Questions Over Her Death

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Public Works Department (PWD) began repairing the approach road to the residence of 22-year-old Himashree Boro on the morning of October 12, ahead of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s proposed visit to her family. The sudden activity has drawn attention to the timing of the repairs, as the family continues to demand a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the young student’s death. An excavator was deployed to fill potholes and repair damaged sections of the road leading to Boro’s home. While road maintenance is a routine responsibility of the department, the work ahead of the Chief Minister’s…

09 Oct

BJP’s Debashish Sharma Leads Nagaon Bypoll by Over 26,000 Votes, Ajmal Trails

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Debashish Sharma was leading in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll in Assam, securing 47,402 votes, according to the latest Election Commission of India (ECI) trends available on Friday morning. All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) candidate and party chief Badruddin Ajmal was in second place with 21,107 votes, while Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora was trailing with 6,544 votes. According to the figures reported at 10.07 am, Sharma was ahead of Ajmal by 26,295 votes. His lead over Bora stood at 40,858 votes, indicating a clear advantage for the BJP candidate at this stage of counting.…

08 Oct

East Siang Groups Demand Scrapping of 63 Teacher Transfers, Filling of 69 Vacancies

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

A 12-hour bandh called by the Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang (BBYK) along with eight youth and student organisations was observed peacefully across Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district on October 7, with the groups protesting the Education Department’s ongoing teacher transfer and rationalisation exercise. The organisations have demanded the cancellation of the proposed transfer of 63 teachers from the district, the filling of 69 vacant teaching posts and at least 30 days to complete the intra-district rationalisation process. The bandh was observed from 5 am to 5 pm. Essential services, medical emergencies and students appearing for examinations were kept outside the…

07 Oct

Devesh Kumar Gets Warm Welcome in Arunachal, Pledges Focus on BJP’s Organisational Strength

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Newly appointed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Arunachal Pradesh in-charge Devesh Kumar was given a warm welcome at the party’s state headquarters in Itanagar on October 6, in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and senior party leaders. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, state BJP president Kaling Moyong, several MLAs, party functionaries and workers attended the welcome programme. The BJP appointed Kumar as its Arunachal Pradesh in-charge last month as part of an organisational reshuffle covering several states and Union Territories. Welcoming Kumar to the state, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said his guidance would help the party strengthen its organisation…

05 Oct

Himanta Biswa Sarma Says Public Response to His Social Media Posts Reflects His Work as CM

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the messages conveyed through his social media posts are open to interpretation, stating that while he can put out a post, he cannot explain what lies behind its underlying message. Speaking about his posts on X, Sarma said it was for people to interpret what he intended to convey through his social media updates. “I can post, but how can I explain the underlying message within the post? That is for you to interpret,” Sarma said. The Chief Minister also spoke about the high engagement his social media posts receive, saying…