Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

16 Jul

Asharikandi’s terracotta Gets Bhutan’s attention

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

His Excellency Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, Consul General of Bhutan, visited the iconic terracotta village of Asharikandi in Gauripur, Dhubri district, Assam, on Tuesday, July 15. The visit was part of Bhutan’s broader initiative to integrate traditional art and heritage into the forthcoming Mindfulness City project at Gelephu, an ambitious vision championed by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Renowned for its Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged terracotta craft, Asharikandi has long held a prominent place in India's artisanal landscape. The Consul General’s visit underscored growing interest in cross-border cultural synergy, with Bhutan exploring how Asharikandi’s vibrant and intricate terracotta art could…

15 Jul

Rare birds discovered in Kaziranga’s first grassland bird survey

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, globally celebrated for its one-horned rhinoceroses and Bengal tigers, has achieved another major milestone in biodiversity conservation. The park has released findings from its first-ever Grassland Bird Survey, revealing the presence of 43 species of grassland birds, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, as well as several birds endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. Conducted between March 18 and May 25, 2025, the extensive survey spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, marking the first time Kaziranga has systematically assessed its grassland avifauna. This effort is being hailed by…

14 Jul

Dorjee Tshering Lepcha demands border be officially named ‘Indo-Tibet’

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Dorjee Tshering Lepcha has renewed his call for the central government to officially recognise the boundary between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region as the "Indo-Tibet border", instead of the commonly used "Indo-China border." Citing historical and geopolitical concerns, Lepcha emphasized the need to reflect Tibet’s distinct identity in India’s official communications and policy narratives.During a visit to the border village of Machong in Sikkim on Saturday, Lepcha told reporters that the issue was not new and had already been raised by him during the 2024 Monsoon and 2025 Budget Sessions of Parliament. “This is…

14 Jul

From Assam to Brazil: Vikram Bothra puts Northeast India on global stage

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Vikram Bothra, Managing Director of a leading Indian firm and a native of Dhekiajuli in Assam made a mark on the international stage by representing India at the prestigious BRICS Summit 2025 held in Brazil. The summit saw participation from global leaders, diplomats and top business executives, including H.E. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia as well as senior officials from Infosys Brazil, TCS Brazil and the Brazil India Chamber of Commerce. Bothra was part of the Indian delegation alongside renowned personalities like Onkar Singh Kanwar and the Indian Ambassador to Brazil, H.E. Dinesh Bhatia. In an exclusive conversation, Bothra…

12 Jul

Tourism in Sikkim gets a boost with people-centric approa

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim’s tourism sector is charting a renewed path of growth and inclusion under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, according to Lukendra Rasaily, Chairman of the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC). Addressing recent developments, Rasaily outlined a robust roadmap aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting Sikkim’s rich cultural identity. “Tourism is not just about destinations—it’s about people, skills, and stories,” Rasaily said, attributing the state’s renewed tourism vision to the proactive involvement of the Chief Minister. He praised CM Tamang’s commitment to youth development and support for Self-Help Groups (SHGs), many of which are now…

12 Jul

Himanta Biswa Sarma warns about too many illegal immigrants

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sounded the alarm over what he described as a growing demographic shift in parts of the state, warning that Hindus have become a minority in the historic town of Goalpara. The Chief Minister made the remarks during a public address on Thursday, intensifying the debate around illegal immigration and land encroachment — issues that have long shaped the political and social discourse in Assam. Sarma, known for his assertive stance on migration-related issues, alleged that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were to lose power in the state, illegal Muslim encroachers would be…

11 Jul

Dalai Lama deserves Bharat Ratna for lifelong service to humanity : Nishikant Dubey

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Nishikant Dubey, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology (2024–25), called for conferring the Bharat Ratna on the Dalai Lama and confirmed the launch of a new Doordarshan program dedicated to Sikkim’s Bhutia and Lepcha communities.During his four-day visit to Guwahati, Siliguri, and Gangtok, Dubey addressed a range of issues tied to regional culture, national integration, and public broadcasting. Speaking to reporters, he said, “A dedicated program on Bhutia and Lepcha culture will soon be aired on Doordarshan, starting next month. This initiative will offer national visibility to the unique traditions, languages, and customs of these communities.”…

11 Jul

Assam govt approves new rules to help people across many areas

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Cabinet on July 10 under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved a series of far-reaching decisions across multiple sectors. These include a landmark directive to hospitals, reforms in forest conservation, education, welfare support for traditional artisans and monastic communities, and new financial aid for school students. One of the most impactful decisions was the government’s stern order to private hospitals and nursing homes across Assam: release deceased bodies within four hours, regardless of outstanding bills, or face severe consequences. Starting August 1, detaining a patient’s body over unpaid dues will invite strict penalties, including suspension…

10 Jul

Sikkim promotes women leaders from grassroots to government

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has appointed 12 women leaders from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as Chairpersons and Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) across various state departments. This bold initiative aims to deepen women’s participation in policymaking and administration while recognizing grassroots leadership. The announcement has been widely welcomed as a powerful signal of the state’s commitment to women's empowerment and local development. The appointments are expected to bring fresh community-driven perspectives into public administration and inspire more women across the state to pursue leadership roles. Expressing gratitude, the newly appointed women leaders collectively thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for acknowledging…

10 Jul

Assam CM urges Assam youth to learn new technologies

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged the youth of the state to actively embrace emerging technologies and become key contributors to India’s future development. Addressing a large gathering during the closing ceremony of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Goreswar College in Tamulpur, the Chief Minister said that the new generation must equip themselves with modern skills to take advantage of the country’s evolving technological landscape. In his speech, Sarma underlined the need for educational institutions to not only serve as traditional centers of learning but also act as engines of socio-economic progress for the communities they are part…