Sonakshi Sarkar

Demow Rural Hospital has successfully recorded zero snakebite-related deaths for five consecutive years (2021-2025), exemplifying effective healthcare management in rural settings. This achievement stems from the implementation of protocol-based treatment, extensive training of staff, and strong community involvement in addressing snakebite cases. Snakebites remain a significant public health issue in Assam, predominantly impacting rural and economically vulnerable groups. Traditionally, victims were sent to tertiary care centers due to fears regarding inadequate local resources. However, Demow Rural Hospital's experience indicates that prompt and consistent management of snakebite envenomation can be effectively managed at peripheral healthcare institutions. Since initiating snakebite treatment services…

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Batadrava Than Redevelopment Project in Nagaon district, Assam, accompanied by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The project, which cost around Rs 217 crore and spans 162 bighas of land freed from encroachment, aims to preserve the cultural legacy of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, a significant Vaishnavite saint-reformer. The redevelopment creates a spiritual and cultural complex featuring the world's tallest Guru Asana, artistically designed guest houses, an art center inspired by traditional cymbals, a khol-shaped research center, a boat-themed skill development facility, and a theatre influenced by a traditional japi.…

In a notable advancement reflecting the rise of student-led entrepreneurship and deep-tech innovation, IIT Guwahati's startup, Genuity IO Pvt. Ltd., engaged nearly 2,000 students from 23 IITs during the Inter IIT Tech Meet 14.0. As a BioNEST-incubated venture founded by Adari Karthikeya and Shivansh Gupta, both third-year IIT Guwahati students, Genuity IO designed and presented a no-prep problem statement centered on algorithmic optimization. This initiative encouraged participants to apply critical thinking and innovative solutions to real-world technical challenges. The startup's active involvement in this prominent national technical event highlights IIT Guwahati's thriving ecosystem for deep-tech innovation and entrepreneurship, distinguishing it…

The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has recorded a significant rise in footfall, particularly foreign tourists, over the past four years during October to December. According to data provided by the park authorities on Sunday, the number of foreign tourists during the first three months of the visiting season leading up to the New Year has increased from 2947 in 2022-23 to 6699 in 2025-2026 (till December 27, 2025). In 2022-23 (October to December), the national park witnessed a footfall of 1,32,286 tourists (1,29,339 Indian tourists and 2949 foreign tourists) as against a footfall of 1,17,416 tourists (1,13,322 Indian…

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested an Assam resident, Rumi Kalita, for her alleged role in a large cyber fraud case involving more than Rs 7 crore. The case relates to a “digital arrest” scam in which a Ludhiana-based industrialist, S. P. Oswal, was tricked into transferring money after fraudsters posed as government officials. Officials said the ED took Kalita into custody after carrying out searches at 11 locations across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Assam under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. During these searches, the agency said it recovered several important documents and digital devices linked to…

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested an Assam resident, Rumi Kalita, in connection with the digital arrest of a Ludhiana-based industrialist under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. According to an official statement, the Enforcement Directorate, Jalandhar Zonal Office recently conducted search operations at 11 locations across Assam and four other states – Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat – under PMLA, 2002, in connection with money laundering investigation related to the digital arrest case of industrialist, S. P. Oswal. During the search operations, various incriminating documents and digital devices were recovered and seized. “Rumi Kalita was…

Karbi leader Litsong Rongphor on Friday said that the situation in Karbi Anglong has become very serious after the recent violence and growing tension over land issues. He said the unrest shows the anger and pain of the local people, who feel that their long-pending problems have not been solved for many years. Rongphor was speaking after a tripartite meeting held in Guwahati between Karbi groups, the Assam government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. He said the state government has agreed to cancel all trade licences issued after 1951, which has been a key demand of Karbi organisations to…

The United Bengali Forum, Assam (UBFA) has submitted an urgent appeal to the Assam Chief Minister and the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, seeking a lawful, humane and peaceful resolution to the ongoing land-related unrest in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.In the appeal, dated December 26, UBFA expressed deep concern over the recent violence triggered by land disputes in the Sixth Schedule area and warned that the prevailing situation could lead to irreversible humanitarian consequences if not addressed with restraint and sensitivity. While acknowledging the constitutional protection of tribal land under the Sixth Schedule,…

The United Bengali Forum, Assam has submitted a memorandum to the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, expressing serious concern over what it described as an alarming rise in violence, persecution and systematic oppression of minority communities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. The memorandum, dated December 26, was submitted through the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Guwahati. The forum stated that the situation of minorities has worsened under the country’s new interim government, with increasing incidents of targeted killings, arson attacks, vandalism of religious places and forced displacement. A major incident highlighted in the memorandum was the brutal killing…