Sonakshi Sarkar

633 Posts
According to Sikkim the health minister warns of 15 mild COVID-19 cases

According to Sikkim the health minister warns of 15 mild COVID-19 cases

Sikkim has recorded 15 active COVID-19 cases, all exhibiting mild symptoms, according to state Health Minister G.T. Dhungel. Addressing the public, the minister emphasized that there are no severe cases, and all infected individuals are currently in isolation to prevent community transmission. Dhungel noted that the rise in cases aligns with a broader national trend, with neighboring states also reporting increasing infections. “We urge citizens not to panic but to remain alert and follow health advisories,” he said. The minister reiterated the importance of preventive measures such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing. He stressed that complacency could lead…
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For each newborn, Sikkim households plant 108 trees under “Mero Rukh Mero Santati” initiative

For each newborn, Sikkim households plant 108 trees under “Mero Rukh Mero Santati” initiative

In a remarkable green initiative, 5,552 families across Sikkim have registered under the ‘Mero Rukh Mero Santati’ campaign to plant 108 trees for every newborn, reinforcing a unique blend of environmental conservation and cultural tradition. Launched by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in February 2023, the initiative promotes tree plantation as a sacred duty associated with childbirth. The number 108, considered holy in Indian tradition, symbolizes blessings and life. With monsoon planting season underway, more than 5 lakh saplings are expected to be planted this year. According to the Forest and Environment Department, Namchi leads with 1,200 registrations, followed by…
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CM’s flood link warning is echoed by the SC alert on USTM

CM’s flood link warning is echoed by the SC alert on USTM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Supreme Court’s recent notice on the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) has validated his earlier assertions linking the institution to Guwahati’s chronic urban flooding. Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Sarma struck a vindicated tone, stating, “When I talked about USTM, many people laughed at me and said I was bluffing because flood water cannot be stopped. But today, the Supreme Court has issued a notice in this matter. That itself proves that there is substance in what I said.” The Chief Minister’s remarks came in light of the apex court's…
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Over 1,600 tourists evacuated as Sikkim declares disaster in Mangan

Over 1,600 tourists evacuated as Sikkim declares disaster in Mangan

Sikkim Chief Secretary R. Telang chaired a high-level review meeting on June 2 to assess the escalating disaster situation in Mangan district, where continuous rainfall and landslides have severely disrupted normal life. With roads blocked and essential services crippled, the administration is focused on restoring power, telecom, and transport links. Mangan District Magistrate Anant Jain briefed the chief secretary via video conference on rescue efforts and infrastructural damage. Over 1,678 stranded tourists from Lachung and Chungthang were evacuated on Monday, though more than 100 remain stranded in Lachen, according to DGP Akshay Sachdeva. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority has…
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Water as a weapon? Assam CM dismisses Pakistan’s China-Brahmaputra fear

Water as a weapon? Assam CM dismisses Pakistan’s China-Brahmaputra fear

Amid rising geopolitical friction and renewed debate over regional water politics, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly countered a recent narrative suggesting that China could block the Brahmaputra River’s flow into India. His detailed rebuttal, titled “What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan’s New Scare Narrative,” lays out a clear, fact-based dismissal of what he calls “fear-mongering” tactics from Pakistan. Sarma’s statement follows Pakistan’s anxious response to India stepping away from the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty—a decades-old water-sharing arrangement that many in India now view as outdated and unfavorable. As speculation grew over…
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1,500 tourists to be evacuated as BRO rebuilds route to Lachung

1,500 tourists to be evacuated as BRO rebuilds route to Lachung

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has restored vital road connectivity to Lachung in Sikkim’s Mangan district, paving the way for the evacuation of nearly 1,500 stranded tourists from Lachung and Lachen starting Monday, officials confirmed. Following heavy rains and a sudden cloudburst on May 30, extensive damage was inflicted across North Sikkim’s key tourist routes, including landslides, breaches, and damaged bridges. The affected roads—Lachung-Chungthang-Shipgyere-Sanklang-Dikchu and others—were left impassable, trapping hundreds of tourists. BRO teams cleared landslides, repaired damaged stretches, and restored one-way vehicular passage near the suspension bridge at Phidang, ensuring safe transit for rescue operations. Two bailey bridges on…
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Local leaders restore broken road—and villagers’ faith

Local leaders restore broken road—and villagers’ faith

Two newly elected panchayat leaders from Dhubri district in Assam have taken the initiative to repair a crucial village road with their own money—drawing praise and gratitude from the local community. The road, located in Barjan village under the Dingdinga Gram Panchayat in Tamarhat, had been severely damaged by recent monsoon rains. Muddy, broken, and nearly impassable, the stretch had become a daily hazard for hundreds of villagers, particularly school children, farmers, and the elderly.But instead of waiting for government funding or district-level approvals, Ward Member Alamgir Mollah and Anchalik Panchayat Member Manzoor Alam rolled up their sleeves and acted.…
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NEEPCO under fire over Assam flood impact

NEEPCO under fire over Assam flood impact

A massive flood disaster has unfolded in Assam’s Lakhimpur district after the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) reportedly released water from one of its dams, leading to a sudden and dangerous rise in river levels. The deluge has submerged over 230 villages, displaced thousands, and claimed the life of one resident in Pahumora village. Panic swept through the region early on Friday morning as rising waters inundated homes, croplands, schools, and key roadways. The worst-affected area, the Naoboicha-Gendheli stretch, witnessed the 15th National Highway going underwater, effectively cutting off road connectivity and isolating large sections of the population. Relief…
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Gaurav Gogoi to lead Assam Congress from June 3

Gaurav Gogoi to lead Assam Congress from June 3

Gaurav Gogoi, newly appointed President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and current Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is set to formally assume charge on June 3, 2025, in Guwahati. The event will be marked by a public function at the Manvendra Sharma Complex, where senior Congress leaders and party workers are expected to gather in large numbers. In preparation for this significant transition in state party leadership, the Assam Congress held an internal strategy meeting at Rajiv Bhawan, Guwahati, with active participation from senior leaders, including APCC Working President Zakir Hussain Sikdar and General…
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Sikkim calls for action after ‘violation’ of Khangchendzonga’s sanctity

Sikkim calls for action after ‘violation’ of Khangchendzonga’s sanctity

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, voicing serious concern over a recent ascent of Mount Khangchendzonga by a team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), reportedly from the Nepal side. In his letter, CM Tamang termed the act a “violation of sacred traditions and legal protections,” underscoring that Mount Khangchendzonga is not just a mountain but a revered deity in Sikkimese culture. “The mountain is not just a peak—it is a living deity,” the chief minister wrote, reflecting the public outrage the incident has triggered. Tamang reminded…
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