Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

23 Dec

Assam Book Fair 2025 to Expand into Major Literary Festival with National Footprint

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Book Fair in Guwahati will transform into a prominent literary festival this year, featuring significant participation from national publishers and enhanced programming, to honor young writers. Scheduled to run for 14 days starting December 24 at the Khanapara Veterinary College playground, this event is organized by the Publication Board Assam in conjunction with the All Assam Book Publishers and Sellers Association. Pramod Kalita, secretary of the Publication Board, noted that the fair's timing was adjusted to accommodate preparations for Republic Day, celebrated on January 26. This year's fair extends its duration from 12 days to 14, indicating growing…

23 Dec

Assam Minister Blames Misinformation for Karbi Anglong Violence; Hunger Strike Withdrawn

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika attributed the violence in Kheroni, Karbi Anglong on December 22 to misinformation and a misunderstanding among the populace, emphasizing the need for peace and unity. He assured that as clarity emerges, the situation will improve. Hazarika highlighted the importance of communal harmony and respect for the rights of both the Karbi people and other indigenous communities, advocating for collective peaceful progress. Meanwhile, the Karbi community, which had been on an indefinite hunger strike since December 6 over demands for indigenous land rights protection, ended their protest after the Assam government's assurances. Minister Ranoj Pegu acknowledged…

23 Dec

Northeast Zone Inter-University Football Meet to Be Hosted by Royal Global University

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Under the auspices of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the Assam Royal Global University (RGU) is set to host the Northeast Zone Inter University Football (Men) Tournament for the 2025-2026 season. Scheduled to occur at the RGU campus in Guwahati from January 5 to January 11, 2026, the tournament serves as a key initiative for RGU to promote values such as discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship while also strengthening inter-university unity across the region. The opening ceremony on January 5 will feature Kento Jini, the Minister of Law, Legislative and Justice, as well as Sports & Youth Affairs from the…

23 Dec

IIT Guwahati Hosts State-Level ‘Design for Bharat’ Exhibition Under VBYLD 2026

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Department of Design at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati hosted the State-Level Exhibition for Design for Bharat - Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026, aligning with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ initiative to nurture young leaders toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Launched as a national design challenge, Design for Bharat aims to spur youth-led innovation that addresses significant social, cultural, and economic issues using creative and design-driven approaches. The initiative focuses on promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation, facilitating mentorship from industry experts, and providing a platform for youth to showcase their…

23 Dec

Indra Kumar Limboo, Ashok Kumar Tshong Named for Chemjong Literary and Special Awards 2026

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The 2026 Chemjong Literary Award will be conferred on noted Limboo writer Indra Kumar Limboo (Pokhim) of Sakyong, near Geyzing, in recognition of his long and dedicated contribution to Limboo literature. The award is considered one of the most respected honours in the Limboo literary world. Indra Kumar Limboo is a well-known novelist, poet and lyricist who has been closely associated with the Limboo literary movement for several decades. Through his writings and creative work, he has played an important role in the development, growth and promotion of the Limboo language. His work has helped preserve linguistic identity while encouraging…

23 Dec

Alleging corruption in Jal Jeevan Mission, the Assam Congress steps up statewide protest

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has intensified its statewide protests alleging large-scale corruption and irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a flagship drinking water scheme. Leading the protest in Dhemaji town, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to uncover what he described as serious financial misconduct and administrative failures under the scheme. The protest in Dhemaji was part of a broader campaign being carried out across Assam under the banner of the Congress party’s public outreach initiative, “Raijor Padulit–Raijor Congress.” Congress workers and leaders gathered at several locations in…

23 Dec

KHRC Flags Rights Violations Against Bawm-Kuki Tribe in Bangladesh, Appeals for Global Intervention

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

The Kuki Human Rights Council (KHRC), which advocates for indigenous rights, has made grave accusations against the Bangladesh Army, claiming severe human rights violations against the Bawm-Kuki tribe in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). In a statement released on December 22, the KHRC detailed a series of abuses allegedly perpetrated by Bangladeshi security forces, including unlawful arrests, custodial torture, and killings conducted under the guise of security operations in the region. These actions have instigated a palpable climate of fear amongst Bawm-Kuki villagers and suggest a systemic pattern of persecution targeting indigenous communities. The council highlighted a notable incident involving…

23 Dec

Tension in Tripura’s Baramura Hills as Surrendered NLFT Faction Blocks Assam–Agartala Highway

Sonakshi SarkarTripura

Tension flared in Tripura’s Baramura Hills late on Sunday night after members of a surrendered faction of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) blocked the Assam–Agartala National Highway, alleging that the government had failed to fulfil long-pending demands promised under their surrender agreement. According to the group, several assurances made by the government at the time of their surrender remain unimplemented despite repeated representations to the administration. Left with no alternative, they said, they resorted to blocking the national highway to draw attention to their grievances. The blockade caused severe inconvenience to the public, with the movement of both…

23 Dec

Medhavi Skills University Ties Up with Scotland’s Qualifications Body for Global Opportunities for Indian Students

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Medhavi Skills University (MSU) has established a strategic Progression Partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), aiming to enhance the internationalization of Indian higher education and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This partnership is designed to provide globally aligned, skill-integrated learning pathways, enabling both Indian and international learners to engage in work-integrated, credit-bearing programs in India. These pathways offer clear progression routes towards universities and worldwide employment opportunities, directly supporting the NEP 2020 initiative to integrate vocational and higher education, strengthen national credit frameworks, and foster high-quality global connections. A notable signing ceremony featured a delegation from…

22 Dec

Assam’s revered shrine gets Rs 217 crore facelift

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Batadrava Than, a shrine in Bordowa, Assam, is set to undergo a Rs 217-crore facelift under the Batadrava Cultural Project. The project aims to transform the sacred shrine into a world-class spiritual and tourism destination, preserving and showcasing the religious and cultural legacy of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. The project, set to be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on December 29, will be developed on 162 hectares of land that were freed from encroachment. The project includes the world's tallest Guru Asana, guest houses with artistic elements, an art centre inspired by traditional cymbal, a research centre shaped…