Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

02 Dec

As tensions over ST status demand rise, the BTC Winter Session gets underway

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The two-day winter session of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) began on December 1 under an unusually heavy security presence, as protests across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) intensified over the Assam government’s move to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six additional communities. The session opened with BTC Speaker Tridip Daimary presiding over the proceedings. The day started with the Question Hour, where members raised queries related to key development schemes and ongoing projects under the BTC. Representatives from the BPF, BJP, and UPPL attended the first day’s sitting, and a detailed round of debates and discussions is anticipated…

02 Dec

IIT-Guwahati Alumna Wins Prestigious 2025 Quad Fellowship

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Souraja Kundu, an alumna of the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G), has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Quad Fellowship. The Fellowship aims to foster cross-national collaboration, interdisciplinary innovation, and leadership development. A graduate from the Batch of 2021–25, Souraja had received her B. Tech. degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering during the 27th Convocation of IIT Guwahati. She is also a recipient of the Governor of Assam Gold Medal. Considered as one of the world’s most competitive international fellowships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), it will enable Souraja to pursue her Ph.D. in Machine Learning at Carnegie Mellon…

02 Dec

Border Fencing Work Gains Momentum, Target Set for Completion by 2026

Sonakshi SarkarMeghalaya

After a lengthy period of interruptions lasting nearly two decades, fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya is now progressing significantly. The Border Security Force (BSF) is optimistic that the entire 443-km stretch will be completed by the end of 2026, representing a crucial step in bolstering border security. Inspector General (IG) Upadhyay reported that approximately 20 km of fencing was finalized and made operational in the previous year. However, this progress has been hindered by various challenges, including ongoing legal disputes, objections from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and pushback from local communities. Despite these barriers, the BSF has…

02 Dec

Rising Fundamentalist Activity Across Bangladesh Border Prompts Heightened Vigilance by BSF Meghalaya

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

The Border Security Force in Meghalaya has expressed concern over a steady rise in fundamentalist activities inside Bangladesh, particularly in regions situated close to the state’s international boundary. According to the BSF, such incidents have grown noticeably over the past eighteen months, with several pockets along the Meghalaya–Assam border now being viewed as sensitive. Despite this, BSF Meghalaya Frontier Inspector General O.P. Upadhyay has assured that the situation remains firmly under control. “Our troops are maintaining close watch on every development. We are fully alert and prepared to counter any fallout of this emerging trend,” he stated. He emphasized that…

01 Dec

SBI Green Marathon Season 6 is held in Guwahati, promoting sustainability via athletics

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The SBI Green Marathon Season 6 took place in Guwahati, attracting over 4,000 participants to the Sarusajai Sports Complex on Sunday, reinforcing its commitment to fitness and environmental sustainability. Following successful events in Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal, and Visakhapatnam, the marathon emphasized its core message, "Run for a Greener India," in the backdrop of Guwahati's scenic hills and the Brahmaputra river, showcasing the city's dedication to eco-conscious living and community welfare. Key dignitaries such as Shri Prabhas Bose, Chief General Manager, SBI Guwahati Circle; Shri Safal Tripathi, General Manager, Network 1; Shri Amaresh Kr Jha, General Manager, Network 2; and Shri…

01 Dec

Guwahati Hosts SBI Green Marathon Season 6, Champions Sustainability Through Sport

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The SBI Green Marathon Season 6 made a spirited stop in Guwahati on Sunday, drawing more than 4,000 participants to the Sarusajai Sports Complex in a powerful display of fitness and environmental commitment. After successful runs across Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal, and Visakhapatnam, the event brought its signature message — Run for a Greener India — to the heart of Assam. Set against the rolling hills and the serene Brahmaputra, Guwahati offered an ideal backdrop for the marathon’s sustainability-focused mission. Fitness enthusiasts, families, students, and contingents from the Assam Police, para-military forces and the Armed Forces joined the event, underscoring the…

01 Dec

Speculations Rife As Mukul Mulls Options Amid Growing Tmc Disconnect

Sonakshi SarkarEntertainment

As former Meghalaya Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Mukul M. Sangma contemplates his next party affiliation, political circles in the state are abuzz amid the political leader reportedly opening channels of communication with “multiple” parties in the state. Sources said Sangma has been in communication with political parties in the state even as the names of these parties remain unconfirmed. Apparently, the disconnect between the seven-time MLA from Songsak and Trinamool Congress (TMC) central leadership in Kolkata has deepened. Insiders say the disconnect deepened after TMC’s poor performance in the 2023 Assembly polls, bagging only five seats, and…

01 Dec

Interim Report On St Status: Assam Govt To Invite Protesting Tribal Groups For Talks

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Government has decided to hold discussions with protesting groups regarding the Group of Ministers’ (GoM) interim report that addresses granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six major communities: Tai-Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). Protests, primarily led by the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), arose following the GoM's presentation of the report during the recent winter assembly session. The CCTOA expressed concerns that the inclusion of these communities could adversely affect the rights and representation of existing ST groups. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated the government's readiness to listen to various…

01 Dec

Meghalaya Is Concerned About Rising HIV/AIDS Cases

Sonakshi SarkarHealth

The Meghalaya health department is alarmed by the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases, with over 10,000 individuals testing positive, including 500 children, particularly in the East Jaintia Hills district, which has the highest infection rate. Many affected children come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, highlighting social challenges amid this health crisis. The main transmission cause has been linked to unprotected heterosexual activities, compounded by individuals' reluctance to seek testing, which delays the detection and treatment of cases. Dr. K.L Iawbor from the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) emphasized the need for collective action to combat the virus, aiming for an HIV-free…

01 Dec

Koch-Rajbongshi Organisations Protest the ST Panel Report and the Disparities in the Election Roll Revision

Sonakshi SarkarPolitical

The United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) faced a significant crisis as Koch Rajbongshi leaders resigned en masse due to the party's inaction on their long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This decision was made during a meeting in Chirang district, where members expressed disappointment over the party's lack of a clear stance on the issue. Leaders from prominent Koch Rajbongshi organizations, including the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation and the All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union, supported the resignations, stating the party president's recent comments were insufficient. They called for the government to address the ST status demand without delay, especially in…