Sonakshi Sarkar

Renowned classical dancer and cultural icon Dr. Sonal Mansingh has been conferred with the Srimanta Sankardeva Award 2023 by the Government of Assam in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Indian classical dance, cultural preservation, and social advocacy. The award was presented to her by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a formal ceremony held in Guwahati. The Srimanta Sankardeva Award, named after the 15th-century saint, reformer, and cultural pioneer Srimanta Sankardeva, is one of Assam's most prestigious honours. It was instituted in 1986 to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of art, culture, and social…

The flood situation in Assam has turned increasingly grim, with three more lives claimed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of flood-related deaths this year to 20. The latest bulletin from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) paints a distressing picture as tens of thousands grapple with displacement, loss of livelihoods, and destruction of property.Despite the fact that no rivers are currently flowing above the danger level, the widespread impact of the deluge continues to disrupt normal life across several districts. As per official data, the floods have ravaged 11 districts including Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Kamrup,…

In a determined response to the worsening flood situation in Barak Valley, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma undertook an extensive visit to the flood-affected districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi on Thursday, directing district officials to ensure immediate relief supplies and emergency measures for affected communities. Reviewing the on-ground conditions firsthand, Sarma instructed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of Cachar and Hailakandi districts to prioritize the swift distribution of essential supplies such as food, drinking water, and medicine. Special emphasis was laid on addressing the needs of vulnerable groups including the elderly, children, and lactating mothers who are bearing the brunt…

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…

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…