Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

29 Apr

California Declares Emergency as Wildfires Rage Across Northern Region

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

California has declared a state of emergency after multiple wildfires spread rapidly across its northern regions due to dry weather and strong winds. Over 20,000 residents have been evacuated, and fire officials say the situation could worsen if temperatures continue to rise. The Cal Fire agency reported that more than 150,000 acres have already burned. National Guard units have been deployed to assist in fire containment, and neighboring states have sent reinforcements. The fires have also disrupted power supply in parts of the state. Climate experts in Bangladesh and Nepal note the growing global trend of climate-induced disasters, emphasizing the…

29 Apr

135 AI-based CCTV cameras installed at Guwahati Railway Station

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway) have installed 135 Al (Artificial Intelligence) based CCTV cameras, panic buttons at Guwahati railway station for the safety and security of the passengers, as well as aimed at fortifying railway safety and boosting operational efficiency. This initiative represents a transformative step in strengthening the safety architecture of one of the busiest stations under the NF Railway jurisdiction. The Escort Mobilisation Hall, now fully operational, is envisioned as a centralized coordination hub that will significantly enhance the deployment and mobilisation of Railway Protection Force (RPF) escort personnel.

29 Apr

Prof. Anil Boro’s work earns Padma Shri

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Renowned folklorist, poet, and academician Anil Kumar Boro from Assam has been honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contributions to the promotion and preservation of Bodo literature and folklore. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious award upon Professor Boro at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The award recognises his decades-long efforts in taking Bodo folk culture and literary heritage to national and international platforms. Currently serving as the Head of the Department of Folklore Research at Gauhati University, Professor Boro has an impressive literary portfolio. He has authored more than 30 books…

28 Apr

Australia Sets Ambitious Target for Renewable Energy Transition

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

The Australian government has unveiled a detailed roadmap to achieve 82% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed significant investments in solar, wind, and battery storage projects nationwide. Australia, heavily reliant on coal for decades, is now shifting under international pressure and rising climate concerns. Experts in South Asia, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan — where renewable energy projects are gaining momentum — view Australia's policy pivot as encouraging and hope it will inspire faster green transitions across the region.

28 Apr

New York City Expands Electric Bus Fleet to Cut Emissions

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

New York City announced the addition of 500 new electric buses to its Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) fleet by 2026. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized that the move will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in the densely populated city. The project, partly funded by federal infrastructure grants, will also create hundreds of jobs in vehicle manufacturing and maintenance. Authorities say they are committed to making public transport 100% electric by 2040. Environmentalists from South Asia, including Bangladesh and Nepal, see this as an inspiring model for building greener cities and combating urban pollution challenges.

28 Apr

Candlelight march in Gangtok honors Pahalgam attack victims

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Hundreds of people gathered in Gangtok today to condemn the recent terror attack at Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. A candlelight march, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, saw participation from government officials, public representatives, and citizens from all walks of life. The Chief Minister, joined by his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials, expressed deep sorrow over the attack. He said the march symbolized Sikkim’s collective stand against terrorism and its commitment to peace, harmony, and brotherhood. “The people of Sikkim are united in rejecting violence and supporting a future of peace,” Tamang stated. Participants carrying candles walked solemnly through…

28 Apr

From Maligaon to Zoo Road, Guwahati hit hard by storm surge

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

An intense spell of thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rains plunged Guwahati into darkness early Monday morning, throwing normal life completely out of gear. The sudden weather disturbance led to widespread power outages, severe waterlogging, and major traffic snarls across the city, just as residents were stepping out for their daily routines. The downpour, which began before dawn, was accompanied by strong gusts of wind, uprooting trees, damaging electricity poles, and snapping power lines in several parts of the city. Large swathes of Guwahati, including residential and commercial areas, were left without electricity for hours, adding to the commuters' woes. Several…

26 Apr

Canada Legalizes Psychedelic Therapy for Mental Health Treatment

Sonakshi SarkarCanada

In a landmark decision, Canada has legalized the medical use of psychedelics like psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms) and MDMA for treating depression, PTSD, and anxiety under professional supervision. The Canadian Health Ministry stated that evidence from clinical trials shows significant improvements in mental health conditions that resisted conventional treatments. This move is closely watched by mental health professionals globally, including those in South Asia where rates of depression and PTSD are rising, highlighting the need for innovative treatments.

26 Apr

California Declares Emergency Amid Historic Wildfires

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

California has declared a state of emergency as wildfires fueled by dry winds and high temperatures sweep across the northern regions. Over 30,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, while firefighters struggle to contain the flames. Governor Gavin Newsom announced emergency funds to support evacuation and rebuilding efforts. Climate scientists warn that prolonged drought conditions, partly driven by global climate change, have made such fires more frequent and intense. South Asian nations like India and Nepal, which are also vulnerable to changing climate patterns, are urged to strengthen their own disaster response systems.

26 Apr

Enforcement Diretorate reveals illegal rat hole mining rampant in Meghalaya, Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said that despite a ban on mining in Meghalaya, illegal rat-hole quarrying is being "rampantly" done under "inhuman" conditions in the state and searches conducted by it have found that about 1,200 tonnes of coal through such means is being excavated daily. The agency carried out searches on Thursday at 15 premises located in Jadigittim and Nongalbibra in Meghalaya, besides Jogighopa (Bongaigaon), Margherita (Tinsukia) and Guwahati in Assam, as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to alleged illegal coal mining and coke plants running in Meghalaya. The case stems from a Meghalaya Police FIR.…