Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

06 Jan

Assam CM Says 13 Foreign Nationals Pushed Back Across Border

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

As many as 13 foreign nationals attempting to illegally enter India were apprehended in Assam and subsequently pushed back across the border, as confirmed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. While he did not disclose details about the origin or ethnicity of the individuals, he emphasized the state government's commitment to addressing illegal immigration, stating that the rights of illegal immigrants are acknowledged—including their right to return to their homeland. Assam shares a 267.5-kilometre-long border with Bangladesh, intersecting several districts including Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri, and South Salmara–Mankachar, with a key official entry and exit point at the Integrated Check…

06 Jan

Congress Flags Irregularities in Assam Draft Electoral Roll

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia has alleged "serious irregularities", including "unknown" voter entries in the draft electoral rolls, published after a Special Revision (SR) of the voter lists in the state.In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Saikia demanded the halt of the finalisation of the electoral rolls until "all irregularities are thoroughly verified and resolved" to ensure the removal of any unauthorised or "unknown" voter entries.Assam has registered a 1.35 per cent increase in the number of voters as per the integrated draft electoral roll for the state, published on December 30 after…

05 Jan

Migratory Bird Census Launched at 200+ Wetlands in Kaziranga

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The seventh census of migratory birds at Kaziranga National Park in Assam has commenced, involving hundreds of enumerators and volunteers, as reported by an official on Monday. This bird count is set to take place across over 200 designated wetlands within the Eastern Assam, Nagaon, and Biswanath wildlife divisions of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), marking it as one of the largest such initiatives in India. Forest Minister for Haryana, Rao Narbir Singh, participated in the event's launch and engaged with the census team. The enumeration in the core area is being exclusively conducted by forest frontline staff,…

05 Jan

IIT-G Unveils Green Technology to Transform Carbon Dioxide into Methanol Fuel

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed a new photocatalytic material that can convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into methanol fuel using sunlight, addressing critical energy needs while mitigating environmental harm. The project, led by Prof. Mahuya De and her scholar Nayan Moni Baishya, was published in the Journal of Materials Science. The research highlights the ongoing dependence on petroleum-based fuels contributing to carbon emissions and global warming. It aims to transform CO₂ into clean fuels via photocatalytic methods, employing graphitic carbon nitride, a low-cost and non-toxic material, combined with few-layer graphene to enhance energy retention and reduce…

05 Jan

Guwahati to Host GAFF 2026 from January 22–25; Film Lineup Revealed

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) organizers announced the film lineup for its second edition at a press conference in Guwahati. Scheduled for January 22-25, 2026, at Jyoti Chitraban, GAFF is supported by Trending Now Media, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The festival will open with the Uzbek feature "Sunday," directed by Shokir Kholikov, and close with the Iranian film "In the Land of Brothers," directed by Alireza Ghasemi and Raha Amirfazli. Notable attendees include Chief Guest Girish Kasaravalli and Special Invited Guest Sonali Kulkarni. GAFF celebrates Asian cinema's diversity and…

05 Jan

Forest Fire Breaks Out in Namnang, Gangtok; Swift Action Brings Blaze Under Control

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A forest fire broke out in the Namnang area of Gangtok on Sunday afternoon, triggering concern among residents in the locality. The incident was reported at around 4:00 PM, following which the authorities moved in quickly to control the situation. According to officials, the Forest Department’s Quick Response Team (QRT), Gangtok, immediately reached the spot after receiving information about the fire. The QRT worked in close coordination with the Fire Department, Gangtok, to bring the fire under control. The teams carried out joint efforts to stop the flames from spreading further into the surrounding forest area. The officials said the…

05 Jan

Majuli Records First Inter-Country Adoption as US-Based Couple Adopts Two Brothers

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Majuli district has witnessed its first-ever inter-country adoption, with a couple based in the United States adopting two brothers from the river island on Saturday.Rimpi Borah, coordinator of the Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA), Majuli, said the siblings, aged eight and seven, were formally handed over to the adoptive parents—an Indian-origin couple—during a ceremony held at the conference hall of the Majuli District Commissioner’s office complex.Majuli Deputy Commissioner Ratul Chandra Pathak officially completed the adoption process in the presence of district administration officials, police personnel, the District Child Protection Officer, and members of the Child Welfare Committee. A representative of the…

05 Jan

Amid Rongker Karkli Festivities, Karbi Anglong Land Dispute Moves Toward Key Legal Stage

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Karbi community in Assam's hill districts is celebrating the Rongker Karkli Festival, 2026, amidst significant legal developments concerning land rights in the region. This two-day post-harvest festival, held in Karbi Anglong and surrounding areas, is a major cultural event that involves rituals, traditional dances, ceremonies, and community feasts, emphasizing the community's rich heritage and their prayers for protection, agricultural success, and collective well-being. Concurrently, on January 5, key legal proceedings concerning land rights will take place in the Gauhati High Court. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and Assam government are prepared to submit a joint affidavit in response…

05 Jan

Early-Morning Quake Shakes Assam and Neighbouring States; Two Injured in Morigaon

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A strong earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook central Assam in the early hours of Monday, sending people rushing out of their homes in fear across many parts of the Northeast. The tremor was felt at around 4.17 am, when most people were asleep, leading to panic as houses and buildings shook for a few seconds. The National Centre for Seismology said the epicentre of the earthquake was in Morigaon district, located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra. The quake originated at a depth of 50 kilometres below the earth’s surface. The exact coordinates were recorded at…

05 Jan

Family Unveils Prose Collection Honouring Late Music Icon Zubeen Garg

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

In the aftermath of the death of Assamese singer-composer Zubeen Garg, Assam's publishing scene has experienced a remarkable increase in books focused on his life, music, and legacy. Within three months of his passing, a diverse array of titles—including songs, poetry, and biographies—has emerged, especially highlighted at the Guwahati book fair where these works dominate sales. A notable publication, Zubeener Gadya, was recently launched, featuring prose writings by Zubeen Garg, both published and unpublished. Inaugurated by his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and his sister, Pami Barthakur, this book aims to ensure authenticity and respect for Zubeen Garg’s intellectual legacy amidst…