Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

15 Apr

The joy of new year echoes through Assam with Bihu celebrations

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assamese New Year was welcomed with festive fervour by people across the state on Tuesday, with all praying for a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wished the people on the occasion, hoping that the Rongali, or Bohag, Bihu celebrations will reaffirm the age-old harmony in the state. "I extend my heartiest greetings on the occasion of Rongali Bihu and Assamese New Year," Acharya said in a post on X.

15 Apr

India’s first live photo of female Kaiser-i-Hind butterfly captured in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a landmark moment for India's wildlife conservation efforts, the first-ever live photograph of a female Kaiser-i-Hind butterfly (Teinopalpus imperialis, Hope 1843) has been captured in Sikkim. The rare sighting occurred on January 3, 2025, at 2:30 PM in the temperate forests of Ravangla, situated at an altitude of 2,300 meters. The stunning photograph was taken by Dr. Chewang Norbu Bhutia and Dr. Hishey Ongmu Bhutia, a veterinary couple and residents of Ravangla. The Kaiser-i-Hind, known as the "Emperor of India," is a highly elusive and endangered species, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, highlighting…

15 Apr

Historic energy project to cement Assam’s role in national green strategy

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a landmark development for India’s northeastern region, Assam is set to become home to the Northeast’s first-ever Pumped Storage Project (PSP), a pioneering hydroelectric energy storage system aimed at stabilising the power grid and meeting peak electricity demand. The project is part of a massive ₹12,000 crore investment by Hyderabad-based renewable energy company Greenko Group, which has committed to developing large-scale energy infrastructure in Assam. The announcement marks a critical milestone in Assam’s journey towards clean, reliable, and sustainable energy systems. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to confirm that the state government has held a…

14 Apr

Sikkim commemorates 134th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The 134th Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was commemorated today at a special function held at the Sikkim Legislative Assembly complex. The event was chaired by the Governor of Sikkim, Om Prakash Mathur, and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. It was attended by Speaker MN Sherpa, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Advisors, Chairpersons, and other dignitaries who gathered to pay tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution.

14 Apr

Helicopter Crash in New York Kills Six

Sonakshi SarkarACCIDENT

A sightseeing helicopter carrying six people, including a family of Spanish tourists, crashed into New York City's Hudson River on April 13. The Bell 206 aircraft encountered mechanical failure shortly after takeoff and spiraled into the river. All six passengers, including three children, were pronounced dead at the scene despite rapid emergency response. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. This incident has reignited debates over the safety of aerial tours in heavily populated urban areas. Local officials are also facing scrutiny over licensing and oversight practices. The crash has deeply saddened…

14 Apr

Sikkim NGO under fire as 192 distributed goats d*e mysteriously

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a shocking incident from Sikkim's Gyalshing district, 192 goats distributed under a government-linked welfare scheme have mysteriously died, triggering an official investigation into possible procedural violations and negligence. The goats were handed over to beneficiaries in the Arithang-Chongrang GPU on March 4 by the NGO Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) and its local coordinators. According to Gyalshing District Collector-cum-District Magistrate Tenzing D. Denzongpa, the distribution was carried out without prior approval from the District Administration or the Animal Husbandry Department. “The goats were not quarantined or subjected to medical checks, as mandated by state regulations,” Denzongpa said in a…

14 Apr

Rabha Development Council to be formed by August, CM declares

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In Assam, Tankeshwar Rabha was sworn in for a third consecutive term as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) on Sunday. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the RHAC Secretariat in Dudhnoi and witnessed participation from a host of senior leaders and officials. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the event as the chief guest and made a strong pitch for granting constitutional status to the RHAC. The oath-taking ceremony marked the formal induction of the newly elected RHAC members, who were voted into office following the council elections held on April…

12 Apr

Assam govt summons 5 schools in Assam for poor HSLC results

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Inspector of Schools, Kamrup (Metro) district, issued a show-cause notice to five high schools in the city after their HSLC 2025 examination results recorded a pass percentage below 25%. The schools in question- Barsojai High School, Maligaon High School, NPME High School, Piling kata High School, and Dispur Govt HS School - have been flagged for underperformance, raising serious concerns about the quality of education and administrative supervision in these institutions.

12 Apr

Dilu Tamang to showcase Sikkim’s rich heritage at ‘Ullas’ in Japan

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim’s celebrated folk dancer Dil Kumari Tamang, popularly known as Dilu, is all set to represent India at the international cultural event ‘Ullas’ in Osaka, Japan, scheduled for April 12. Her selection has been hailed as a proud moment for the state. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang extended his heartfelt congratulations to Dilu, who was chosen by the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama. She is among just 13 artistes selected from across the country for the event. Dilu will perform three traditional Sikkimese folk dances — Maruni, Ghatu, and Tamang Selo — which…

12 Apr

U.S. Immigration Sparks Outrage Over Activist’s Deportation

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

On April 11, 2025, U.S. authorities ordered the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, citing his political beliefs as a threat to national interests. The move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations across the globe, who claim this sets a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression. In a separate but related development, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 9,000 Afghans and canceled visas for nearly 5,000 international students. Civil rights groups have expressed concerns that these measures unfairly target vulnerable populations and strain diplomatic relations. The Biden administration has defended its…