Sonakshi Sarkar

The newly formed Adivasi (Khilonjia) Bhumiputra People’s Party (IBPP) has announced its decision to contest independently in 80 constituencies in the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections. In a press statement issued on Wednesday, IBPP president Dr Phukan Chandra Boro said that since India’s independence, political parties such as the Congress, BJP and AGP have ruled Assam for nearly 68 years, during which the indigenous (khilonjia) tribal communities have been systematically deprived of their ethnic identity, land rights, language, culture and political, social, economic and educational rights. Dr Boro alleged that successive governments led by these parties have failed to protect…

Former All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) president Rejaul Karim Sarkar on Wednesday stressed the need for greater inclusion of minority communities in senior administrative roles, stating that districts like Bongaigaon and Dhubri should have Deputy Commissioners from minority backgrounds. Sarkar made the remarks while addressing a cultural programme organised by the Tapattary Regional Youth Club at the Tapattary High School playground in Bongaigaon district. The event, held in the minority-populated Tapattary area, witnessed a significant turnout of local residents, especially youth. Although the programme showcased cultural activities, it also became a forum for Sarkar to voice strong social and…

Two young chess players from Guwahati, Vihaan Upadhyay (15) and Viraj Upadhyay (13), have received the Outstanding FIDE Social Award for their significant contributions to promoting social inclusion, education, and emotional well-being among underprivileged children through chess. This accolade was conferred during the FIDE Global Conference on Chess in Society and Education, held at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Their grassroots initiative, “Pawns to Kings,” aims to make chess accessible to children in underserved and marginalized communities. Both siblings are established chess players, with FIDE ratings of 2101 for Vihaan and 1983 for Viraj. Through their initiative, they have successfully…

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on January 15 said that Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products play a key role in protecting India’s traditional heritage while also helping artisans and farmers earn a better and more dignified living. Speaking at the inauguration of the four-day GI Mahotsav: Promoting India’s Heritage through GI Products, the Governor said GI products are not just goods for sale, but living symbols of folk art, traditional skills and age-old knowledge passed down through generations. He said such products also follow environmentally sustainable practices and therefore deserve greater attention and protection. The Governor stressed that linking GI-tagged products…

Assam has the potential to leverage its youthful demographic to spearhead industrialization and create employment opportunities, as emphasized during the webinar titled “Assam’s Youth and Viksit Bharat 2047: Pathways to Industrialization, Employment and Entrepreneurship.” This event was organized by ACTION NGO and the Forum for Indian Journalists on Education, Environment, Health & Agriculture (FIJEEHA) in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS) Cell of Gauhati University and supported by Cairn Oil & Gas. With over one-third of its population aged between 15 and 34, Assam's demographic dividend represents a vital asset that can be transformed into sustained economic growth. The…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Assam on January 17 and 18. At around 6 pm on January 17, the Prime Minister will participate in “Bagurumba Dwhou 2026”, a historic cultural event celebrating the rich heritage of the Bodo community at Sarusajai stadium, Guwahati. On this occasion, more than 10,000 artistes from the Bodo community will perform Bagurumba dance in a single, synchronised presentation. Artists from 81 Legislative Assembly Constituencies from across 23 districts of the state will take part in the event Bagurumba is one of the folk dances of the Bodo community, deeply inspired by nature. The dance…

Schools in Assam’s Kamrup (Metro) district, including those in Guwahati city, have resumed their regular schedules as of Friday due to an improvement in weather conditions. Previously, the district administration had implemented a revision of school hours, delaying the commencement of classes by one hour in both government and private schools starting from January 6, which was a response to the ongoing cold weather. The recent directive from the District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) marks the official restoration of standard school timings for all educational institutions within the Kamrup (Metro) district effective from Friday.

As part of the Magh Bihu celebrations, traditional buffalo fights, known locally as "Moh juj," were staged in some parts of the Morigaon district in central Assam, despite a Supreme Court ban on animal duels.According to reports in the local media, locals took part in the celebrations, which were held at Baidyabori and Ahatguri. District officials declined to comment, stating that the case is pending.Owners of around forty pairs of buffaloes took them to Baidyabori, where some fights reportedly lasted more than twenty minutes. At Ahatguri, thirty-three buffalo couples fought in fight, attracting large crowds of spectators to see the…