Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

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.…

26 Apr

Siddheshwara Dham’s 15th year celebrated with divine fervor

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday attended the grand concluding ceremony of the week-long Shrimad Bhagavat Saptaha Gyan Mahayajna at Siddheshwara Dham, commemorating the 15th Foundation Year of the revered pilgrimage site in Namchi. The spiritual event, which began on April 19, drew hundreds of devotees from across the region. Chief Minister Tamang described his presence at the ceremony as a “profound honour” and praised the week-long gathering as a celebration of “divine devotion and collective faith.” Led by Jagatguru Ananta Bidhushtu Balashanta Mohan Sharan Devacharya Maharaj and Shri Bihari Saran Guru Maharaj, the discourse focused on values…

26 Apr

From Silchar to Sivasagar, Assam stands against terror

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a proud moment for Arunachal Pradesh and the Indian civil service, Vishakha Yadav, the Deputy Commissioner of Kurung Kumey district, has been conferred with the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024. She received the award for her pioneering initiative titled “Project DIGIKAKSHA – A Vision for a Vibrant Village on the Indo-China Border”, under the “Innovation - District” category. The national-level award honours civil servants who have introduced innovative practices and achieved efficient and effective governance at the grassroots level. Ms. Yadav's visionary project stood out for its unique approach to bridging the development gap…

25 Apr

Flying Forward: Kenya’s Drones to Deliver Medicine in Remote Areas

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Kenya has launched Africa’s first national drone delivery service to supply life-saving medicines to remote villages. The system is being operated by Zipline, a logistics company already active in Rwanda and Ghana. Each drone can carry vaccines, blood packets, and essential medicines across challenging terrains within minutes. The project is expected to cut delivery times from hours to minutes in many regions. This model could be adapted in Himalayan regions of Nepal and Northeast India, where access to healthcare is often obstructed by difficult geography.

25 Apr

New York Unveils Ambitious Underground Park Project

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

New York City is set to build the world’s first underground public park in Lower Manhattan, named “The Lowline.” Built in a former trolley terminal, the park will use solar technology to funnel natural light underground to grow plants. The project aims to address the city’s shortage of green spaces and is being celebrated as a marvel of sustainable design. The developers hope to inspire megacities worldwide to rethink urban space utilization. With increasing urban congestion in South Asian cities like Delhi and Dhaka, such ideas could inspire underground recreational or community spaces.

25 Apr

NSE turns solidarity into action with ₹4 lakh support per family

Sonakshi SarkarSiliguri

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) stands in solidarity with the victims of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, and has pledged Rs. 1 crore in total (i.e. approximately Rs. 4 lakhs per family) to support the families of the deceased who lost their lives in the cruel act of violence. NSE stands with the nation at this time of grief and crisis. Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE, said, “This is a moment of collective mourning for our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families, and we…

25 Apr

Sikkim halts tourist travel to Lachen, Lachung after landslides

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim Police's Permit Cell has announced the suspension of all tourist permits for North Sikkim, effective from April 25, 2025, due to ongoing heavy rainfall and landslides that have blocked vital roads. This decision comes as over 1,000 tourists remain stranded in Lachung, with roads leading to popular tourist destinations like Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake rendered impassable. The advisory, issued on April 24, highlights significant landslides at Munshithang along the Lachen-Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road, making these routes unsafe. Although the road to Chungthang remains open, authorities have warned that it is unsafe to travel…

25 Apr

‘Vibrant BTR Mission’ drives ₹843 cr BTC budget for 2025–26

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The two-day Budget Session of the Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly (BTCLA) for the financial year 2025–2026 concluded today, with the House passing an estimated budget of Rs 843 crore. The budget, which was presented by Chief Executive Member (CEM) and Finance In-charge of the BTC, Pramod Boro, marks a significant step towards fulfilling the council’s vision for development and progress in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The budget, based on the theme ‘Vibrant BTR Mission: Sangharsh to Nirman 2025–26’, focuses on a people-centric approach, with an emphasis on need-based asset creation and effective implementation of various schemes and projects…

24 Apr

Canada Introduces 4-Day Workweek Trial Across Provinces

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Canada has launched a federal 4-day workweek pilot program across government offices in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The aim is to boost productivity, reduce burnout, and improve work-life balance without salary cuts. Early reports show a 15% rise in employee satisfaction and a 10% drop in absenteeism. Private companies, especially in tech and media, are also experimenting with similar shifts. The idea is gaining global attention, including in South Asian cities like Bengaluru and Dhaka, where long work hours have become a concern.

24 Apr

Flash Floods Wreak Havoc Across Southern California

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Southern California has declared a state of emergency after a series of atmospheric rivers brought record-breaking rainfall, causing floods, landslides, and widespread power outages. Over 200,000 people have been affected, and emergency shelters are being set up in Los Angeles and San Diego. Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the National Guard to assist in rescue operations. Meteorologists warn that climate change is intensifying such extreme weather patterns. This development raises concerns for regions like Assam and northeast India, where similar topographies make them vulnerable to monsoon-triggered floods.