Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

12 Dec

Massive Guwahati Commercial Complex Fire Contained After 40 Hours; Safety Checks Underway

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A massive blaze that swept through a commercial complex housing a shopping mall and two SBI branches in Guwahati was finally brought under control on Thursday evening—nearly 40 hours after it began—officials said. Fire tenders from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Guwahati Refinery joined the state fire services in the prolonged operation. The fire broke out around 12.30 am on Wednesday at Swagata Square Complex, located at ABC Point. The building includes the premium and commercial banking branches of the State Bank of India (SBI) as well as the popular shopping mall Sohum Emporia. A senior Fire and…

12 Dec

Govt Extends Financial Grants to 442 Former BLT Cadres Living Beyond BTR Limits

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam government on Thursday distributed financial grants to 442 former Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) members at a ceremony organised by the State Home Department and the Special Branch of Assam Police in Guwahati. Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary handed over the cheques as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate former militants into mainstream society. Senior officials, including Assam DGP Harmeet Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Tewari, and Special ADGP Hiren Chandra Nath, were present at the event. Each former cadre received ₹2 lakh, aimed at…

12 Dec

Balipara Foundation Awards 2025 Celebrate Kaziranga’s ‘Van Durgas’ for Their Frontline Conservation Work

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve stands strong because of the unwavering dedication of its frontline staff. Among them shines a remarkable group of women known as the Van Durgas — fearless forest frontliners recognised by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for their exceptional service to nature. With a force of around 108 women, these frontline heroes work as foresters and forest guards, forming the backbone of Kaziranga’s protection system.Their days begin with anti-poaching patrols and end with addressing human–wildlife conflict, eco-development work, and community engagement. Their courage reflects not only professional discipline but also a deep love for the wilderness…

12 Dec

220 Black Softshell Turtle Hatchlings Released at Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a significant conservation effort for Assam's endangered Black Softshell Turtle, the second batch of 110 hatchlings was released into Sildubi Wetland, Panpur, following the initial release of the same number at Roumari Beel on October 24, 2025, totaling 220 hatchlings. The release event was attended by MLA Shri Padma Hazarika, who emphasized the critical role of freshwater turtles as indicators of wetland health and integral parts of river ecosystems. He commended the partnerships among the Nagshankar Temple Committee, Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (KNP & TR), and the India Turtle Conservation Program (ITCP). This initiative, led by the…

12 Dec

16th Under The Sal Tree Theatre Festival Begins December 15 in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Badungduppa Kalakendra, a notable theatre institution in Rampur, Goalpara, is celebrating its ongoing legacy with a special one-day edition of the 'Under the Sal Tree' theatre festival on December 15, following its Silver Jubilee last year. Established over 25 years ago by the late Sukracharya Rabha, the institution is known for its innovative physical theatre style, which emphasizes minimal dialogue and expressive body language, earning both national and international recognition. The festival, now in its 16th edition, traditionally features performances conducted in a natural setting without artificial enhancements, attracting thousands of visitors. This year's event will be a single-day occasion…

11 Dec

Aqua North East Summit on Dec 12 to Spotlight Aquaculture Growth in the Region

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Aqua North East Summit 2025, organized by Aqua Doctor Solutions and Fishery.News, will take place on December 12 in Guwahati. This event aims to transform the aquaculture landscape in Northeast India by focusing on technology-driven practices, stakeholder coordination, and investment promotion. It will address critical issues such as productivity gaps, scientific adoption, market linkages, value-chain inefficiencies, and climate vulnerabilities. Participants include government bodies, institutions, startups, cooperatives, and progressive farmers. Key topics will cover species diversification, cold-chain development, AI and IoT technologies, sustainability, and financial inclusion via government schemes like PMMSY. The summit will feature networking sessions, product showcases, and…

11 Dec

An eviction drive was conducted at Tarapur, Silchar, following many notices

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The district administration on Thursday carried out an eviction drive at Tarapur in Silchar to remove what officials described as illegal encroachments and unauthorised settlements. According to officials, the settlers had been issued notices nearly three months ago, but many of them did not vacate the area within the given time. As a result, the administration proceeded with the eviction as part of its ongoing effort to clear government land. During the operation, bulldozers were brought in to demolish structures that were marked as illegal. Officials on the ground said the action was taken only after repeated reminders were ignored.…

11 Dec

Namdapha Intensifies Big Cat Monitoring Ahead of the 2025–26 National Census

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve is currently conducting an intensive field operation as part of the sixth All India Tiger Estimation 2025-26, facing significant challenges that test the resilience of its frontline protection teams. This extensive survey is critical to India’s wildlife conservation strategy, particularly for safeguarding its tiger population. The park's challenging environment, which includes dense forests and rugged terrain, coupled with unpredictable weather and communication difficulties, demands exceptional efforts from its staff, led by Field Director A. Deka. Historically, Namdapha was home to various big cats, including Bengal tigers and leopards, which have suffered from severe poaching…

11 Dec

Indra Hang Subba, a Sikkim MP, calls for cautious, technology-driven Lok Sabha election reforms

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba on Wednesday called for introducing technology-based improvements in India’s electoral system but reminded the Lok Sabha that such changes must be carried out with great care, especially for smaller and sensitive states like Sikkim. Speaking during a detailed discussion on Electoral Reforms, Subba said that reforms should not only improve efficiency and transparency but must also protect the unique demographic character of different regions. He explained that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls plays an important role in keeping voter lists accurate. However, he noted that in states with smaller populations, even small…

11 Dec

Assam CM Reviews Preparatory Arrangements Ahead of PM’s Visit to Namrup

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conducted a preparatory meeting on Wednesday at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Dibrugarh, involving various ministers, MLAs, and senior officials to review the preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Namrup on December 21. Modi, during his visit to Assam on December 20 and 21, is set to inaugurate the new terminal building at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Borjhar, Guwahati, and unveil a statue of the esteemed Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi. Furthermore, he will lay the foundation for a significant ammonia-urea project in Namrup, valued at approximately Rs 12,000 crore…