Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

17 Jun

Sikkim University student Sunaina Subba dies after fall at hidden falls

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sunaina Subba, a student of Sikkim University, died after accidentally slipping into a gorge at Hidden Falls, near Majuwa village in Yangang, on Sunday. Sunaina, a resident of Timburbong, Soreng, was studying in the Limboo Department of the university. The accident occurred while she was visiting the popular natural site, known for its scenic beauty but also rugged terrain. Following the mishap, a rescue team comprising the Yangang Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was immediately mobilised. Despite their swift response, Sunaina was found lifeless and her body was recovered from the gorge. Her body was taken to…

16 Jun

Sikkim holds sacred puja after climb on holy mount Khangchendzonga

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Indigenous communities in Sikkim held a sacred purification ritual following a recent expedition to Mount Khangchendzonga—an act they view as a violation of their most sacred guardian deity. The emergency puja, conducted on June 15, was led by the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), the Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (SILTA), and concerned citizens across the state.The ritual, rooted in 8th-century Buddhist beliefs, sought forgiveness from the divine protectors of Sikkim for what the communities described as a spiritual desecration of Mount Khangchendzonga. Revered not as a mere mountain but as a “Ghajin” deity, Khangchendzonga holds immense religious and…

16 Jun

Assam CM criticizes UPA’s resource allocation based on Sachar report

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a sharp political critique, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 15 launched a scathing attack on the resource allocation policies of the previous UPA government, particularly those influenced by the Sachar Committee report. Speaking at a public event, Sarma questioned the Congress-led government’s decision to prioritize minority communities in development schemes, arguing that the rightful claim to national resources should lie with tribal and indigenous populations. Recalling the UPA era, Sarma pointed out that the Sachar Committee — formed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure — had laid the groundwork for directing government resources towards religious minorities.…

16 Jun

Raju Dhakal emerges as a pillar of hope for Assam’s Gorkhas

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), one name that is making a quiet but strong impact is Raju Dhakal. Known for his humility and determination, Dhakal has become a respected leader for the Gorkha community and beyond. He serves as the General Secretary of the Assam Gorkha Sammelan (AGS), the oldest and most influential Gorkha organization in the state. He is also the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Through these roles, Dhakal is playing a key part in shaping a more inclusive and fair future for thousands of…

14 Jun

Pakistani climber upsets Sikkim’s religious beliefs

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has raised serious concerns over the ascent of Mount Khangchendzonga by Pakistani climber Naila Kiani, calling it a violation of the sacred mountain and a potential threat to national security. Speaking to the media, SIBLAC General Secretary Sangay Gyatso Bhutia described the May 23 summit as “deeply disrespectful” to the religious sentiments of the indigenous people of Sikkim. “Khangchendzonga is our guardian deity. It is not just a peak — it is sacred. Traditionally, climbers avoid stepping on the actual summit out of respect. This act has hurt our beliefs,” Bhutia said. He…

14 Jun

Dhubri under tight security after communal cl*shes

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced a 'shoot-at-sight' order in Dhubri town, following a series of disturbing communal incidents that have gripped the border district. The directive comes in response to escalating tensions sparked by the alleged placing of cow heads near a Hanuman temple and subsequent stone-pelting incidents in the area. The Chief Minister, who landed in Dhubri around 11 am on June 13, wasted no time in assessing the ground situation. He held a high-level review meeting at the Circuit House with top officials from the district administration and police department. Ahead of his visit,…

13 Jun

Sikkim CM pays tribute to air crash victims

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophic Air India Flight AI171 crash near Ahmedabad that claimed at least 204 lives, leaving the nation in mourning. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was headed for London with 242 people onboard, including passengers and crew, when it crashed shortly after takeoff. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic crash... We stand united in grief and solidarity,” CM Tamang stated, offering condolences to the families of the victims and lauding emergency personnel working at the scene. Miraculously, one passenger, Ramesh Vishwakarma, survived. Seated at 11A, he reportedly jumped…

13 Jun

Famous dancer Sonal Mansingh honoured by Assam Government

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Renowned classical dancer and cultural icon Dr. Sonal Mansingh has been conferred with the Srimanta Sankardeva Award 2023 by the Government of Assam in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Indian classical dance, cultural preservation, and social advocacy. The award was presented to her by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a formal ceremony held in Guwahati. The Srimanta Sankardeva Award, named after the 15th-century saint, reformer, and cultural pioneer Srimanta Sankardeva, is one of Assam's most prestigious honours. It was instituted in 1986 to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of art, culture, and social…

12 Jun

Chewang’s success in GATE 2025 brings pride to Lachung and Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a proud moment for North Sikkim, Chewang Laden Lachungpa (Khyoungbarpa), a resident of the remote high-altitude village of Lachung, has successfully cracked the prestigious GATE 2025 examination in Civil Engineering.Chewang, daughter of Kassang Chewang Khyoungbarpa, is an alumnus of Tashi Namgyal Academy, Gangtok, and completed her engineering degree from Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT). Her achievement has brought immense pride not only to her family and village but to the entire state. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of India’s toughest and most competitive exams, opening doors for postgraduate engineering courses and top positions in…

09 Jun

Assam reels under floods, over 24,000 in relief camps

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The flood situation in Assam has turned increasingly grim, with three more lives claimed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of flood-related deaths this year to 20. The latest bulletin from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) paints a distressing picture as tens of thousands grapple with displacement, loss of livelihoods, and destruction of property.Despite the fact that no rivers are currently flowing above the danger level, the widespread impact of the deluge continues to disrupt normal life across several districts. As per official data, the floods have ravaged 11 districts including Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Kamrup,…