Blog - The Purbottar

21 Apr

North Bengal on Edge: Political Rivalries and Voter Disputes Fuel Pre-Poll Unrest

anuprova EditorNews

As West Bengal approaches the first phase of its crucial Assembly elections on April 23, North Bengal has emerged as a volatile epicenter of political friction. The region, particularly the Dooars, is witnessing a sharp escalation in tensions driven by aggressive campaigning, persistent allegations of voter list irregularities, and a high-stakes battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With both parties trading fierce accusations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, ground-level confrontations have become increasingly common, prompting concerns among residents about maintaining law and order during this sensitive period. The atmosphere…

21 Apr

Cancer care success strengthens Manipal Hospitals’ presence in North Bengal

Business BureauBusiness

Manipal Hospital Rangapani has treated a 71-year-old music teacher from Cooch Behar who overcame throat cancer and regained his voice after months of intensive treatment. Mr. Amalesh Choudhury, a respected music school principal, was diagnosed with throat cancer after prolonged throat discomfort. Concerned about losing his voice central to both his profession and identity, he sought treatment at Manipal Hospital under Dr. Sourav Guha, Consultant Radiation Oncology. Choudhury underwent 30 sessions of radiation therapy along with five cycles of chemotherapy. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, hospital officials said his disciplined approach and positive outlook contributed significantly to his recovery.…

21 Apr

Coke Studio Bharat releases ‘Bulleya Ve’, revives Bulleh Shah’s sufi legacy for new generation

Business BureauBusiness

Coke Studio Bharat has released its second track of Season 4, Bulleya Ve, drawing inspiration from the timeless Sufi philosophy of Bulleh Shah and his spiritual guide Shah Inayat. Following the success of its opening track Ae Ajnabee, the new release explores themes of ego, separation, and spiritual surrender, presenting a deeply personal journey of self-realisation. Bulleya Ve narrates the emotional arc of Bulleh Shah’s relationship with his murshid, where a moment of arrogance leads to distance and silence, eventually culminating in humility and reunion. The track captures this transformation with a minimalist yet evocative soundscape. The song introduces Ashok…

21 Apr

Operation Chakra-V: CBI Nabs Key Conspirator Supplying Fake SIMs to Cyber Fraud Gangs

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a key conspirator linked to a large cyber fraud network as part of its ongoing nationwide drive under Operation Chakra-V. Officials confirmed the development on April 20, saying the arrest is a significant step in cracking down on organised cybercrime. The accused was arrested from Guwahati in the early hours of April 19. He had been on the run since August 2025 and was being tracked for his alleged role in arranging and supplying illegally obtained SIM cards used in various cyber frauds. According to officials, the arrest is part of Operation Chakra-V,…

21 Apr

Debabrata Saikia Urges Inquiry Into Flood Mismanagement, Flags Safety Risks and Alleged Irregularities

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Severe waterlogging in Guwahati after heavy overnight rain has triggered a sharp political response, with Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia urging the Assam Human Rights Commission to take suo motu cognisance of the situation. The move comes after the death of a woman, which he linked to what he described as repeated failures in urban management. In a letter addressed to AHRC chairperson Justice Arup Kumar Goswami, Saikia said the flooding in the city is not a one-time issue but a continuing problem that is affecting the basic rights of residents. He described the situation as a serious concern for…

21 Apr

Guwahati Floods: Opp Leader Approaches Human Rights Commission After Woman Dies

riya EditorAssam

Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia has written to the Assam Human Rights Commission, seeking urgent intervention into the “continuing and systemic human rights violations affecting the residents of Guwahati,” after heavy overnight rain threw life out of gear in the city. Amid rain-triggered flash floods in Guwahati, a woman, identified as Payal Nath, died after falling into an open inundated drain at Maligaon Chariali near the Northeast Frontier Railway headquarters on Sunday night. In a letter to AHRC chairperson Justice Arup Kumar Goswami, Saikia, seeking Suo motu action over flooding and a woman’s death, described the…

20 Apr

IMD Predicts Heavy Rainfall Over Assam; People Advised To Stay Alert

Paromita EditorAssam

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted inclement weather over Assam for the next two to three days, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected across various parts of the state.As per rainfall data recorded on Monday, several locations in and around Guwahati have already received substantial precipitation — including 117.4 mm in Guwahati, 126.5 mm in Guwahati (City), 119.5 mm at AAU-HRS (Assam Agricultural University - Horticultural Research Station) station, 134 mm at Gauhati University, and 215.9 mm at SIRD Complex, Khanapara. These figures indicate widespread and intense rainfall activity that is likely to persist.The weather pattern suggests that…

20 Apr

AI push in classrooms: Miles Bronson School expands Smartail partnership for automated grading

Business BureauBusiness

Miles Bronson Residential School has renewed and expanded its partnership with Smartail to scale AI-led academic assessment across higher grades, marking a key step in Assam’s evolving education landscape. Building on last year’s adoption of Smartail’s DeepGrade platform, the Guwahati-based residential school is now extending AI integration into senior classes. The platform enables automated evaluation of descriptive answers, faster feedback cycles, and data-driven insights for teachers and students, improving efficiency while maintaining consistency in line with CBSE frameworks. Founder and Principal Dr. Nripen Kumar Dutta said the move reflects the institution’s focus on combining academic values with innovation. “AI-driven assessment…

20 Apr

Election Official Defends Purge of 58 Lakh Voters as Necessary Roll Cleanup

anuprova EditorNorth Bengal, West Bengal

The Election Commission of India’s top electoral officer for West Bengal has stepped forward to defend the controversial deletion of 58 lakh names from the state’s electoral rolls, asserting that the move was a necessary component of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Addressing growing concerns from the public and political factions, the official maintained that the mass exclusions were part of a standard, data-driven purification process. The primary objective, according to the Commission, was to update the rolls by systematically identifying and removing names of individuals who have either passed away, permanently shifted out of their registered constituencies, or…

20 Apr

Kalyan Jewellers opens new showroom in Baruipur, expands Kolkata presence

Business BureauBusiness

Kalyan Jewellers has strengthened its presence in the Kolkata market with the launch of a new showroom in Baruipur on April 15, 2026. The company said the outlet offers a wide range of jewellery designs across its collections in a modern, world-class setting aimed at enhancing customer experience. The showroom features state-of-the-art facilities and stocks several of the brand’s popular house collections, including Muhurat, Mudhra, Nimah, Glo, Ziah, Anokhi, Apoorva, Antara, Hera, Rang and the recently launched Lila line. Marking the launch, the company has introduced an inaugural offer of up to 50% off on making charges. Customers will also…