Blog - The Purbottar

02 May

Panchayat polls underway in Assam with heavy voter participation

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The first phase of the much-anticipated panchayat elections in Assam kicked off on Friday morning with an encouraging voter turnout, as thousands of citizens queued up across 14 districts to cast their votes. The polling process marks a vital step in strengthening local self-governance and holds significant implications for the state’s political landscape. Polling began early in the day and was met with enthusiastic participation from voters in districts including Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Majuli, Golaghat, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi. Long queues were seen outside polling stations even before dawn, reflecting strong engagement in the…

02 May

Admissions open for CITS courses 2025-26: DGT invites applications for trainer training

Business BureauBusiness

The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has announced admissions for the Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) for the academic year 2025-26. The scheme aims to develop a pool of certified instructors for Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) nationwide. Eligible candidates holding NTC, NAC, Diploma, or Degree qualifications — including final-year students — can apply online from May 8 to May 28, 2025, via www.nimionlineadmission.in Selection will be based on an All-India Common Entrance Test (AICET) scheduled on June 15, 2025, conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across multiple centers. Training will be…

30 Apr

Raju Bista calls for urgent infrastructure overhaul at Siliguri court

Sonakshi SarkarSiliguri

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, during his address at the Siliguri Bar Association praised the contribution of lawyers in upholding justice and democratic values, while also raising serious concerns over the poor state of infrastructure at the Siliguri Court. Speaking at the event attended by legal professionals from across Siliguri and the North Bengal region, Bista called the gathering a meeting of "some of the finest legal minds." He highlighted the importance of the legal profession in maintaining the strength of the Constitution, protecting civil liberties and ensuring the rule of law. “Our lawyers are the backbone of our justice system.…

30 Apr

Man arrested in Namchi for anti-army, anti-govt social media video

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A 37-year-old man was arrested in Namchi for allegedly posting a video on social media that criticized the Indian government and made derogatory remarks about the Indian Army, raising concerns over potential threats to national unity and public order. Identified as Komirul Haque, a resident of Namchi Bazaar and originally from Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, the man was taken into custody after the video—uploaded via a Facebook account named “Kamirul Kamirul”—surfaced online. The content blamed the Centre for a recent terror attack in Pahalgam and included statements deemed offensive to the armed forces. Namchi Police registered an FIR (No. 15/2025)…

30 Apr

Dhaka to Spotlight Green Innovation with Global Tech Expo This Fall

Sonakshi SarkarBangladesh

Bangladesh will host its first-ever International Climate Tech Expo in Dhaka this September, bringing together innovators, policymakers, and environmental experts from over 40 countries. The event will focus on climate-resilient technologies in agriculture, water, and energy. The Ministry of Environment says the expo will feature clean energy startups, green finance networks, and digital sustainability platforms. Key partners include UNDP and the World Bank. Nepal, Bhutan, and several Indian states have been invited to participate, aiming to showcase regional solutions and explore collaborative approaches to climate resilience in South Asia.

30 Apr

Assam Police arrest dozens for supporting Pakistan post

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a sweeping crackdown following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Assam Police have arrested 34 individuals across several districts for allegedly expressing support for Pakistan. The arrests include All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) legislator Aminul Islam, who is now facing sedition charges. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made the development public through a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Tuesday evening, stating, “Total: 34 Anti Nationals put behind bars in Assam.” He described the accused as individuals who defended Pakistan on Indian soil, a stance the state government has condemned as "anti-national." The arrests were carried out…

30 Apr

Across Tea Estates, ABITA commemorates the World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Banasree SarkarAssamWorld Day

The Tea Estates Management and the Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) Zone 1 commemorated the World Day for Safety and Health at Work at several tea estates in the districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, and Charaideo. at observance of the day, awareness-raising events were held for the benefit of factory workers, plantation workers, health personnel, teenagers, and community members at factories, public spaces, labour lines, etc. The programs primarily addressed workplace safety for factory and plantation workers and provided information on safety procedures and practices. During the program, the workers received training on topics such as first aid and…

30 Apr

NYC to Charge Vehicles Entering Manhattan to Cut Traffic and Pollution

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

New York City has become the first U.S. city to implement congestion pricing, aimed at reducing downtown traffic and improving air quality. Starting August 2025, drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street will pay $15 during peak hours. The city’s transportation department says the policy is expected to generate $1 billion annually, which will fund subway improvements. Environmental advocates and urban planners have praised the move, while some drivers and delivery companies have expressed concerns. Urban mobility experts in Dhaka and Kathmandu suggest a modified version of congestion pricing could help tackle rising traffic congestion in South Asian capitals as…

30 Apr

Dia Mirza joins Tata Tea Jaago Re to promote climate-saving actions, one recipe at a time

Business BureauBusiness

Bollywood star Dia Mirza is bringing her passion for sustainability into the kitchen with a new campaign aimed at empowering individuals to make simple, everyday choices that benefit the environment. In collaboration with Tata Tea Jaago Re, Dia is encouraging fans to adopt eco-friendly habits in their daily lives, showcasing how small actions can collectively make a big difference in the fight against climate change. https://youtu.be/sayhM87I2A0 The campaign features Dia demonstrating practical tips, like covering your pot while cooking to save energy—an easy, yet effective way to reduce carbon emissions. “It’s all about those small shifts,” Dia explains in her…

30 Apr

Three NSCN cadres killed in Assam encounter after 60-hour search operation

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

At least three suspected NSCN cadres, who entered Assam allegedly to demand extortion money from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), were killed in an encounter with security forces in Dima Hasao district on Tuesday, officers said. The operation was planned and monitored by the highest level of Assam police for a month now, sources said. Over 300 security force personnel led by the Assam police were part of this operation. The encounter took place at a place between N Kubin and Herakilo under Haflong police station limits after the NSCN cadres came from neighbouring Nagaland, police sources added.…