Blog - The Purbottar

26 Aug

Tezpur has declared a year-long commemoration commemorating the centennial of Bhupen Hazarika’s birth

Banasree SarkarAssam

A century-long event called "A Century of Xobdo aru Xur" was launched by Chatak, one of Tezpur's most well-known cultural organizations, to commemorate the centennial of the birth of the renowned singer, composer, and Bharat Ratna recipient Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Amidst the official launch on September 8, the grand project was inaugurated on Sunday in a musically uplifting environment. The chief guest, Prof. Shambhunath Singh, vice-chancellor of Tezpur University, lit the ceremonial lamp in front of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's image to kick off the inauguration ceremony. Sonitpur District Commissioner Anand Kumar Das, prominent journalist Gautam Sarma, singer Namita Bhattacharya,…

25 Aug

Crude oil futures upgrade on spot demand

editorBusiness, News

New Delhi: Crude oil prices rose by Rs 21 to Rs 5,593 per barrel in futures trade on Monday as traders increased their positions following strong spot demand. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil contracts for September delivery rose by Rs 21, or 0.38 percent, to Rs 5,593 per barrel in a business turnover of 12,667 lots. Analysts said crude oil prices rose in futures trade as participants increased their positions. Globally, West Texas Intermediate crude was trading 0.18 per cent higher at $63.84 per barrel in New York, while Brent crude rose 0.25 percent to $67.90 per barrel.

25 Aug

A buffalo discovered in excruciating pain draws attention to the practices of Sikkim slaughterhouses

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A disturbing case of animal cruelty has surfaced in Sikkim after a buffalo was discovered in a severely injured and weakened state at a slaughterhouse in Majitar, Pakyong district. The incident has not only raised questions about the handling of animals inside the facility but also exposed serious lapses in the monitoring system that is meant to prevent such suffering. The matter was brought to public attention by Ramu Bishwakarma, a member of the animal welfare group People For Animals. After visiting the slaughterhouse, Bishwakarma described the animal’s state as “extremely poor and heartbreaking.” He reported that the buffalo was…

25 Aug

Vi Movies & TV enhances its free content offering with Amazon MX Player

Business BureauBusiness

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has expanded its digital entertainment offerings by partnering with Amazon MX Player, India’s leading free streaming platform, on its Vi Movies & TV app. The collaboration aims to cater to India’s rapidly growing OTT audience, which has crossed 547 million users in 2025, with nearly 400–447 million viewers relying on free, ad-supported platforms. Through this tie-up, Vi Movies & TV users will now enjoy free access to MX Player’s vast catalogue, including hit web series such as Aashram, Campus Diaries, and Bhaukaal, along with international content under MX Vdesi, dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. This comes…

25 Aug

Medanta, PSRI Among 15,000 Hospitals Halting Cashless Services For Bajaj Allianz Customers

Purbalee DuttaBusiness

In a major move affecting health insurance holders, over 15,000 hospitals in northern India will suspend cashless treatment for Bajaj Allianz General Insurance policyholders from September 1, 2025. This decision, announced by the Association of Healthcare Providers–India (AHPI), includes major hospital chains like Max Healthcare, Medanta, and PSRI. The AHPI cited outdated reimbursement rates, rising medical inflation, delayed settlements, and arbitrary payment cuts as key reasons for the action. Despite repeated appeals, Bajaj Allianz has not updated its reimbursement tariffs, which AHPI says are no longer viable due to rising healthcare costs. Patients can still receive treatment at these hospitals,…

25 Aug

Anweshan 1.0 workshop explores spirituality and psychology in student ilfe at Dibrugarh’s oldest Namghar

editorAssam

Under Anweshan 1.0, the oldest religious institution in Dibrugarh hosted a one-day workshop at Amolapatty Public Namghar on "Modernity and Students: An Overview of Spirituality and Psychological Aspects." Namghar Yuva Manch organized the event in cooperation with Amolapatty Public Namghar Samiti. According to a press release, although phones have influenced the way of thinking and living of the current generation, they also foster creativity and spiritual awareness in young people. This can help students cultivate positivity, mental calm, and a more optimistic view of the world. The session was led by the Acharya of Sri Sri Na-Gosai Satra, Dergaon, a…

25 Aug

Assam government workers oppose the center’s Universal Pension Scheme and prepare for a statewide uproar

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A major confrontation is brewing between government employees in Assam and the Centre over pension reforms, as the All Assam Government NPS Employees’ Association has once again voiced strong opposition to the proposed Universal Pension Scheme (UPS) and demanded the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The employees’ association made its stand clear during its 3rd Biennial Conference held at the Assam State Freedom Fighters’ Association auditorium in Rupnagar, Guwahati, where several prominent organisations, including teachers’ bodies and employees’ unions, extended support for the cause. Newly elected President Achyutananda Hazarika and General Secretary Apurba Sharma announced that the Association…

25 Aug

At SCA Cricket Ground, Sikkim installs a state-of-the-art irrigation system

Banasree SarkarSikkim

An automatic pop-up rain gun irrigation system was installed at the Sikkim Cricket Association Ground in Mining, Rangpo, by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang as part of an effort to improve sports facilities. In addition to encouraging sustainable water usage, the Automatic Pop-up Rain Gun Irrigation project seeks to assist the development of professional cricket in the area. The chief guest at the ceremony was Justice Biswanath Sommader, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim. A friendly exhibition match with local players and dignitaries, including CM Tamang himself, took place after the ceremony as a symbolic act…

25 Aug

Canada Moves to Decarbonize Timber with New Industry Oversight

Mohini BarmanInternational

A recent study conducted in California’s Sierra Nevada reveals that timber plantations—dense, single-species forests—are nearly 50% more likely to fuel megafires than traditional, mixed forests. The startling analysis has pushed Canadian authorities to re-evaluate plantation practices, especially in provincial logging zones. This could lead to ecosystem-based silviculture reforms and stricter oversight over forestry practices. South Asian countries with plantation economies—like Bangladesh and parts of India—stand to benefit from this research when considering forest resilience and fire risk in plantation planning.

25 Aug

Dima Hasao residents protest over Bina Engtipi murder case, five contract workers in custody

editorAssam

Thousands of people in Dima Hasao district took to the streets demanding justice for 48-year-old Bina Engtipi, who was found dead in a forest near Umrangso on August 14. Police said that Bina was sexually assaulted and murdered by five men working as contract laborers at the Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project site. Over 10,000 women surrounded the Umrangso Police Station, raising slogans demanding the death penalty for the accused. Many carried banners reading “No justice, no rest” and urged authorities to ensure that the guilty are punished swiftly. Police have arrested five men in connection with the case: Stephen Hanse…