Blog - The Purbottar

24 Apr

Heavy rain, winds cut power in Gangtok

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Strong winds and heavy rainfall have left several parts of Gangtok without electricity for over 12 hours following a storm on April 23, which caused significant damage to the town's power infrastructure. The storm uprooted trees, which fell on power lines and electric poles, leading to major power outages in areas like Deorali, Tadong, and Upper Sichey. Residents reported losing power late Wednesday evening, and as of Thursday morning, electricity had still not been restored. The ongoing power cut has caused disruptions for both households and businesses, as people are struggling without lights, internet, and essential services. The Power Department…

24 Apr

Pramod Boro presents progressive ₹843 cr budget, opposition calls it ‘superficial’

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) kicked off its annual Budget Session on Wednesday with the presentation of a ₹843 crore budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, setting the stage for an intense political debate within the legislative house. The budget was tabled by BTC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pramod Boro at the BTC Legislative Assembly complex in Kokrajhar. The session, presided over by BTC Speaker Katiram Boro, drew immediate reactions from both ruling and opposition members as the financial blueprint proposed allocations across 40 departments aimed at development within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Among the key highlights, the Transformation…

24 Apr

Haier unveils Gravity Series ACs with India’s first AI climate control and fabric finish

Business BureauBusiness

Haier Appliances India has launched its latest innovation, the Gravity Series — India’s first air conditioners with AI Climate Control and a premium fabric finish. Available in seven color variants, including Morning Mist and Galaxy Slate, the series combines high-end design with intelligent, energy-efficient cooling tailored for Indian homes. Backed by cutting-edge AI, the Gravity Series features an adaptive Climate Assistant, real-time electricity monitoring via the HaiSmart App, and AI ECO mode for intelligent savings. A standout element is its Supersonic Cooling technology, offering instant relief within just 10 seconds. Additional highlights include a 7-in-1 Intelli Convertible feature, Frost Self-Clean…

24 Apr

Rajkummar Rao joins Sun King to champion sustainable energy for all

Business BureauBusiness

In a powerful collaboration aimed at boosting access to clean energy, solar solutions company Sun King has announced Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao as its brand ambassador. Known for his authentic portrayals in films like Newton and Srikanth, Rao will represent Sun King’s entire range of solar-powered and energy-efficient products across India. Sun King’s offerings — from solar lighting systems to energy-efficient appliances — have already impacted millions of households lacking reliable electricity. With Rao on board, the brand hopes to further amplify its message of affordability, reliability, and sustainability in energy access. "I’m proud to support a brand that’s helping…

24 Apr

North Eastern Farm Machinery Training Institute launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ programme

Banasree SarkarAssamBiswanath

A program called "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" was introduced by the North Eastern Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Biswanath Chariali, which is part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. Today, 5,000 tea and other tree saplings were planted on the Institute's campus as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission initiative, which was started by the Indian government. In front of more than 100 trainees from different engineering institutions, universities, and farmers, as well as institute officials and personnel, P Kamalabai, the director of the institute, officially launched the program. "It has been decided to plant 11,000…

23 Apr

Thousands of hill families benefit from central schemes

Sonakshi SarkarWest Bengal

Urban development in the hills and plains of West Bengal has received a major push under the central government’s flagship programmes; the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM). According to Member of Parliament Raju Bista, both Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts have seen significant improvements in housing and livelihood support for urban poor and marginalised communities over the past few years. Under the PMAY-U scheme, which aims to provide secure and affordable housing to urban families, Darjeeling district has had a total of 16,121 houses sanctioned since 2019. Out…

23 Apr

Rs 1,503 cr sanctioned for Darjeeling under AMRUT 2.0

Sonakshi SarkarSiliguri

Urban development in the Darjeeling region has received a major boost with the central government’s continued support through the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme. Member of Parliament Raju Bista has shared detailed information on various infrastructure projects under both AMRUT 1.0 and AMRUT 2.0, focusing on essential services like drinking water, drainage systems and green spaces across the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. Under AMRUT 1.0, the Government of India allocated Rs 1,929.32 crore to West Bengal, of which Rs 1,905.39 crore has already been released. For Darjeeling district, RS 206.8 crore was allotted for 18 infrastructure…

23 Apr

JK Tyre brings mountain motorsport fever to Gangtok with Sikkim’s first-ever TSD rally

Business BureauBusiness

In a historic moment for Sikkim, JK Tyre, in collaboration with the Government of Sikkim, brought the Indian Racing Festival to the hills of Gangtok to mark the state’s golden jubilee of statehood. The grand finale, held at Burtuk Helipad on Tuesday, saw a spectacular turnout despite rains, as motorsport enthusiasts witnessed a stunning showcase of power and precision. The event featured adrenaline-pumping stunts on Superbikes, precision drifting by high-performance Lexus and BMW cars, and a display of FIA-accredited Indian Formula 4 cars and modified stunt vehicles—all powered by JK Tyre’s Levitas Ultra range. Young karting prodigies racing on Rotax…

23 Apr

Yaba tablets seized in Assam, 1 arrested

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major breakthrough in Assam’s fight against narcotics, police arrested a woman in Golakganj under Dhubri district late Tuesday night after recovering a cache of Yaba tablets, a potent synthetic drug gaining a foothold in the region. The accused, Sofiya Khatun (35), a resident of Koimari Part IV, was apprehended by Golakganj police during a targeted anti-narcotics operation. Officers found 120 Yaba tablets in her possession. Khatun is the wife of Matiar Rahman, also a local resident. She was taken into custody on the spot and is currently being interrogated for further leads.The arrest is part of a broader…

23 Apr

Fast-moving Biswanath Panchayat election preparations are underway

Banasree SarkarAssamPanchayat election

The Biswanath government, like the rest of the state, is prepared for the next Panchayat election. In preparation for the impending election, the first part of the training program for the presiding and polling officials was successfully finished. Training was provided for 558 presiding officers and 2232 first, second, and third polling officers, each of whom included 60 women. Anuja Bhuyan, Joint Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Assam, and Munindra Nath Ngatey, District Commissioner, Biswanath, attended the training at Biswanath College as observers for the 2025 Panchayat election for Biswanath ZPC 1 and 2 and Sakomatha ZPC 1 and…