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The Northeast India Clean Energy Conclave, held in Guwahati, gathered senior government officials, industry representatives, regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers to develop a roadmap for scaling up renewable energy in the region. Organized by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST) at NEDFi House, the conclave aimed to harness the Northeast's estimated 130 GW renewable energy potential, given its rich hydro and solar resources and nearly nine percent of India’s waterbodies. However, current installed renewable capacity is limited, presenting significant opportunities for developers and financiers. Mandvi Singh, iFOREST's programme director, emphasized the Northeast's pivotal role in India's…

The Northeast India Clean Energy Conclave 2026, hosted by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST) at NEDFi House in Guwahati, convened senior government officials, industry leaders, and technology providers to outline a plan for scaling up renewable energy across Northeastern states. The region has an estimated renewable energy potential of 130 GW, primarily in hydro and solar resources, yet only about 2.3 GW is currently available, emphasizing a significant untapped investment opportunity in the sector. With electricity demand expected to surge by over 40% by 2031-32, stakeholders advocated for a robust, diversified power system emphasizing storage and…

More than twenty years after a murder that shocked the community of Silchar, a Fast Track Court in Cachar district has sentenced three individuals, including a businessman, to life imprisonment for their involvement in the 2004 killing of Munna Majumdar. On February 25, the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court), Bankim Sharma, delivered the verdict, sentencing cloth merchant Dhanraj Surana and his employees, Ratan Debnath and Rinku Dev, to life imprisonment. Surana operates from Swarupa Complex in Janiganj, Silchar, while Debnath and Dev reside in Udharband. Munna Majumdar, who worked at Surana's garment shop, was taken by his employer and…

According to officials, the 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count recorded about 1,05,000 waterbirds from 107 species. From January 4–11, a week-long survey was carried out in 166 wetlands spanning 10 park ranges. Participants in the activity included volunteers, students, ornithologists, and forest officials. Lesser Whistling Ducks, Northern Pintails, and Bar-headed Geese were among the most frequently saw birds. The first-ever sighting of the Smew in Kaziranga this year was a huge highlight, and officials called it a noteworthy addition to the park's bird records. According to Assam Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, the state's conservation efforts have been successful, as evidenced…

SBI General Insurance, one of India’s prominent general insurance providers, is participating in the ‘Meri Policy Mere Haath’ campaign under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the Rabi 2025–26 season, scheduled from February 15 to March 15, 2026. This initiative aims to deliver crop insurance policies directly to farmers and enhance their understanding of crop insurance, risk protection, and essential aspects of the PMFBY scheme, such as coverage, enrolment, and claims procedures. The campaign focuses on making crop insurance more transparent, accessible, and farmer centric. It ensures that beneficiaries not only receive their policy documents but also gain…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Silchar on March 14, and the Cachar district administration has begun large-scale preparations for the high-profile programme. Senior officials of the Assam government visited Silchar on Tuesday to review the arrangements. The team included Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota, Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, Minister Kaushik Rai and Minister Krishnendu Paul. They inspected the proposed venue at Ramnagar Bypass, where the Prime Minister will address a public meeting. During the inspection, officials reviewed security arrangements, traffic plans and the readiness of basic infrastructure in and around the venue. Special focus was…

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a strong attack on the Congress party, holding it responsible for what he described as the long-standing infiltration crisis in the state. He said decisions taken at the time of Partition in 1947 did not properly assess the possible impact of large-scale migration, the effects of which Assam continues to face even today. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma said that when India became independent and the country was divided, the leadership of that time failed to think deeply about the long-term consequences of cross-border movement. He said more attention should…