Blog - The Purbottar

19 Dec

New ‘Guwahati Clean Air Plan’ Unveiled by APCB and iForest to Address Pollution

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) has launched a new initiative, the ‘Guwahati Clean Air Plan,’ in collaboration with iForest to combat air quality issues in Guwahati, following the limited success of a prior action plan from 2018. The new strategy was unveiled during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit and is also developed with input from the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation. Pollution sources in Guwahati have been identified predominantly as road dust and vehicular emissions, with road dust from construction activities and roads contributing 37% to the estimated annual PM10 emissions of 1,071 tonnes. Industrial emissions contribute 25%, while transport…

19 Dec

Gauhati High Court Takes Stern Stand on Kaziranga Fishing During Magh Bihu

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Taking serious note of large-scale community fishing within Kaziranga National Park during the Magh Bihu celebrations, the Gauhati High Court has ordered the Assam government and relevant authorities to enforce prohibitory orders against illegal fishing in the protected area. This directive arose during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury, emphasizing that failure to protect Kaziranga would violate multiple laws, including the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The court underscored the need for immediate measures to prevent ecological damage and required the authorities to report on actions taken to…

19 Dec

Congress Completes First Phase of ‘National Talent Hunt’ in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The first phase of the ‘Talent Hunt’ selection process for national spokespersons and media panellists of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) took place on Thursday in Kamrup (Metro) and six other districts of Assam, featuring participation from over 300 candidates across six zones. The event in Guwahati, held at the Manavendra Sharma Complex, was organized by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) under the media and communication department. Key attendees included former MP Ripun Bora, Ram Prasad Sharma, former MLA Mohan Basumatary, along with a senior editor and a Gauhati High Court advocate as jury members. In Jorhat, MLA Bhaskarjyoti…

18 Dec

Milind Soman leads IOACON Walkathon 2025 in Guwahati to promote bone health

Business BureauBusiness

Eris Lifesciences organised the IOACON Walkathon 2025 at Sarusajai Sports Complex on Thursday morning, bringing together orthopaedic doctors attending the IOACON conference. The walkathon, held from 6 am to 8 am, highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, regular movement and timely treatment of bone and joint problems. Fitness icon Milind Soman led the walk, encouraging participants to adopt simple, consistent exercise routines. Representatives from Eris Lifesciences said the initiative was part of the company’s continued efforts to engage the medical community through awareness-led programmes. Doctors participating in the Guwahati walkathon noted a rise in orthopaedic concerns across the country, affecting…

18 Dec

Sikkim Police Issue Strict Winter Safety Guidelines for Tourist Vehicles Amid Peak Season

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Office of the Inspector General of Police, Check Post Headquarters in Gangtok, has issued strict winter safety guidelines for all tourist vehicles moving across Sikkim. The order was released on December 16 and will remain in force from December through the end of March. The decision comes ahead of the peak tourist season when many visitors travel to snow-covered parts of the state. According to the order, police stations in Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung, Sheruthang and Kupup have been directed to enforce the rules closely. These are the areas where heavy snowfall, road blockages and sudden changes in weather often…

18 Dec

Drishyam’s Youngest Daughter Scripts a New Chapter with LSE Graduation

Preeti SinghEntertainment

Actor Esther Anil, renowned for her performance in the film Drishyam (2013) in Malayalam cinema, has successfully graduated with a degree in International Development from the London School of Economics (LSE). In a heartfelt Instagram post, she reflected on the challenges that both she and her family faced during this journey, accompanied by photos from her graduation ceremony. Esther reflects on her journey, recounting how her father's suggestion to apply to the London School of Economics (LSE) seemed unrealistic to her at first. He had mentioned a person who studied there, and she initially dismissed it as an unattainable goal.…

18 Dec

Aon Report flags soft insurance market in India, property and cyber see pressure

Business BureauBusiness

India’s insurance market continues to remain largely soft, with stable or declining prices across most segments, according to Aon’s Global Insurance Market Insights Report. However, property and cyber insurance stand out as exceptions, witnessing rising costs and tighter underwriting norms. The report notes that market capacity in India is expanding due to the entry of new insurers, mergers and acquisitions, and increased participation by foreign reinsurers. This trend is being further supported by the government’s decision to raise the foreign direct investment limit in insurance to 100 per cent, boosting competition and innovation. In Kolkata and other eastern Indian markets,…

18 Dec

Tata Motors celebrates India’s ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 triumph with Tata Sierra gift

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Motors marked India’s historic victory at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 by felicitating the champion women’s cricket team in the presence of N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (TMPVL), and Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director & CEO, TMPVL. During the celebration, the winning team was seen alongside the newly launched Tata Sierra, an iconic nameplate reintroduced in a contemporary avatar. As a gesture of recognition and pride, Tata Motors announced that each member of the victorious team will be gifted a Tata Sierra. The initiative reflects Tata Motors’ continued commitment to supporting sporting excellence…

18 Dec

NSDC International, Manipur University to open Japanese language training centre for Northeast youth

Business BureauBusiness

NSDC International (NSDCI) has signed an agreement with Manipur University to establish a Japanese Language Training Center on the university campus, aimed at preparing youth from Manipur and the wider Northeast region for employment opportunities in Japan. The initiative seeks to build strong Japanese language skills among young people, enabling them to access global job markets, especially in sectors where Japan is facing workforce shortages. NSDCI, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Skill Development Corporation, will design and implement the training framework in line with international standards and Japan’s requirements. Manipur University will provide infrastructure and on-campus facilities for…

18 Dec

Government Secures Voice Vote for New Rural Employment Mission Amid Opposition Protest

Mohini BarmanNational

The Lok Sabha has passed the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, marking the formal end of the MGNREGA era. The new bill was passed amid a fierce uproar, with opposition members tearing copies of the legislation in protest. The bill provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per year and integrates skill development into rural labor. While the government hails it as a modernization of rural support, critics argue it dilutes the existing legal "right to work."