Blog - The Purbottar

06 Mar

Search Operation Launched After Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Fighter Jet Goes Down in Remote Assam Forest Area

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

A Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in the hilly terrain of Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening, shortly after taking off from the Jorhat Air Base. The incident created concern among residents in nearby villages and prompted an immediate search and rescue operation in the remote hill area. According to initial information, the aircraft had taken off from the 47 Squadron of the Jorhat Air Base as part of a routine sortie. Two pilots were on board the fighter jet at the time of the flight. Soon after take-off, contact with the aircraft was…

06 Mar

Major Blaze Destroys Railway Workshop in Dibrugarh

riya EditorAssam

A significant fire erupted at the railway mechanical workshop in Dibrugarh district, Assam, on Thursday, with no reported injuries. The incident occurred at the first mechanical railway workshop in Northeast India, located in Kadamani, causing panic in the vicinity. Smoke was first detected coming from a store inside the workshop, prompting local residents and staff to alert authorities. Fire and emergency services responded promptly, deploying six fire tenders from Dibrugarh and Lahowal to combat the fire, which lasted several hours. Preliminary reports suggest that welding operations were in progress in the store prior to the outbreak, with authorities suspecting that…

06 Mar

Sukhoi Su-30MKI Crash in Assam Claims Lives of Two Pilots

riya EditorAssam

On the evening of the previous day, a tragic incident occurred in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, where a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. The deceased pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. The IAF has publicly acknowledged their sacrifice, expressing deep sorrow over the loss and offering heartfelt condolences to the families of the aviators during this difficult time. The aircraft was on a training mission and had taken off from Jorhat airbase before it crashed near the location identified…

06 Mar

AIUDF MLAs Support NDA in Rajya Sabha elections in India; Controversy Over Himanta Biswa Sarma’s ‘Conditions’

riya EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ignited a political controversy by stating that his government has "no enmity" with Miya Muslims if they comply with specific conditions, generating fervent discussion ahead of upcoming elections. Sarma emphasized that the government welcomes individuals who show respect and affection for the country. He outlined conditions for acceptance, including raising slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," singing "Vande Mataram," and ceasing practices associated with "love jihad," "land jihad," and "fertilizer jihad," as well as ending illegal land encroachment, child marriage, and polygamy. This shift in Sarma's tone is particularly significant given his previous…

05 Mar

Yamaha launches XSR155 in ‘Metallic Black’ at Rs 1.58 lakh, expands modern retro line-up

Business BureauBusiness

India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM) on Monday launched the XSR155 in a new ‘Metallic Black’ shade at an ex-showroom price of ₹1,58,990 in Delhi, expanding its colour portfolio for the modern retro sport motorcycle. The new variant features golden upside-down (USD) front forks and a deeper black finish aimed at enhancing the bike’s premium and aggressive road presence. The company said the colour addition responds to growing customer demand for a black edition, strengthening the XSR155’s muscular tank design, minimalist bodywork and retro-inspired styling cues. Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said the strong response to the XSR155…

05 Mar

Aon report flags rapid digital push but gaps in awareness, affordability in India’s health insurance sector

Business BureauBusiness

Aon plc has released insights from its inaugural 2025 Insurer Wellbeing Benchmarking Report, highlighting rapid digitalisation and expanding coverage in India’s health insurance sector, while flagging gaps in awareness, affordability and standardisation. Based on a survey of six insurers and analysis of over 600 data points across 10 wellbeing domains, the report said 83 percent of insurers now offer telehealth services, including access to general practitioners, chronic disease management and e-prescriptions. However, only one-third reported tangible outpatient claims savings, ranging between 1.1 percent and 1.5 percent. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are offered by 67 percent of insurers, though utilisation varies…

05 Mar

Skill Ministry makes 150-hour OJT mandatory for ITI trainees under CTS reform

Business BureauBusiness

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has introduced a major reform in Industrial Training Institute (ITI) training by making 150 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT) or a Group Project compulsory under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). The guidelines were issued by the Directorate General of Training on March 3, 2026, and the provision has been effective since the 2022–23 academic session. Under the revised structure aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, the annual CTS training duration has been reduced from 1,600 hours to 1,200 hours, with 150 hours reserved for structured OJT or project work. Trainees will be…

05 Mar

Assam DGP’s fake video surfaces, police initiate legal action

riya EditorAssam

Cyber criminals have misused the photograph of Assam DGP Harmeet Singh to create an AI-generated video, pretending to be a fake 'IPS Sonu Sharma'. After it came to light, the Assam Police on Thursday initiated legal action against the unidentified scammers behind this crime. The police urged citizens not to fall for such scam videos and to report suspicious content immediately. ''Deepfake Alert! Scammers are misusing the image of the DGP to create an AI-generated video, pretending to be a fake 'IPS Sonu Sharma'," the Assam police said in a social media post. "The video is fake and part of…

05 Mar

Cars will be able to run alongside trains thanks to the second-largest river tunnel in the world: CM

Banasree SarkarAssam

At Shri Shri Maa Kalyani Devalaya in Dipora, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma prayed to start his third day of the Jana Ashirwad Yatra. Thousands of people traveled the 19-kilometer distance from Gohpur Co-District to visit the Chief Minister. Speaking to the public in front of the State Bus Stand at Gohpur as part of the Yatra, Dr. Sarma stated, "The world's second-largest river tunnel route will be constructed from Gohpur to Bokakhat-Numaligarh, with facilities allowing vehicles to run alongside trains."" The region will become a tourist destination as a result of this incredible tunnel, which will improve the…

05 Mar

Alliance of ULFA(I), Bangladeshi PCJSS (Santu) and Rohingya Groups May Disrupt Assam Assembly Elections, Says CNEISS

riya EditorAssam

The Centre for Northeast India Security Studies (CNEISS), a security-focused think tank, has warned that an alleged alliance involving the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), the Bangladeshi tribal armed group Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS–Santu faction), and Rohingya militant organizations could pose a threat to peace during the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. In a press statement issued on Thursday, CNEISS claimed that representatives of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), ULFA(I), and the PCJSS (Santu faction) reportedly attended a two-day meeting held from December 9 to 11, 2025, in Cox’s Bazar. The meeting was…