Blog - The Purbottar

09 Feb

HMSI marks 5 years of road safety training in Guwahati, over 1 lakh people benefited

Business BureauBusiness

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Safety Driving Education Centre (SDEC) in Guwahati, reaffirming its commitment to promoting safer road habits across the country. The event was attended by District Transport Officer Gautam Das and other dignitaries, who acknowledged the centre’s role in strengthening awareness of safe riding practices. Established in February 2021 in association with the Assam Transport Department, the Guwahati SDEC has trained more than 1,00,000 individuals, including school students, college youth and working professionals, through classroom sessions and hands-on riding modules. The anniversary programme included a ceremonial cake-cutting and special safety…

09 Feb

India’s Largest Refiner Buys Non-Russian Crude as Trade Talks Loom

editorBusiness

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has purchased around six million barrels of crude oil from West Africa and the Middle East through spot tenders issued last week, traders said.The deals are for April delivery and reflect a shift away from Russian crude as India recalibrates its energy sourcing amid ongoing trade discussions with the United States. In addition to the six million barrels, IOC also bought two million barrels of Upper Zakum crude from trading firm Mercuria. Upper Zakum is produced in the United Arab Emirates.Indian refiners and trading firms typically do not comment on spot market purchases due to confidentiality…

09 Feb

Sarbananda Sonowal: The work culture of Assamese youths is the best defense against infiltration

Banasree SarkarAssam

In order to strengthen the continuous battle against infiltration and protect the state's identity, culture, and national security, the Assamese young must prioritize a strong work culture, according to Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW). Speaking at a youth convention held at the constituency level in the Tingkhong Assembly sector by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Dibrugarh district unit, Sonowal claimed that when young were directed with discipline and purpose, their combined strength could change the course of history. According to Sonowal, "energy is generated when the qualities within the youth are brought together, and from…

09 Feb

Bajali Scientist Appointed to Key Post in American Physical Society

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Jugal Talukdar, hailing from Bajali district in Lower Assam, has achieved a notable milestone by being appointed Chairman of the Forum on Graduate Student Affairs (FGS) of the American Physical Society (APS), marking him as the first Assamese to achieve this prestigious role. A graduate of Bajali College and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, he earned a bachelor's degree in physics in 2017 and subsequently pursued a PhD at the University of Oklahoma. Talukdar's postdoctoral work in Quantum Information Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) involved collaboration with Nobel laureate Professor H.…

09 Feb

Drones Emerge as New Tool in Northeast Insurgent Groups’ Arsenal

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Insurgent groups in Northeast India are increasingly employing advanced technologies such as drones for surveillance and logistics, causing rising concerns among security agencies and prompting a reassessment of defense capabilities. A Naga insurgent group is reportedly using several surveillance drones, including quadcopters and hexacopters, believed to be sourced through networks in Myanmar’s Kachin region with alleged connections to Chinese suppliers. While these drones are mainly for reconnaissance, officials worry they could be repurposed for offensive actions. Kuki militant groups have also been noted for similar technological advancements, with prior reports indicating experimentation with weaponized drones. A recent incident involved the…

09 Feb

Opposition Leader Approaches Women’s Commission Over Alleged Acts at Assam Rally

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia has formally requested the Assam State Commission for Women to investigate alleged offenses against women leaders of the Congress party that occurred during a "Parivartan Yatra" in the lead-up to Assembly elections. In his letter, Saikia accused individuals affiliated with the ruling BJP of targeting women leaders with obscene and derogatory remarks, thereby compromising their dignity and modesty, specifically during a convoy traveling from Tezpur to Dhekiajuli. The convoy encountered obstruction and violent attacks at Bihaguri, resulting in injuries to several women, including Rupa Kalita Das and Trishna Bora Kakati. Saikia characterized the incidents…

09 Feb

Tea Garden Students Set to Shine at Talent Hunt Grand Finale in Guwahati

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Grand Finale of the Sur Sangam – Tea Garden Student Talent Hunt, a state-wide initiative aimed at fostering music talent among students from tea garden communities, is set to take place at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati on February 10. This project, which is a collaboration between The Hans Foundation and the Department of Secondary Education, Government of Assam, seeks to enhance holistic education and empower young people creatively within these communities. The event will be attended by notable figures, including Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu as the chief guest, and celebrated playback singer Suresh Wadkar, who will also…

08 Feb

Sunrise Spices launches Til Chicken Masala in Assam, bring traditional flavours to modern kitchens

Business BureauBusiness

ITC Ltd.’s Sunrise Spices has launched Sunrise Til Chicken Masala in Assam, introducing what the company describes as a first-of-its-kind spice blend designed to simplify the preparation of the state’s popular festive dish, Til Chicken, while preserving its authentic regional taste. The new product is part of Sunrise’s strategy to develop region-focused spice blends tailored to local culinary traditions. Known for Assam-specific offerings such as Haah Salkumra (Duck Curry with Ashgourd) masala and other traditional meat blends, the brand said the latest launch reflects its continued emphasis on regional consumer insights and local food heritage. Til Chicken, a winter favourite…

07 Feb

Tiger Found Dead in Kaziranga, Preliminary Report Points to Territorial Fight

Paromita EditorAssam

The carcass of an adult male tiger was recovered on Friday morning around 8 am from the western side of Mandir Baneshwar APC area under the Burapahar Range of Ghorakati in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR). Following the recovery, the Director of KNPTR constituted a committee to conduct the post-mortem examination and ensure disposal of the carcass in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) laid down by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Preliminary findings from the post-mortem indicate that the tiger likely died due to injuries sustained in an infight with another tiger. Wildlife experts say…

07 Feb

Gaurav Gogoi’s ‘Pak links’ investigated for sake of national security: Himanta

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said an investigation is being conducted into Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's alleged Pakistan links for the "sake of national security", and any likely impact on politics is "secondary".He claimed that two persons -- a Pakistani national and a British citizen -- have "central roles" in this entire matter, though he did not name either of them.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a government programme in Guwahati, Sarma said, "The state cabinet will discuss the SIT report and decide on the future course of action. One Pakistani citizen and one British citizen…