Assam - The Purbottar

29 Nov

A Sustainable Way to Improve Human-Elephant Coexistence in Udalguri, Assam: Mustard Cultivation

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

To mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC) and support communities affected by crop damage, Aaranyak, with LIC HFL's CSR initiative, has promoted mustard cultivation as an alternative to traditional crops like paddy. Mustard is less palatable to elephants, thereby reducing raiding incidents. In October-November 2025, 150 kg of mustard seeds were distributed to 45 farmers across several villages in Assam's Udalguri District, which frequently suffers from elephant-related agricultural losses. This initiative, based on a needs assessment, aims to bolster livelihoods and foster coexistence between humans and elephants by providing a safer crop option that enhances food security and income stability for local…

28 Nov

Assam Assembly to Introduce Detention Room for Disruptive MLAs

Sonakshi SarkarAssam, Guwahati

In a significant move aimed at strengthening parliamentary discipline, the Assam Legislative Assembly has decided to set up a dedicated detention room within the Assembly complex to hold suspended MLAs who disrupt proceedings. Speaker Biswajit Daimary confirmed that the Assembly Secretariat will soon draft the detailed rules and operational procedures for the facility. The decision comes in the wake of repeated disruptions by suspended MLA Akhil Gogoi, including fresh uproar during Question Hour today. Gogoi has frequently clashed with the Treasury Bench, prompting multiple suspensions in recent sessions. Following the latest incident, Minister Bimal Borah backed the idea of creating…

27 Nov

Gaurav Gogoi demands machine-readable electoral rolls and accuses the chief minister of Assam of trying to add outsiders to the voter list.

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Assembly was informed by the education minister that close to 1,400 government-run primary and middle schools in the state’s char and rural areas continue to operate without basic drinking water and toilet facilities, exposing glaring infrastructure gaps in the education sector. Additionally, nearly 28,000 teaching positions remain vacant across these regions. Responding to a question raised by Congress MLA Wajed Ali Choudhury during Question Hour, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said 1,391 Lower Primary (LP) and Middle English (ME) schools currently lack functional drinking water or toilet infrastructure. Of these, 347 schools have no drinking … Gaurav Gogoi Accuses…

27 Nov

Gaurav Gogoi, the president of the Assam Congress, escapes unharmed following a car collision in Jorhat

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Congress president and deputy leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi had a narrow escape after his car met with an accident in Jorhat district on Thursday morning. However, the driver received injuries after the vehicle hit a bridge. The left side of the car was damaged in the mishap. The driver was immediately rushed to the hospital.

27 Nov

Assam cabinet clears ST status for six communities, okays textile heritage museum

Banasree SarkarAssam

In a landmark move aimed at strengthening community inclusion and preserving Assam’s cultural heritage, the Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved key policy decisions during its recent meeting. In a significant development, the Cabinet cleared the report recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six major communities in the state: Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, and the Tea Tribes (Adivasis). The report, prepared by a Group of Ministers (GoM) led by Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu, with Ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta as members, will now be placed before the Assam Legislative Assembly and…

27 Nov

Assam Cabinate Approves Report On ST Status Communities

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Cabinet has approved the report of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six major communities – Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis) – of the state. Addressing mediapersons in Guwahati late Wednesday evening after chairing the Cabinet meeting, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the report of the Group of Ministers would be placed in the Assam Legislative Assembly, and thereafter, submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Notably, the three member GoM was headed by Ranoj Pegu with other two members being…

27 Nov

Assamese cinema steals the spotlight at IFFI 2025

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assamese cinema cast a luminous spell at IFFI 2025 as the teams behind two remarkable works—'Bhaimon Da’ (Feature Film) and ‘Patralekha’ (Non-Feature Short Film) opened their hearts and creative journeys to an enthralled audience during a warm, emotionally charged press conference. Steeped in the cultural soul of Assam, both films stood as heartfelt tributes to two towering artistic giants: Munin Barua, the beloved Bhaimon Da of Assamese cinema, and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the musical maestro whose voice continues to echo across generations. Their legacies pulsed through the stories, visuals, and emotions presented, making the moment not just a festival appearance,…

25 Nov

Assam Christian Forums Expresses Serious Concern About the Fee Regulation Bill, Fearing the Erosion of Missionary Education Legacy and Minority Rights

Sonakshi SarkarAssam, Education

The Assam Christian Forums (ACF), representing Christian communities and their rights across the state, today expressed profound alarm at the Assam Cabinet's approval of the Assam Private Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Amendment Bill, 2025. This proposed law, set for tabling in the Assembly on November 25, would strip away long-standing protections for minority-run schools, by allowing unchecked government control over their fee structures.In simple terms, the Bill ends the previous hands-off approach for minority schools and hands the state sweeping powers to fix fees, monitor collections, and intervene at will. For Christian missionary institutions – which have been pillars…

25 Nov

Assam CM unveils high-tech Agriculture Hub in Khetri under Indo-Israel project

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Center of Excellence for Vegetables in Khetri in Kamrup (Metro) district was opened on November 24 by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. It is a flagship facility created under the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project to bring state-of-the-art agricultural technologies. Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora and Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar attended the inauguration ceremony, which marked a significant turning point in India-Israel collaboration in contemporary irrigation and farming. Speaking at the function, Chief Minister Sarma stated that the recently established facility exemplifies the solid agricultural innovation collaboration between Israel and India. He thanked the visiting delegation and the…

25 Nov

1,300 “Lachits” recreate the legacy of Lachit Borphukan by marching alongside Hengdang in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a powerful public display of Assamese pride and historical remembrance, a massive procession of 1,300 participants—each symbolically representing legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan—marched along the Sootea–Jamugurihat stretch on Monday. Carrying traditional hengdang (Ahom-era swords), the participants walked more than 10 kilometres, turning the entire route into a vibrant celebration of courage, culture, and collective memory. The march, organised on the occasion of Lachit Divas, drew widespread attention from locals who lined up along the highway to witness the spectacle. The event was coordinated by Kanyaka Bohumukhi Krishi Pam, which now aims to enter the feat into the Assam Book…