Assam - The Purbottar

16 Jun

Raju Dhakal emerges as a pillar of hope for Assam’s Gorkhas

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), one name that is making a quiet but strong impact is Raju Dhakal. Known for his humility and determination, Dhakal has become a respected leader for the Gorkha community and beyond. He serves as the General Secretary of the Assam Gorkha Sammelan (AGS), the oldest and most influential Gorkha organization in the state. He is also the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Through these roles, Dhakal is playing a key part in shaping a more inclusive and fair future for thousands of…

14 Jun

Dhubri under tight security after communal cl*shes

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced a 'shoot-at-sight' order in Dhubri town, following a series of disturbing communal incidents that have gripped the border district. The directive comes in response to escalating tensions sparked by the alleged placing of cow heads near a Hanuman temple and subsequent stone-pelting incidents in the area. The Chief Minister, who landed in Dhubri around 11 am on June 13, wasted no time in assessing the ground situation. He held a high-level review meeting at the Circuit House with top officials from the district administration and police department. Ahead of his visit,…

13 Jun

NERFMTTI action to cultivate litchi in Biswanath

Banasree SarkarAssam

The North Eastern Region Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (NERFMTTI) (V), located at Biswanath Chariali, initiated a drive towards litchi production in response to the increasing demand for the Assamese product on a global scale. In this regard, on Wednesday, about one hundred premium litchi seedlings were planted on 2.5 acres of land in cooperation with Tezpur Litchi Gardens. The institute's director, P. Kamalabai, reported that "of these, 20 Bombay varieties and 80 other variety litchi seedlings have been planted." The director added that the area's greening in honor of World Environment Day will also contribute to a rise…

13 Jun

Famous dancer Sonal Mansingh honoured by Assam Government

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Renowned classical dancer and cultural icon Dr. Sonal Mansingh has been conferred with the Srimanta Sankardeva Award 2023 by the Government of Assam in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Indian classical dance, cultural preservation, and social advocacy. The award was presented to her by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a formal ceremony held in Guwahati. The Srimanta Sankardeva Award, named after the 15th-century saint, reformer, and cultural pioneer Srimanta Sankardeva, is one of Assam's most prestigious honours. It was instituted in 1986 to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of art, culture, and social…

09 Jun

Assam reels under floods, over 24,000 in relief camps

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The flood situation in Assam has turned increasingly grim, with three more lives claimed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of flood-related deaths this year to 20. The latest bulletin from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) paints a distressing picture as tens of thousands grapple with displacement, loss of livelihoods, and destruction of property.Despite the fact that no rivers are currently flowing above the danger level, the widespread impact of the deluge continues to disrupt normal life across several districts. As per official data, the floods have ravaged 11 districts including Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Kamrup,…

07 Jun

Bhutan delegation in Assam, Meghalaya on 6-day visit

Mohini BarmanAssam

A nine-member delegation from Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) arrived on Saturday at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here on a six-day visit to Assam and Meghalaya, an official said. The delegation was scheduled to visit Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and the Hayagriva Madhava Mandir at Hajo in Kamrup district on Saturday. The delegation will visit the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Umananda or the Peacock Island, the Guwahati Tea Auction centre and the Royal Bhutan Consul General's Office here on Sunday.

07 Jun

CM of Assam directs ground reaction in Barak Valley & issues urgent flood relief order

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a determined response to the worsening flood situation in Barak Valley, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma undertook an extensive visit to the flood-affected districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi on Thursday, directing district officials to ensure immediate relief supplies and emergency measures for affected communities. Reviewing the on-ground conditions firsthand, Sarma instructed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of Cachar and Hailakandi districts to prioritize the swift distribution of essential supplies such as food, drinking water, and medicine. Special emphasis was laid on addressing the needs of vulnerable groups including the elderly, children, and lactating mothers who are bearing the brunt…

07 Jun

The flood situation in Assam is dire even though river levels are dropping

Banasree SarkarAssam

More than 4.43 lakh people from 16 Assamese districts were still impacted by the floods, despite the fact that major rivers, such as the Brahmaputra, were moving downward. No fatalities from the flooding throughout the day were reported, however one person was reported missing in Kamrup (Metro). The current first wave of floods and landslides caused by torrential rains has killed 21 persons in the state thus far. 1,296 villages across the 54 revenue circles in 16 districts have been impacted by the floods, and 2,96,765 animals are currently being impacted by the current wave, while 16,558.59 hectares of crops…

06 Jun

Lovlina launches boxing academy in Guwahati; Assam CM pledges Rs 2 crore support

Mohini BarmanAssam

Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has unveiled her boxing academy in Barchandra in north Guwahati and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a grant of Rs 2 crore for its development. Set up on land purchased by Borgohain in 2021, the Lovlina Borgohain Boxing Academy, inaugurated on Wednesday, aims to provide grassroots boxers with professional infrastructure, including a 26x26 boxing ring and a fully equipped gym. The centre is Guwahati’s first of its kind and will cater to youth from across Assam and the northeast.

05 Jun

CM’s flood link warning is echoed by the SC alert on USTM

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Supreme Court’s recent notice on the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) has validated his earlier assertions linking the institution to Guwahati’s chronic urban flooding. Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Sarma struck a vindicated tone, stating, “When I talked about USTM, many people laughed at me and said I was bluffing because flood water cannot be stopped. But today, the Supreme Court has issued a notice in this matter. That itself proves that there is substance in what I said.” The Chief Minister’s remarks came in light of the apex court's…