Assam - The Purbottar

23 Sep

Assam says goodbye to Zubeen Garg with tears in their eyes as sister Palme Borthakur lights the cremation pyre

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam came to a standstill on Tuesday as thousands gathered to bid farewell to the state’s most beloved musical icon, Zubeen Garg. The funeral of the legendary singer, composer, and actor was held with full honour and reverence at Kamarkuchi NC village under the Sonapur revenue circle, nearly 20 kilometres from Guwahati. In a rare departure from tradition, Zubeen’s sister, Palme Borthakur, performed the mukhagni ritual, lighting the funeral pyre of her brother. She was joined by Arun Garg and Rahul Gautam Sarma in giving the last fire. The decision to have his sister lead the final rites reflected the…

22 Sep

Tea garden workers in Assam to get 20% bonus ahead of Durga Puja

Banasree SarkarAssam

In anticipation of the Durga Puja festivities, the Assam government has granted a 20% bonus for employees working at tea gardens run by the Assam Tea Corporation, providing much-needed financial respite. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting on September 22, when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the government's emphasis on helping the state's tea industry workers throughout the holiday season. Workers in tea gardens, who are an important component of Assam's economy and have been demanding improved pay and working conditions in recent years, will greatly benefit from the bonus. The cabinet approved the construction of the…

22 Sep

Fans come first for Himanta at Zubeen’s tribute: no VIP culture

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday made it clear that the final tributes to music legend Zubeen Garg must remain a people’s event, free from the trappings of VIP culture. As the state continues to mourn the untimely demise of the celebrated singer, the government and family members are finalizing arrangements for his last rites, ensuring that his fans are at the heart of every farewell ceremony. Zubeen Garg, who passed away in Singapore on September 19, was brought back to Assam on Saturday. His mortal remains were kept at Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati, where thousands of…

22 Sep

Assam: Hagrama Mohilary casts vote in Debargaon, confident of BPF’s return to power

Mohini BarmanAssam

Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief and former Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief executive member, Hagrama Mohilary, exercised his franchise today at the Debargaon Higher Secondary School polling station in Kokrajhar district during the ongoing BTC elections. He was accompanied by his family members. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Mohilary exuded confidence in his party’s performance, asserting that the BPF would secure a clear majority and return to power in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). “The people of BTR have faith in the leadership and vision of the BPF. We are confident of forming the next government,” Mohilary said.…

22 Sep

Assam cabinet approves establishment of 10th Assam Police battalion

Mohini BarmanAssam

The state cabinet approved the establishment of the 10th Assam Police battalion at Sonapure near here at a cost of Rs 260 crore, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The meeting, held on Sunday, also approved a 20-per cent bonus to workers of tea gardens under the Assam Tea Corporation on the occasion of Durga Puja, Sarma told reporters here. Besides, the cabinet cleared the setting up of question papers of the Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination (CCE) to be conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) in both English and Assamese languages, to remove the language barrier for candidates,…

20 Sep

Assam laments Zubeen Garg: CM’s visit, midnight vigils, and statewide lamentations

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam is reeling from the sudden loss of its most beloved cultural icon, Zubeen Garg. The celebrated singer, composer, and actor, known fondly as “Zubeen Da,” passed away at the age of 52 in Singapore on Friday. His death has left the state engulfed in grief, with thousands taking to the streets to honor his memory, while the government and schools declared rare gestures of mourning. On Friday night, Guwahati turned into a city of sorrow. From Zoo Road to Ganeshguri and the lanes of Kahilipara, people poured into the streets to pay their respects. Candlelight vigils lit up the…

20 Sep

Greening the Future: 10,000 saplings planted in Margherita during Seva Saptah

Banasree SarkarAssam

Government schools in the Margherita Co-District Education Block participated in a tree planting campaign as part of "Seva Hi Samarpan: Seva Saptah." On the third day of the weeklong celebration, 11,297 kids from 138 schools participated in the event and planted 10,350 seedlings on school property and some outside their homes. The Margherita co-district administration required all participating schools to plant 75 trees, guaranteeing broad involvement and a significant ecological impact. The heads of the respective institutions, members of the School Management Committee (SMC) and School Management and Development Committee (SMDC), as well as the kids' parents and guardians, were…

19 Sep

As Assam experiences a second wave of flooding, about 50,000 people are impacted

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reports that Assam has seen its second wave of floods this year, affecting about 50,000 people in five districts as a result of intense rains. The districts of Golaghat, Cachar, Sonitpur, Nagaon, and Bishwanath have all been submerged; however, Golaghat has been hit the hardest, with 32,217 people writhing under the floodwaters. 13,409 people have been reported impacted in Sonitpur, and neighboring districts have also been seriously impacted. A number of rivers, such as the Dikhou in Sivasagar, the Dhansiri in Golaghat, the Barak in Cachar, and the Kushiara in Sribhumi, are flowing…

19 Sep

All those who arrived prior to 1971 are Indian. Assam CM claims that the D-voter problem is almost resolved

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the longstanding problem of “D-voters” (doubtful voters) in the state is close to being resolved, bringing relief to thousands of families who have lived for years under a shadow of uncertainty. Addressing the media on Wednesday, the Chief Minister revealed that the number of people, particularly Bengali Hindus, listed as doubtful voters has dropped dramatically over the past five years. According to Sarma, the figure has come down from nearly two lakh to about 25,000 today. “If the current pace continues, I am confident that the problem will be almost entirely…

18 Sep

On PM Modi’s birthday, Assam launches ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan’ with 4,297 health camps

Banasree SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the state-wide ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan’, an initiative aimed at strengthening women’s health, dignity, and empowerment. Synchronised with the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the campaign kicked off with 4,297 health camps across the state on September 17. Officials confirmed that from September 17 to October 2, a total of 14,690 health camps will be organized in all 35 districts of Assam, delivering essential healthcare services to women and families. Chief Minister Sarma said the programme reflects the state’s commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare for women and building healthier families,…