Assam - The Purbottar

24 Sep

Authorities honor Zubeen Garg as Manas National Park reopens to visitors

Banasree SarkarAssam

A new season of ecotourism in Assam has begun with the official reopening of the Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Harmony between environment and culture was symbolized by the awareness march held to commemorate the reopening, which echoed the Harinaam devotional chanting. Suman Mahapatra, Central Divisional Head of the BTR Forest Department, opened the park's main entrance and conducted a sorrowful one-minute silence in honor of Zubeen Garg, the beloved vocalist from Assam who just passed away. Speaking to the media, Mahapatra urged guests to use caution and responsibility when touring the sanctuary. "The wildlife has benefited…

24 Sep

Assam will use an online platform to disperse Zubeen Garg’s ashes, and memorial services are scheduled in Kamarkuchi and Jorhat

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam government has announced an unprecedented step to honour the memory of late singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, whose sudden demise on September 19 left millions across the state and beyond in grief. Authorities have decided to make the ashes from his funeral pyre available to organisations and individuals through a specially created online application system. Alongside, permanent memorials are set to come up at Kamarkuchi near Guwahati and Jorhat, the two places closely associated with the celebrated artiste. The announcement was made by Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu at Kamarkuchi, where Garg was cremated with…

23 Sep

Karbi Anglong shuts down Eradigholpani village due to an outbreak of ASF

Banasree SarkarAssam

Assam's government has formally designated Eradigholpani village, located in the Karbi Anglong district's Howraghat Development Block, as the epicenter of an epidemic of African Swine Fever (ASF). Nirola Phangchopi, ACS, the District Magistrate of Karbi Anglong, issued prohibitory measures to prevent, control, and eradicate ASF in the area with immediate effect in an effort to slow the development of this extremely contagious disease. All settlements within 10 kilometers of Eradigholpani village are under the Surveillance Zone, while the area within one kilometer is known as the Infected Zone. Transportation of live pigs, pork, or pork products into or out of…

23 Sep

‘Goodbye infiltrators,’ says Himanta as Assam pushes back 37 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants

Mohini BarmanAssam

Thirty-seven illegal Bangladeshis were "pushed back" by Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday. He said that all infiltrators will be dealt with in a similar manner. "Good bye infiltrators; your time's up in Assam! 37 uninvited guests have been PUSHED BACK to their own homeland in Bangladesh from the Sribhumi sector," Sarma said in a post on X, sharing blurred photos of men, women and children. Details on the exact timing of the operation were not immediately available. Sarma emphasised that the state is maintaining a weekly pushback routine, with 35-40 people being sent back regularly, bypassing lengthy…

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…