Assam - The Purbottar

14 Jan

Magh Bihu celebrated across Assam with fervor

Deep EditorAssam

Assambcelebrated the annual harvest festival Magh Bihu with great traditional fervour on Tuesday as people burnt traditional Meji (bonfire) in the morning. The bonfires are usually made with firewood, green bamboo, hay, and dried banana leaves. On the occasion, young people take blessings (Ashirbad) from elders, reinforcing bonds of respect and love within families. Across the state, traditional sports such as buffalo fights, cockfights, egg-breaking competitions, and Tekeli Bhanga (breaking of pots) are also held. People prepare a variety of mouthwatering delicacies made from rice, including pithas, laddoos, and a host of other traditional dishes, which are served generously to…

14 Jan

Assam CM urges students to adapt to AI, robotics, and quantum physics

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed his firm belief that the youth of the state will play a pivotal role in shaping its future, particularly by embracing new technologies and innovation. Speaking at a gathering where he felicitated 1,517 meritorious students from his Jalukbari constituency, Sarma highlighted the government's focus on empowering the younger generation with the skills needed to thrive in the ever-evolving global landscape. Sarma emphasized the importance of keeping pace with technological advancements, urging students to stay relevant by adapting to fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, 3D printing, augmented reality, and quantum physics.…

13 Jan

Assam Guv, CM greet people on ‘Bhogali Bihu’

Deep EditorAssam

Assam Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extended greetings to people of the state on the occasion of 'Bhogali Bihu’, beginning from Monday.''The festive celebration embodies the spirit of unity, brotherhood and camaraderie, transcending boundaries of caste, creed, religion, and language'', the governor said in a statement. ‘Bhogali Bihu’ is a vibrant festival of feasting, fun and mutual respect, where 'mejis' (different structures made from hay) play an important role in making the festival unique, he said.

13 Jan

Centre approves oil drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Sanctuary

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Centre's wildlife panel has approved oil and gas exploratory drilling within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Assam’s Jorhat district. The approval was granted during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, on December 21. The project, proposed by Vedanta Group's Cairn Oil & Gas, had earlier received a recommendation from Assam’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden in August 2024. The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Environment Ministry also granted in-principle approval during its…

13 Jan

Panchayati Polls to be held in Assam in April

Deep EditorAssam

The Gauhati High Court allowed panchayat elections in Assam except in areas mentioned in nine petitions through which the delimitation exercise was challenged in the court. A bench of Justice Soumitra Saikia gave the verdict on Friday, and a copy of the order was made available on Sunday. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said panchayat polls can now be held only after completion of class 10 and 12 board examinations, in late March or mid-April.

13 Jan

Oil and gas exploratory drilling to begin in Assam’s Jorhat soon

Deep EditorAssam

The Centre's wildlife panel has approved a proposal to carry out oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam's Jorhat district. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, approved the proposal by Vedanta Group's Cairn Oil & Gas during its meeting on December 21, according to the minutes of the meeting. Assam’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden had recommended clearance for the project in August last year, citing "national interest".

11 Jan

10-month-old detected with HMPV, first case this season in Assam: Officials

Deep EditorAssam

A 10-month-old child has been detected with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection, the first such case this season in Assam, officials said on Saturday. The child is undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh and is "stable" now, they said. AMCH Superintendent Dr Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan said the child was admitted to the state-run hospital with cold-related symptoms four days ago.

11 Jan

Sarbananda Sonowal revealed a plan to create inland waterways for Rs 50,000 crore

Banasree SarkarAssamSarbananda Sonowal

Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, unveiled a Rs 50,000 crore plan to build inland waterways in India on January 10, 2025, at the second meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council. According to the grand plan, the nation's waterways infrastructure would be developed during the following five years. The Riverine Community Development Scheme, which focuses on community development around national waterways, is one of the plan's key components. It will support the preservation of traditional riverine knowledge, skill development, and trade and tourism. Vessel traffic on waterways will also be regulated with the implementation of…

11 Jan

Second victim recovered in Umrangso mine tragedy, rescue efforts ongoing

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Rescue teams at the Umrangso coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district recovered a second body on Friday, raising the death toll in the ongoing tragedy to two. Efforts to locate the remaining seven miners, trapped since January 6, continue amidst challenging conditions. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the recovery on his official X handle, expressing condolences to the bereaved families. “Rescue efforts in Umrangso continue with unwavering resolve. Tragically, another body was recovered this morning, with the identity yet to be confirmed. Our hearts go out to the grieving, as we hold onto hope and strength in…

11 Jan

Red Cross Hospital Guwahati gets Hans Renal Care Centre

Deep EditorAssam

In a significant step towards enhancing healthcare accessibility in Assam, The Hans Foundation (THF) and the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Assam State Branch (ASB), inaugurated the Hans Renal Care Centre at Red Cross Hospital, Chandmari, Guwahati. This state-of-the-art dialysis unit will provide free-of-cost, high-quality renal care services, bridging a critical gap in healthcare access across the region. Assam Governor and the President of IRCS, ASB Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the renal care centre. The event also witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including A K Absar Hazarika, Chairman- Indian Red Cross Society, Assam State Branch, Sandeep J Kapur, CEO-…