Assam

ManipalCigna Health Insurance has intensified its efforts to expand access to quality healthcare across Northeast India through its flagship product ManipalCigna Sarvah, which was recognised as the Product of the Year 2025 in the health insurance category following a consumer survey conducted by NielsenIQ. Designed to simplify and widen the reach of health insurance, the product offers comprehensive and flexible coverage tailored to the evolving medical needs of families across the Northeast, ranging from essential protection for first-time buyers to advanced plans featuring innovative benefits such as zero waiting period options. As part of its regional expansion strategy, the company…

Assam Rifles flagged off “The Eastern Edge Expedition” on 18 February 2026 from Pangsau Pass, Arunachal Pradesh to Jorhat, Assam, in partnership with Hero MotoCorp. The rally scheduled from 18 February 2026 to 02 March 2026 under Operation Sadbhavana 2025–26, celebrates resilience, camaraderie and the indomitable spirit of the Northeast. The expedition aims to showcase the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture and immense potential of the region while fostering unity and national integration. Covering challenging terrains and remote routes, the rally stands as a tribute to the endurance and determination that define both the Armed Forces and the people of the…

The Congress MLAs staged a walkout in the Assam Assembly's Budget session today, demanding disqualification of its two MLAs who had joined the Raijor Dal recently.As soon as the House assembled, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia sought the Speaker's ruling on two notices submitted by the Congress against the two legislators.Abdur Rashid Mandal and Sherman Ali Ahmed, who were suspended by the Congress earlier, had joined the Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal.Speaker Biswajit Daimary maintained that he just received the notices and would need time to go through them.The Congress did not expel the two MLAs but expected that the Speaker…

In a significant step towards mitigating human-elephant conflict (HEC) inAssam, leading biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, with support from SBIFoundation, has successfully installed a nearly 10-kilometre-long community-managedsolar-powered fence system in Bhangrikuchi village of Baksa district in Assam.The initiative covers 18 hamlets and safeguards the croplands and around 285 householdsthat have long faced conflicts with wild elephants.Bhangrikuchi has been highly vulnerable to frequent encounters with wild elephants, leadingto severe damage to agricultural fields and residential property.The newly-installed fence system provides a safe, non-lethal and eco-friendly deterrent toelephants besides discouraging use of illegal and hazardous electric fence to ward off wildelephants.Beyond protection, the…

At KASA Stadium in Diphu, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma gave checks to recipients of important welfare and empowerment programs. In an effort to assist traditional Karbi priests, known locally as "Cruisers of Karbi Aron Barim," the Chief Minister gave checks to 7,298 recipients who were in attendance. He promised that before the next Assembly elections, the remaining recipients would get their money. CM Sarma also declared that the yearly support for these traditional priests would be raised to Rs 12,000 starting the following year. CM Sarma also gave the first seed capital checks of Rs 75,000 apiece to…

The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the upcoming biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha, with polling for three seats in Assam set to take place on March 16. The announcement was made on Wednesday through an official press note, which also confirmed that elections will be held across 10 states to fill 37 seats that will fall vacant in April 2026 as the current members complete their terms. In Assam, the terms of three sitting Rajya Sabha members — Rameswar Teli, Bhubaneswar Kalita and Ajit Kumar Bhuyan — are coming to an end. The election will…

Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Principal Professor Achyut Baishya has been accused of workplace harassment by a senior woman doctor. A government inquiry has been ordered into the matter. The allegation includes claims of sustained harassment and professional victimization. The complainant, an Associate Professor and former Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology at GMCH filed a formal complaint with the Chief Minister’s Office on February 6. In her complaint, she alleged that the principal made inappropriate remarks, sought private meetings outside official settings and created administrative obstacles that affected her professional work. She also claimed that she faced…

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the schedule for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections aimed at filling 37 vacant seats across 10 states, with three seats specifically in Assam, due to the expiration of terms for current members in April 2026. In Assam, the elections are prompted by the termination of terms for BJP representatives Rameswar Teli and Bhubaneswar Kalita, alongside independent member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan. The polling is set for March 16, operating from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with vote counting occurring the same day at 5:00 pm. To maintain standardization and minimize errors, the ECI…

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress general secretary and MP, has rescheduled her visit to Assam for February 19-20 as part of her role in the screening committee for selecting party candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls. Accompanying her will be the three other members of the committee: Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Imran Masood, and Sirivella Prasad. Their task includes shortlisting candidates and conducting internal consultations. Priyanka has implemented a new strategy, wherein committee members are assigned to five districts each to gather local feedback on potential candidates, contrasting with the traditional practice of meetings in Delhi. Prior to her visit, a significant…

Doctors at Peerless Hospital Guwahati successfully conducted a revision joint replacement surgery on a 43-year-old woman suffering from implant failure after previous bilateral total hip arthroplasty. The patient experienced debilitating discomfort and mobility issues due to complications from the earlier procedure. Following a clinical evaluation, revision surgery was deemed necessary to correct the implant failure and restore her functional stability. The operation was performed by orthopedic specialist Dr. Rituraj Neog under the ESIC scheme and proceeded without complications. Post-surgery, the patient exhibited significant improvement, regaining stability within three days, with expectations to gradually resume daily activities over the coming weeks…