Assam - The Purbottar

19 Dec

Gogoi Hits Out at Assam CM, Terms Chargesheet in Zubeen Garg Case ‘Character Assassination’

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

On Thursday, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of using the chargesheet related to popular singer Zubeen Garg's death to undermine the singer's reputation instead of pursuing justice. Gogoi characterized the chief minister's actions as intended to tarnish Garg's public image, whom he referred to as “Assam’s Kanchanjunga.” He warned against any efforts to damage the singer's legacy, suggesting that authorities might go to extreme lengths, including pressuring Garg’s family and supporters. The controversy surrounding the case has intensified following a complaint lodged by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Independent MLA Akhil…

19 Dec

PM to Inaugurate India’s First Nature-Themed Airport Terminal in Guwahati During Two-Day Assam Tour Tomorrow

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Guwahati on December 20 for a two-day visit to Assam. Upon his arrival at approximately 3 pm, he will inaugurate the New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, which signifies a significant advancement in the region's connectivity and economic growth. The new terminal, covering around 1.4 lakh square meters, is equipped to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually and includes substantial upgrades to airfield infrastructure. Inspired by Assam’s biodiversity, the terminal features a nature-themed design utilizing 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced Northeast bamboo and elements reflecting Assamese…

19 Dec

Simu Das, a blind World Cup hero, has been appointed a fitness instructor by the Assam Cabinet

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Cabinet has approved the appointment of Simu Das, a visually impaired cricketer from Nagaon who played a pivotal part in India’s recent Women’s T20 Blind World Cup victory, as a physical instructor under the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision after the Cabinet meeting held on December 18. The move is seen as a significant gesture by the State government to recognise sporting excellence among athletes with disabilities. Das earned national attention earlier this year when she delivered a match-winning performance in the World Cup final against Nepal in Colombo.…

19 Dec

ICMR sanctions multi-state project to achieve zero snakebite deaths

Banasree SarkarAssam

To address the severe public health issue of snakebite envenoming (SBE) in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved a ground-breaking, four-year, multi-state research project for Rs 13.5 crore. The goal of the study, "Zero Snakebite Death Initiative: Community Empowerment & Engagement for Mitigation of Snakebite Envenoming," is to create a single, highly successful nationwide strategy for management and prevention. Dr. Jaideep Menon of the Amrita Institute in Kerala will serve as the Principal Investigator for this comprehensive implementation study, which will cover the seven states of Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.…

19 Dec

Gauhati High Court Receives Petition Challenging Ratabari MLA Bijoy Malakar’s Citizenship

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A writ petition has been filed in the Gauhati High Court, challenging the citizenship status of Bijoy Malakar, the MLA representing Ratabari (SC), and seeking his disqualification from the Assam Legislative Assembly. The petition, registered under W.P.(C) No. 7368/2025, invokes Article 226 of the Constitution for the issuance of writs of quo warranto and mandamus regarding Malakar’s eligibility to hold public office. The petitioners, Braja Gopal Sinha and Bijoy Kumar Kanu from Sribhumi district, allege that Malakar and his parents entered Assam after the cut-off date of March 25, 1971, which, according to constitutional provisions, disqualifies him from Indian citizenship.…

19 Dec

New ‘Guwahati Clean Air Plan’ Unveiled by APCB and iForest to Address Pollution

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) has launched a new initiative, the ‘Guwahati Clean Air Plan,’ in collaboration with iForest to combat air quality issues in Guwahati, following the limited success of a prior action plan from 2018. The new strategy was unveiled during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit and is also developed with input from the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation. Pollution sources in Guwahati have been identified predominantly as road dust and vehicular emissions, with road dust from construction activities and roads contributing 37% to the estimated annual PM10 emissions of 1,071 tonnes. Industrial emissions contribute 25%, while transport…

19 Dec

Gauhati High Court Takes Stern Stand on Kaziranga Fishing During Magh Bihu

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Taking serious note of large-scale community fishing within Kaziranga National Park during the Magh Bihu celebrations, the Gauhati High Court has ordered the Assam government and relevant authorities to enforce prohibitory orders against illegal fishing in the protected area. This directive arose during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury, emphasizing that failure to protect Kaziranga would violate multiple laws, including the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The court underscored the need for immediate measures to prevent ecological damage and required the authorities to report on actions taken to…

19 Dec

Congress Completes First Phase of ‘National Talent Hunt’ in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The first phase of the ‘Talent Hunt’ selection process for national spokespersons and media panellists of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) took place on Thursday in Kamrup (Metro) and six other districts of Assam, featuring participation from over 300 candidates across six zones. The event in Guwahati, held at the Manavendra Sharma Complex, was organized by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) under the media and communication department. Key attendees included former MP Ripun Bora, Ram Prasad Sharma, former MLA Mohan Basumatary, along with a senior editor and a Gauhati High Court advocate as jury members. In Jorhat, MLA Bhaskarjyoti…

18 Dec

Assam CM unveils first glimpse of Guwahati Airport’s new terminal

Banasree SarkarAssam

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma gave a preview of the new terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Assam starting on December 20. He described the project as a game-changer for the state's aviation industry. The Chief Minister shared pictures of the almost finished terminal on the social media site X, which prompted a lot of responses from the people. The building was hailed by many as both aesthetically arresting and a representation of Assam's growing infrastructure. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to officially open the new terminal on December…

18 Dec

Where Masks Come Alive: NSD Students Immerse in Majuli’s Living Tradition

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

For the past 15 days, rare and evocative scenes have unfolded at North Kamalabari Satra in Majuli. Under the shade of trees on the banks of the Brahmaputra, students of the National School of Drama (NSD), Tripura, have been learning Assam’s centuries-old mask-making tradition. Young theatre practitioners from Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura immersed themselves in this traditional art form under the guidance of Padma Shri awardee and master artisan Hem Chandra Goswami. Using bamboo, cane, clay and other natural materials, the students crafted masks deeply rooted in Assam’s rich cultural…