Guwahati - The Purbottar

03 Mar

Skywatchers’ Delight as Total Lunar Eclipse Graces the Night; Live Viewing at Guwahati Planetarium

riya EditorGuwahati

A total lunar eclipse is set to occur on Tuesday evening, visible across Northeast India, except for Sikkim. The rest of India will only experience a partial eclipse. The Guwahati Planetarium will host a live viewing for the public and astronomy enthusiasts. According to Indian Standard Time (IST), the eclipse will commence at 3:20 PM and conclude at 6:48 PM, with visibility in Guwahati starting after moonrise at 5:24 PM. This eclipse will be observable in eastern Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and the Americas. The next lunar eclipse viewable from India will be a partial eclipse on July 6,…

24 Feb

Holi Rush Eases as NFR Continues Special Train Operations

riya EditorGuwahati

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced the extension of services for four pairs of Holi special trains from February to March 2026 to accommodate the increased passenger demand during the festive season. The trains include 07046/07047 (Secunderabad - Naharlagun), operating an additional trip in each direction, and 03129/03130 (Kolkata Terminal - New Jalpaiguri), also with one additional trip in both directions. Additionally, train numbers 09189/09190 (Mumbai Central - Katihar) will see six extra trips each way, and the weekly trains 04614/04613 (Amritsar - Katihar) will operate three additional trips in both directions. The services will maintain their existing schedules, timings,…

21 Feb

After 32 Years in Congress, Bhupen Borah Switches Sides Following Meeting with Amit Shah Arranged by Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Senior Assam leader Bhupen Borah met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Assam State Guest House in Koinadhara on Thursday, in what is being seen as a major political development in the state.The meeting took place ahead of Borah’s formal joining of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The development has drawn attention across political circles in Assam.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Borah thanked Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for arranging the interaction. He said the Chief Minister personally took the initiative to facilitate the meeting and also visited his residence before the event. “I would like to thank…

14 Feb

Gauhati High Court Clears Kamakhya Corridor Project After IIT Guwahati Study, Government Rejects Demolition Claims

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Assam Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia has defended the proposed Kamakhya Corridor project, stating that the initiative will not affect the sanctity, structure, or religious practices associated with the historic Kamakhya Temple. Addressing a press conference, Saikia said the project has been carefully planned with scientific studies and court oversight to ensure that the temple and its traditions remain completely untouched.The Advocate General explained that the state government had decided to plan the corridor project after noticing the growing difficulties faced by pilgrims visiting the temple every year. Devotees often encounter heavy congestion along the approach road, with roadside shops…

12 Feb

IIT Guwahati Ties Up with Skyroot Aerospace to Boost Space Research and Innovation

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has partnered Skyroot Aerospace, a leading Indian space launch service provider, with an aim to promote space technology research and innovation. The partnership will open new avenues for the students in the field of advanced aerospace innovation focused on satellite launch collaboration, internships, joint projects, academic course development, facility sharing, and industry-focused training programmes. To formalise the collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Sumana Dutta, Dean, Alumni and External Relations, IIT Guwahati, and Ashwin Mahavadi, Senior Vice President, Skyroot Aerospace. The event took place in the presence of Prof. Devendra Jalihal,…

10 Feb

1,000 Students Sensitised on Rhino Conservation Near Manas National Park

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A comprehensive series of 'Rhino Goes to School' awareness programmes took place over four days across four schools situated in the fringe areas of the Manas National Park & Tiger Reserve (MNP&TR) in Assam, specifically targeting the Bhuyanpara, Kokilabari, and Panbari forest ranges. The initiative reached approximately 1,000 students, emphasizing the significance of wildlife conservation, particularly for the Great one-horned rhinoceros. Led by Dr. C. Ramesh, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of MNP&TR, alongside Dr. Deba Kumar Dutta, Deputy Director of the Rhino Research and Conservation Division (RRCD) at Aaranyak, the programme was implemented in collaboration with…

10 Feb

Rare Hoolock Gibbon Dies After Coming in Contact with Live Railway Line in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

In a distressing event that has raised alarm among conservationists, an endangered hoolock gibbon was electrocuted on a railway line those traverses one of Assam's biologically significant forests. This incident underscores the critical threats that the electrified railway poses to wildlife, particularly to tree-dwelling species such as hoolock gibbons. The recent electrification of the railway line, executed without adequate protective measures, has exacerbated the risks to these animals. Forest officials confirmed that the deceased was an adult male gibbon found in the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Mariani in Jorhat district. Arboreal species like gibbons typically avoid descending to…

10 Feb

Tawang Hosts Capacity Building Programme on Bio-Fortified Rice

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A day-long capacity building training and interaction programme focusing on bio-fortified rice varieties was held at Zomkhang Hall in Tawang, organized by KVK Tawang in association with ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad Telangana. The event featured Keertika Kashyap from NABARD as the chief guest, alongside guest of honour Nawang Chonzom and several other dignitaries including Dr. C. N. Neeraja, Dr. Jyoti Badri, Dr. Kalyani M, Dr. Veerendra Jaldhani, Tashi Lungtan, and Jambey Tenzin. Farmers were educated about the suitability and benefits of bio-fortified rice varieties for hilly regions, focusing on their nutritional and agronomic advantages. The programme commenced with…

09 Feb

Drones Emerge as New Tool in Northeast Insurgent Groups’ Arsenal

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Insurgent groups in Northeast India are increasingly employing advanced technologies such as drones for surveillance and logistics, causing rising concerns among security agencies and prompting a reassessment of defense capabilities. A Naga insurgent group is reportedly using several surveillance drones, including quadcopters and hexacopters, believed to be sourced through networks in Myanmar’s Kachin region with alleged connections to Chinese suppliers. While these drones are mainly for reconnaissance, officials worry they could be repurposed for offensive actions. Kuki militant groups have also been noted for similar technological advancements, with prior reports indicating experimentation with weaponized drones. A recent incident involved the…

05 Feb

Major Drug Bust in Guwahati: ₹2 Cr Heroin Recovered, 2 Nabbed

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A raid conducted by the Gorchuk Police Station in the Ananda Nagar area of Guwahati resulted in the seizure of 360 grams of heroin, which was packed in 30 soap boxes. This operation was triggered by intelligence received regarding drug trafficking activities. Two individuals, Shahrukh Ahmed from Amariya in Barpeta and Jainul Khan from Rahampur, also in Barpeta, were arrested in connection with the arrest. During the raid, authorities confiscated three mobile phones, including an iPhone, from the suspects. The heroin is believed to have been smuggled from Champai in Mizoram, with its estimated value exceeding Rs 2 crore on…