Guwahati - The Purbottar

12 Dec

Massive Guwahati Commercial Complex Fire Contained After 40 Hours; Safety Checks Underway

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A massive blaze that swept through a commercial complex housing a shopping mall and two SBI branches in Guwahati was finally brought under control on Thursday evening—nearly 40 hours after it began—officials said. Fire tenders from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Guwahati Refinery joined the state fire services in the prolonged operation. The fire broke out around 12.30 am on Wednesday at Swagata Square Complex, located at ABC Point. The building includes the premium and commercial banking branches of the State Bank of India (SBI) as well as the popular shopping mall Sohum Emporia. A senior Fire and…

11 Dec

Aqua North East Summit on Dec 12 to Spotlight Aquaculture Growth in the Region

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Aqua North East Summit 2025, organized by Aqua Doctor Solutions and Fishery.News, will take place on December 12 in Guwahati. This event aims to transform the aquaculture landscape in Northeast India by focusing on technology-driven practices, stakeholder coordination, and investment promotion. It will address critical issues such as productivity gaps, scientific adoption, market linkages, value-chain inefficiencies, and climate vulnerabilities. Participants include government bodies, institutions, startups, cooperatives, and progressive farmers. Key topics will cover species diversification, cold-chain development, AI and IoT technologies, sustainability, and financial inclusion via government schemes like PMMSY. The summit will feature networking sessions, product showcases, and…

09 Dec

Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum 2025 Draws Global Leaders in Sustainability

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum (EHNF) 2025 will be held on December 10-11 and aims to unite global leaders in sustainability, corporate strategists, and innovators to advance ecological resilience and sustainable development in the Eastern Himalayas. This year’s forum will utilize a multi-venue format hosted by four prominent academic institutions in Assam—Gauhati University, IIT Guwahati, Cotton University, and Assam Royal Global University—featuring thematic sessions on Sustainable Land Futures, Water & Energy, Forests & Biodiversity, and Sustainability & Social Entrepreneurship. During a press briefing, key figures such as Ranjit Barthakur (Balipara Foundation), Dr. Narayan Sharma (Cotton University), and Dr. Hemen Deka…

02 Dec

IIT-Guwahati Alumna Wins Prestigious 2025 Quad Fellowship

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Souraja Kundu, an alumna of the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G), has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Quad Fellowship. The Fellowship aims to foster cross-national collaboration, interdisciplinary innovation, and leadership development. A graduate from the Batch of 2021–25, Souraja had received her B. Tech. degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering during the 27th Convocation of IIT Guwahati. She is also a recipient of the Governor of Assam Gold Medal. Considered as one of the world’s most competitive international fellowships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), it will enable Souraja to pursue her Ph.D. in Machine Learning at Carnegie Mellon…

01 Dec

SBI Green Marathon Season 6 is held in Guwahati, promoting sustainability via athletics

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The SBI Green Marathon Season 6 took place in Guwahati, attracting over 4,000 participants to the Sarusajai Sports Complex on Sunday, reinforcing its commitment to fitness and environmental sustainability. Following successful events in Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal, and Visakhapatnam, the marathon emphasized its core message, "Run for a Greener India," in the backdrop of Guwahati's scenic hills and the Brahmaputra river, showcasing the city's dedication to eco-conscious living and community welfare. Key dignitaries such as Shri Prabhas Bose, Chief General Manager, SBI Guwahati Circle; Shri Safal Tripathi, General Manager, Network 1; Shri Amaresh Kr Jha, General Manager, Network 2; and Shri…

01 Dec

Guwahati Hosts SBI Green Marathon Season 6, Champions Sustainability Through Sport

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The SBI Green Marathon Season 6 made a spirited stop in Guwahati on Sunday, drawing more than 4,000 participants to the Sarusajai Sports Complex in a powerful display of fitness and environmental commitment. After successful runs across Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal, and Visakhapatnam, the event brought its signature message — Run for a Greener India — to the heart of Assam. Set against the rolling hills and the serene Brahmaputra, Guwahati offered an ideal backdrop for the marathon’s sustainability-focused mission. Fitness enthusiasts, families, students, and contingents from the Assam Police, para-military forces and the Armed Forces joined the event, underscoring the…

29 Nov

Assam Raj Bhavan renamed Lok Bhavan

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Raj Bhavan in Guwahati will now be called ‘Lok Bhavan’. Raj Bhavan Assam has been renamed and shall henceforth be referred to as 'Lok Bhavan, Assam', said an official statement. The decision was taken in pursuance of the suggestion of the Governors' Conference held in 2024 and the consequent communique from the Ministry of Home Affairs vide Memo No.7/10/2025 (Part)-M&G dated 25/11/2025 wherein it has been requested for renaming the offices of the Governors of States as 'Lok Bhavan' instead of 'Raj Bhavan'.

28 Nov

Assam Assembly to Introduce Detention Room for Disruptive MLAs

Sonakshi SarkarAssam, Guwahati

In a significant move aimed at strengthening parliamentary discipline, the Assam Legislative Assembly has decided to set up a dedicated detention room within the Assembly complex to hold suspended MLAs who disrupt proceedings. Speaker Biswajit Daimary confirmed that the Assembly Secretariat will soon draft the detailed rules and operational procedures for the facility. The decision comes in the wake of repeated disruptions by suspended MLA Akhil Gogoi, including fresh uproar during Question Hour today. Gogoi has frequently clashed with the Treasury Bench, prompting multiple suspensions in recent sessions. Following the latest incident, Minister Bimal Borah backed the idea of creating…

26 Nov

IIT-G Creates Cutting-Edge Epoxy Coating to Safeguard Steel in Marine Environments

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed a corrosion-resistant epoxy coating for protecting steel structures exposed to seawater and high-salinity environments. “The findings of the research have been published in the Advanced Engineering Materials journal, in a paper co-authored by Prof. Chandan Das, department of chemical engineering, IIT-Guwahati, along with research scholar Anil Kumar,” a statement issued by the institute on Wednesday said. Corrosion is a natural and gradual process that weakens metal surfaces and shortens the lifespan of essential structures, particularly those exposed to saltwater environments, such as offshore platforms, coastal bridges, port infrastructure and marine…

20 Nov

Indian, South African cricket teams arrive in Guwahati ahead of Second Test on November 22

Mohini BarmanGuwahati

Guwahati buzzed with excitement on Wednesday, November 19 evening as both the Indian and South African cricket teams arrived in the city ahead of the high-stakes second Test match scheduled for November 22. The teams landed at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, where tight security and eager fans marked their arrival. Airport authorities confirmed that both squads proceeded directly to the Radisson Blu Hotel, where they will unwind and prepare for the upcoming clash. The upcoming match holds significant importance for Team India, which trails the series after a disappointing loss in the first Test in Kolkata. The defeat…