Guwahati - The Purbottar

07 Jan

Textiles Ministers from Across India to Meet in Guwahati Tomorrow

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The National Textiles Ministers’ Conference 2026, organized by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with the Government of Assam, will commence on January 8 in Guwahati. The event, themed “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation,” aims to gather Textile Ministers and senior officials from various states and union territories for discussions on critical issues such as policy, investment, sustainability, exports, infrastructure, and technological advancements in the textile sector. The Conference aligns with the Government’s vision of making India a global manufacturing hub in textiles by 2030, focusing on export enhancement, job creation, and inclusive growth under the slogan “Vikas…

06 Jan

Peerless Hospital Guwahati announces expansion plan to strengthen affordable healthcare services

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Peerless Hospital Guwahati reported on its progress over the past six months and detailed its strategic roadmap for growth through 2026 at a recent press conference. The hospital emphasized its commitment to high-quality, affordable, and patient-centric care in Assam and the Northeast, highlighting significant improvements in clinical outcomes and increasing patient footfall since its inception in July 2025. CEO Dr. Gautam Kumar Das outlined plans to enhance care quality by expanding services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and investing in advanced medical technologies. Medical Superintendent Dr. Pranab Barua noted consistent improvements in patient outcomes due to refined clinical practices and…

06 Jan

IIT Guwahati brings together Online B.Sc. Data Science and AI students at Annual AI Confluence

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati recently hosted the Annual AI Conference, "AI Confluence," which involved 400 students enrolled in its online B.Sc. (Hons) Degree program in Data Science and AI, offered by the Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. This two-day event provided a collaborative environment for students who typically engage in online learning, allowing them to interact with faculty and peers, thereby enhancing their connection to the institute.Participants of varied academic and professional backgrounds, including early-career professionals and recent high school graduates, a few attended lectures, discussions, and activities that fostered community engagement. Prof. Devendra Jalohal,…

05 Jan

IIT-G Unveils Green Technology to Transform Carbon Dioxide into Methanol Fuel

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed a new photocatalytic material that can convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into methanol fuel using sunlight, addressing critical energy needs while mitigating environmental harm. The project, led by Prof. Mahuya De and her scholar Nayan Moni Baishya, was published in the Journal of Materials Science. The research highlights the ongoing dependence on petroleum-based fuels contributing to carbon emissions and global warming. It aims to transform CO₂ into clean fuels via photocatalytic methods, employing graphitic carbon nitride, a low-cost and non-toxic material, combined with few-layer graphene to enhance energy retention and reduce…

05 Jan

Guwahati to Host GAFF 2026 from January 22–25; Film Lineup Revealed

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) organizers announced the film lineup for its second edition at a press conference in Guwahati. Scheduled for January 22-25, 2026, at Jyoti Chitraban, GAFF is supported by Trending Now Media, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The festival will open with the Uzbek feature "Sunday," directed by Shokir Kholikov, and close with the Iranian film "In the Land of Brothers," directed by Alireza Ghasemi and Raha Amirfazli. Notable attendees include Chief Guest Girish Kasaravalli and Special Invited Guest Sonali Kulkarni. GAFF celebrates Asian cinema's diversity and…

05 Jan

Family Unveils Prose Collection Honouring Late Music Icon Zubeen Garg

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

In the aftermath of the death of Assamese singer-composer Zubeen Garg, Assam's publishing scene has experienced a remarkable increase in books focused on his life, music, and legacy. Within three months of his passing, a diverse array of titles—including songs, poetry, and biographies—has emerged, especially highlighted at the Guwahati book fair where these works dominate sales. A notable publication, Zubeener Gadya, was recently launched, featuring prose writings by Zubeen Garg, both published and unpublished. Inaugurated by his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and his sister, Pami Barthakur, this book aims to ensure authenticity and respect for Zubeen Garg’s intellectual legacy amidst…

03 Jan

Justice Revati Prashant Mohite Dere Appointed Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Justice Revati Prashant Mohite Dere has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, following a presidential order issued on January 1, 2026. Currently a judge at the Bombay High Court, she will take charge after the transfer of the current Chief Justice, Soumen Sen, to the Kerala High Court, effective post the retirement of Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar on January 9, 2026. Justice Sen’s transfer is executed under Article 222 of the Constitution, which governs the transfer of High Court judges. Additionally, in a related judicial reshuffle, Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo has been appointed as…

03 Jan

Zubeen Garg Trust Formed Amid Family’s Call for Speedy Justice

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Over three and a half months following the tragic death of singer Zubeen Garg, his wife Garima Saikia Garg and sister Pami Barthakur held a press conference to introduce a trust aimed at preserving his legacy and furthering his unfinished projects. This trust, based in Zubeen's Kharghuli residence, will focus on arts, culture, social initiatives, and wildlife conservation, with operations including the Kalaguru Foundation, Abhinaya Performing Arts, and a research center dedicated to Zubeen's contributions. Pami Barthakur emphasized the importance of community support from fans and artists to realize Zubeen's vision. Garima announced the allocation of ₹2.90 crore in GST…

03 Jan

2025 Turns the Tide for Guwahati Policing: Sharp Rise in Convictions, Fall in Backlogs

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The year 2025 was a transformative period for Guwahati Police, with substantial improvements in law enforcement as evidenced by official statistics. The city saw a decrease in registered crime cases, with 5,786 incidents in 2025 compared to 7,412 in 2024 and 9,393 in 2023. This decline is attributed to intensified patrolling, quicker response times, and improved operational coordination. A notable aspect of 2025 was the drastic reduction in pending cases, bringing the backlog down from 35,396 in 2021 to 2,882 by year-end, with over 32,000 cases disposed of in the preceding four years. Investigative outcomes also saw significant advancements, with…

02 Jan

Guwahati to Get Second Medical College with ₹1,201.16 Crore Funding

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Assam government has sanctioned Rs 1201.16 crore for the construction of its second medical college in Guwahati, marking it as the 14th medical college in the state. A revised administrative approval was granted for this funding. The new college, named Pragjyotishpur Medical College, will feature two campuses located at Kalapahar and Mohendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH). The National Medical Commission approved an intake of 50 MBBS students for the college. The Kalapahar campus will include 480 beds, 46 ICUs, 7 high-tech operating theatres (OTs), along with accommodation for 450 students and 100 interns. The MMCH campus will accommodate 800…