India - The Purbottar

14 Feb

Hawk-Eye Over Meerut: Operation Sindoor Drives India’s First Dedicated Drone Runway

editorIndia

In a major leap toward technology-driven warfare, India is set to build its first dedicated drone runway and aviation base in Meerut, following key lessons from Operation Sindoor that underscored the rising importance of unmanned systems in modern combat.Planned by the Indian Army and executed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) under the Ministry of Defense, the Rs 406-crore project will span over 900 acres. The facility will feature a 2,110-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway tailored for High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), along with C-295 and C-130 class transport aircraft.Designed with ICAO CAT-II compliant lighting and advanced…

05 Jan

Majuli Records First Inter-Country Adoption as US-Based Couple Adopts Two Brothers

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Majuli district has witnessed its first-ever inter-country adoption, with a couple based in the United States adopting two brothers from the river island on Saturday.Rimpi Borah, coordinator of the Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA), Majuli, said the siblings, aged eight and seven, were formally handed over to the adoptive parents—an Indian-origin couple—during a ceremony held at the conference hall of the Majuli District Commissioner’s office complex.Majuli Deputy Commissioner Ratul Chandra Pathak officially completed the adoption process in the presence of district administration officials, police personnel, the District Child Protection Officer, and members of the Child Welfare Committee. A representative of the…

17 Dec

Army Contingent Departs For India–UAE Exercise Desert Cyclone 2025

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

An Indian Army contingent has left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in the second edition of the India-UAE Joint Military Exercise, named DESERT CYCLONE-II, which is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 18 to December 30, 2025. This exercise will feature a contingent of 45 personnel from the Indian Army, primarily drawn from a battalion of The Mechanised Infantry Regiment, and will be matched by a similar-sized group from the UAE Land Forces, represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion. The primary objective of DESERT CYCLONE-II is to enhance interoperability and bolster defense cooperation…

15 Dec

Mukul Dismisses Speculation Over Joining NPP

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Mukul Sangma, Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister of Meghalaya, dismissed rumors about joining the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), calling them 'wishful thinking.' He responded to speculation following his presence in New Delhi, coinciding with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong's visit. Mukul asserted he was in his constituency, Songsak, engaging with residents and focusing on strengthening his party amidst poor phone connectivity. He emphasized that interactions with Conrad and Prestone are common among colleagues and do not signify a political alignment, highlighting differences in their political ideologies. Furthermore, he mentioned the challenges…

12 Dec

16th Under The Sal Tree Theatre Festival Begins December 15 in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Badungduppa Kalakendra, a notable theatre institution in Rampur, Goalpara, is celebrating its ongoing legacy with a special one-day edition of the 'Under the Sal Tree' theatre festival on December 15, following its Silver Jubilee last year. Established over 25 years ago by the late Sukracharya Rabha, the institution is known for its innovative physical theatre style, which emphasizes minimal dialogue and expressive body language, earning both national and international recognition. The festival, now in its 16th edition, traditionally features performances conducted in a natural setting without artificial enhancements, attracting thousands of visitors. This year's event will be a single-day occasion…

11 Dec

Namdapha Intensifies Big Cat Monitoring Ahead of the 2025–26 National Census

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve is currently conducting an intensive field operation as part of the sixth All India Tiger Estimation 2025-26, facing significant challenges that test the resilience of its frontline protection teams. This extensive survey is critical to India’s wildlife conservation strategy, particularly for safeguarding its tiger population. The park's challenging environment, which includes dense forests and rugged terrain, coupled with unpredictable weather and communication difficulties, demands exceptional efforts from its staff, led by Field Director A. Deka. Historically, Namdapha was home to various big cats, including Bengal tigers and leopards, which have suffered from severe poaching…

05 Dec

India’s Central Bank Surprises Market with Rate Cut, Raises FY26 GDP Forecast to 7.3%

Mohini BarmanIndia

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced a 25 basis point reduction in the key policy repo rate, bringing it down to 5.25 per cent. This move, aimed at supporting growth, was accompanied by the central bank raising its GDP growth forecast for the fiscal year 2025-26 to 7.3%, up from the earlier estimate of 6.8%. RBI Governor Sanjay Das cited benign inflation and easing food prices as factors enabling the accommodative monetary policy stance.

03 Dec

ICGS Vigraha Embarks on Operational Visit to Indonesia During Overseas ASEAN Deployment

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

As part of its overseas deployment to ASEAN countries, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vigraha is visiting Jakarta, Indonesia from December 02-05, 2025. This operational visit includes extensive activities such as professional interactions, tabletop exercises, shipboard drills, and joint training sessions between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA). These engagements focus on crucial areas like Maritime Law Enforcement, Marine Pollution Response, and Maritime Search and Rescue, emphasizing the need for cooperation due to shared responsibilities in large Exclusive Economic Zones and high maritime traffic. The visit features a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) designed to enhance…

03 Dec

Bharat Ratna for Zubeen Garg: Gaurav Gogoi Raises Demand on Parliament Floor

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday requested the Central government to confer the highest civilian honour of the country, Bharat Ratna, on cultural icon the late Zubeen Garg. The Congress MP also sought justice for Garg, who died in Singapore under mysterious circumstances on September 19, leaving his fans in shock and disbelief. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Gogoi paid rich tributes to Garg, hailing him as a humanitarian who gave the people of Assam hope in the 1980s and 1990s, when the northeastern state was in the grip…

02 Dec

The Territorial Army Recruitment Rally in Solmara, Tezpur, is successfully concluded by the Indian Army

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

A Landmark Example of Civil–Military Synergy and Professional Excellence The Indian Army's Territorial Army Recruitment Rally was successfully conducted at Meghna Stadium, Solmara Military Station, Tezpur, from 15 November to 01 December 2025. This event saw an impressive turnout of 7,282 aspiring recruits from various regions, including Assam, Meghalaya, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, reflecting the youth's strong motivation to serve the nation, especially from remote and high-altitude areas. Organized by the 121 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) The Garhwal Rifles under the Eastern Command, the rally faced significant challenges due to its location, approximately 1,200 kilometers from their base…