North East - The Purbottar

28 Jan

CARA Holds Workshop in NE on Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen India’s adoption and child protection ecosystem, is organising its second Regional Consultative Workshop in Guwahati on January 30. The theme of the workshop is in line with CARA’s Adoption Awareness Camapign: “Promoting Non-Institutionalised Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children)”. The workshop is being organized to advance CARA’s commitment towards ensuring that children with special needs are provided family-based care and are not confined to long-term institutionalization. The initiative aligns with the mandate of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as…

28 Jan

NE Leaders Condole Demise of Maharashtra Deputy CM in Plane Crash

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Leaders from Northeast India have expressed their condolences regarding the tragic death of Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and prominent NCP leader, who died in a plane crash near Baramati, Pune, while end route to a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections. The crash, which also claimed the lives of three others aboard, transpired in the morning, with emergency services arriving promptly at the scene, but no survivors were found. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with officials currently assessing the damage to the aircraft. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conveyed his deep…

27 Jan

Flavours of the Northeast Take Centre Stage at R-Day High Tea at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Traditional culinary delicacies from Northeast India were featured prominently at the Republic Day high tea hosted by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The official menu included dishes from Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju highlighted the event on social media, noting the vibrant North-East cuisine enjoyed by dignitaries including European Council President António Costa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Key Assamese dishes included Til Pitha, Til Laru, and Narikol Laru, which are integral to the Magh Bihu festival, as well as Black Rice Kheer known for its cultural significance. Pati Sapta, a winter…

22 Jan

NFR–SBI Tie-Up Aims to Strengthen Cash Handling Safety and Transparency

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Bank of India (SBI) to enhance financial efficiency, safety, and transparency by introducing cash pick-up facilities at 400 stations within its network. The MoU was executed at the NFR Headquarters in Maligaon, Guwahati, in the presence of key officials, including General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava. This initiative marks a significant advancement in cash management practices for the railway system. Under the agreement, SBI will be responsible for creating a secure and systematic cash pick-up process from designated stations, ensuring the timely deposit of station earnings into…

12 Jan

Homes filled with festive preparations ahead of Magh Bihu

Banasree SarkarAssam, North East

Assamese homes are once again enveloped in the coziness of holiday preparations as Magh Bihu draws near. Families are busy preparing traditional dishes like laru and pitha in the kitchens starting early in the morning. These traditional recipes, which are made with rice flour, coconut, jaggery, and sesame, showcase Assam's rich cultural legacy and close ties to the harvest season. While exchanging experiences of previous Bihu festivities, elders mentor younger family members and impart traditional techniques. Homes are filled with the aroma of freshly made Bihu sweets, which evokes happiness and memories. In addition to food, Magh Bihu, also called…

10 Jan

In Sikkim, the Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps begins a pilot program to deliver medications to veterans’ homes

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

As part of a pilot initiative to enhance veteran welfare, the Indian Army's Trishakti Corps has launched home delivery of essential medicines for entitled veterans through the ECHS Polyclinic in Gangtok. This project, in collaboration with the Department of Posts and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, aims to provide safe, timely, and hassle-free medication delivery, particularly for veterans in remote areas. The polyclinic has identified around 58 long-distance beneficiaries in South, North, and West Sikkim who struggle to collect their medicines due to challenging terrain and mobility issues, especially among the elderly and vulnerable. Following the pilot's success, the service…

10 Jan

786 students from NE visit ISRO centres under NE-SPARKS

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

A total of 786 students from the Northeast ISRO centers under the Northeast Students Programmed for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS) in 2025. According to an official statement, NE-SPARKS was executed in eight batches between April 2025 and December 2025, with a minimum interval of one month between consecutive batches. Each batch comprises 90-100 students representing the eight Northeastern states, accompanied by 10 coordinators who facilitated and guided the educational journey. An initiative of the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region, Government of India, the Northeast Students Programmed for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS) is a flagship initiative designed…

10 Jan

Historic milestone: Assam Don Bosco University set to launch Northeast’s first satellite

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Northeast India’s first satellite, LACHIT-1, was launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 on January 12, marking a significant advancement in space technology for the region. Developed by Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space through its Polar Access-1 program, LACHIT-1 was created with the involvement of over 50 students and faculty from northeastern states including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. The satellite is named after Lachit Borphukan, an esteemed Ahom general, reflecting a deep historical connection. The satellite's creation involved students from ADBU (Assam Don Bosco University) working closely with Dhruva Space on various stages such as integration workflows, functional testing, and launch readiness.…

09 Jan

First highway-based emergency landing strip in Northeast coming up in Dibrugarh–Moran

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Assam is poised to inaugurate its first highway-based emergency landing strip along the Dibrugarh–Moran stretch of the National Highway, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing the facility's launch in February. The project may receive a notable inauguration by the Prime Minister or the Defence Minister. Spanning 4.2 kilometers, the strip is capable of accommodating civilian aircraft as well as Indian Air Force fighter jets like the Sukhoi and Rafale. Sarma highlighted that this alternative landing option is crucial if Dibrugarh airport is inaccessible. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) is executing the project, which is unique…

09 Jan

Textiles Committee and NEHHDC sign MoU on IIPR protection

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

The Textiles Committee and the North Eastern Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation (NEHHDC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the North Eastern Region Conclave in Guwahati. This MoU aims to protect unique products from the North Eastern states through Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), specifically Geographical Indications (GI) registration, and to foster post-GI initiatives. Key aspects of the MoU include collaborative development to strengthen the textiles, handloom, handicrafts, and khadi sectors, as well as initiatives to enhance the global visibility of Northeastern products. This effort is expected to empower artisans and weavers by safeguarding their traditional knowledge and craftsmanship, while…