Assam to celebrate 20th August as sootea day from 2025.
Assam will officially celebrate August 20 as "Sootia Day" starting from 2025. This special day is dedicated to honoring the rich heritage and contributions of the Sootia community in the region. The announcement aims to recognize and promote the cultural and historical significance of Sootia, highlighting its role in the state's diverse cultural landscape. The celebration will include various events and activities designed to educate the public about Sootia's legacy and foster a greater appreciation for its traditions.
The initiative aims to strengthen community bonds and encourage local participation in cultural festivities and preservation efforts.
Educational programs will be launched to highlight the historical significance of Sootia and its impact on Assam's heritage.
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Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Launches Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Asoni Scheme to Combat Child Marriage.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the "Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Asoni" scheme to combat child marriage in the state. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance and support to families who prevent their children from marrying before reaching legal adulthood. The scheme will offer incentives to those who ensure their children complete their education and delay marriage until the age of 18 for girls and 21 for boys. The move is part of a broader effort by the state government to tackle social issues and improve child welfare.
The scheme promotes education and awareness about the harmful effects of child marriages.
Local authorities will monitor and assist in implementing the scheme effectively.
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Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera assumes charge as DG of Assam Rifles.
Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera has assumed the position of Director General of Assam Rifles. With his extensive experience and leadership in the Indian Army, General Lakhera brings a wealth of knowledge to this pivotal role. His appointment is expected to strengthen the operational capabilities and strategic effectiveness of the Assam Rifles, a key paramilitary force responsible for maintaining peace and security in the northeastern region of India. General Lakhera’s leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges faced by the force and ensuring its continued success in its mission to safeguard national interests.
General Lakhera’s appointment underscores the government's commitment to enhancing border security and counter-insurgency operations in Northeast India.
His vast experience in military operations is expected to drive effective strategies for maintaining peace in volatile regions.
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Assam CM Launches Amrit Brikshya Andolan 2.0 App for Major Tree Plantation Drive.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the Amrit Brikshya Andolan 2.0 app to support a large-scale tree plantation drive. This initiative aims to enhance green cover across the state by encouraging widespread participation in planting trees. The app will facilitate tracking of planting activities, provide information on best practices, and engage citizens in environmental conservation efforts. The move is part of the government's broader strategy to combat climate change and promote sustainable development. Through this campaign, Assam hopes to significantly increase its forested areas and contribute to ecological balance.
The app offers real-time monitoring and reporting of tree planting progress to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Citizens can access educational resources on tree care and the importance of afforestation through the app.
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Assam secretariat becomes India's first eco - friendly state government headquarters.
The Assam secretariat on Sunday became the country’s first green state government headquarters with the inauguration of a 2.5 MW solar power project on its campus, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Installed at a cost of Rs 12.5 crores, the grid-connected rooftop solar power plant will save Rs 30 lakhs in electricity bills every month, he said while addressing the official programme here.
From now onwards, the secretariat complex will run entirely on solar power, resulting in savings of Rs 30 lakhs every month on electricity bills, he added.
The CM said also that the government has decided that all official complexes will be fitted with solar panels, beginning with the medical colleges and universities across the state.
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Assam Launches 'Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina' Scheme to Promote Girl Education.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that in a push to increase enrolment of girl students in higher education, the Cabinet has accorded approval to provide financial assistance to girl students under the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina scheme to be offered as Admission Assistance. Girl students enrolled in Higher Secondary, Degree First Year and PG First Year of Government and Venture Schools, Colleges and Universities irrespective of their economic status is eligible for this scheme. The chief minister added, “From this academic year, both Boys and Girls who score more than 75% marks will receive 10,000 as a one-time financial grant under the Anundoram Borooah Scheme. From next academic year, scooters will be distributed to both boy and girl students who secure more than 75% marks.
The scheme is expected to cover around one million girl students and cost the exchequer Rs.300 crore in the first year and around Rs.1,500 crore over a five-year period.
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Assam: Digital Platform For Reporting Damages During Disasters ‘DRIMS’ Launched.
The Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), a digital platform for online reporting of damages incurred during various disasters, was launched in Guwahati, on Wednesday by Assam Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota. DRIMS is a state-of-the-art initiative of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), for accurate reporting and assessment of damages caused by disasters, and disbursal of aid to those affected. This platform, developed in collaboration with UNICEF, efficiently captures critical impact indicators of damages during disasters, which helps to deliver relief and rehabilitation grants expeditiously to the affected beneficiaries. It also tracks damages to crops, loss of livestock and other damages, expediting post-disaster restoration efforts.
The chief secretary of Assam released a handbook on financial assistance during disasters and inaugurated a state-level training program on Incident Response System (IRS) conducted by the National Institute of Disaster Management.
The disaster assistance handbook aims to empower affected communities, especially children and women, by providing information on entitlements during and after disasters, while ASDMA CEO highlighted the modern technology features of DRIMS for multi-disaster reporting.
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Padma Shri awardee Birubala Rabha,an activist who campaigned against witch hunting, dies.
Assam-based social activist Birubala Rabha, who campaigned against witch hunting in the state, died in Guwahati on Monday after battling with cancer.She was honoured with the Padma Shri award by the central government in 2021 and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.Rabha was diagnosed with cancer recently and she was undergoing treatment at the State Cancer Institute in Guwahati where she breathed her last on Monday morning.The superintendent of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Dr Abhijit Sarma said that Rabha was admitted there on April 22 on May 4, she was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She breathed her last at 9:23am due to multi-organ failure, doctors said.Born in 1949, Rabha had a struggling childhood and had to drop out of school due to financial issues at home. She was married off at the age of 15 and gave birth to three kids.
Birubala Rabha, a social activist from Assam, passed away in Guwahati after battling cancer.
She was honored with the Padma Shri award by the central government in 2021 for her activism against witch hunting in the state.
Rabha was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, recognizing her significant contributions to social justice and human rights advocacy.
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UNICEF India appointed Bollywood Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan as its new National Ambassador.
UNICEF India appointed Bollywood Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan as its new National Ambassador. She has been associated with Unicef India since 2014, will support the not-for-profit organisation in furthering every child's right to early childhood development, health, education and gender equality. Kareena had earlier served as a Celebrity Advocate for UNICEF India. Besides Kareena, Unicef India has also appointed its first-ever Youth Advocates, who are peer leaders and champions on issues like climate action, mental health, innovations and Girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The four advocates are Gauranshi Sharma from Madhya Pradesh on right to play and disability inclusion; Kartik Verma from Uttar Pradesh on climate action and child rights advocacy; singer Nahid Afrin from Assam on mental health and early childhood development; and Vinisha Umashankar from Tamil Nadu is a budding innovator and STEM pioneer.
These youth advocates are part of Unicef's global programme and join a cohort of more than 93 youth advocates.
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Dr Purnima Devi Barman, a wildlife biologist from Assam, has won Whitley Gold Award 2024, also known as the Green Oscar.
Dr Purnima Devi Barman, a wildlife biologist from Assam, has won Whitley Gold Award 2024, also known as the Green Oscar. She was honoured for her conservation effort of the endangered bird, Hargila or Greater Adjutant Stork and its wetland habitat. This is the second time that Dr Barman has been honoured with the Whitley Gold Award. She was also awarded the prize in 2017. Dr Barman received the trophy from charity patron Princess Anne – the Princess Royal, the sister of King Charles III, at the Royal Geographical Society award ceremony in London, United Kingdom. Winner of the 2024 Whitley Gold Awards: Naomi Longa, Raju Sharma, Aristide Kamla, Kuenzang Dorji, Fernanda Abra, Leroy Ignacio, Purnima Barman.
The Hargila bird has a wingspan of 2.4 metres and can reach a height of 1.2 meters.
Whitley Fund for Nature is a charity registered in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1993.
The first Indians to get the Whitley Gold Award were Archana Godbole and Brad Norman in 2007.
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NDDB chief Meenesh Shah has been unanimously elected as chairman of National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Ltd (NCDFI).
NDDB chief Meenesh Shah has been unanimously elected as chairman of National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Ltd (NCDFI). NCDFI has also elected 8 directors on its board unopposed. 8 directors on the Board unopposed which include, Dr Meenesh Shah, Jharkhand Milk Federation; Dr. Mangal Jit Rai, Sikkim Milk Union; Shamalbhai B. Patel, Gujarat Milk Federation; Randhir Singh, Haryana Milk Federation; K. S Mani, KeralaMilk Federation; Balachandra L. Jarakiholi, Karnataka Milk Federation; Narinder Singh Shergill, Punjab Milk Federation and Sameer Kumar Parida, West Assam Milk Union. Apart from these elected directors, Shri S. Regupathi, Executive Director, NDDB is the nominated director on the Board of NCDFI. Dr. Meenesh Shah has long been acknowledged for his pivotal role and substantial contributions to the dairy cooperative sector, fostering growth and sustainability over the years.
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