From Ops Wrath of God to Rising Lion:

Israel and Mossad rewrites history again By Mrinal Talukdar  In the murky world of spies and statecraft, Israel has carved out a legacy that feels ripped from a Hollywood script—equal parts precision, grit, and audacity. From snatching a Nazi mastermind off the streets of Buenos Aires to storming a Ugandan airport to free hostages, Israel’s … Read more

Chowna Mein and the Rebirth of Sangken

A Cultural Vision in Motion By Mrinal Talukdar When we set out on our Long Loop Road Trip — a ten-day, 1800-kilometer self-driven journey around the Brahmaputra Valley — we expected landscapes, rivers, and a touch of adventure. What we didn’t expect was to encounter the living force of one man’s vision — a man … Read more

মহাশূন্যত উপগ্ৰহ ৰাখি

সঞ্জীত কুমাৰ বৰদলৈ    সত্তোৰৰ দশকতে ড°ভূপেন হাজৰিকাই “যুৱতী অনামিকা গোস্বামী আৰু যুৱক প্ৰশান্ত দাসে বিয়াত হেনো কিছু বাধা পালে..” গীতটোৰে আমাৰ মনবোৰ বহল কৰিবলৈ কৈছিল৷সেই গীতটোৰে তেওঁ কৈছিল—“মহা শূন্যত উপগ্ৰহ ৰাখি…এইয়া জনাৰ যুগ এইয়া বুজাৰ যুগ.এইয়া জিৎ যুগ, আনবিক যুগ..এইয়া মনৰ পৰিধি ভঙাৰ যুগ৷” কিন্ত আজিৰ কৃত্ৰিম বুদ্ধিমত্তাৰ যুগটো আমাৰ বহুতৰে মন-চিন্তাবোৰ বিশাল আৰু … Read more

ট্ৰাম্পে কাৰোলীনাৰ ভায়লিন নুশুনে

সঞ্জীত কুমাৰ বৰদলৈমাৰ্ক্সৰ মতে পুঁজিবাদৰ চাৰিটা স্তৰ আছে—কৃষি পুঁজিবাদ,বণিক পুঁজিবাদ,উদ্যোগিক পুঁজিবাদ আৰু ৰাষ্ট্ৰ পুজিবাদ৷এইফালৰ পৰা চাবলৈ গ’লে আমি এতিয়া ৰাষ্ট্ৰ পুঁজিবাদৰ স্তৰত আছোঁ বা এঢাপ আগুৱাই গৈ বিলম্বিত পুঁজিবাদী স্তৰত আছোঁ৷এই বিলম্বিত পু্ঁজিবাদ(late capitalism)ধাৰনাটোৰ অৱতাৰণা কৰিছিল জাৰ্মান সমাজবিজ্ঞানী ৱাৰ্নাৰ চ’মবাৰ্টে(১৮৬৩-১৯৪১)৷ পৰৱৰ্তী সময়ত ১৯৭২চনত আৰ্নেষ্ট মেণ্ডেলৰ “লেট কেপিটেলিজম”নামৰ গ্ৰন্থ প্ৰকাশ হৈছিল৷এই ধাৰনা প্ৰধানকৈ দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধৰ পাচৰ … Read more

বিৰোধী ঐক্য, সপোন নে দিঠক

২০ মাৰ্চ ২০২৫ব্ৰজেন ডেকা সকলো ৰাজনৈতিক দলৰ বাবে অসমীয়া- খিলঞ্জীয়া ৰক্ষাতকৈ নিজৰ দল ৰক্ষাহে অধিক জৰুৰী৷ দল নাথাকোঁতেও জাতি আছিল আৰু দল নোহোৱা হ’লেও জাতি থাকিব৷ বিমান যাত্ৰাৰ সময়ত আমাক কোৱা হয় কিবা কৰাণত অক্সিজেনৰ মুখা পিন্ধিব লগা পৰিস্থিতি হ’লে আনক পিন্ধোৱাৰ আগতে নিজে পিন্ধি ল’ব লাগে৷ কাৰণ অক্সিজেনৰ অভাৱত যদি মই নিজেই অচেতন হৈ … Read more

Ripunjoy endures K2K

In a spectacular feat of endurance and sheer determination, Assam’s very own Ripunjay Gogoi has etched his name in the record books by successfully completing the grueling Kashmir to Kanyakumari (K2K) cycling event, popularly known as “Ride from the Sky to the Ocean.”Ripunjay, alongside six other brave cyclists, embarked on this extraordinary journey from Srinagar, … Read more

Corporate investment and Time-Zone Challenges in Assam

by Mrinal Talukdar The recent EAC-PM Working Paper by Dr. Shamika Ravi on Time Spent on Employment-Related Activities in India sheds light on the systematic variations in work hours across different states, with Assam and other North Eastern states reporting significantly lower average working hours than the national standard. Assam is pinning its hopes on … Read more

The Death of Depth:

How Digital Media Has Pushed Conventional Journalism to the Brink of Irrelevance By Mrinal Talukdar The world of conventional media, whether broadcast or print, is rapidly staring at irrelevance. The sweeping rise of digital media has not just disrupted but fundamentally altered journalism itself. It has democratized information dissemination, making it more accessible yet more … Read more

BJP’s Strategic Deployment of Akhil Gogoi

by Mrinal Talukdar In Assam’s political theatre, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has perfected the art of not just countering opposition but strategic deployment it to its advantage. A prime example of this deployment strategy is Akhil Gogoi, the fiery MLA whose relentless outbursts and dramatic interventions have made him the most visible opposition figure … Read more

The APSC Scam Now Engulfs a Judge

by Mrinal Talukdar The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) scam, initially a case of corruption in civil service recruitment, has taken a dramatic turn. What began as an investigation into fraudulent selections under former APSC Chairman Rakesh Pal has now escalated into a major political battle, drawing a respected judge into the controversy. The scandal … Read more

National Security Plays Out on Social Media

By Mrinal Talukdar In recent time, national security concerns have increasingly been debated and disseminated through social media platforms, with conventional media taking note and raising deeply disturbing questions about the intersection of security, politics, and digital discourse. The case of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and allegations concerning his wife, Elizabeth Colebourn, exemplifies this growing … Read more

China’s Tsangpo Dam vs. India’s Siang Dam

A Battle of Hydropower and Sovereignty By Mrinal Talukdar The construction of a massive 60,000 MW hydropower plant on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) by China and India’s counter with the 11,000 MW Siang Hydropower Project has sparked major geopolitical and environmental concerns. This has led to intense debates over water security, ecological risks, and … Read more

Mechukha: A New Flag, A New Era for Tourism

by Mrinal Talukdar Mechukha, an enchanting valley tucked away in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi-Yomi district, has unveiled its latest tourist attraction — a towering 72-foot national flag, making it a beacon for travelers seeking breathtaking landscapes and a sense of national pride. Strategically located against the backdrop of the majestic Mechukha Hill, this newly established selfie … Read more

Siang River Diplomacy: India’s Response to China’s Move

A.N. Mohammed(Hydropower expert with 40 years experience in NE India) The Siang River:The Brahmaputra River is a 2880 km-long transboundary river flows through China, India and Bangladesh. The river originates from the Ansi Glacier at an altitude of 5300 m about 63 km southwest of Manasarovar Lake close to Mount Kailash in the southwest Tibet … Read more

The Future of Assam’s Tea Clubs: Balancing Heritage and Modern Realities

by Mrinal Talukdar Scattered across Assam’s tea estates, exclusive social clubs like the Misa Polo Club, Thakurbari Club, and Dibrugarh Planters Club have long been a part of the state’s tea legacy. These clubs, with their stately architecture, golf courses, and exclusive memberships, once served as the heart of the tea planter’s social life. However, … Read more

Tea Industry Faces Crisis,

Prices Rise Amid Production Drop & Climate Challenges by Mrinal Talukdar The tea industry in North India ( Assam & Dooars) is facing a severe crisis due to significant drops in production, driven by erratic weather patterns and rising input costs even if there is price rise of tea. Data from the Tea Board of … Read more

Bridging the Gap: Assam’s Leap Forward with PM-DevINE

By: Anirudh Goswami & Mrinal Talukdar The North East region of India, often recognized for its strategic importance and rich resources, has historically faced challenges in securing adequate attention and resources for development. Despite its significance, the region has long been sidelined in national development efforts. However, recent years have marked a change in this … Read more

Ajmal Super 40: A silent revolution from Hojai

By Mrinal Talukdar In the small village of Mailoo in Karbi-Anglong lives Guddu Chauhan, the son of Kankahiya Kumar, a humble sugarcane farmer. Their life, bound by the limits of a thatched house and meager earnings, was a daily struggle. Yet, Guddu dreamed of something greater. Miraculously, Guddu scored 99% in his HSLC, a feat … Read more

Embrace Essence of Assam at 4th Folk Tea Festival

The serene village of Pabhoi in Biswanath Chariali, Assam, is set to come alive with the vibrant 4th Folk Tea Festival from November 29 to December 1, 2024. Nestled inside the lush green Hatipoti tea garden and overlooked by the majestic white peaks of the Eastern Himalayan mountains, this unique festival promises to be a … Read more

Eight takeaways of General Election

The takeaways of General Election 2024 By Mrinal Talukdar As the dust settles after the long and arduous two-month election process, resulting in a coalition government with Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for a third term and a strengthened opposition led by a more formidable Rahul Gandhi, here are the eight key takeaways. 1.The Waning … Read more

General Election & ‘Data Politician’

By Mrinal Talukdar In the heart of Mariani, Shmyalee Barua balances the demands of homemaking with her fervent engagement in politics. Her husband works in a private organization, and together they raise two children. Despite her busy schedule, Shmyalee is constantly on her mobile phone, either reading or typing out her thoughts. Her strong opinions … Read more

Battle of Narratives

By Mrinal Talukdar As the General Election 2024 reaches its home stretch, with barely a week until the last phase of polling, the battle of narratives has intensified dramatically. An ordinary road accident has unexpectedly become the center of a media frenzy. In the contest between the ‘PK club’ and ‘YY associations’, the Pune Porsche … Read more

Assam Braces for Nearly 50% Drop in Tea Production

by Mrinal Talukdar Assam, India’s tea heartland, faces a staggering blow to its tea production, with forecasts predicting a potential 50% decline this year due to adverse climatic conditions. The repercussions could be catastrophic for an industry that serves as the largest employer in the state.Recent data released by the Tea Board of India paints … Read more

Assam: BJP’s audacious social engineering gamble

By Mrinal Talukdar In Assam, a new political narrative was taking shape. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), known for its robust nationalistic fervor, had decided to pivot in a remarkably different direction in this northeastern state. Unlike the rest of India, where the BJP often emphasized its Hindu nationalist rhetoric, in Assam the party was … Read more

1st Phase Campaign Winds Down in Assam

As the clock ticks towards 5 p.m. today, the spirited campaigning for the 1st phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Assam comes to a close, marking a significant milestone in the state’s electoral journey. The vibrant political landscape of Assam has been abuzz with rallies, roadshows, and door-to-door campaigns as candidates from various parties … Read more

Exploring Serenity of Gyuto Monastery in AP

By Mrinal Talukdar Nestled within the serene landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh lies the Gyuto Monastery, a sanctuary of spiritual solace and Tibetan culture. Established by Tibetan monks who fled their homeland after the Chinese invasion of 1950, this monastery bears witness to a rich history and holds profound significance for Tibetan refugees worldwide. The journey … Read more

Who smuggle exotic animals to India via Assam?

Mrinal Talukdar Guwahati: On the morning of March 29 at the Bilaipur check gate of Assam bordering Mizoram, a pickup truck hit the border check gate in Assam side and came to a halt. Subsequent checking of the vehiclethe police found 52 endangered birds and animals endemic to Indonesia. By that evening,the news was all … Read more

AJP – Raijar Dal to Merge: Akhil

In a significant development, Akhil Gogoi, the President of Raijar Dal (RD), announced today that the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Raijar Dal (RD) are on the verge of merging into a single entity. Gogoi disclosed that preliminary discussions have concluded, paving the way for formalization post-election. The convergence is noteworthy given that both parties, … Read more

GHC halts Deepor Beel ‘Denotification’

The Gauhati High Court today intervened, halting the Assam Cabinet’s decision to denotify Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary. The court deemed the decision “not proper at this stage” and directed the government not to issue any such notification, although the order remains subject to any contrary directive from the Supreme Court. The state government emphasized compliance … Read more

Arunachal for “Zero” opposition

Aruncahl Pradesh Is all set to join Nagaland as the second state of India having no opposition. Although the polling will take place on  April 19 to elect a new assembly of 60 members, 10 MLAs were elected unopposed. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secures 10 uncontested victories in Arunachal Pradesh’s Assembly elections, highlighting … Read more

BJP Chase 51% in Assam

As India braces for the crucial 2024 general elections, the BJP aims for a historic feat: securing a 51% vote share both nationally and specifically in Assam. Beyond mere victory, this objective signifies the party’s aspiration to cement its dominance and demonstrate widespread support to the world.