NEWS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mrinal Talukdar Listening to the recent speeches by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, one might be led to believe that there is no greater nationalist who loves Assam as much as he does. By looking at the headlines in today’s newspapers, it seems clear that Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma is positioning himself as a true … Read more

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

By Mrinal Talukdar Assam is on the cusp of an epic political rivalry that promises to overshadow all else in the state’s political landscape. Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma (55) and Gaurav Gogoi (41) are set to engage in a protracted duel that could define Assam’s politics for decades. Their enmity, long simmering beneath the surface, … Read more

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

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

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

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

By Mrinal Talukdar As Bangladeshi infiltration remains a perennially exploited issue by politicians in Assam, the Chakma dispute plays a similar role in Arunachal Pradesh. Both issues stir strong emotions in their respective states yet remain unresolved, serving as politically beneficial tools for various leaders to catch votes. Recently, a statement by Kiren Rijiju has … Read more

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