Latest news with #Bihu
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bihu committee to fund woman's kidney transplant
Guwahati: Choosing compassion over celebration, a Bihu committee in Assam's Lakhimpur district has donated its festival funds to support a woman's kidney transplant procedure. Uttar Purbanchal Sanskritik Committee, which has been organising Rongali Bihu celebrations since the 1970s, is known in North Lakhimpur for hosting one of the most vibrant and community-driven festivals in the area every year, except this year. This time, they chose to forgo the festivities and instead redirect the collected donations for a more meaningful endeavour by supporting the treatment of a 30-year-old woman, Pallabi Gogoi of Ahuchual Gogoi, secretary of the committee, said Pallabi is battling a critical health condition. Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list In the month of Feb, it was revealed that both her kidneys have failed."Bihu comes every year, but for Pallabi, time may not be on her side. When our members learned about her condition, celebrating amid such suffering didn't feel right. We came together and unanimously decided to donate the festival funds to support her treatment and give her a second chance," said Gogoi. Gogoi added that Pallabi lives with her mother Podumi and elder sister Dipsikha. Their mother works at local service centres and has been struggling to make ends meet while trying to cover the mounting medical expenses. Her mother has come forward to donate one of her kidneys, but the cost of the transplant is too high for the family to afford. He said while the committee has already donated a significant amount, the woman's treatment requires much more, and her family is still in urgent need for financial support.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam cancels Bihu functions amid heightened security measures along India-Bangladesh border
Guwahati: Owing to prevailing situation in the country, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the people for the cancellation of all remaining Bihu functions scheduled from May 10 onwards, while Meghalaya government-imposed night curfew in areas along the 40 km unfenced portion of the India-Bangladesh border in the state. #Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Missiles, shelling, and attacks — here's all that's happening Pakistani Air Force jet shot down in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence: Sources India on high alert: What's shut, who's on leave, and state-wise emergency measures Amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, security along the northeastern states' borders with Bangladesh was tightened, and several precautionary measures were taken. Of the 1,880 km frontiers between the northeastern states and Bangladesh, vast areas are already fenced, but some stretches remain unfenced. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eagle Approaches Puppy in Yard - Watch What The Neighbor Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo Among the precautionary measures, a night curfew has been clamped along the bordering areas. State security forces were also deployed in the border villages to prevent any infiltration from across the border and curb unwanted activities. 'Over the past month, we have joyfully celebrated Bihu across Assam through numerous cultural events. I sincerely thank everyone for their enthusiastic participation and contributions,' the Assam chief minister posted on X. Live Events 'However, the time has now come to conclude this festive season. I humbly appeal that all remaining Bihu functions scheduled from 10th May onwards be kindly cancelled. Let us bring this vibrant celebration to a graceful close, with the same unity and spirit in which it was celebrated,' he further wrote. Rongali Bihu, also called Bohag Bihu, is a spring festival that marks the Assamese New Year. The celebration begins mid-April and continues for over a month. In Tripura, an official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Chief Minister Manik Saha held a high-level meeting with senior security, intelligence and civil officials and discussed enhanced surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border. Tripura, which has an 856 km border with Bangladesh, is surrounded on three sides by the neighbouring country. In Meghalaya, the BSF has intensified surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border using the latest electronic gadgets. BSF's Meghalaya frontiers' Inspector General (IG) O.P. Upadhyay said that the border guarding force has further strengthened its vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border since last year, but recently the troops' vigilance has been further tightened with the use of the latest electronic gadgets. "Our troops are on the highest surveillance round-the-clock. Senior BSF officials also, from time to time, supervise the intensive patrolling along the frontiers," he told the media. Upadhyay said the BSF personnel are taking all preventive measures during the close watch on the borders. The BSF's Meghalaya frontiers' IG also visited border posts along the Indo-Bangla international Border in Meghalaya to assess the current situation. He emphasized the need for heightened vigilance and a proactive approach to strengthen the sense of security among the border population. In Assam, the Guwahati frontier BSF beefed up security in Assam along the Bangladesh border amid India-Pakistan tensions and the ongoing troubles. An official of Assam's Border Protection and Development Department said that the state government has ramped up security vigilance along the International Border with Bangladesh. A BSF spokesman said that the border guarding troops have enhanced vigil and intensified their domination along the International Border. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said, " In view of the prevailing situation and to assess the State's preparedness for any potential crisis, I convened a high-level meeting attended by the Political Secretary to Chief Minister Jacob Khaling, Cabinet Secretary V.B. Pathak, Chief Secretary SR. Telang, Director General of Police (DGP) Akshay Sachdeva and Heads of Departments (HODs) including officials from Health, Power, Food & Civil Supplies, Roads & Bridges, Land & Revenue departments, Sikkim Police and DCs & SPs of all districts." He added, " I have issued clear directives to Power Department to conduct emergency drills and raise public awareness on blackout preparedness, roads & Bridges are to ensure all critical roads and bridges remain fully operational and structurally sound, health Services are on high alert; hospitals must be fully equipped and staffed, with essential medical personnel on duty, food & Civil Supplies must maintain ample stock of essential items and fuel, ensuring uninterrupted distribution, police and Security forces are to intensify vigilance, especially at borders, and conduct regular drills with IRB and SAP jawans, Disaster Management must activate siren systems and deploy trained personnel promptly in any emergency". He added, "I want to reassure the people of Sikkim that the government is taking all necessary and proactive measures to ensure the safety, security, and preparedness of our State. Given Sikkim's strategic location and proximity to international borders, it is our solemn responsibility to remain vigilant and fully prepared to respond to any eventuality. These measures are not only in the interest of our State but also in alignment with our duty toward national security. We are strengthening inter-departmental coordination, reinforcing critical infrastructure, and enhancing emergency response mechanisms across all districts. Our law enforcement agencies, medical services, and civil administration are on high alert to ensure uninterrupted public services and maintain peace and order. I urge all citizens to act responsibly, remain calm, stay informed through official channels, cooperate with the authorities, and refrain from sharing unverified or sensitive information that could lead to unnecessary panic or compromise security. National security is our priority, and the State Government is committed to public safety, territorial integrity, and the welfare of every citizen".
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Assam CM's plea: End remaining Bihu functions
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday (May 9, 2025) requested organisers to cancel the remaining Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu functions from May 10 onwards. Rongali Bihu, a spring festival, marks the start of the Assamese New Year. The highly popular Bihu functions are organised from mid-April to mid-May. Follow Operation Sindoor updates on May 9 The Chief Minister did not cite any reason for his call, but the appeal is believed to be related to the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict over the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. 'Over the past month, we have joyfully celebrated Bihu across Assam through numerous cultural events. I sincerely thank everyone for their enthusiastic participation and contributions,' he posted on social media platform X. 'However, the time has now come to conclude this festive season. I humbly appeal that all remaining Bihu functions scheduled from 10th May onwards be kindly cancelled. Let us bring this vibrant celebration to a graceful close, with the same unity and spirit in which it was celebrated,' he further wrote. In ethnic conflict-scarred Manipur, the top leaders of the Opposition Congress took out a 'Jai Hind Yatra' in the State's capital, Imphal, on Friday to express their solidarity with the Indian armed forces engaged in the conflict. Hundreds of party workers participated in the rally led by State Congress president Keisham Meghachandra Singh, former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, and Congress Working Committee member Gaikhangam. Meanwhile, the security along the India-Bangladesh border in four northeastern States — Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura — has been heightened. These States share a total of 1,880 km with Bangladesh. Some sensitive stretches of the border remain unfenced. Night curfew along the border is one of the steps taken to thwart attempts by people to infiltrate, a possibility underscored after the detention of at least 30 Bangladeshi nationals in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi area over the past few months. Some of these people had come in illegally, while others were trying to go back. 'State security forces and local village defence parties have also been activated, particularly after some Bangladeshi nationals intimidated our border protectors in a sector in the West Jaintia Hills district,' a Meghalaya official said.
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Assam CM Himanta calls for end to Bihu functions; Manipur Congress takes out ‘Jai Hind Yatra'
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday called for the cancellation of remaining Rongali Bihu functions scheduled from May 10 onwards. No reason was cited for the cancellation, but the appeal understandably was made in light of the ongoing armed conflict between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack. 'Over the past month, we have joyfully celebrated Bihu across Assam through numerous cultural events. I sincerely thank everyone for their enthusiastic participation and contributions,' the Assam chief minister posted on X. 'However, the time has now come to conclude this festive season. I humbly appeal that all remaining Bihu functions scheduled from 10th May onwards be kindly cancelled. Let us bring this vibrant celebration to a graceful close, with the same unity and spirit in which it was celebrated,' he further wrote. Rongali Bihu, also called Magh Bihu, is a spring festival that marks the Assamese New Year. The celebration begins mid-April and continues for over a month. Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress in ethnic violence-hit Manipur took out 'Jai Hind Yatra' in the state capital Imphal on Friday to express its solidarity with the Indian armed forces, which are engaged in 'Operation Sindoor.' The rally was taken out under the leadership of state Congress president Keisham Meghachandra Singh, legislature party leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Congress Working Committee member Gaikhangam which saw the participation of hundreds of Congress workers.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam has transformed into a land of peace: Himanta at Kamrup poll rally
Guwahati: Assam has turned into a land of peace in the last four years and the previous negative atmosphere ended, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday during an election rally for the final phase of the panchayat poll. During the election rally at Kahikuchi in Assam's Kamrup district, he said from 1979, for nearly 40 years, there wasn't a single day without strikes, protests, or similar events in the state. "However, during the past four years of the BJP-led alliance govt, the previous negative atmosphere ended, and fear among the public dissipated," he added. He added that protests or movements, which were earlier prevalent in the state, do not attract industries or tourists to any region. "In the past four years, with public cooperation, peace prevailed in the state. Today, the people of Assam can live in an atmosphere of celebration and can enjoy Bihu programs even at two in the morning without any fear," he added. The CM highlighted the recognition of Bihu and Jhumur on the national stage, the classical language status for the Assamese language, the World Heritage Site recognition for the Maidams of Charaideo, and the visits of the President, Prime Minister, and the King of Bhutan to Kaziranga National Park. He noted that the perception of Assam among people outside the state has changed, and many reforms have been implemented within the state that were previously absent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo He commented that now, children from poor and lower-middle-class families can transparently secure govt jobs, instilling hope among the younger generation that with good education, they can obtain govt jobs. "During the Congress regime, youths paid bribes even for ordinary jobs. The cars, land, and houses acquired by Congress leaders were funded by the money collected in the name of providing jobs during that time. In contrast, the current state govt has been working on infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, and Anganwadi centres, and has provided financial assistance to places like Namghars," he added. He said through ration cards, people can now receive free rice grains and healthcare services up to Rs 5 lakh annually, and can purchase pulses, sugar, and salt at prices lower than the market rate, along with free admission in educational institutions without income certificates. He said, "We are addressing the hardships of the poor and middle-class people in Assam. In contrast, Congress engaged in the politics of distributing lungis, dhotis, yarn, blankets, and mosquito nets. In reality, Congress should play the vote game with the image of a lungi."
