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Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Nagaland University to host incubation centres in N-E under Central govt initiative
Kohima: Nagaland University, the lone Central varsity in the state, has been chosen to host one of the four incubation centres in the northeastern region under a Central government initiative, officials said on Monday. University officials said that the 50 highest-performing beneficiaries would receive a startup seed money grant of up to Rs 5 lakh. The university was chosen under the project 'Establish, Develop, and Manage Entrepreneurship Development Centres and Incubation Centres in the Educational Institutes of the North Eastern Region'. According to the official, this project is being sponsored by the Shillong-based North Eastern Council (NEC), a regional planning body, and implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati. The NEC is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the northeastern region, which consists of the eight states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura while the IIE is an organisation under the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Nagaland University's Kohima campus has been designated as one of the four incubation centres in the northeastern region, the official said, adding that a total of 44 beneficiaries would be incubated in the first batch of incubatees. The 44 beneficiaries include 16 from Arunachal Pradesh, six from Assam, four from Manipur, with the remaining 18 from Nagaland. On-boarding of the incubates would be done in July 2025. Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish K. Patnaik said that the varsity is the only Central university in the state, and has been selected to host one of the four incubation centres in the northeastern region under a prestigious Central government initiative. "This opportunity reaffirms the university's commitment to academic excellence and nation-building through innovation, research, and inclusive development. We expect to collaborate with stakeholders across academia, industry, and government to make this endeavour a resounding success," he added. Elaborating on the activities that would be taken up under this initiative, Dhrubajyoti Bordoloi, Coordinator, Entrepreneurship Development Centre and Incubation Centre, of the university, said, "Industry experts and established entrepreneurs would provide mentorship to the incubates. Workshops, ideathons, bootcamps and hackathons are contemplated for the forthcoming six months." Bordoloi, who is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management, Nagaland University, said: "The initiative is the first-of-its-kind in the northeastern region wherein potential entrepreneurs have been identified from the remotest corner of the country. Additionally, an effort has been made to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and intent among the youthful population of the state through the conduct of numerous awareness camps in various institutions and villages." The selection of the incubates was finalised in Financial Year 2024-25 through the 30 entrepreneurship development cells established under the project. A total of 145 beneficiaries were selected by the experts appointed by the nodal agency across the northeastern region, with 44 beneficiaries assigned to the Nagaland University Incubation Centre.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Meghalaya's ‘literary voice' Bijoya Sawian to be honoured
1 2 Shillong: Meghalaya's 'literary voice' Bijoya Sawian will be honoured at the third edition of the Aalekh Foundation Women Achievers' Awards ceremony to be held at The Leela Palace, New Delhi, on Saturday. The Shillong-based writer, translator and cultural custodian Sawian is among 20 exceptional women selected from across the country for their transformative work and impact in diverse fields. "The award recognises Bijoya Sawian's outstanding contribution to Indian literature and indigenous cultural preservation, particularly through her evocative storytelling and deep engagement with the heritage of the Khasi people," a media statement issued by the state directorate of public information said on Sunday. "Her acclaimed translations such as 'The Teachings of Elders' and 'The Main Ceremonies of the Khasis' have preserved invaluable oral traditions, while her fiction works like 'Shadow Men' and 'Hill Songs of Love and Longing' offer lyrical and sensitive portrayals of life in the Khasi Hills," the statement highlighted. Her writings have been lauded for bridging geographies and generations, bringing the rich cultural and socio-political history of the northeast into the national literary consciousness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The ceremony will be graced by distinguished guests, including R Venkataramani, attorney general of India and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, as chief guests. Speaking ahead of the event, Rennie Joyy, founder of the Aalekh Foundation, said, "Bijoya Sawian's work is a quiet revolution in literature — restoring dignity, voice and visibility to stories that often go unheard. At Aalekh, we are proud to honour women like her who shape narratives, nurture legacies and remind us of the power of words to preserve and transform". The Aalekh Foundation Women Achievers' Awards is a flagship initiative that celebrates women who have not only broken barriers in their respective fields but have also contributed meaningfully to society, culture, and nation-building.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Meghalaya's Sohra, considered world's wettest place, records a third of rainfall in June
Meghalaya's Sohra, considered the wettest place on earth, this June received barely one-third of the rainfall it recorded in the same month last year, deepening concerns over the impact of climate change. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Sohra, also known as Cherrapunji, recorded only 1,095.4 mm of rainfall this June, a sharp drop from 3,041.2 mm it received in the same period last year. This is among the steepest year-on-year declines in rainfall in the region, an IMD official said. 'This is deeply concerning. Sohra has been witnessing irregular rainfall for years, but such a sharp drop in June is alarming,' he said. The May data was not satisfactory either – there was a shortfall of about 400 mm of rainfall that month as compared to the same period last year. 'Over the past decade and a half, Sohra has seen a significant decline in its average annual rainfall,' the official said. 'Since 2005, Sohra has received only about 8,000 mm to 9,000 mm of rain annually, against a normal average of about 11,000 mm,' he said. 'Even this 'normal' of 11,000 mm pales in comparison to the 1970s when Sohra routinely recorded almost double that figure,' he added. In 1974, the town received 24,555 mm of rain, setting a world record that still stands. The current annual average is about a third of that, the official said. Experts cite shifting monsoon patterns, deforestation, rising sea surface temperatures, and urbanisation as reasons behind the decline. Adding to the crisis is the town's growing population and the increasing number of tourists. In 1961, Sohra had around 7,000 residents, whereas today, it is home to over 10 times that number, a local official said. 'This population explosion has put immense pressure on its water resources,' he said. Despite being synonymous with heavy rainfall, Sohra ironically struggles with water shortages, especially during the dry months. Villagers increasingly rely on fragile springs, while some areas need to be supplied with water by tankers who make quick bucks to meet the demand. Local conservationists have been urging immediate action through reforestation, watershed protection, and regulation of construction activities to avert a looming ecological disaster. 'The rainfall crisis is no longer about records, it's about whether Sohra can sustain itself in the future,' a Shillong-based environmental activist warned. Officials said they will continue to monitor the monsoon closely but admit that the declining trend deepens concerns for the region.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Centre asks Assam govt to take action against officer over illegal forest land use
Guwahati: The union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has directed the Assam government to take action against a senior state official for allegedly allowing illegal construction inside a reserve forest in Hailakandi district, in violation of provisions under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. Yadava had approved the construction of the second commando battalion of Assam Police in October 2021. (HT File Photo) MK Yadava, who was the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), head of forest force (HoFF), and special chief secretary (forests) of the Assam government, was accused of permitting the diversion of 11.5 hectares of land inside Damchera Inner Line Reserve Forest in Assam for the construction of a commando battalion, without obtaining prior permission from the Centre. Yadava had approved the construction of the second commando battalion of Assam Police in October 2021. The Shillong-based regional office of MoEFCC issued a letter to the Assam government on May 25 stating, 'MK Yadava, the then PCCF and HoFF, Assam, had no authority to grant permission for clearing the forest land for non-forest activity without the prior permission of central government.' Directing the state government to submit a report on action taken regarding litigations pending before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the letter further stated, 'Government of Assam is hereby authorised to take legal action against the offender and furnish an action taken a period of 45 days.' The letter, written by Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Central) Pee Lee Ete, noted that the diversion was allowed without prior approval, and 'for conservation and protection of not legally tenable.' HT has seen a copy of the letter. The letter explained that while the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam permits the construction of bare minimum operational buildings for forest management—such as check gates, single-lane untarred roads, and huts for guards—without prior permission from the Centre, approval is required for large structures that could impact conservation. A MoEFCC team that inspected the area found that construction was ongoing in full swing, with permanent structures covering a plinth area of around 30,000 square metres being built over 11.5 hectares, the letter said. Officials from the Assam Police Housing Corporation informed the team that around 50% of construction for some of the proposed battalion buildings had already been completed. 'The activities amount to gross violation of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam and rules, guidelines and notifications framed thereunder, and it is also against the legal principles framed by the courts and tribunals,' the letter read. Also Read: NGT directs Assam govt to clear 4200 ha of encroached forest land in Kamrup (M) It added that the submissions given by Yadava and the Assam government in response to the show-cause notices issued by MoEFCC were 'not satisfactory' and 'failed to prove not guilty.' The Assam government has not taken any action against Yadava so far, and the 45-day deadline given by MoEFCC to take action and submit a report will expire on July 13, an official requesting anonymity said. The letter also noted that the offence is punishable under Sections 3A and 3B of the Van (Sanrakshan and Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, read with Rule 15(3) of the Van (Sanrakshan and Samvardhan) Rules, 2023. Violation of the Act can result in imprisonment for a maximum period of 15 days.
Hans India
30-06-2025
- Hans India
CBI books ex-SBI branch manager in Assam for illegal assets of Rs 80 lakh
The CBI has booked a former manager of the State Bank of India branch in Assam for possessing allegedly illegal assets worth over Rs 80 lakh, an official said on Monday. Pinku Kumar, former Branch Manager, SBI, Ramkrishnanagar Branch, Karimganj, is also facing a separate investigation over his alleged collusion in a multi-crore scam involving sanction of loans using forged documents, the official said. CBI's Shillong-based Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) registered the latest Disproportionate Assets case against Pinku Kumar on June 27 after receiving a complaint from a preliminary investigator. The complaint alleged commission of criminal misconduct by Pinku Kumar while intentionally enriching himself illicitly, during the check period from April 1, 2019 to March 27, 2025. During this period, he was found in possession of pecuniary resources/property, disproportionate to his known sources of income which he cannot satisfactorily account for, to the tune of Rs 99.20 lakh -(81.84 per cent DA), said the CBI FIR filed against the former bank manager. Taking note of the preliminary probe conducted in the matter of criminal misconduct, the CBI's FIR said, 'The facts mentioned in the aforesaid complaint, prima facie, reveal commission of congnizable offences, punishable under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended 2018) on the part of Pinku Kumar.' Section 13 of the Act defines various forms of criminal misconduct by public servants. These include actions like abusing their position, misappropriating property, or possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. Earlier in March, the CBI booked Pinku Kumar twice in separate corruption cases naming two brokers Sumen Paul and Jadab Paul, along with the former, in each of the cases. Raids conducted by the federal agency in these two cases led to seizure of 481 grams of gold, 11.11 gram of diamond-studded jewellery and 1,092 gram silver. The CBI investigation showed that the former bank manager conspired with the two brokers and allegedly approved loans base on forged papers, leading to a loss of crores of rupees to the SBI.
