GUWAHATI: Every person is entitled to human rights without discrimination. The rights to equality and non-discrimination are cornerstones of human rights law. This was more or less of what the speakers at an open meeting said as they joined the International Day to End Racial Discrimination in Guwahati on Wednesday. They said racism, xenophobia and intolerance are still prevalent in all societies, and discriminatory practices are widespread, particularly targeting migrants and refugees as well as people of African descent. The speakers, mostly, urged the states to take comprehensive measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and to promote tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity. Char and Rural Development Society (CARDS) in collaboration with Control Arms Foundation of India (CFAI), Manipur Woman Gun Survivors Network (MWGSN) and Multiple Action Research Group (MARG) Wednesday convened to commemorate March 21 as International Day to End Racial Discrimination in the city with a panel discussion themed: “Diversity in India: Race, Ethnicity and Culture.” “Many people, oragnisations came in and we all formed what is known as Northeast India Forum Against Racism (NEIFAR). Our efforts made the Government of India form Bezbaruah Committee, the first ever committee formed in independent India on addressing racial discrimination and work towards a series of recommendations to mitigate the same,” said Binalakshmi Nepram whose speech was read out in her absence. Journalist and social activist. Krishna Nath said, “Racism unlike what politicians believe is not always a matter of color, it is any kind of discrimination based on false association of superficial, physical difference- skin color, shape of one’s lips, hair, stature and others along with word and intellectual qualities.” Citing the position of Islam on racism, Syed Miraz Ahmed quoted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saying, “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action.” Speakers who participated in the panel discussion included Manashi Das Queah, Archana Sethiya, Alakananda Das, Dr Richa Panday, Dr Dipti Rekha Sharma and Tinat Atifa Masood. Closing in the event, Shaheen Hussain Nongbri, President Char and Rural Development Society pledged to do all to address discrimination owing from the constructs of race, ethnicity and culture and make a congenial environment for all to co-exist. A series of posters were also launched as a campaign on the issue. The event was supported by the European Union.
The controversy surrounding the removal of a mural depicting Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg took a fresh turn on Thursday after artist Marshall Baruah repainted the portrait at Ganeshguri Tiniali in Guwahati, drawing a large gathering of supporters, admirers and members of the public.
The original mural, painted on a flyover pillar and accompanied by the message "Comrades Never Die", had recently been erased, triggering widespread criticism on social media and among sections of Assam's cultural community. Many viewed the artwork as a tribute to the singer's enduring legacy and questioned the reasons behind its removal.
Prior to repainting the mural, Marshall Baruah had announced that...
The Delhi High Court's decision to quash the Delhi Police and Enforcement Directorate cases against NewsClick is not merely a legal victory for one media organisation. It is a test of India's commitment to justice, accountability and press freedom.
In unusually strong language, the court described the proceedings as a "gross abuse of the process of law" and observed that the allegations failed to disclose the essential ingredients of the offences alleged. The court further noted that despite years of investigation, no incriminating material had been produced to justify the prosecution. Such observations are rare and significant. They go beyond technical defects and strike at the very...
The second edition of the Kaziranga Chess Carnival concluded successfully today at Borgos Resort, Kohora, drawing 140 chess players from across India in what has quickly become one of Assam's notable sporting and tourism events.
The one-day tournament was held across three categories — Under-10, Under-15 and Open. In the Open category, Amlan Mahanta claimed the top prize of ₹25,000, with Iftikar Alom Mazumdar and Tanmay Rajbongshi finishing second and third respectively. Total prize money for the event stood at ₹1 lakh.
In the Under-15 Boys category, Abhirup Handique topped the standings, followed by Ankit Doley and Bishwajit Boruah, while Debangee Parijat led the Under-15 Girls field...
In a significant initiative to preserve and promote Assam's rich manuscript heritage, the Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva, in collaboration with the International Council on Monuments and Sites, India, North-East Zone (ICOMOS), is organizing a special Internship Program on 'Manuscript and Manuscriptology' beginning July 1, 2026.
The two-week residential training program, designed in alignment with the New Education Policy, is open to college and university students of all disciplines, including Arts, History, Archaeology and Museum Science.
Participants will receive hands-on training in traditional Sanchipat preparation, use of natural pigments such as hengul and haital,...
Nirjuli, June 3: The 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), under the aegis of the NCC Group Headquarters Tezpur, has commenced its Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC-37) cum Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS) programme at the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli. The ten-day camp began on June 1 and will continue until June 10.
A total of 350 NCC cadets from Group Headquarters Tezpur are participating in the camp, including 56 cadets enrolled under the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme. The camp is being conducted under the leadership of the Commanding Officer and Administrative Officer of 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion NCC, supported...
The Kaziranga Rhino Cup 2026, a major national-level boxing selection tournament, will be held at Golaghat Stadium in Assam from June 5 to June 7, 2026. The event is being organized as a qualifying platform for the upcoming Pro Boxing League (PBL) of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation.
The tournament will serve as the second qualifying stage ahead of the Pro Boxing League scheduled to be held in New Delhi in July 2026. Through the competition, eight boxers—including five men and three women across different weight categories—will be selected for participation in the professional league.
Speaking about the event, Dr. Rakesh Mishra, National President of the Indian Amateur Boxing...
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged expenditure of ₹509.59 crore incurred by the Assam government during 2024-25 without any budget provision, supplementary grant, or re-appropriation order, raising concerns over financial management and legislative oversight.
According to the CAG's State Finance Audit Report for Assam (Report No. 2 of 2026), the expenditure was incurred in 13 cases under the head "Public Debt and Servicing of Debt" despite the absence of authorization through the state's budgetary process.
The audit report observed that such expenditure was in violation of Article 204 of the Constitution, which mandates legislative approval before funds can...
The granting of environmental clearance for oil drilling inside the Upper Dehing Reserved Forest has reignited concerns among environmentalists and local residents over the future of one of Upper Assam's ecologically sensitive forest landscapes.
According to a public notice issued by Oil India Limited (OIL), the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Assam, has accorded environmental clearance for the diversion of 3.73 hectares of forest land for drilling four oil wells at the old Bogapani-2 plinth in the Upper Dehing Reserved Forest (West Block) under the Digboi Forest Division.
The clearance, granted under the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)...
Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK) Assam has announced the annual Devarshi Narad Jayanti lecture programme, which will be held on Sunday, June 7, at Sudarshanalay in the Barbari area of Guwahati. The event will begin at 10:30 am.
Nationally acclaimed news presenter and Senior Advisor of the News Division at Delhi Doordarshan, Prakhar Shrivastava, will deliver the keynote lecture focusing on the life and contributions of Devarshi Narad, regarded as the world's first media professional.
On the occasion, senior journalist and editor of Ishan Darpan, Nava Thakuria, will be conferred the Devarshi Narad Jayanti Award 2026 in recognition of his long-standing contributions to journalism. Three...
Livino K., from the Sumi community in Nagaland, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. Hailing from Yemishe, a small village in Zunheboto district, Livino is set to embark on a transformative six-month study trip to Taiwan.
Her journey into the world of Mandarin began unexpectedly in 2025 while exploring opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. Stumbling upon the online Mandarin programme offered by the Taiwan Education Center at Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU), Livino was intrigued by the centre’s reputation, quality teaching, and the opportunity to sit for standardized proficiency examinations. She...
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