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 rivers of Northeast India are changing, and not for the better. Once lifelines of the region, they are now at risk due to glacial retreat, erratic rainfall and intensifying floods. On World Water Day 2025, the North-East India Water Talks, or NEIWT, sounded the alarm, submitting a memorandum to key policymakers, including the governor of Manipur, the chief minister of Tripura and water resources ministers from all Northeastern states. Their message was clear: Act now, or the region faces a dire water crisis.
Melting Glaciers a Looming Threat
This year’s theme, “Glacier Preservation,” reflects a sobering reality—Himalayan glaciers are disappearing. Scientists warn that by 2050,...
Surojit Academy, located on the Assam Engineering College campus, celebrated World Puppetry Day on March 21 and World Mime Day on the same occasion, though it is officially observed on March 22. This year’s theme for World Puppetry Day was “Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and the Dreams of Puppets.”
The event featured a speech by Binita Devi, recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar and director of Surojit Academy, on the role of artificial intelligence in puppetry. Abani Sharma, a leading puppeteer from Assam who has performed in India and Spain, was felicitated at the event. Dr. Kuldeep Patgiri, another Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee, attended as a distinguished...
Renowned sculptor Sankar Kalita from Paikana village near Baihata Chariali in Kamrup district, who had established himself in Guwahati, has been missing for over a month and a half, causing concern in the area. Kalita, who moved to Guwahati around 30 years ago to pursue sculpting, has been involved in creating numerous sculptures across Guwahati and various parts of Assam. Recently, he had set up his own sculpting studio in Vetapara, Guwahati. However, in a mysterious turn of events, he traveled to Mumbai in late December for business-related work and has not returned since.
According to family members, Kalita had planned to return home during Magh Bihu but later informed them that he...
In a controversial move, the Assam government has terminated 64 lecturers from polytechnic institutes who were protesting for the regularization of their jobs. These lecturers had been on a hunger strike for 23 days, demanding that their temporary positions be made permanent. They were initially appointed during the tenure of Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Education Minister.
The lecturers, who have been working as founder faculty members in polytechnics for eight years, had come to Guwahati during the budget session to appeal to the government regarding their demands. However, the government’s refusal to regularize their jobs forced them to stage a protest under the open sky. Their...
In the hilly district of Karbi Anglong, Assam, anxiety looms large among the indigenous communities as the state government plans to acquire 18,000 bighas of land for a 1,000-megawatt solar power project. This proposed project threatens to displace nearly 20,000 Karbi, Naga, and tribal residents from 23 villages in the Khatkhati-Longkathar area. For over two centuries, these indigenous communities have lived on this land, cultivating crops and sustaining their livelihoods through agriculture.
Assam’s Rajya Sabha MP, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, raised the issue in the Upper House, highlighting that the government is proceeding with the land acquisition without consulting the local communities,...
The proposed acquisition of 18,000 bighas of land in Karbi Anglong district’s Khatkhati-Longkathar area for a 1,000-megawatt solar power project has sparked widespread fear and protests among the local tribal communities. The central and state governments are pushing forward with the project, which threatens to displace thousands of indigenous people, including Karbi, Naga, and Adivasi communities, who have been living and cultivating the land for generations.
The land in question has been home to these communities for over 200 years, where they have been growing bamboo, banana trees, rabi crops, and broom grass to sustain their livelihoods. The government’s move to acquire this land for...
Controversial YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia appeared before the Assam Police in Guwahati on Friday in connection with a case related to his objectionable comments made during the ‘India’s Got Talent’ show. He is currently being questioned by the Crime Branch of Guwahati Police.
Allahbadia was initially supposed to appear before the Assam Police last week regarding the case, which stems from his controversial remarks on the show that sparked widespread criticism. A case was registered against him in Guwahati, and he was issued a summons to appear before the police.
Last week, the Guwahati Crime Branch also questioned another YouTuber, Ashish Chanchlani, who was similarly embroiled in...
The Press Club of Assam (PCA) has expressed concern over the recent controversy involving Assam Health & Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal and his alleged remarks on Bhaona, a traditional Assamese performing art form. The PCA has urged the journalist involved in the matter to clarify his stance, as the issue has sparked widespread debate and criticism.
The controversy began when a television journalist, associated with a news channel owned by the family of the State government’s chief, claimed in a social media post that Minister Singhal disrespected a delegation from the Gauhati Press Club (GPC). The delegation had invited Singhal to a forthcoming Bhaona performance in the city...
Dr. Thomas Lodi is a renowned physician specializing in integrative oncology, combining conventional medicine with natural therapies to treat cancer and chronic diseases. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Lodi is dedicated to addressing the root causes of illness and enhancing the body’s natural healing abilities. He emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment plans that integrate nutrition, detoxification, emotional well-being, and targeted therapies.
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In a thought-provoking lecture on Monday, invited speaker Senior Advocate and Eminent Writer Arup Borbora explored the evolving landscape of human rights and the rule of law, emphasizing their importance in shaping modern societies. Reflecting on historical developments and contemporary challenges, Borbora highlighted the significance of safeguarding civil, political, and economic rights, particularly in the context of Assam and India. He underscored the ongoing need for reform and the preservation of democratic principles amid growing concerns over human rights violations and governance.
4th PARAG KUMAR DAS MEMORIAL LECTURE
Speaker: ARUP BORBORA: Senior Advocate, Eminent Writer...
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