Ratnadip Choudhury

Chaos, Confusion In Assam As Citizens' List Deadline Nears

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Sunday December 9, 2018

The final NRC draft had listed 2.8 crore people, leaving out about 40 lakh applicants. The Supreme Court had fixed December 15 as the last day to submit "claims and objections". So far only about 10 lakh people have been able to do so. The objection phase has almost been a non-starter with less than 500 objections filed till now.

180-Year-Old Assam Tea Industry Gets Its First Woman Garden Manager

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Saturday December 8, 2018

The 180-year-old Assam Tea industry has always been male dominated. The tea leaves are pluck by women, but they are always led by male 'Sardars'.

Man Dies Of Heart Attack, Locals Say He Was Under Stress Over Assam List

Cities | Ratnadip Choudhury | Thursday December 6, 2018

An elderly man died of cardiac arrest, the locals alleged, triggered by his wife's name not being included in Assam's National Register of Citizens or NRC.

Assam Votes In Crucial Panchayat Election Amid Citizenship Bill Row

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Wednesday December 5, 2018

Voting has begun amid heavy security for phase one of the two-phased panchayat elections in Assam today. The panchayat polls, being held at a time when there are widespread protests in the state over the citizenship bill, are being seen as a test for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP which came to power in a coalition in the state in 2016, w...

"Rafale On Track, First Jets By 2019": Air Force Chief's Assurance

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Thursday November 29, 2018

The Indian Air Force chief today reiterated that there will be no delay in the delivery of Rafale fighter aircraft from France, and the first jets should arrive by 2019. But he refused to comment on specific questions in this connection.

80% Voter Turnout Keeps Congress' Hopes Afloat In Mizoram Polls

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Thursday November 29, 2018

Polling to the 40-member Mizoram legislative assembly was peaceful today, with no violence being reported from any part of the state. Polling stations registered 80% voter turnout until 9 pm, and the number was expected to go up in the coming hours, election officials said.

In Mizoram, BJP Hopes To Repeat Success It Saw In Other Northeast States

Assembly Mizoram | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Tuesday November 27, 2018

The people of Mizoram will vote tomorrow in the only north-east state where the Congress is in power, as the party looks to protect its citadel from the BJP's advancing army and guerrilla attacks from the regional Mizo National Front. The BJP, powered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "development for all" campaign, is hoping to repeat the success ...

Small Parties To Play Big Role In Assembly Elections In Mizoram

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Monday November 26, 2018

There is sense of optimism among the rank and file of the Mizo National Front (MNF), the main opposition to the Congress in Mizoram. Their optimism is based on the history of the state where governments change every 10 years. However, it appears that smaller parties are going play a crucial in this assembly polls.

To Win In Mizoram, Parties Look For Support From Civil Society Groups

Assembly Mizoram | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Monday November 26, 2018

Civil society groups in Mizoram are in focus ahead of the assembly elections in the north-east state on Wednesday. All the major political parties including the BJP and the Congress want a favourable opinion about them from the civil society groups as it can have a major impact on the outcome of the fiercely contested elections.

"Far-Fetched": Mizoram's Congress Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla On BJP Hint Of Alliance

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Friday November 23, 2018

Ahead of voting next week for state elections, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said that the BJP's suggestion that they could partner him in a post-poll alliance, effectively pulling the rug out of the Congress' feet, was "far-fetched". Claiming that he is going to "break the jinx", the 76-year-old Congress leader said he will create history b...

Salman Khan Goes Cycling With Kiren Rijiju, Pema Khandu In Arunachal

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Thursday November 22, 2018

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is known for cycling on the roads of Mumbai. For a change, today he flew to Mechuka, close to the China border in Arunachal Pradesh and cycled with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju.

BJP Says Open To Tying Up With Congress Chief Minister In Mizoram

India News | Reported by Ratnadip Choudhury, Edited by Nidhi Sethi | Tuesday November 20, 2018

In the small hill state of Mizoram, where both the ruling Congress and main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) are trying hard to prove their 'anti-BJP' credentials, the BJP has hintedat alliancing with the leaders of these parties.

Digital Connectivity Suffers At Arunachal Town Awaiting Big Investments

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Sunday November 18, 2018

Even as the government is trying to make forward areas the newest launch pad of its regional connectivity initiative, Tawang, a border town in Arunachal Pradesh, is still grappling with digital connectivity problems.

Assam Chief Minister Meets Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah Over Citizens' List

India News | Written by Ratnadip Choudhury | Sunday November 18, 2018

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today for discussions on the ongoing update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill-2014. Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma and BJP president Amit Shah were also present.

Poll Panel, Mizoram Groups Talks End, Election Officer May Be Replaced

Assembly Mizoram | Reported by Ratnadip Choudhury, Edited by Debanish Achom | Saturday November 10, 2018

The Election Commission has agreed to the main demands of civil society groups in Mizoram protesting against the recent appointment of the state's chief electoral officer, people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The outcome of the talks between an Election Commission team and the groups was positive, they said.