National
Dr. Sonal Mansingh Awarded the Srimanta Sankardeva Award for Her Contributions to Indian Classical Arts and Social Harmony
The event was attended by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and other dignitaries, including Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora and Padma Bhushan awardee Jatin Goswami.
In his address, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed Mansingh as “a guardian of Indian classical traditions who has also embraced her social responsibilities.” He commended her for utilizing dance to tackle issues like women’s empowerment, environmental awareness, and social justice.
Reflecting on Srimanta Sankardeva’s principles, Sonowal remarked, “His vision of unity, social harmony, and ecological balance—encapsulated by the saying ‘a tree is like ten sons’—continues to inspire us to foster an inclusive and pollution-free society.” He emphasized that Sankardeva’s influence went beyond spirituality, stating, “Gurujona laid the cultural and ethical foundations of Assamese identity—connecting communities, uplifting marginalized voices, and envisioning a society where all castes, creeds, and languages coexist.”
Sonowal further highlighted the importance of the award, expressing that bestowing it upon Dr. Sonal Mansingh, whose artistry embodies depth, discipline, and compassion, reaffirms the values of Sankardeva in today’s cultural context.
Dr. Mansingh, a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan and a former Rajya Sabha member, is a prominent figure in Indian classical dance. Her early training in Manipuri dance connects her to the Northeast, and she has often mentioned the Kamakhya Temple in Assam as one of her spiritual homes.
The Srimanta Sankardeva Award is one of Assam’s most esteemed cultural honors, given to individuals whose contributions to art, culture, and society embody the values of Sankardeva.
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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