Assam Current Affairs – May 08 – 14, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – May 8 - 14, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of May 8 – 14, 2019 )

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May 08, 2019

Tezpur University, Queen’s University Belfast sign pact to tap human resources
  • In a bid to tap human resources, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. VK Jain, Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University (TU) and Prof. Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) in the presence of key functionaries from both the universities.
  • The MoU has a number of provisions for the benefit of the students and faculty members of both the universities. As per the agreement, sponsored scholars will be nominated by Tezpur University for admission to a collaborative research degree programme (CRDP) at Queen’s University.
  • A CRDP is a formal arrangement of joint supervision at PhD level by an academic each from both the universities. The maximum period of stay at Queen’s University will be two semesters for the scholars under the schools of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) and Management Sciences (MS), and six semesters for scholars of schools of Sciences and Engineering.
  • The scholars who are registered for a PhD programme at TU will be able to undertake a research internship at Queen’s University. The maximum period of stay at Queen’s University shall be two months for HSS and MS scholars and two semesters for science and engineering scholars.
  • High achieving scholars from TU who have commenced their studies in certain programmes (M Tech, M Sc, MA, MBA and B Tech) will be able to undertake project work or a research internship at Queen’s University with joint supervision. There will be exchange of visits by TU and QUB staff for collaborative research, teaching and discussion.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day celebrated on May 8
  • World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is celebrated on 8 May each year.
  • This date is the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 1828. He was the founder of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.
  • Having considered the principles of the truce and its applicability across different regions of the world, the proposal of an annual International Red Cross Day was adopted and the first Red Cross Day was celebrated on 8 May 1948.
  • The day is celebrated every year to commemorate the principles of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
  • Post World War I, Red Cross was introduced in order to call for peace as part of international commission of 14th International Conference of the Red Cross.
    The day is celebrated annually to reduce the suffering of people and enabling them to lead a dignified life.
  • It is celebrated by Red Cross Organisations across the world by helping people with independence, humanity, impartiality, universality, unity and neutrality – the fundamental principles of the organisation.
Microsoft unveils its own Blockchain-based service
  • Microsoft has unveiled fully-managed Azure Blockchain Service that would simplify the formation, management and governance so that businesses can focus on workflow logic and application development.
  • Instead of supporting cryptocurrency transactions, Azure Blockchain Service will let businesses develop their applications on its Cloud-based platform.
  • Microsoft has also announced a partnership with P. Morgan to make “Quorum” the first ledger available in Azure Blockchain Service.
  • With a few simple clicks, users can create and deploy a permissioned Blockchain network and manage consortium policies using an intuitive interface in the Azure portal.
  • IBM and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have already started Blockchain-based services.
  • With Azure Blockchain Service and Ethereumintegrations for tools like VS Code, Microsoft is demonstrating its commitment to open Blockchain development.

FACTFILE – Blockchain

  • A blockchain, originally block chain, is a growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked using cryptography. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data.
  • By design, a blockchain is resistant to modification of the data. It is an open, distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way.
  • For use as a distributed ledger, a blockchain is typically managed by a peer-to-peer network collectively adhering to a protocol for inter-node communication and validating new blocks. Once recorded, the data in any given block cannot be altered retroactively without alteration of all subsequent blocks, which requires consensus of the network majority.
  • Although blockchain records are not unalterable, blockchains may be considered secure by design and exemplify a distributed computing system with high Byzantine fault tolerance.
Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian appointed Advisory Council Memberof  Finance Commission
  • The Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to Union Government, Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian is appointed as the 12thmember of the Advisory Council of the 15th Finance Commission (FC).

FACTFILE – Advisory Council of the 15th Finance Commission (FC)

  • It now has 12 members, which include noted economists SurjitBhalla, ArvindVirmani, Indira Rajaraman and M GovindaRao among others.
  • Role and Function of the Advisory Council:
    • To advise FC on any relevant matter or subject related to Terms of Reference (ToR) of Commission.
    • To assist FC in preparing any research paper or study which would enhance the commission’s understanding on issues contained in its ToR.
    • To help expand FC’s understanding in adopting the best national and international practices on matters of fiscal devolution.To help improve quality, reach and enforcement of FC recommendations.

FACTFILE – Finance Commission

  • It is constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution by the President of India.
  • It mainly gives its recommendations on tax devolution i.e. distribution of tax revenues between Union and States, and amongst states themselves.
  • It is appointed for a period of five years and comprise of five member including one chairman and four other members.

FACTFILE – 15th Finance Commission

  • It was constituted in November 2017, to give recommendations for tax devolution and other fiscal matter for five fiscal years, 1 April 2020- 31 March 2025.
  • It is chaired by N. K. Singh, and members Ajay Narayan Jha, Ashok Lahiri and Anoop Singh.
  • Ramesh Chand is a part-time member in FC.

May 09, 2019

Assam Govt plans to boost inland water transport in State
  • The State Government is working on a proposal, concerning the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector, to provide incentives, in the form of subsidies, to the owners of the registered mechanised boats so as to enable them operate on both the Brahmaputra and the Barak rivers, complying with the safety norms.
  • The proposal includes subsidies on marine engines and free supply of safety gears and insurance covers, among others.
  • The process to revamp the IWT Directorate of the State is on. The State Government has decided to create four separate bodies out of the IWT Directorate.
  • These are – the IWT Directorate, the IWT Regulatory Authority, the IWT Vessel Construction Company and the IWT Port Construction Company.
  • The proposal to provide incentives to the mechanised boat owners is mooted as a component under the US $ 150 million worth Phase-I of a World Bank-assisted scheme.
  • This proposal titled – Jibandinga’ – is under study and an agreement has been signed with the Indian Registrar of Shipping for the purpose of providing technical guidance to the Assam Inland Water Development Society, formed to implement the World Bank-assisted schemes.
  • There are 1,383 registered mechanized boats in the State and there are between 1,500 and 2,000 mechanised boats which are yet to be registered with the IWT Directorate of the State.
Engineers at IIT Bombay develop AJIT microprocessor Made in India
  • Engineers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have developed a microprocessor called AJIT, the first to be conceptualised, designed, developed and manufactured in India.
  • The project was funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and IIT Bombay.
  • Powai Labs, a Mumbai-based company, has invested in the venture, and will own, market and support the product.
  • Madhav Desai of the electrical engineering department and his team of nine researchers from IIT Bombay designed and developed the processor entirely at the institute.
  • Desai and his team developed a tool set called AHIR-V2, which can convert an algorithm to hardware to design the microprocessor circuit.
  • AJIT is a medium-sized processor. It can be used inside a set top box, as a control panel for automation systems, in a traffic light controller or even robotic systems.
Government of India introduces FAME II Scheme
  • Government of India introduced the FAME II scheme to boost the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles.

FACTFILE – FAME II scheme

  • The scheme estimates that India as a country can save 64% of anticipated road-based mobility related energy demand and 37% of carbon emissions in 2030 by pursuing a shared, electric and connected mobility future.
  • This reduction in energy demand would result in the reduction of 156 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in diesel and petrol consumption for that year and net saving of approximately $60 billion in 2030 at present oil prices.
  • Further, this would give impetus to India’s vision of reducing oil imports by 10% by 2022.
  • India needs these schemes as the transport sector in India continues to be the highest oil consuming sector and the use of diesel and petrol grew at 5.9% and 9.9% respectively in the last 10 years. India’s import dependency on oil has increased from 78.3% of total consumption in 2014-15 to settling at a new high of 83.7% in the 10-month period of FY19.

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May 10, 2019

Tirobhav Tithi of Harihar Atoi observed at Madhupur Satra
  • The Tirobhav Tithi of Harihar Atoi, the principle disciple of Madhabdev was observed with religious fervour at Haripur-Madhupur Satra.
  • Harihar Atoi established a number of Satras in western Assam and North Bengal and played an important role in spreading Satriya culture in these areas.
  • Although this saint is credited with immense contribution towards the Vaishnavite way of life, and had established many Satras in this part of the nation, but till date only Haripur-Madhupur Satra and Bhanukumari Satra recall his stellar contributions.
India joins US, Japan, & Philippines for naval drills in South China Sea
  • Two Indian naval ships joined their counterparts from the US, Japan, and The Philippines for a “Group Sail” exercise through the contested waters of the South China Sea, underlining India’s commitment to working with partners to ensure safe and open sea lanes.
  • Incidentally, the two ships –INS Kolkata and Shakti — that participated in the “Group Sail” were the same vessels that took part in the International Fleet Review in China’s port city of Qingdao.
  • The exercise comes at a time when India has been warily looking at increased Chinese activity in the northern Indian Ocean, traditionally seen as India’s backyard.
  • The Group Sail was aimed at deepening existing partnership and foster mutual understanding among participating navies.
FDA Approves First Vaccine for Dengue
  • The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first vaccine to prevent dengue disease caused by all dengue virus serotypes (1, 2, 3, and 4) for people aged 9 through 16 years who have previously had laboratory-confirmed dengue infection and who live in endemic areas.
  • In clearing the vaccine, the agency acknowledged the serious public health benefit of slowing a disease that affects hundreds of millions of people around the world.
  • The decision may also help a struggling product whose use has stalled because of concerns over its possible risks.
  • Sanofi has sold Dengvaxia overseas since 2015, but the vaccine hit a major roadblock in 2017 after the Philippines, which had widely distributed the product to schoolchildren.
  • That decision came after Sanofi announced that in rare cases, if people who never had dengue were vaccinated and later became infected, the vaccine might provoke a much more severe form of the illness.
  • More than one-third of the world’s population lives in areas at risk for infection with the dengue virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

May 11, 2019

Tea Estate managements set to face more heat
  • Tea garden managements in the State, particularly those violating labour and employment laws, may have to pay the price now. The State labour department has begun inspecting the tea estates to verify if the managements are complying with the labour laws.
  • The labour department has also taken a stern view of the gardens failing to implement the interim wage hike. Most of such erring gardens are located in Barak valley.
  • Last year in July, the State government had enhanced daily wages of tea workers by an interim amount of Rs 30 per day, with retrospective effect from March 1 that year.
  • The workers will get the interim hike till the finalisation of the revised minimum wages, which is likely to be fixed once the committee on minimum wages headed by senior bureaucrat Kumar Sanjay Krishna submits its report.
  • Some gardens have failed to implement the interim wage hike and pay the arrears. With the interim hike, workers in Brahmaputra valley are entitled to a daily wage of Rs 167, while those of Barak valley get Rs 145 along with an “attendance allowance”.
  • There are around 12.5 lakh tea workers in some 850 gardens in both the valleys.
National Technology Day 2019 observed on May 11
  • Observed every year on May 11, National Technology Day acts as a reminder of India’s technological advancements. Notably, on this day, India successfully tested Shakti-I nuclear missile at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan.
  • The operation was called Operation Shakti or Pokhran-II.Two days later, India successfully test fired two nuclear weapons as part of Operation Shakti.
  • The initial five tests were conducted on May 11, when three nuclear bombs were exploded while recording an earthquake of 5.3 Richter scale in the nearby seismic stations. Remaining of the two tests were carried out on May 13.
  • National Technology Day highlights the importance of science in daily life and encourages youngsters to embrace it as a career option.
  • The day also marks the flight of Hansa-3, India’s first indigenous aircraft, that was flown in Bengaluru when the nuclear tests were being organized in Rajasthan.
  • May 11, 1998 was also the day the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) accomplished the last test-fire of the Trishul missile, which was then introduced into service by the Indian Air Force and Indian Army.
Indo-French naval exercise Varuna concludes
  • The biggest Indo-French naval exercise yet, Varuna-19, concluded off Goa in with close range manouvers conducted by the carrier task forces of both the navies.
  • Dignitaries from both navies visited the French carrier task force and were briefed on the conduct of the exercise.
  • An impressive flypast consisting of four Rafale, five MiG 29-Ks and one Hawkeye was witnessed by Flag Officer Commander in Chief of the Western region and the French Ambassador to India and nine French dignitaries onboard the French Carrier Charles De Gaulle.
  • The exercise concluded with the Indian Navy and French Navy helicopters carrying out extensive cross deck operations for personnel transfer.
  • The bilateral naval exercise initiated in 1983 and christened as ‘Varuna’ in 2001, forms a vital part of the Indo-French strategic partnership and has grown in scope and complexity over the years.
UN to hold 2020 Ocean Conference in Lisbon
  • United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) decided to hold its 2020 high-level conference early June in Portugal’s Lisbon to support the sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.
  • The UNGA “decides to convene the high-level 2020 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development in Lisbon, from June 2 to 6, 2020.
  • The UNGA also decided that the conference shall “involve all relevant stakeholders,” bringing together governments, the UN system, intergovernmental organizations and all other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken toward, the implementation of Goal 14.
  • The UNGA “decides that the overarching theme of the conference shall be “scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14, stocktaking, partnerships and solutions.

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May 12, 2019

Temperature projected to rise by 1.7°C in Manipur by end of 21st Century
  • Temperature is projected to rise by over 1.7°C by the end of the 21st century in Manipur, the scientists of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) centres.
  • Trend analysis of weather variables in Imphal under National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture revealed that the mean annual maximum temperature (1954–2014) has been increasing by 0.1°C per decade, said the scientists in their research paper published in Current Science journal in 2018-end.
  • The 20-page report called ‘Climate resilient agriculture in Manipur: status and strategies for sustainable development’ is the result of a year-long work by eleven ICAR scientists who have reviewed more than 40 sources of information.
  • Precipitation rate in northern parts of Manipur is expected to increase. It is also projected that the extreme rainfall events (100 mm/day) will become more frequent while the southern districts are expected to experience higher temperatures than that of the northern districts.
  • Interestingly, there are enormous gene pool of rice (more than 269 local varieties), maize, legumes, tuber crops, turmeric, ginger and chillies in Manipur which also houses more than 500 orchid varieties, 1200 species of medicinal plants, 50 species of fleshy fungi, 121 algae and a few moses, 200 plus fish species, 73 different types of birds, 31 endemic mammals, more than 53 species of bamboo, etc.
  • It may be mentioned that the total food grain production in Manipur during 2014-15 was 594.28 thousand tonnes from the cultivated area of 2,92,950 ha.
  • Sustainable intensification of climate change action in Manipur requires introduction of climate ready varieties/species/breeds, organic nutrient management, increase in water availability especially during lean period and integrated farming system-based approach with special emphasis on carbon sequestration and waste management.
IAF gets its first Apache attack helicopter
  • Boeing handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) the first of the 22 Apache attack helicopters that India had contracted to buy in September 2015 for about $3 billion at current prices.
  • Air Marshal A S Butola traveled to Boeing’s helicopter production facility at Mesa, Arizona, to attend the handing over ceremony, alongside US government officials.
  • The Apaches are being acquired through a hybrid contract. The helicopter itself has been contracted through a “direct commercial sale” with
  • The Apache is widely acknowledged to be the world’s most lethal combat helicopter, having flown about a million mission hours in conflicts from the First Gulf War in 1991 to the ongoing fighting in Afghanistan. It can operate by day or night with equal effectiveness, flying just metres above the ground and sheltering behind trees and sand dunes.
  • Its advanced Longbow radar picks up enemy armoured vehicles and then destroys them with anti-tank missiles, air-to-surface rockets or a chain gun that sends 625 rounds per minute ripping into the targets.
Republic of Ireland declared Climate Emergency
  • Republic of Ireland has become the second country in the world to declare a climate emergency. Earlier on 1st May 2019, Britain’s parliament became the first in the world to declare a climate emergency.
  • The climate emergency declaration was passed by both the government and opposition parties of Ireland unanimously. Both agreed to an amendment to ‘Oireachtas report on Climate Action’ (a parliamentary report on climate action).
  • Targets to be undertaken include becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, introduce electric car hubs or build sustainable homes to try to achieve that goal.
  • The Oireachtas Climate Action report that started the Irish declaration came from a Citizens’ Assembly report.
  • The Citizens’ Assembly will next be considering the issue of a biodiversity emergency.

FACTFILE – The Citizens’ Assembly

  • Ireland’s Citizens’ assembly was established in 2016 for considering several political questions like referendums, abortion, population ageing, fixed term parliaments and climate change etc.
  • The report produced by it is to be considered by the Oireachtas (Ireland’s Legislature).
Japan tests world’s fastest bullet train
  • Japan has started testing its fastest-ever bullet train – capable of reaching 400 kilometers per hour (249 mph) – as it continues to develop the revolutionary mode of travel.
  • The ALFA-X version of the Shinkansen train began three years’ of test runs.Alfa-X is expected to start operations around 2030 and will run at speeds of up to 360 kph, thus earning the title of the world’s fastest bullet train.
  • Alfa-X train is packed with the latest technological features like – vibration sensors, temperature sensors – and its distinct 72 ft long aerodynamic nose is dramatically elongated to minimise noise and pressure when passing through tunnels.
  • This bullet train will be even faster than Fuxing train in China, which runs 10 kph slower than Alfa-X.

FACTFILE – ALFA-X

  • The Class E956, branded “ALFA-X” is a ten-car experimental Shinkansen train operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan to test technology to be incorporated into future shinkansen trains operating in service at speeds of up to 360 km/h (220 mph).
  • The name is an acronym for “Advanced Labs for Frontline Activity in rail eXperimentation”. The first train was unveiled on May 9, 2019.

May 13, 2019

WTO Ministerial Meeting of Developing Countries began in New Delhi
  • The two-day meeting is being held at a time when the multilateral rule-based-trading system is facing serious and grave challenges. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the Ministers to discuss various issues and the way forward. 
  • Sixteen developing countries and six Least Developed Countries, LDCs are participating in the meeting.
  • It includes China, South Africa, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh. The Director-General of WTO Roberto Azevedo is also participating in the meeting. 

In two-day meeting following issues are likely to be discussed:

  • Finding a solution to the ongoing impasse in the Appellate Body on an urgent basis
  • Issues of importance and priority for developing countries including LDCs in the reform agenda.
  • How to reinvigorate negotiating agenda on issues of critical importance for developing countries?
  • How to ensure effective S&D for all developing countries including LDCs?
Contract signed between Konkan Railways and Nepal Railways
  • India and Nepal have inked a deal on procurement of two diesel operated trains. The contract agreement was signed between India’s Konkan Railways Corporation Ltd and Nepal’s Department of Railways to supply two 1600 HP Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train sets.
  • It was signed in Kathmandu in the presence of ManjeevPuri, Indian Ambassador to Nepal and Madhusudan Adhikari, Nepal’s Secretary, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.
  • According to agreement, Nepal will procure two diesel-operated trains, which will arrive in Nepal within five months.
  • Each train set will comprise of three trailer cars with one air conditioned, one driving power car and one driving trailer car with standard accessories.
  • These trains will be used to operationalise the 34 km long railway corridor stretch which links Jayanagar in Bihar, India and Kurtha in Dhanusa district, Nepal.
  • The 34 kmsJayanagar-Kurtha Railway Link was built by IRCON (Ircon International Limited, a construction and engineering PSU in transport infrastructure) with a financial grant from Indian Government under the India-Nepal Development Partnership programme.
  • The trains will be manufactured by Integrated Coach Factory (owned and operated by Indian Railways) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Novak Djokovic won Madrid Open 2019 title
  • Novak Djokovic, the World No. 1 tennis player has won the 2019 Mutua Madrid Open title.
  • He defeated StefanosTsitsipas, the Greek tennis player and secured 6-3, 6-4.
  • With the win, he equaled Rafael Nadal’s record of 33 ATP Masters 1000 titles.
  • It is also Djokovic’s 200thvictory against a Top 10 opponent.

BIOGRAPHY – Novak Đoković

  • Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in men’s singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
  • Djokovic has won 16 Grand Slam singles titles, five ATP Finals titles, 33 ATP Tour Masters 1000 titles, 13 ATP Tour 500 titles, and has held the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings for over 270 weeks.
  • In majors, he has won a record seven Australian Open titles, five Wimbledon titles, three US Open titles, and one French Open title.
  • By winning the 2016 French Open, he became the eighth player in history to achieve the Career Grand Slam and the third man to hold all four major titles at once, the first since Rod Laver in 1969 and the first ever to do so on three different surfaces.
  • He is the first and only male player to have won all nine of the Masters 1000 tournaments.
  • Djokovic is the first Serbian player to be ranked No. 1 by the ATP and the first male player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam singles title.
  • He is a six-time ITF World Champion and a five-time ATP year-end No. 1 ranked player.

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 May 14, 2019

Survey of rivers soon to detect encroachments
  • The Kamrup Metro district administration in collaboration with all departments concerned will carry out a survey of the Bharalu and Pamohi rivers soon to detect encroachments in these two rivers.
  • Bharalu and Pamohi, two main channels which carry water from various parts of Guwahati during the rainy season, are badly hit by encroachment mainly because of which the city faces tremendous waterlogging.
  • It is noteworthy that although all departments concerned have been spending crores of rupees to mitigate the menace of waterlogging in Guwahati, there is still a lack of any long-term planning.
  • Desiltation of the drains in a continuous manner is the one and only solution left for all the departments to pump out excess water from the city during the rainy season.
DRDO successfully conducts flight test of ABHYAS
  • India successfully conducted the flight test of ABHYAS – High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) from a test range in Odisha.
  • The trial, carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore, was tracked by various radars and electro-optic systems.
  • The configuration of ABHYAS is designed on an in-line small gas turbine engine and it uses indigenously developed MEMS based navigation system.
  • It proved its performance in a fully autonomous way point navigation mode.

FACTFILE – The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

  • DRDO is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India.
  • It was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation.
  • It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
Young Scientist Programme – Yuvika2019
  • The Young Scientist Programme ‘Yuvika2019’ was inaugurated by Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan.
  • The two-week residential summer vacation programme spread over four ISRO centres in Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad and Shillong are attended by 110 students.
  • While inaugurating the programme, ISRO Chairman mentioned that the programme will help in inculcating scientific temper in the students.
  • He also touched upon how the applications of Space technology is helping in the day to day activities of common man besides ensuring the safety of life and property during disaster situations.
  • Dr Sivan also said that programmes like this will lead to national integration and nation building.
  • The participants will be visiting the spaceport of India, SatishDhawan Space Centre in Shriharikota during this programme.
World Migratory Bird Day observed in Manipur
  • The first-ever World Migratory Bird Day was observed at Azuram, a remote village under Tousem sub-division in Manipur’s Tamenglong district.
  • Azuram village has been recognised by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals for providing safe passage to Amur Falcons (Falco amurensis) during their annual migration through Manipur.
  • The event, which was initiated by the Youths Club and the villagers, and was attended by children, church leaders and women.
  • The members of the Corbett Foundation (TCF) also took part in the event and appealed to the people to save flora and fauna.

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