Current Affairs Assam – December 2017 eMagazine
December 10
Korean firm conducts study to ease Guwahati traffic
South Korean firm ISAN Corporation has conducted a study and prepared a detailed project report for a road safety pilot project proposed to be implemented in the 23-km Jalukbari-Bharalumukh-Ulubari-Khanapara stretch. Christened as the Safe Corridor Demonstration Project, the Rs 96-crore project has been conceptualised as part of the World Bank aided Assam State Road Project.
There are three components of the project – civil works, signalisation and a control room. The control room will be under the traffic police and it will monitor and control the signal system. This component of the project alone is estimated to cost around Rs 60 crore with fibre connectivity and system equipment.
The DPR also proposes cameras to capture traffic rule offenders at vulnerable junctions and subsequent issuing of e-challans. “Besides, several new engineering features have been proposed by the company, including signalised pedestrian crossing facility, median fencing, fencing along footpath and bus bays,” the sources said.
The channelisation of traffic will be done suing various other means like detouring at certain junctions to reduce conflict points. Pedestrians will be able to cross the road only at designated points which will be around 150-200 metres apart. The study has also suggested no-parking zones in certain stretches of the road.
No change in territory of NE States: Union Home Minister
Seeking to allay concerns of three north-eastern States, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur would not be compromised while inking the final Naga peace accord. Singh also said that violence perpetrated by insurgent groups in the North East has come down significantly – by 75 to 80 per cent.
“There should be no apprehension or worry for anyone. Territorial integrity of no State will be affected,” Singh told reporters here on the sidelines of a ‘Sainik Sammelan’ of the paramilitary Assam Rifles.
The insurgent group NSCN-IM’s key demand is to integrate the Naga-inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur, which has been strongly opposed by the three States, currently ruled by the BJP.
The expectations for a lasting peace have soared in Nagaland, which had been hit by insurgency for decades, after the Centre and the NSCN-IM signed a framework agreement in 2015.
World Human Rights Day celebrated on 10th December
World Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10th December across the globe.
On this day, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris.
December 11
North East Flavours launched in Delhi
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju and film actress Nishita Goswami inaugurated the North East Flavours in New Delhi.
“It is a proud moment for us that a North-eastern youth is promoting NE cuisines in the national capital. Food is something that unites everyone,” Rijiju said.
All the seven States of North East find equal representation in the menu at North East Flavours, with specialised dishes and recipes that will surely delight the foodies of the city.
North East Flavours has come up with the idea to promote North Eastern cuisines and at the same time highlight specialities from all the seven States. Most of the dishes are oil-free and cooked with organic and indigenous jungle herbs.
18th Hornbill Festival concludes
The 18th edition of the 10-day Hornbill Festival culminated at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama near Kohima. Gracing the programme, Nagaland Governor PB Acharya said Hornbill Festival gives an opportunity to the Naga tribes to converge at one location to showcase the best of their tribal costumes, songs and dances.
Acharya said this year’s Hornbill Festival was attended by a galaxy of high dignitaries including President Ram Nath Kovind who inaugurated the festival on December 1. He said as per reports, the number of tourists has increased manifold from previous years which is a positive sign.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang said the festival has gained popularity despite remoteness and lack of proper infrastructure. With regard to the much debated issue of reducing the festival to seven days from next year, he said, after seeing the response of the people, the tourists and the success of the festival, he prefers the festival to continue for 10 days. The State Government will take a call on the issue in due course of time, he added.
FACT FILE: The Hornbill Festival
- Its a celebration held every year from 1 – 10 December, in Nagaland
- It is also called the ‘Festival of Festivals’
- To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival.
- The first festival was held in 2000.
- The festival is named after the Indian hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the state’s tribes.
- The event is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima.
Mamta Kalia to be awarded with Vyas Samman 2017
Renowned Hindi writer MamtaKalia has been chosen for VyasSamman for her novel ‘DukkhamSukkham’.
She was selected by the selection committee headed by renowned author VishwanathPrasad Tiwari.
December 12
Rahul Gandhi elected as Congress president
Rahul Gandhi was elected the president of the Congress, taking over from his mother who had helmed the country’s oldest party for 19 long years.
The 47-year-old Rahul will formally take over the reins of the grand old party on December 16, two days before the counting of votes for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections, the outcome of which could be a trendsetter ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
Connectivity central to ties with ASEAN: India
In the India-ASEAN Connectivity Summit, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar said that connectivity is central to India-ASEAN relation and on the physical connectivity front, India has undertaken a number of international corridor projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Project that will serve as the land as well as Sea Bridge between Northeast India and the ASEAN region.
The summit reflects India’s strong commitment to work together with all the stakeholders to enhance connectivity in India and with ASEAN and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Union Government is going to launch Khelo India Programme
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has announced that the Ministry is going to launch Khelo India Programme from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
He also announced that the year 2018 will be celebrated as the ‘Year of Sports’.
The programme aims to impart comprehensive impact on the sports ecosystem including the infrastructure, talent identification, community sports, competition and sports economy.
