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Current Affairs Assam – December 29 - 31, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of December 29 – 31, 2019 )

 

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December 29, 2019

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  IIT Guwahati develops materials to generate power from water

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed new materials that can generate power from both stagnant and flowing water.
• These new ways of producing energy on a small scale can be employed in household environments to support decentralisation of energy sources.
• The researchers employed the nanoscale phenomenon called “electrokinetic streaming potential” to harvest energy from flowing water on a small scale, like water flowing through household water taps.
• They used another process called “contrasting interfacial activities” in which different types of semiconducting materials were employed to generate power from stagnant water.
• A research team led by KalyanRaidongia, from the Department of Chemistry at IIT Guwahati, noted that the impending energy crisis has arisen from the dual problems of dwindling fossil fuel reserves and environmental issues associated with the use of such fuel.This has led to considerable research in alternative energy sources such as light, heat, wind, ocean waves, etc.
• The findings demonstrate that power output can be improved by thousand times by attaining the best out of these parameters.In order to extract power from stagnant water, devices were fabricated by employing doped graphene flakes.
• The complementary charge transfer activities of doped graphene flakes based devices generate power just upon dipping in any kind of water source, like lake, river or seawater.
• Graphene is the sheet produced by oxidation followed by reduction of natural graphite flakes.The researcher doped graphene oxide with boron and nitrogen, separately, loaded the two forms of graphene into two filter papers that served as electrodes in an electrochemical cell.Dipping the two filter papers into water produces potential up to 570 millivolt, which was stable for 80 hours.

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 Union Cabinet approve for updation of the National Population Register (NPR)

• The Union Cabinet approve for updation of the National Population Register (NPR) with no requirement by people to submit any document or biometrics to prove their identity, and conducting of census of India 2021.
• The NPR updation exercise will be conducted between April and September 2020 in all states and Union Territories and a head count will be ready by February 2021 — the Census year.
• NPR will be on self declaration or self-certification basis and only head count will be done.
• The Cabinet has approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 at a cost of Rs 8,754.23 crore and updation of NPR at a cost of Rs 3,941.35 crore.
• The NPR was first started in 2010 by the UPA government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ahead of Census 2011, and was last updated in 2015.
• The NPR is a register of residents of the country, prepared at the local (village/sub-town), sub-district, district, state and national level under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, which was subsequently updated in 2015 by seeding it with Aadhaar.
• Census the largest administrative and statistical exercise in the world will be conducted in two phases — House listing and Housing Census (from April to September 2020) and Population Enumeration (from February 9 to February 28, 2021). The government said that 30 lakh field functionaries will complete this gigantic exercise — up from 28 lakh in 2011.

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 Union Govt’s approval for Rs 6,000 crore Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL)

• The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the implementation of the Rs 6,000 crore Atal BhujalYojana (ATAL JAL), to improve ground water management.
• A central sector scheme to be implemented over a period of five years (2020-21 to 2024-25), it aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven states – Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• The implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8,350 gram panchayats in 78 districts in these states.
• This scheme will promote panchayat-led ground water management and behavioural change with primary focus on demand side management.
• Out of the total outlay of Rs 6,000 crore, 50 per cent shall be in the form of a World Bank loan, and be repaid by the Central government.
• The remaining 50 per cent shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support.
• The entire World Bank loan component and central assistance shall be passed on to the states as grants.
• The scheme has two major components for strengthening institutional arrangements for sustainable ground water management in the states including improving monitoring networks, capacity building, and strengthening of water user associations.

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 DECEMBER 30, 2019

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 ONGC’s Rs 3,500crore project in Assam gets environment clearance

• State-run ONGC has received environment clearance for carrying out onshore exploration, development and production of oil and gas in 100 locations in non-forest area of Assam, that would entail an investment of Rs 3,500 crore.
• The Environment Ministry has given green clearance to ONGC, the country’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company, after taking into account the recommendations of a green panel.
• The company proposes to carry out drilling in 100 locations to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of 21 different onshore PML (petroleum mining lease) blocks in a non-forest area in Assam and Assam Arakan basin.
• The total area of Sivasagar district PML is 957.73 square kilometres, in which Lakwa, Rudrasagar, Geleki and its adjoining areas are important oil producing fields in ‘North Assam Shelf’ of Sivasagar district.So far, more than 500 wells – exploratory wells and development wells – have been drilled in this field with depths ranging from 2,400 metres to 4,200 metres.
• India is dependent on imports for crude oil, and the government is encouraging exploration and production of oil and gas. ONGC produces 70 per cent of the India’s total crude oil and 60 per cent of natural gas.

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 Forest cover in NE decreases, as per State of Forest Report

• While India’s overall forest and tree cover has increased by 5,188 square kilometres at the national level, in the northeastern States, barring Assam, it has seen a decrease.
• The Indian State of Forest Report 2019 revealed the forest cover of the country is 712,249 sq km, which is 21.67 per cent of the geographical area of the country. The tree cover of the country is estimated at 95,027 sq km which is 2.89 per cent of the geographical area.
• The forest cover in Assam has increased by 221.54 sq km as compared to the previous assessment report of 2017.
• The current assessment shows an increase of 3,976 sq km (0.56 per cent) of forest cover, 1,212 sq km (1.29 per cent) of tree cover and 5,188 sq km (0.65 per cent) of forest and tree cover put together at the national level as compared to the previous assessment in 2017.
• Thecurrent assessment shows a decrease of forest cover to the extent of 765 sq km (0.45 per cent) in the northeastern region. The northeastern States that recorded a decrease in forest cover are Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland.
• One of the reasons for decrease in forest cover in the Northeast could be the practice of shifting cultivation and illegal activities like rampant rat hole mining in Meghalaya and open cast mining.
• Among the northeastern States, Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a decrease of 276.22 sq km of forest cover, which can be attributed to shifting cultivation and development activities.
• The forest cover in Meghalaya has decreased by 27.21 sq km, the forest cover in Manipur has decreased by 499.10 sq km.
• The forest cover in Mizoram has decreased by 180.49 sq km, while that in Nagaland has decreased by 2.60 sq km. Tripura also witnessed a decrease of forest cover by 0.41 sq km.

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 Union Cabinet approved unification of the eight Group A services into Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS)

• The Union Cabinet approved the organisational restructuring of the railways through the unification of the existing eight Group A services into one central service called the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS).
• The unification of services will end ”departmentalism”, promote smooth working of railways, expedite decision making and create a coherent vision for the organisation.
• The Railway Board will be reorganised on the functional lines and be headed by a Chairman, and comprise four members and some independent members, who will be highly distinguished professionals with deep knowledge and 30 years of experience including at the top levels in industry, finance, economics and management fields.
• These independent members will help Railway Board in setting a strategic direction. The restructured Board will start functioning after approval of the Board taking due care to ensure that officers are posted in the restructured Board or adjusted in the same pay and rank till their retirement.
• The unification of the services come in the backdrop of various departments within railways. These departments – traffic, civil, mechanical, electrical, signal & telecom, stores, personnel, and accounts etc – are vertically separated from top to bottom and are headed by a Secretary level officer.
• The existing Indian Railway Medical Service (IRMS) will be renamed as Indian Railway Health Service (IRHS).

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 India’s Forest, Tree cover increased by 5,188 Sq.Kms

• There has been an increase of 5,188 sqkms in the total forest and tree cover of the country as compared to the assessment of 2017. Union Ministry for Environment and Forests.
• Out of this, the increase in the forest cover has been observed as 3,976 sq km and that in tree cover is 1,212 sq km.
• Under the current assessment the total carbon stock in country’s forest is estimated 7,124.6 million tonnes and there an increase of 42.6 million tonnes in the carbon stock of country as compared to the last assessment of 2017.
• The top three states showing an increase in forest cover are Karnataka (1,025 sq km) followed by Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km) and Kerala (823 sq km).
• Mangrove cover has been separately reported in the ISFR 2019 and the total mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq km. An increase of 54 sq km in mangrove cover has been observed as compared to the previous assessment of 2017.
• Top three states showing mangrove cover increase are Gujarat (37 sq km) followed by Maharashtra (16 sq km) and Odisha (8 sq km).
• The extent of the bamboo bearing area of the country has been estimated 16.00 million hectares.
• The total estimated green weight of bamboo culms is 278 million tonnes, showing an increase of 88 million tonnes as compared to ISFR 2017.

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 DECEMBER 31, 2019

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Three higher education institutes from Assam in QS India University Rankings

• Three educational institutes of higher education from Assam have made it to the top-100 list in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) India University Rankings 2020.
• While Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) grabbed the 10th place, Tezpur University earned the 35th spot, a place better than itslast year’s rank of 36th in the rankings. Gauhati University was placed in the 71-75 bracket in the top-100 list.
• IIT-Bombay topped the (QS) India University Rankings 2020 for the second straight.

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Bipin Rawat to be India’s first tri-service chief, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• Army chief, General BipinRawat, who was due to retire after serving three years as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), will now assume charge as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
• Government has decided to appoint General BipinRawatas the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) with effect from 31.12.2019 and until further orders and extension in service of Rawat.
• As CDS, Rawat will head the military hierarchy as “Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee” (PC-COSC).
• The COSC includes the chiefs of the three services — army, navy and air force. As permanent chairman, the CDS will be the first among this body of equals – primus inter pares.
• The CDS will also have a significant role in higher defence planning and operational aspects of India’s nuclear arsenal.
• CDS will be member of Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by RM, and Defence Planning Committee, chaired by National Security Advisor. He will also function as the Military Advisor to the Nuclear Command Authority

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 Flipkart partners government to empower artisans, SHGs

• Flipkart signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry’sDeendayalAntyodayaYojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) to empower skilled yet underserved sections of society by inducting them into e-commerce.
• The e-commerce company will collaborate with state missions under the DAY-NULM to establish the ”Flipkart Samarth programme” in 22 states in India .
• The government and the company will work with self help groups (SHGs), including local artisans, weavers and crafts producers, and producers of raw and organic food items to provide them market access, training and support.
• Sellers under the programme shall receive time-bound incubation support from the company that extends to a host of benefits, such as cataloguing support, account management support and more.
• This partnership will increase business and trade opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and provide them training and support to grow their business.

 

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Current Affairs Assam – December 15 - 21, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of December 15 – 21, 2019 )

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December 15, 2019

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  Poor utilization of Nirbhaya fund in four NE states

• The Nirbhaya fund, set up by the Centre in 2013 to be used towards ensuring women’s safety, has seen a dismal nine per cent utilisation with states such as Maharashtra and Meghalaya not spending a single rupee from it.
• Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani inform the Parliament that, in total, just Rs 147 crore out Rs 1,649 crore sanctioned by the Centre has been spent by the state and UTs governments.
• Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, the two states which were in the news recently for horrific incidents of rape and murder, were among the highest recipients of the Nirbhaya fund alongside Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi.
• While Karnataka used 7 per cent of the fund allocated to it by the Centre (the fund allocated to Karnataka was Rs 191 crore and utilisation Rs 13.62 crore), Tamil Nadu used 3 per cent of the amount allocated to it under the Nirbhaya fund (the fund allocated was Rs 190.68 crore and utilisation Rs 6 crore).
• Six states and UTs – Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura and Daman & Diu – have not spent a single rupee from the fund allocated by the Centre, according to data shared by the Minister in Parliament in response to a question.
• The data also showed that Delhi, where the brutal incident took place, saw utilisation of less than 5 per cent of the fund allocated to it.
• Delhi was allotted Rs 390 crore which was the highest amount among states and UTs but the utilisation certificate of just Rs 19.41 crore has been received from the city-state.
• The Nirbhaya fund was set up in 2013 by the UPA government to improve the safety and security of women in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya incident.
• Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi recently appealed to the government to immediately allocate the entire unspent amount from the Nirbhaya fund for the protection of rape victims and witnesses.

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 India slips to 112^th rank on WEF’s Gender Gap Index

• India slips to 112^th rank on WEF’s gender gap index, in bottom 5 on health, economic fronts
• While Iceland remains the world’s most gender-neutral country, India has moved down the ladder from its 108^thposition last year on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report to rank below countries like China (106th), Sri Lanka (102nd), Nepal (101st), Brazil (92nd), Indonesia (85th) and Bangladesh (50th).
• The Global Gender Gap Index is an index designed to measure gender equality.
• The Global Gender Gap Report was first published in 2006 by the World Economic Forum. The 2017 report covers 144 major and emerging economies.

 FACTFILE – Global Gender Gap Report

• The Global Gender Gap Report was first published in 2006 by the World Economic Forum. The 2017 report covers 144 major and emerging economies. The Global Gender Gap Index is an index designed to measure gender equality.
• The report examines four overall areas of inequality between men and women in 130 economies around the globe, over 93% of the world’s population:
  • Economic participation and opportunity – outcomes on salaries, participation levels and access to high-skilled employment
  • Educational attainment – outcomes on access to basic and higher level education
  • Political empowerment – outcomes on representation in decision-making structures
  • Health and survival – outcomes on life expectancy and sex ratio. In this case parity is not assumed, there are assumed to be fewer female births than male (944 female for every 1,000 males), and men are assumed to die younger.

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 Govt introduced Bill to amend welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act in Lok Sabha

• The government introduced a Bill to amend a 12-year-old existing law providing the welfare of senior citizens and parents and expand some existing definitions such as maintenance, welfare, children and parents.
• The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has provisions to arraign sons-in-law and daughters-in-law if they fail to look after their aged in-laws and also removes the cap of Rs 10,000 as maximum maintenance.
• It provides for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens for ensuring their basic needs, safety and security, establishment, management, and regulation of institutions and services, and the rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
• The Bill, which seeks to amend the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, removes the ceiling of Rs 10,000 as maintenance and includes the preference to dispose of applications of senior citizens above 80 years of age.
• Those who earn more should pay more to their parents as maintenance and that violators of the law could be punished by a minimum fine of Rs 5,000 or a jail term of three months or both.
• The Bill includes the appointment of nodal police officers for senior citizens at every police station and district-level special police unit with a helpline for senior citizens.

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 DECEMBER 16, 2019

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 2^nd state-level Barak Festival-2019 at Senapati District

• The 2nd state-level Barak Festival-2019 concluded at Barak Hall, in Senapati district.
• Manipur Deputy Chief Minister, Yumnam Joykumar Singh participating in the closing function said that the festival “reminds us” the importance of river system in human existence. The Deputy Chief Minister further said that acknowledging the importance of conserving Barak river, the state government has been trying to make it more popular.
• The catchment areas of the river should be protected by avoiding deforestation. This festival also gives a chance to showcase the rich cultural heritage and old traditions.

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 RIL, British Petroleum enter agreement for new Indian fuels, mobility JV

• British Petroleum (BP) and Reliance Industries Ltd have entered into a definitive agreement for formation of their new Indian fuels and mobility joint venture.
• The development follows the initial heads of agreement signed in August.
• The venture is expected to be formed during the first half of 2020, subject to regulatory and other customary approvals.
• The joint venture will seek to offer high-quality differentiated fuels, convenience and services.
• The partners intend to set up a new joint venture company, held 51 per cent by RIL and 49 per cent by BP, that will assume ownership of RIL”s existing Indian fuel retail network and access its aviation fuel business.

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 India has 96 universities ranked in QS World University Rankings: Asia 2020

• India has 96 universities ranked, including 20 brand new entries in QS World University Rankings: Asia 2020
• The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) leads nationally at overall 34th place, and it is followed by IIT Delhi (IITD) in the 43rd place and by IIT Madras (IITM) in the 50th position.
• India has 31 institutes among the top 250. Of these, 18 dropped compared to last year, 12 gained ground and one remained stable.
• Only Mainland China is more prepresented than India, with 118 featured universities, including four in the top 10 this year. By contrast, India does not yet have a university among the top 30. The top national general university in this table, the University of Delhi, is down five places from last year, and now places 67th regionally.

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 DECEMBER 17, 2019

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 Orange Festival begins with fanfare in Tamenglong, Manipur

• The 16^thOrange Festival which aims to promote tourism as well as provide an opportunity to orange farmers to display their produce to potential buyers began at Tamenglong, 150 km west of Imphal.
• Exhibition of oranges and handicraft, as well as presentation of colourful traditional dance and music and songs by choirs representing 28 churches around the hill town, marked the opening day of the three-day festival.
• Inaugurating the festival, Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured the orange farmers that the government would increase financial help from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000, and hoped that the ‘Tamenglong Komla’ (Tamenglong orange) will get its GI (geographical indication) tag within three months.
• Biren Singh gave an assurance that the government will buy orange products from Tamenglong and export them in large scale after value addition.
• Tamenglong, the orange belt of Manipur, produces more than 60 per cent of the state’s total oranges. The region is also known for picturesque locations including the Tharon Cave, the Barak Waterfalls, the Bunning Meadows, and the Zeilad Lake which is flocked by migratory birds.
• Tasinang Gangmei of Tabanglong village bagged the coveted ‘best orange grower’ prize worth Rs 2 lakh, while Pouchunliu of Sangrungpang and Gaisuakliu Kamei of Nungba were honoured with the second (Rs 1 lakh) and third (Rs 75,000) best orange grower prizes.

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 Lt Gen M.M. Naravane to be next Indian Army Chief

• Indian Army’s Vice Chief, Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane is set to be the force’s next chief after incumbent Gen Bipin Rawat demits office on December 31 on retirement from service.
• The senior-most Army officer after Gen Rawat, Naravane was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980.
• He has served in numerous command and staff appointments in peace, field and highly active counter-insurgency environments in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast in his 37 years of service.
• He has also commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in Jammu and Kashmir and was awarded the Sena Medal (Distinguished Service).
• Naravane had also served as defenceattache at the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for three years.

 FACTFILE – The Chief of the Army Staff

• The Chief of the Army Staff is the professional head, commander, and usually the highest-ranking military officer of the Indian Army.
• The position is always held by a full General.
• Appointments to the office are made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• The COAS reaches superannuation upon three years in the office or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier.

 History of the Chief of the Army Staff

• The rank of Commander-in-Chief, India was established in 1748 to designate the commander of all forces of East India Company. After 1857 the Commander-in-Chief becomes the supreme commander of British Indian Army. After partition in 1947 the post of Commander-in-Chief was divided into- Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army, Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army and Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in India and Pakistan. In 1955 the post of Commander-in-Chief was abolished and replaced by Chief of Army Staff.

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 Tata Power financially supported & helped launch Maharashtra’s first all-women dairy

• The Tata Power has financially supported and helped launch Maharashtra’s first all-women dairy in Maval, Pune, with its products sold under the brand name of ‘Creyo’.
• The Maval Dairy Farmer Services Producer Co. Ltd. (MDFSPCL), its operations started in a modest way in 2015 with 334 women members, which have now grown to around 1,200 women farmers.
• The Tata Power helped finance around 40 per cent of the Rs 20-crore enterprise over the past four years with the women graduating from marginal farmers to agro-entrepreneurs who completely run and manage the project.
• The MDFSPCL project has set up 15 advanced milk collection centres covering 26 villages which procure around six-tonne milk daily from various partner villages.
• The dairy farmers receive the actual price realization of their produce and to enhance the plant’s full capacity, the MDFSPCL has added 15 new villages.

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 Army celebrated Vijay Diwas

• The Army celebrated Vijay Diwas in Kashmir by felicitating the widows and families of martyrs of the 1971 war.
• The ceremony was held at Army 15 Corps Headquarters at BadamiBagh Cantonment in Srinagar.
• The celebration began with a wreath laying at the war memorial in the cantonment by Lt. General K.J.S. Dhillon.
• Senior officers and jawans also paid homage to the fallen soldiers of the war that saw the birth of Bangladesh.
• The corps commander then felicitated the families of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.

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 DECEMBER 18, 2019

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 Central Govt Launches National Broadband Mission

• The central government launched National Broadband Mission, which envisages an investment of Rs 7 lakh crore in the next 4 years from both government and industry to connect the country digitally at a faster pace.
• The mission, launched by Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, is part of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018.
• The mission envisages Rs 7 lakh crore investments from government and private sector together over the next 3 to 4 years.
• 10 per cent of the funds will come from USO Fund and the balance to come from the industry in the form of towers and other assets.
• The mission will secure universal broadband access for the implementation of broadband initiatives.

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 Railways deployed Mobile satellite terminals to improve punctuality

• As part of the plan to improve timings and safety, Indian Railways has deployed over 2,600 Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) terminals deployed on locomotives under Phase I of Real Time Train Information System (RTIS).
• RTIS is the first of its kind Satellite based train tracking system to track Indian locomotives on real time basis by linking it to ISRO satellites.
• It is expected that network efficiency, punctuality and data generation to improve operations of Indian Railways.
• Saankhya Labs is the Satcom Technology partner for BEL in the RTIS project.
• The RTIS is primarily used for acquisition of train movement data, including that of arrival, departure and run-through timings at the stations enroute.

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 Odisha cabinet approves new agriculture policy

• The Odisha cabinet approved Agriculture Policy 2020 to boost farmer income with focus on providing market linkages and technical support.
• The policy has been prepared with objectives of ensuring continuous growth in farmers” income, making the growth process inclusive of small and marginal farmers and ensuring sustainable, stable, and scalabe agricultural growth.
• The agriculture policy named as ”Samridhi” focuses on creating an ecosystem interlining inputs-production-markets, sustainable increase in yields of paddy and diversification to high value agriculture, encouraging efficient and ecologically sensitive use of inputs mainly water, land and soil.
• It also emphasises on promoting processing which include cleaning, grading etc for better value capture, creating value chains particularly for vegetables and livestocks, reducing wastages by promoting pre and post harvest management, adopting to climate change techniques and technology.
• The agriculture policy also encompases activities in different sectors of fisheries, livestock, procurement, credit, insurance and irrigation for boosting the overall farmers” income.
• The cabinet also approved an amendment to the Odisha District Revenue Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1983.
• The government also decided to give one-time relaxation in enhancing the upper age limit from 33 years to 48 years for recruitment of lectures under rule 4(2)(c) of Orissa Education Service (College Branch) Recruitment Rules 1990.

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 DECEMBER 19, 2019

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 Sahitya Akademi Award 2019 for Joysree Goswami Mahanta and Phukan Ch. Basumatry and other 21 writters

• Joysree Goswami Mahanta (Assamese), Dr. Phukan Ch. Basumatry (Bodo) and Chinmoy Guha (Bengali) are among the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2019 winner.
• ‘An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India’ by Mr. Tharoor, who is a Congress MP, was selected in the English category.
• The award also honors works by Dr. Nand Kishore Acharya (Hindi) andL. Birmangol Singh (Manipuri).

 FACTFILE – Sahitya Akademi Awards

• Sahitya Akademi Awards is one of the highest literary awards in India.
• The Awards are instituted by Sahitya Akademi– India’s National Academy of Letters, to commemorate the exemplary works of literary merit published in any of the major Indian languages i.e. 24 languages of which 22 are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, along with English and Rajasthani.
• The Award carries an engraved copper plaque, shawl and Rs 1 lakh, which will be presented to the winners on January 25, 2020 during the Festival of Letters organised by the Akademi.
• The awards, comprising an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and Rs 100,000 in cash, will be given during the Akademi”s Festival of Letters.
• They relate to books first published during the five years immediately preceeding the year of Award – in the period January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017.
• The complete list of winners in different language and genre categories

Language	Title & Genre	Author Name
Assamese	Chanakya (Novel)	JoysreeGoswamiMahanta
Bengali	GhumerDarjaThele (Essays)	ChinmoyGuha
Bodo	AkhaiAthumniphrai (Poetry)	Phukan Ch. Basumatary
Dogri	BandraltaDarpan (Essays)	Om Sharma Jandriari
English	An Era of Darkness (Non-Fiction)	Shashi Tharoor
Gujarati	MojmaRevu Re (Essays)	RatilalBorisagar
Hindi	Chheelate Hue ApneKo (Potery)	Nand Kishore Acharya
Kannada	KudiEsaru (Autobiography)	Vijaya
Kashmiri	AkhYaadAkhQayamat (Short Stories)	Abdul AhadHajini
Konkani	The Words (Potery)	Nilba A Khandekar
Maithili	JingikOriaonKariat (Poetry)	Kumar Manish Arvind
Malayalam	AchanPirannaVeedu (Poetry)	V Madhusoodanan Nair
Manipuri	EiAmadiAdungeigiEethat (Novel)	L Birmangol Singh (Beryl Thanga)
Odia	Bhaswati (Short Stories)	TarunKanti Mishra
Punjabi	Antheen (Short Stories)	Kirpal Kazak
Rajasthani	BareekBaat (Short Stories)	RamswaroopKisan
Sanskrit	Prajnachakshusham (Poetry)	Penna Madhusudan
Santali	Sisirkali (Short Stories)	Kali CharanHembram
Sindhi	Jeejal (Short Stories)	Ishwar Moorjani
Tamil	Sool (Novel)	Cho Dharman
Telugu	Septabhoomi (Novel)	Bandi Narayana Swamy
Urdu	Sawaneh-E-Sir Syed: EkBazadeed (Biography)	ShafeyKidwai

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 Centre approves expansion of ”Future Skills” initiative

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology approved the expansion of the ”Future Skills” initiative to industry professionals across different segments, higher education students and government officials.
• The government would invest Rs 436 crore over a period of three years on this initiative.
• The expanded digital platform would be called Future Skills PRIME (Programme for Reskilling/Upskilling of IT Manpower for Employability).
• In the last phase of the initiative, two lakh IT employees were trained, and now its ambit will expand beyond IT professionals to others keen to upskill themselves in areas like AI, cyber security and blockchain.

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 Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot opens first Janta Clinic in Jaipur

• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the first Janta Clinic “to provide good medical facilities to poor near their homes”, at Valmiki Nagar.
• Patients at these clinics will get free medicines along with free facility of necessary diagnostics.
• The Chief Minister said more Janta Clinics would be opened with the help and support from philanthropists and CSR activities, MLA-MP fund, voluntary organisations and general public.
• In the first phase, 12 Janta Clinics would be opened in Jaipur and three in Jodhpur.

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 DECEMBER 20, 2019

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NLUJA, RGU sign MoU for academic pursuits

• The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Law University & Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam for academic collaboration.
• The MoU was signed by RGU Vice Chancellor Prof SP Singh and NLUJA Vice Chancellor Prof JS Patil.
• The MoU aims at academic collaboration that will encompass exchange of students and members of faculty between the two parties and facilitate other academic activities, research and publication.
• In addition, active efforts will be made to develop joint training and research programmes to be pursued in a collaborative spirit.

 FACTFILE – National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam

• National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA) is an autonomous law school in India located in Guwahati, Assam, India.
• It was established in 2009 through an Act passed by the State Legislature of Assam (Assam Act XXV of 2009) as a public university dedicated to the field of legal education.
• The admissions for first batch were made in 2011 which passed out in 2016.
• The first Vice-Chancellor of the University was Professor (Dr.) Gurjeet Singh, currently the University is managed by the newly appointed Vice Chancellor Professor (Dr.) J.S. Patil who succeeded Professor (Dr.) Vijender Kumar in 2016.

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 IIT Madras partners with Ricovr for research on medical device

• Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) announced that it is going to collaborate with Ricovr Inc. US-based oral diagnostics medical device company, for research on point-of-care medical device development.
• Point-of-care diagnostics, or near-patient testing, is a type of medical diagnostic test that enables accurate, real-time, laboratory-quality diagnostic test results within minutes.
• Testing at the point of care in this way increases the efficiency of diagnostic and testing process, and helps to ensure that patients are receiving the highest-quality care by freeing up invaluable time normally occupied by waiting for test results.
• IIT Madras researchers have discovered a highly sensitive optical sensing phenomenon and developed a plasmonic nanomaterial based sensing platform that can aid in affordable and more efficient diagnostics.
• Ricovr is currently working on building a cutting-edge medical device for point-of-care testing using saliva.
• This strategic partnership will bolster cutting-edge research and development by bringing together some of the most talented and experienced professionals in the biosensor industry.

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 Wipro to upskill 10,000 students with NASSCOM

• Wipro partnered with the Indian IT industry apex body Nasscom to upskill 10,000 students from 20 engineering colleges across the country.
• As part of CSR programme, will train 10,000 engineering students to skill them in disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, cyber security and internet of things
• The company’s TalentNext prepares faculty and academic leaders to train students through future skills, a new age platform built to bridge the industry-academia skill gap and help the former keep pace with emerging technologies.
• Future skills is a collaborative platform built on the technology-powered learning resource, being developed by the industry for its benefit
• The initiative will also create a talent pool of students, certified by the partners (Wipro and Nasscom).

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 Indian, Russia tri-services exercise INDRA-2019 concludes

• The India-Russia tri-services exercise INDRA-2019, focusing on counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations, at Babina, Pune and Goa ended.
• Important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter-terrorism operations were rehearsed and executed jointly. Both the contingent shared their expertise and experience.
• The exercise included joint training in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations under the United Nations mandate.
• This is the second edition of bilateral tri-services exercise INDRA between Indian and Russia.
• As part of validation exercise troops of both countries carried out specialised joint counter-terrorist operations which were witnessed by dignitaries from both countries.
• The validation exercise was reviewed by Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik in presence of Indian Army”s Southern Command chief, Lt Gen S.K. Saini, and other senior officers of both the participating countries.

 

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 DECEMBER 21, 2019

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 First International Meitei Pangal Convention held in Imphal

• The first International Meitei Pangal Convention was held under the aegis of All Manipur Muslim Organisations’ Coordinating Committee (AMMOCOC) at City Convention Centre in Imphal.
• The Chief Minister released a special souvenir titled ‘Thong’ during the convention.
• Beside, a two-day Northeast India-Myanmar Business and Education Conclave, 2019 was jointly organised by Manipur University, National Institute of Technology, Manipur, and All Manipur Entrepreneurs’ Association.

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 India-China joint training exercise “Hand-in-Hand” 2019

• The 14-day-long India-China joint training exercise “Hand-in-Hand 2019″ at the joint training node at Meghalaya”sUmroimiitary station ended.
• Indian Army contingent comprising of one infantry company along with supporting staff, and the People”s Liberation Army (PLA) contingent from the Tibet Military Command took part in the 8th edition of the joint training exercise.
• The exercise was aimed at the participating infantry contingents practicing joint drills for counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban terrain under a United Nation mandate.
• The exercise entailed firing each other”s weapons, tactical lectures and demonstration by both the countries on various aspects of counter-terrorism operations.
• It also included physical training activities ranging from endurance runs, battle obstacle courses and games.
• The exercise is testimony of India and China jointly recognising the emerging threat of terrorism and their resolve to stand together in countering this menace.
• The two armies have gained from each other”s expertise and experience in conduct of counter terrorism and company level operations.
• The troops of both the contingents departed on healthy note of mutual informal respect and goodwill.

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 Centre releases five clauses to acquire Indian citizenship

• The Union Home Ministry released the five clauses under the Citizenship Act to acquire Indian citizenship.
• According to the Citizenship Act, 1955, under the first clause, citizenship by birth under Article 5 of the Constitution provides that any person who was domiciled in India on January 26, 1950 or who was born in the territory of India is a citizen of India.
• Anyone either of whose parents was born in the territory of India, or any person born in India on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987 is a citizen of India by birth.
• Any person born in India between July 1, 1987 and December 3, 2004, and either of whose parents is a citizen of India is also a citizen of India by birth.
• For persons born after December 3, 2004 Both whose parents are citizens of India or one of them isn”t an illegal immigrant at the time of his birth and the other is a citizen of India shall also be a citizen of India by birth.
• For the second of citizenship by descent, “a person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950, but before December 10, 1992, shall be citizen of India by descent, if his father was a citizen of India at the time of birth”.
• The criteria for citizenship by registration states that a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration is eligible to be registered as a citizen of India.
• Minor children of persons who are citizens of India are eligible to be registered as a citizen of India, and a person of full age and capacity whose parents are registered as citizens of India is eligible to be registered as a citizen of India.
• If any new territory becomes part of India, the government shall specify the persons who among the people of the territory shall be the citizen of India. Such persons become the citizen of India from the notified date.
• This happened in the case of Goa, Daman & Diu, Sikkim and many Bangladeshi enclaves which became part of India in 2014.

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 First trial shipment of vegetables send to Dubai

• A trail shipment of vegetables was sent to Dubai from Varanasi under the government’s scheme to promote exports from agriculture produce rich regions of India.
• The container with 14 metric tonnes of fresh vegetables was exported from Mumbai after being sourced from Ghazipur and Varanasi.
• To fast-track the activities taken up for the Export Hub at Varanasi, a project office of APEDA is being set up at Varanasi for co-ordination and facilitation of all activities.
• A committee has also been formed under the chairmanship of the Commissioner, Varanasi Division, with all the stakeholders.

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Current Affairs Assam – December 1 - 7, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of December 1 – 7, 2019 )

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December 01, 2019

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Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta takes charge as DGP of Assam Police

• Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre today took over the charge as Director General (in-charge) of Assam Police from outgoing police chief Kuladhar Saikia.
• Mahanta said controlling all kinds of crime will be his main priority. Assam Police has a good team of personnel and will work on community-oriented policing.

FACTFILE – Assam Police

• Assam Police comes under direct control of Department of Home Affairs, Government of Assam.
• The Assam Police is headed by Director General of Police.
• Assam Police forces are organized into Police Ranges, headed by an Inspector General of Police (IG) or Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) who control several Police Districts.
• The Police District is the fulcrum of state police activity and each Police District of the state is headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP).
• The Police District is divided into Police Sub-Divisions and will be under the command of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or Subdivision Police Officer (SDPO).
• The Police Sub-Division is made up of one or more Police Circles, and is under the command of an Inspector of Police, often referred to as the Circle Inspector (CI).
• Under the Police Circles are the police stations, generally under the control of a Sub-Inspector (SI).
• Assam state police force also maintains its own Reserve Armed police force, Special Armed Police and Armed Police) which is responsible for emergencies and crowd control issues.
• Assam Police also have an Elite Commando Group known as Black Panther equipped with Latest weapons and technology for Anti-Terrorist Operations & VVIP protection.

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India conducts night trial of Agni-III missile

• The night trial of the nuclear-capable Agni-III long-range ballistic missile was conducted from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) provided logistic support for the test.
• The test of the surface-to-surface missile was carried out from a mobile launcher at Compex-IV of the Integrated Test Range.
• It was the fourth user trial in the Agni-III series carried out to establish the repeatability of the missile’s performance.
• For the first time the test was conducted during night time.
• Inducted into the armed forces in June 2011, Agni-III missile has a strike range of over 3,500 km. Indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• It is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.

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India Bhutan hold 2^nd Annual Development Cooperation dialogue

• India and close neighbour Bhutan held their 2nd Annual Development Cooperation dialogue here during which the two sides agreed to implement 21 new Project Tied Assistance projects.
• The Indian delegation was led by T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs and the Bhutanese delegation was led by Kinga Singye, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan.
• Both sides recalled the successful and productive visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bhutan in August 2019 with several significant outcomes which included inauguration of the Mangdhechu Hydroelectric project and Ground Earth Station for South Asia Satellite and launch of RuPay card in Bhutan.
• They also recalled the very successful visit to India of Bhutanese Prime Minister LotayTshering in December 2018 and in May 2019.
• The Annual Development Cooperation Talks is an important bilateral mechanism to review the entire gamut of India”s development partnership with Bhutan.
• The two sides agreed to hold the next Development Cooperation Talks in 2020 in Thimphu on a mutually agreed date.
• The Annual India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were held in a friendly atmosphere in keeping with the close and friendly ties between the two countries.

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India Japan holds 2+2 defence and foreign minister-level dialogue

• India and Japan are holding their inaugural 2+2 defence and foreign minister-level dialogue which focus on cooperation in building a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Japanese Foreign Minister ToshimitsuMotegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Japan is only the second country after the US with which India has such a dialogue format.
• The two sides already have dialogue formats such as the Annual Defense Ministerial Dialogue, Defense Policy Dialogue and the National Security Advisers’ Dialogue.
• The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their respective efforts under India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Japan’s ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision’ for achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress to realize a better future for the people of the two countries and the region.

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DECEMBER 02, 2019

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Assam ranks 6^th among number of cyber crime

• Assam ranks sixth among all the states and Union Territories (UTs) of India with regard to the number of cases registered under various cyber-crimes.
• As per latest official data, a total of 1,120 cyber-crime cases were reported during 2017 in Assam, which is an increase of over 61 per cent compared to the previous year. In 2016, there were 696 such cases in the State.
• Nationally, Assam’s share of cases reported under cyber-crimes during 2017 was 5.1 per cent of the total 21,796 such cases across India.
• Altogether 1,261 persons were arrested under various cyber-crimes in Assam during the year under review and 726 persons were charge-sheeted.
• Uttar Pradesh reported the maximum number of cyber-crime cases (4,971) in 2017, followed by Maharashtra (3,604 cases), Karnataka (3,174 cases), Rajasthan (1,304 cases) and Telangana (1,209 cases), with Assam registering the sixth-highest number of such incidents.
• Nationally, a total of 21,796 cases of cyber-crimes were reported in 2017 compared to 12,317 in 2016, which is a jump of 77 per cent, as per the latest data.

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Parliament passes Prohibition of E-Cigarettes Bill, 2019

• Parliament has passed the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Bill, 2019, with the Rajya Sabha approving it. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill.
• Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan told that the legislation is aimed at ending the menace of e-cigarettes at the beginning itself.
• The Minister asserted that the ordinance brought earlier on e-cigarettes was with pious intentions to wean away the country’s youth from the harmful substance.
• A total of 28 members participated in the discussion on the bill in the Rajya Sabha.
• The Prohibition of the Electronic Cigarettes Bill, 2019 bans production, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisements of e-cigarettes with stringent punishments for any violation. It replaces the ordinance promulgated on the 18th of September this year.

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TN signed MoU for Rs 19K crore investments in last 10 months

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said that the state has signed 63 new Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) in the past 10 months. Speaking at the Investment and Skill Development Conclave.
• Tamil Nadu government signed nine MoUs with different industries involving an investment of Rs 5,027 crore in the state in Palaniswami’s presence at the conclave.
• The Indian arm of Chinese group BYD, to set up a phone component manufacturing facility with an investment of Rs 2,800 crore. The new project is expected to provide employment to 11,500 persons.
• Palaniswami also inaugurated the projects promoted by US companies Kapisoft, ZL Technology and Kloud Learn.
• The Chief Minister also launched three apex skill development centres involving an investment of Rs 60 crore. Two MoUs for new ITIs at an oulay of Rs 28.43 crore were also signed at the event.
• The government signed a knowledge partnership with the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M), for the defence corridor coming up in the state and to make the state a major aerospace and defence manufacturing hub.

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DECEMBER 03, 2019

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India-China military drill to be conducted in Meghalaya

• The Indian and Chinese militaries will be engaged in a joint military exercise that will involve tactical-level operations in a semi-urban terrain for an international counter-terrorist operation.
• The annual exercise ”Hand-in-Hand” 2019, with the theme of counter-terrorism under a United Nations mandate, is scheduled to be conducted at the state-of-the-art Joint Training Node at Umroi Cantonment, about 25 km from Shillong.
• The Chinese contingent, from the Tibet Military command, will comprise 130 personnel and the Indian contingent will be of similar strength in the 14-day-long training exercise.
• The exercise is planned at the company level with the respective Battalion Headquarters controlling the training.
• The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and conduct of counter- terrorist operation in semi-urban terrain.

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India, Sweden launchs project to tackle stubble burning

• India and Sweden announced the launch of a pilot project to convert paddy stubble into green coal in Mohali, Punjab, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf inaugurated a bilateral high-level policy dialogue on innovation policy.
• The two leaders launched the Agri-Waste to High Energy Biocoal pilot project, which has been established under the Prime Minister”s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) Waste to Wealth Mission.
• The office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in partnership with Bioendev, Sweden, has set up a torrefaction pilot plant for the conversion of agri-waste into biocoal at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) in Mohali, Punjab.
• The India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme in the area of ”smart cities and clean technologies” and ”Digitisation and Internet of Things”, co-funded by the Department of Science &Technology (DST), India, and Vinnova.
• The project aims to develop technologies that can be commercialised after two years through joint cooperation between India and Sweden.
• Vinnova will provide funding to Swedish side participants up to 2,500,000 SEK as grant.
• On the Indian side, conditional grant of up to 50 per cent with a limit of Rs 1.5 crore per project to Indian project partners will be provided.
• The Department of Science & Technology, India, and the Swedish Research Council will fund 20 bilateral projects in the area of computer science and material science under the Indo-Swedish Joint Network Grant Awards.
• The Swedish Research Council will fund 14 million SEK for 2 years for this programme. The Department of Science and Technology will provide activity matching funding to the Indian counterparts.
• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India, and Vinnova will announce a joint programme in the area of ”digital health”.
• The programme aims to provide scalable and implementable innovative, sustainable and flexible health solutions in both countries, using artificial intelligence-based technologies as a tool.
• The India-Swedish Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme in the area of ”smart grids” co-funded by the Department of Science & Technology, India, and the Swedish Energy Agency was also announced.
• The Swedish Energy Agency has allocated 25 million SEK over the next four years for this industry-led call.
• Also announced the establishment of the new ”Joint Centre of Excellence in Innovation and Entrepreneurship” between KTH Royal Institute of Technology and IIT Madras. The centre in Chennai is the first of four planned centres.
• The joint centre aims to build an entrepreneurial spirit and cross-border teams creating innovations that could target the markets in both Sweden and India, as well as globally.
• The Ministry of Earth Sciences, India, and the Ministry of Education and Research, Sweden, signed a MoU on cooperation in polar science.
• The two ministries are committed to cooperate in the study of polar research by coordinating and sharing resources and data.

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Central Govt moves Taxation Bill in Lok Sabha

• The Govt in the Lok Sabha moved the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill 2019 for its passage, seeking changes in the Income Tax law aimed at lowering tax rate options to domestic companies to promote growth and investment and attract fresh investment in the manufacturing sector.
• The Bill seeking amendment to the Income-Tax Act, 1961 and to amend the Finance (No.2) Act, 2019 was moved in the House by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 was promulgated on September 20 to amend the IT Act and the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019.
• It provides lower tax rate options to domestic companies to promote growth and investment and attract fresh investment in the manufacturing sector.
• The Bill provides domestic companies with an option to pay tax at the rate of 22 per cent, provided they do not claim certain deductions under the Income Tax Act.
• The Bill provides new domestic manufacturing companies with an option to pay income tax at the rate of 15 per cent, provided they do not claim certain deductions.
• These new domestic manufacturing companies must be set up and registered after September 30, 2019 and start manufacturing before April 1, 2023.
• A company can choose to opt for the new tax rates in the financial year 2019-20 or in any other financial year in the future. Once a company exercises this option, the chosen provision will apply for all subsequent years.

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Ministry of Corporates Affairs launches databank of independent directors

• The Ministry of Corporates Affairs (MCA) launched the databank of independent directors with an aim to strengthen the institution of independent directors under the Companies Act.
• The databank, launched by Injeti Srinivas, MCA Secretary, can be accessed at “www.mca.gov.in” or “www.independentdirectorsdatabank.in”.
• The initiative provides a platform for the registration of existing independent directors as well as individuals aspiring to become independent directors.
• Companies also may register themselves with the databank to search, select and connect with individuals who possess the right skills and attitude for being considered for appointment as independent directors as the databank is expected to become a comprehensive repository of both existing independent directors as well as individuals eligible and willing to be appointed as independent directors.
• It also provides for e-learning courses on various topics, including the Companies Act, securities laws, basic accountancy, board practices, board ethics and board effectiveness.
• As per the notified rules, all existing independent directors are required to register themselves in the databank within three months, from December 1.
• They are also required to pass a basic online proficiency self-assessment test, which will available from March 2020 within 12 months thereafter.

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DECEMBER 04, 2019

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Assam’s first CNG-fuelled buses roll out from Dibrugarh

• Assam’s first compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelled bus was flagged off from Chowkidinghee by the Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha.
• The first CNG bus (converted from diesel) rolled out from the Assam State Transport Corporation’s (ASTC) bus terminus after a ceremonial inauguration by DC.
• The CNG-fuelled bus will be plying from the city to Mulukgaon via Lahoal, Dikom and Chabua town.
• Plying of two City Buses was also inaugurated on the same occasion.
• The City Buses will operate from Assam Medical College to Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) at Lepetkata, via Dibrugarh University on a reciprocal basis and each of them are expected to make five rounds of trips per day per bus.

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Mumbai Central certified as India’s 1^st ‘Eat Right Station’

• The Mumbai Central Terminus of the Western Railway (WR) has been certified as India’s first ‘Eat Right Station’ with a 4-Star rating awarded by the FSSAI.
• The honour came on the basis of compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy diet, food handling at preparation, transshipment and retail/serving points, food waste management, promotion of local and seasonal foods and creating awareness on food safety and a healthy diet.
• The WR, food quality regulator FSSAI and Indian Railways Catering Tourism Corporation trained food handlers, both in canteens and base kitchens, inspected catering establishments at the station, certified and rated the standards of food.
• As part of efforts to help passengers make a healthy and right food choice, the Indian Railways launched the ‘Eat Right Station’ as part of the ‘Eat Right India’ initiative of the FSSAI started in 2018.
• It focused on improving the health and well-being of the people by ensuring they eat healthy, with the FSSAI making suitable interventions on both the demand and supply side, besides related aspects.
• ‘Eat Right India’ is built on two broad pillars of Eat Healthy and Eat Safe, and aims to engage, excite and enable people enhance their health and well-being.

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AIIMS, Sweden jointly launch healthcare innovation centre

• India and Sweden announced the launch of a Healthcare Innovation Centre in India for early diagnosis and digital intervention in the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cancer.
• The Swedish Trade Commissioner’s Office, in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and Jodhpur, announced launch of the India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre in India.
• The announcement was made at the India-Sweden Business Summit in the presence of Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and her Swedish counterpart Ibrahim Baylan.
• The signing of the Memorandum of Intent took place at the event to mark 10 years of India-Sweden health cooperation.
• AIIMS Delhi was represented by Director RandeepGuleria, and AIIMS Jodhpur by Director Sanjeev Misra, while Sweden was represented by Swedish Trade Commissioner to India Anders Wickberg.
• The centre will mainstream digital, scalable and affordable healthcare solutions for early diagnosis and digital intervention in the management of NCDs such as diabetes and cancer.
• The Centre is envisaged to develop an ecosystem of open innovation that healthcare delivery stakeholders can use to collaborate and address current and future challenges in the healthcare sector in India.

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Lok Sabha passes Bill to restrict use of hazardous materials on ships

• A Bill to enact a law to provide for restrictions or prohibitions on the use of hazardous material on ships and regulate recycling of ships by setting certain standards was passed in the Lok Sabha.
• The provisions of the Bill shall not apply to any warship, naval auxiliary, or other ships owned or operated and used by the government for non-commercial purposes.
• Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandavia said the Bill has been moved in view of ship recycling activities in India and keeping in view standards for environmental protection and workers” safety.
• The major purpose of the Bill is environment-centric and for the safety of the labour.
• The Bill aims to grow such industries and clarified that these are not new industries but already existing ones.
• The Bill, which was introduced in the House proposes to designate an authority to be called the National Authority to administer, supervise and monitor all activities relating to ship recycling and to designate an authority to be called the Competent Authority to perform the prescribed duties within the geographical areas of expertise.
• It provides that no ship shall install or use any prohibited hazardous material notified by the Central government and issue a certificate on inventory of hazardous materials and Ready for Recycling certificate which is an essential document for ships designated to be recycled.
• The Bill seeks to impose an obligation on the Ship Recycler to take measures for the protection of the environment during the process of ship recycling and providing for appeal against the orders of the Competent Authority to the National Authority and from the National Authority to the Central government.

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Parliament passed the bill to merge the two Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

• Parliament passed the bill to merge the two Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu with the Rajya Sabha approving the measure by voice vote.
• The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019 seeks to provide better delivery of services to the citizens of both the UTs by improving efficiency and reducing paper work.
• It is aimed at reducing administrative expenditure.
• Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said that the bill was brought after discussing it with all the stakeholders concerned, including civil society.
• The merged Union Territories would continue to be under the jurisdiction of Bombay High Court as it is closer (250 km) compared to Ahmedabad which is about 400 km away.
• There would not be any change in administration, employment conditions, reservation etc following the merger. Further, the service conditions for Class 3 and 4 employees would also remain unchanged.

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Punjab CM announces free police help to drop women safely home at night

• Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh announced free police help to drop women safely home if they are stranded outside between 9 pm and 6 am.
• The state-wide facility will be available on DIAL 100, 112 and 181, through which the woman caller will be connected immediately to the Police Control Room (PCR).
• The Chief Minister has also directed Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta to ensure the implementation of the facility across the state.
• The pick-up and drop facility will be available to women who do not have access to a safe vehicle, including taxi or 3-wheeler.
• To give the woman caller a sense of total security, the Chief Minister has directed that at least one lady police officer should accompany her during the transportation.
• The DSP/ACP (Crime Against Women) will be the Nodal Officer to implement the scheme in each district.
• Their numbers would be available on the Punjab Government and Punjab Police websites. ADGP Crime, Punjab, GurpreetDeo will be the State Nodal Officer for the facility

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IIT Hyderabad develops device to monitor ECG data in real time

• Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) has developed a low-power device that can monitor electrocardiogram (ECG) and alert patients and doctors in real-time about the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
• CVD tops the list of public health concern compared to other diseases and has almost become the primary cause of human deaths, as per a survey of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• The main causes include changings trend in lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, tobacco usage, low fruit and vegetable intake and lack of physical activity and lot of stress.
• These factors necessitate developing a personalised CVD monitoring device powered by battery backup and with a very low form factor to achieve unobtrusiveness that works under the emerging cyber-physical system setup.
• A novel System-On-Chip (SoC) architecture is developed in a low complex way by resource sharing concept for the CVD automation.
• Thus the whole system can cover various ECG abnormalities and finally come up with the prototype board which looks similar to as a smartphone at the patient end.

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Odisha CM launches ”Madhu” app to help school students

• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched ”Madhu” app, an e-learning mobile phone application for school students to understand their subjects in a better and efficient way.
• The app named after ”UtkalGourab” Madhusudan Das is developed by Ganjam district administration for school students.
• It is aimed at helping school students in learning their lessons taught in school classrooms through videos and practicing them.
• Through the app, the students will have access to video explanation of the topics they are taught in their classroom.
• The courses have been prepared to make the videos interesting using quality teaching learning material. It also features interactive question answering sessions.

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DECEMBER 05, 2019

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Jurismita Puzari and Uday Shankar Borah from Assam gets United Nations award

• Jurismita Puzari of Guwahati has won the National Karmaveer Chakra Gold Award from REX and United Nations for her commendable work for society. Uday Shankar Borah of Dergaon too has been awarded the National Karmaveer Bronze Award for meritorious service.
• Both of them are former fellows of the Gandhi Fellowship programme and ZilaSwachh Bharat Prerak of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) and Tata Trust.
• They are currently district leaders of Piramal Foundation and working in education leadership and water respectively.
• Earlier in 2014-15, JurismitaPuzari had been recognised by REX and the UN for her contribution towards education and social empowerment and thereby honoured with both bronze and silver awards respectively.
• The duo received their respective awards in New Delhi at an award function which is part of iCONGO’s REX Conclave in collaboration with United Nations.
• These awards are presented in order to recognise people who have the courage of conviction to think differently and walk the path less trodden and to act on alternative/innovative ideas which may make a difference in the world.

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India gifts patrol vessel “KAAMIYAAB” to Maldives

• India handed over a patrol vessel to the Maldives and launched the RuPay card, during a video conference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
• India gifted a ”Made in India” patrol vessel named “KAAMIYAAB” to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
• The vessel will be manned by eight MNDF personnel trained in India and will be a valuable asset for the Maldives in enhancing its maritime security, fostering its blue economy and safeguarding its tourism industry.
• The two sides exchanged MoUs for three grant projects for setting up neighbourhood fish plants in the southernmost atoll of Addu.
• These projects are being implemented under the MoU signed during then EAM SushmaSwaraj”s visit to Maldives in 2019 and will help support livelihoods of the island communities in Addu.
• Both sides exchanged an MoU between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Bank of Maldives (BML) to launch the RuPay Card in the Maldives.

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Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh is New Chief of Personnel of Navy

• Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh has taken over as Chief of Personnel from Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar.
• Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh is a qualified flying instructor with Master Green Instrument Rating.
• As a Flag Officer he has held appointments as assistant controller carrier project and assistant controller warship production and acquisition at the Ministry of Defence (Navy).
• He was also Flag Officer Goa Area and Flag Officer Naval Aviation at Goa, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet at Mumbai, Chief of Staff at Headquarters Western Naval Command at Mumbai and Director General Project Seabird at the Ministry of Defence (Navy).
• As Chief of Personnel he heads the Personnel Branch of the Indian Navy and is responsible for all personnel issues of the Navy”s service and civilian manpower, including induction, training, career management, discipline, pay and allowances.
• Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar has been appointed as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee at the headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff.

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Punjab partners with WEF for e-mobility

• The Punjab government has partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to design a public-private pilot project on shared, clean and electric mobility.
• The state, which is also formulating its own Electric Vehicle (EV) policy to support the adoption of e-vehicles, has been chosen for the pilot project by the WEF as it is well positioned for the shared EV transition.
• The project will examine how public and private sectors can interplay to offer the most robust and successful EV ecosystem, as part of the collaboration to be formulated at the WEF annual meeting in Davos on January 2020.
• The study will form a blueprint for EV implementation across cities and countries worldwide.
• The collaboration is just one of the initiatives being taken by the state government to promote e-mobility as a way to transform the state’s transport system into a cleaner one.
• The state has already banned new registrations of diesel and petrol three wheelers in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.
• It is also encouraging the setting up of EV battery units in the new industrial park located over 380 acres in the Dhanansu village in Ludhiana district.

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Parliament passes bill to legalise 1,731 colonies in Delhi

• The Rajya Sabha passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Bill 2019 by voice vote.
• Properties in these unauthorised colonies are generally held through general power of attorney (GPA), will, agreement to sale, payment and possession documents.
• The properties in these colonies are not being registered by registration authorities and thereby the residents do not have any title documents in respect of such properties.
• This bill is aimed at recognizing the power of attorney, will, agreement to sell, purchase and possession documents as a special one-time relaxation.
• Following the regularisation of the colonies, property holders in these colonies would be able to get loans from banks.
• They would also be entitled for public facilities like schools, parks, roads, electricity and water.

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DECEMBER 06, 2019

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India ranked fifth in Climate Risk Index

• India was ranked fifth vulnerable globally.The Climate Risk Index 2020, an annual report by Germanwatch, ranks countries according to their vulnerability to extreme weather events.
• It was released in the Spanish capital on the sidelines of the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or COP25 that is being held in the backdrop of climate impact biting globally.
• India has also been badly affected, ranking fifth in the overall global vulnerability index in 2018, ranked first in terms of fatalities and second in the world in terms of losses in millions of dollars.
• India’s overall ranking has drastically fallen from 14th in 2017, to fifth in 2018.
• The results reflect the increasing damage caused by heatwaves, which scientists have found are being worsened by climate change.
• The report shows that extreme weather, linked with climate change, is affecting not only the poorer countries like Myanmar and Haiti, but also some of the world’s richest countries.
• Japan is the worst-hit country in 2018, while Germany and Canada were both also in the ‘bottom 10
• Other countries ranking in the bottom 20 in the overall climate risk categories are the US at 12th, Vietnam at sixth, Bangladesh at seventh and France at 15th.

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ONGC opens drinking water project at Dhitaipukhuri HS

• The ONGC inaugurated a drinking water project at Dhitaipukhuri High School under its CSR initiative.
• Executive Director (ED) and Asset Manager, ONGC, Assam Asset, Sanjeev Kakran inaugurated the project.
• Kakran interacted with the students and teachers of the school about various facilities available in the school and how the ONGC can supplement its further infrastructural development.
• He announced financial support of Rs 20,000 for purchasing musical instruments for the students and assured to extend support towards the existing computer lab of the school for the benefit of the students.
• Providing clean and safe drinking water in schools in and around ONGC’s operational areas, is a CSR initiative by ONGC Assam Asset.
• The project in Dhitaipukhuri High School is implemented by ONGC’s All India OBC and MOBC Employees Welfare Association.

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Ministry of Home Affairs grants Rs 100 crore for women help desks in police stations

• For setting up women help desks in police stations across the country, the Union Home Ministry has sanctioned Rs 100 crore from the Nirbhaya fund.
• Women help desks would focus on making the police stations more women friendly and approachable, as they would be the first and single point of contact for any woman walking into a police station.
• Essentially, lady police officers would be deployed at these help desks.
• The scheme would be implemented by the states and Union Territories and officers on these desks would be trained to be sensitive towards women.
• The officials at the women”s help desks would be trained to be sensitive towards women.
• These help desks would have enlisted panel of experts like lawyers, psychologists and NGOs to facilitate legal aid, counselling, shelter, rehabilitation and training etc.

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Union Cabinet approved the Personal Data Protection Bill

• The Union Cabinet approved the Personal Data Protection Bill. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) moved the Bill in the Cabinet.
• Telecom and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had recently informed the Upper House that the work on Data Protection law is in progress and would be introduced in Parliament.

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DECEMBER 07, 2019

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Union Mininster announces Food parks in Meghalaya, Sikkim

• Union Minister of State for Food Processing RameswarTeli announced the setting up of a mega food park in Meghalaya and a mini food park in Sikkim.
• Teli said the Central government has given special emphasis on setting up food processing industries in the northeast
• The Centre will provide 75 per cent subsidy to entrepreneurs to set up food-based industries in the region.
• He also said that the government is planning to set up an IIT like institute in Guwahati for food related research.

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Punjab signs pact for setting up Research University

• The Punjab government and research-based Shoolini University agreed on establishing a research university in the state.
• Documents pertaining to the expression of interest were exchanged during the Progressive Punjab Investors” Summit here between Secretary (employment generation) Rahul Tiwari and Shoolini University Pro Vice Chancellor Atul Khosla.
• Punjab had invited the Himachal Pradesh-based Shoolini University to set up a campus keeping in view the research-based focus of the university.
• It would make an investment of Rs 750 crore in 10 years and would provide direct and indirect employment to about 1500 people, as per the understanding.

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India provides $190 million Lines of Credit for drinking water & solar project to Guinea

• India has signed agreements for providing over $190 million in Lines of Credit for strengthening the drinking water and electricity supply and for solar projects in the West African nation of Guinea.
• The two countries signed the agreements for providing Lines of Credit for $170 million for strengthening drinking water supply of Grand Conakry, and $20.22 million for two solar projects.
• And also for supply of electricity and drinking water for seven public universities and solar project for electrification and refrigeration in 200 health centres.
• The agreements were inked during the meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with his visiting counterpart from Guinea MamadiToure.
• The discussions between the two sides covered all aspects of bilateral relations including development partnership, capacity building and trade and commerce.
• Both the ministers underscored the need to further expand and deepen bilateral engagement to realise the true potential, particularly in new areas, such as defence.
• Both ministers expressed satisfaction about the regular high level political exchanges including the successful visits of President Ram NathKovind to Guinea in August 2019 and Prime Minister of Guinea IbrahimaKassoryFofan to India in March 2019.

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