ASSAM
Assam-Mizoram border tensions: Key Points
Assam and Mizoram share a 164.6 km inter-state border, and conflicting territorial claims have persisted for long. Several dialogues held since 1995 to resolve the border dispute have yielded little results.
The recent clashes occurred along Kolasib district of Mizoram and Cachar of Assam.
Some Mizo volunteers had put up checkposts, allegedly on Assamese side of the border, and purportedly in the wake of Covid pandemic.
Assam forest officials were allegedly not allowed to go beyond the checkpost, in a recent incident.
Some Mizo lawmakers claim that over 80 per cent of people living along the border are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
Fingers have also been pointed at some politicians trying to take advantage, in view of the Assam elections due next year.
NORTH-EASTERN STATES
Nagaland Environment Minister C M Chang passes away
Nagaland Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Justice and Law C.M. Chang passed away.
State Health officials confirmed that Chang died of COVID-19.
He was the sitting MLA of NDPP from 51-Noksen Assembly Constituency.
INTERNATIONAL
China formally joins WHO led COVAX initiative on COVID-19 vaccine
China has formally joined COVAX, the global initiative for COVID-19 vaccine by signing an agreement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The statement did not give details on the level of support Beijing will provide to the initiative.
The COVAX facility, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to deliver at least 2 billion doses of vaccines by the end of 2021.
The WHO had said it had been negotiating with China for its participation in the initiative, with Russia and the United States so far choosing not to join.
More than 150 countries have joined the WHO led initiative to develop, produce, and fairly distribute an effective COVID-19 vaccine.
World Arthritis Day: 12 October
World Arthritis Day is observed globally on 12th October every year.
The day is celebrated to raise awareness about arthritis, an inflammatory condition which causes pain and stiffness in joints which can worsen with age.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods. The most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
This day was started by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) in 1996 in order to spread awareness about arthritis and encourage policymakers to help reduce the burden of arthritis.
NATIONAL
Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ virtually inaugurates Gyan Circle Ventures
Union Minister for Education Ramesh Pokhriyal inaugurated the Gyan Circle Ventures.
It is a MeitY funded Technology Business Incubator (TBI) developed by the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.
It functions as a Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0) incubation center.
These, ‘Gyan Circle ventures’ have the potential to infuse entrepreneurship in young minds.
It would also encourage them to become successful innovators.
PM Modi releases Rs 100 commemorative coin in honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative 100 rupee coin in the honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia.
One of the founder members of BJP, Vijaya Raje Scindia is also popularly known as the Rajmata of Gwalior.
Vijaya Raje Scindia was married to the last ruling Maharaja of Gwalior, Jivajirao Scindia.
In later life, she became a politician of considerable influence and was elected repeatedly to both houses of the Indian parliament.
She was also an active member, for many decades, of the Jana Sangh and co-founder of Bharatiya Janata Party.
Indian Navy Ships Sahyadri and Kora adjudged as Best Ships in FAF 2020
Fleet Award Function(FAF), 2020 was organised to mark the successful culmination of the Operational Cycle of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.
During the event, the Fleet Operations Officer presented the Annual Report of activities and achievements of the Fleet for 01 Apr 19 to 31 Mar 20.
The event was also a worthy acknowledgement of the ships which under the Operation ‘Samudra Setu’ successfully rescued Indian Diaspora from various nations at an unprecedented scale, view COVID-19 pandemic.
Sixteen trophies were awarded in recognition of excellence in various operational verticals.
The most coveted trophies of Best Ship were awarded to INS Sahyadri amongst Capital ships and INS Kora amongst Corvettes and similar classes of ships.
All eight beaches recommended by Govt gets coveted International Blueflag Certification
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that all eight beaches recommended by the Government have got the coveted International Blueflag Certification.
It is an outstanding feat, as no Blueflag nation has ever been awarded for 8 beaches in a single attempt.
The beaches which got International Blueflag Certification are Shivrajpur beach in Dwarka Gujarat, Ghoghla beach in Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden Beach in Odisha and Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria is met and maintained.
A world-renowned award trusted by millions around the globe, the Blue Flag programme is operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education, FEE and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.