ASSAM
Assam identifies 190 polling stations as ‘booze zones’
The EC routinely classifies polling stations as “sensitive” and “hypersensitive” based on the extent of their vulnerability to violence.
But for the first time in the country,190 booths in 12 Assam districts have been identified as vulnerable to illicit IMFL and country liquor, which can in a way influence the voters, ahead of the coming assembly polls in the state.
The state excises department, which has come up with this unique move, has deployed its men at strategic locations to keep an eye on the movement of illicit liquor on the lines of EC’s expenditure and law and order observers.
Majority of these polling stations are located in seven districts — Sivasagar, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dibrugarh and Dhemaji bordering Arunachal Pradesh.
NORTH-EASTERN STATES
Arunachal Pradesh to install VSAT in select govt schools
The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to install Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) in select government schools for facilitating online education.
As a pilot project, more than 50 VSATs with a capacity of connecting over 100 government schools will be installed.
The VSAT technology will enable a two-way virtual communication between educators and learners. It will enhance the quality of education and help students especially in areas where they are facing shortage of subject teachers.
To impart learning through VSAT, one has to set up the VSAT system which includes learning centres, Hub Earth Station, a studio for teachers to deliver classes from, servers for data and dish antenna above classrooms for reception.
The chief secretary said, as of now 300 government primary schools have been identified as activity and learning centres for children between 3 and 6 years as per the New Education Policy 2020.
INTERNATIONAL
Joe Biden takes over as President, Kamala Harris as Vice President of US
Joe Biden took oath as the 46th President of the United States of America at a ceremony in the US Capitol building in Washington.
78 year old Biden has become the oldest US President in history.
His deputy Kamala Harris was also sworn in as 49th Vice-President of the country.
The daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, Kamala Harris made history as America’s first woman and first person with south Asian roots to take the office of the Vice President.
Mr Trump along with Melinia Trump left White House for Florida ahead of the oath taking ceremony, handing over the charge to the Biden administration.
NATIONAL
Union Cabinet approves MoU between India, Uzbekistan for cooperation in field of Solar Energy
The Union Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Uzbekistan for cooperation in the field of Solar Energy.
The main area of work under the MoU is to identify research, demonstration and initiation of pilot projects between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India and the International Solar Energy Institute, Uzbekistan.
The research and cooperation will primarily focus in the areas of Solar Photovoltaic, Storage Technologies and Transfer of Technologies.
Based on mutual agreement, both parties would work for implementation and deployment of pilot projects in International Solar Alliance (ISA) member countries.
NITI Aayog releases 2nd edition of India Innovation Index-2020
The NITI Aayog released the second edition of the India Innovation Index-2020.
The index demonstrates the government’s continued commitment towards transforming the country into an innovation-driven economy.
In the India Innovation Index-2020, the States and Union Territories have been divided into 17 Major States, 10 North-East and Hill States and nine Union Territories and Small States for effectively comparing their performance.
In the 2020 ranking, Karnataka retained its first position in the Major States category.
Maharashtra moved one position higher and stood at 2nd spot while Tamil Nadu slid to 3rd position.
In the North East and Hill States category, Himachal Pradesh stands at first position followed by Uttarakhand and Manipur.
Delhi stands at the first position while Chandigarh retained its second spot in the Union Territories and small States category.
Cabinet approves Rs 5,282 cr investment for Ratle Hydro Power Project in J&K
The Cabinet has given its approval for the investment of over 5200 crore rupees for 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric (HE) Project located on river Chenab, in Kishtwar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
This will be a new Joint Venture Company (JVC) of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC) with equity contribution of 51 per cent and 49 per cent respectively.
The Ratle Hydro Electric Project shall be commissioned within 60 months.
The Power generated from the Project will help in providing balancing of Grid and will improve the power supply position.
Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth to become the first Woman Fighter Pilot to take part in Republic Day Parade
Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth will create a historic moment when she will become the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2021.
She is one of the first women fighter pilots to be inducted in the IAF.
Kanth will be the part of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) tableau in the parade.
The IAF tableau will showcase mock-ups of the light combat aircraft, light combat helicopter and the Sukhoi-30 fighter plane.
Currently Kanth is posted at an airbase in Rajasthan where she flies the MiG-21 Bison fighter plane.