1.
Prominent author and translator from Assam, Diganta Biswa Sarma, on Tuesday was appointed as the Professor of Practice at Dibrugarh University, effective for a year or until further notice.
In his role, Sarma will impart his extensive knowledge of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) to students, fostering an appreciation for the nation’s cultural heritage and values.
He will also facilitate the transmission of traditional wisdom across various courses. Notably, Sarma will receive Traveling Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Guest House accommodations, and a lump sum honorarium in accordance with university guidelines.
Additionally, his class allocation will be coordinated with the Department Head and chairpersons of the Centre for Studies at Dibrugarh University.
2.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has joined hands with the Assam government in a collaborative effort to augment green cover along highways. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal, ecological balance, and environmental sustainability of the road infrastructure..
The agreement aligns with India’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. By increasing greenery along highways, the initiative contributes to mitigating air pollution, enhancing biodiversity, and creating a more pleasant travel experience for commuters…
3.
The North East Frontier Railway (NFR) has initiated a series of measures to improve its freight transportation services and enhance customer interactions. The railway has inaugurated several new stations dedicated to handling inward and outward goods traffic during the month of July 2023.
In order to enhance freight revenue and customer experience, the Dhamalgaon station, operating under the Tinsukia division, has commenced operations for both inward and outward goods traffic, NFR officials stated. This includes the transportation of sand and ballast, along with outward coal and crane consignments, effective from July 12, 2023. Certain categories of items such as POL, livestock, explosives, inward coal, and crane consignments are excluded from this operation.
Similarly, the Lakwa station, also falling under the Tinsukia division, has begun handling inward iron and pipe consignments for a duration of three months starting from July 14.
Since January 3 this year, the station has been facilitating inward and outward goods traffic, except for items like POL, livestock, explosives, inward coal, and crane consignments.
4.
The government will implement fully rice fortification programme before the scheduled target of March 2024, a top food ministry official said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address in 2021, said the government aims to distribute fortified rice via the government schemes by 2024.
Thereafter, a scheme for the distribution of fortified rice, containing prescribed micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) was launched in October 2021 in a phased manner in order to address the problem of anaemia in children and women.
In April 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the supply of fortified rice throughout the Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman-PM POSHAN (erstwhile Mid-Day Meal Scheme) and other welfare schemes in all states and Union Territories (UTs) by 2024 in a phased manner.
The entire cost of rice fortification, which is around ₹ 2,700 crore per annum, would be borne by the Centre as part of the food subsidy till its full implementation up to June 2024.
5.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspected a model of the Swaminarayan Temple in Johannesburg, South Africa, the construction of which will be completed by 2025.
The temple is built on a 14.5-acre size plot of land, housing a 34,000 square meter cultural center 3000 seater auditorium, 2000 seater banquet hall, a research institute, classrooms, exhibition and recreational centers.
The under-construction temple once completed will be the largest Hindu temple in Africa and Southern Hemisphere.
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