30 Nov CA

1.

The seventh edition of the Military Literature Festival is slated to be held in Chandigarh on December 2-3. This year’s theme is ‘world in turmoil’.

Panel discussions will be held on various subjects including China, its modernisation plans, followed by a debate on the brutal methods adopted by its emperor Ying Zheng during his reign from 247 to 221 BC and the blind faith of the present leadership in his methods and the frightening signals it sends to Asia and the world.

Israel-Hamas conflict will also feature in the festival panel discussions.

2.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has opened rail coach restaurants in Rangiya, Lumding and Tinsukia railway stations as part of an initiative to provide a unique dining ambience to passengers.

The three restaurants are among the 13 restaurants currently operational under the jurisdiction of NF Railway.

The coach restaurants are being designed with an aesthetic appeal and heritage look for attracting travellers.

These restaurants aim to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways. This initiative of N.F. Railway is also expected to create employment for both skilled and unskilled workers

3.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, chief minister of Assam has expressed that the development of 264 schools in the state, as part of the PM Shri School scheme, will propel the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP). During the launch of the scheme, the CM announced that the state government has identified and selected these 264 schools, marking a significant milestone in Assam’s education sector

The PM Shri School scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at developing over 14,500 schools nationwide, is expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students. The implementation of the scheme will unfold over a five-year period starting in 2022, as per the statement.

During the event, the chief minister also conferred the Anundoram Barooah award, featuring a monetary reward of Rs 15,000 each, to 27,183 students who achieved 75% or more marks in the grade 10th examinations. Sarma announced that from the next year onwards, this award will transform into a scholarship, fostering a competitive environment among students. The state government plans to invest Rs 45 crore in this initiative, benefiting 30,000 students from grades 5th, 8th and 10th, subject to their performance in a competitive examination

In a significant administrative change, Sarma disclosed that the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) and the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) will merge into a unified body next year. This consolidated body will oversee higher secondary examinations. Aligning with the NEP, the chief minister highlighted the shift in focus from grade 10th examinations and the introduction of a comprehensive report card for institutions to monitor the performance of students appearing in higher secondary exams

4.

The Assam government on Wednesday received nine Guinness World Records certificates for a mega plantation drive in September-October

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma received the certificates from Guinness World Records Adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar for the state’s ‘Amrit Brikshya Andolan’.

As part of the drive, a total of 1,11,17,781 seedlings of commercially valuable tree species were planted across the state on a single day on September 17.

The entire exercise was carried out in the ‘Jan Bhagidaari’ model through the involvement of the Self-Help Groups, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, educational institutions, police personnel, tea garden workers, government officials and other citizens.

In the first category, that is in the Longest Line of Potted Saplings, record was made at Veterinary College Field in Guwahati by Kamrup East Forest Division and 22.22 km long line of 3,22,444 poly potted saplings were arranged in a spiral form with lighting.

In the second category, that is in the Largest Number of Saplings Distributed at one venue in 24 hours, record was made when saplings arranged in the spiral form at the Veterinary College Field were distributed. A total of 3,22,444 seedlings were distributed. In the third category, that is the Most Trees Planted by a Team in 24 hours, a record was made when 9,21,730 saplings were successfully planted in 100 hectares degraded forest land in Bhairabkunda Reserve Forests of Udalguri district.

In the fourth category, that is the Most Trees Planted by a Team in One Hour, a record was made when a total of 3,31,929 saplings were successfully planted in one hour by a team of 8,900 persons.

In the fifth category, that is the Largest Potted Saplings Mosaic, the record was achieved in Tinsukia district by Digboi Forest Division when potted saplings mosaic in 8,563.01 sq metres was made depicting map of Assam and showing rhinoceros in the centre of the mosaic.

A total of 6,32,000 saplings were used in making this mosaic.

In the sixth category, the record was made at Geleki in Sivasagar district when a total of 1,229 girl students planted 1,229 agar seedlings simultaneously in just 58 seconds. In the seventh category, the record was made when a lesson on Environmental Conservation and Sustainability was given online by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force of Assam on September 11 that was viewed by 70,490 persons and more than 10 lakh people later.

In the eighth category, a record was made when a total of 71,82,358 photographs of people planting trees were uploaded online on the Amrit Brikhya Andolan portal. In the ninth category, that is the Most Pledges Received for an Environmental Sustainability Campaign in one month (Online), a total of 47,28,898 online pledges have been taken to plant trees and protect them.

5.

Bengaluru, the bustling IT hub of India, is poised to witness a groundbreaking development in its transportation infrastructure with the announcement of a 287-km circular railway. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw disclosed this ambitious project during a press conference after a comprehensive review of railway projects in Bengaluru.

The circular railway seeks to link key towns around Bengaluru, forming India’s most extensive network. It transcends current needs, envisioning a transportation solution for the next 40-50 years. In tandem with the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP), it emerges as the ultimate response to the city’s evolving transport demands.