31 August CA

1.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 30 inaugurated the much-awaited flyover in Maligaon which was named as ‘Nilachal Flyover’ a few hours before inauguration.

The inauguration comes as a relief for commuters in Guwahati who have been facing significant traffic congestion on the Bharalumukh-Jalukbari stretch of road due to ongoing construction works for the flyover.

It may be recalled that earlier Assam chief minister Sarma had told the media that its name would be “Maligaon flyover” during a visit to the work of the flyover.

Later, an entry board written ‘Maligaon Flyover’ was installed on this flyover. But last night the name was changed to the ‘Nilachal flyover’.

2.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said his government will soon start construction of 1,000 bridges across the state.

At present, work on 22 big projects like flyovers and bridges over the Brahmaputra is underway. Out of these, 21 are at the last stage of completion

3.

The President of India Droupadi Murmu has appointed Dr.Samudra Kashyap as the vice chancellor of Nagaland University for five years.

The president has appointed Kashyap on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education.

He is a veteran journalist and an alumnus of the IIMC 1985-86 batch.

Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap, a distinguished journalist, and accomplished author, stands as a remarkable figure in the media landscape. With a career enriched by decades of dedication, Dr. Kashyap’s influence spans not only journalism but also academia, literature, and cross-border dialogues.

Born in 1960, Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap, based in Guwahati, has left an indelible mark on the realms of journalism and beyond. Until August 9, 2023, he served as the State Information Commissioner of Assam, a position he held with distinction. Notably, he achieved the distinction of being the first journalist to be appointed as a State Information Commissioner in Assam under the RTI Act. His tenure, which began in August 2020, is set to conclude in August 2023.

Over the course of almost four decades, Dr. Kashyap’s journey in journalism has been characterized by dedication and impact. His most extended stint was with The Indian Express from 1991 to 2018. Prior to this, his passion for writing and reporting found expression in Prantik, a respected Assamese fortnightly magazine (1981 to 1986), and Dainik Asam, the oldest Assamese newspaper (1987 to 1991).

Educationally accomplished, Dr. Kashyap earned his Master’s in English Literature from Gauhati University. He further honed his skills through a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism for Developing Countries from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. His academic pursuits culminated in a noteworthy achievement – a PhD degree awarded by the Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management, Sivasagar, Assam, in 2022. The subject of his thesis, “Leadership Qualities & Social Innovations of Srimanta Sankaradeva,” highlights his commitment to exploring diverse areas.

As an author, Dr. Kashyap’s literary repertoire is diverse and impactful. He is the author and co-author of more than 20 books in English and Assamese. His works cover a range of subjects, from historical narratives to insightful essays. Among his English titles are a monograph on Assam’s Infiltration problem (published by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini), “Untold Stories of the Freedom Struggle from North-east India” (Publications Division, Ministry of I&B), and “India-Bangladesh: Fifty Years of Friendship” (Indian Council for World Affairs). His contributions also extend to the realm of television, where he played a significant role in producing “Brahmaputra, the Son of Brahma: An Endless Journey” – a 26-episode mega-serial for Doordarshan (2008-09).

An astute analyst and commentator, Dr. Kashyap is a sought-after speaker. His in-depth knowledge on a wide array of topics, especially those related to the Northeast, has led him to be invited by numerous institutions and organizations across the country. His insights have illuminated discussions on media, North-eastern India, national security, insurgency, demography, society, and youth, to name a few.

For his remarkable contributions, Dr. Kashyap has received several awards and honors. Noteworthy among them are the Rai Bahadur M S Oberoi Award (Silver Medal) for Exposing Corruption in Media (2005), the Bhupen Hazarika National Award (2015) instituted by Sarhad, Pune, and the DY365 Award for Excellence in Journalism (2008-09).

Beyond his journalistic and literary accomplishments, Dr. Kashyap has played pivotal roles in academia and advisory positions. His engagement includes serving as a Member of the Academic Advisory Board of Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership (Mumbai), a Government Nominee Member of the Governing Body of OKD Institute of Social Change & Development (Guwahati), and a State Executive Committee Member of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Dept of Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Govt of Assam.

In the international arena, Dr. Kashyap’s contributions have extended beyond borders. He was part of diverse delegations and dialogues, including those organized by organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and engagements in the UK and Bhutan.

4.

As many as 225 of the 830 either non-operational, fake, or partially fake educational institutions that figured in the around Rs 144 crore minority scholarship scam in 21 states of the country during the period from 2017-18 to 2021-22 are from Assam. The CBI has registered an FIR against this allegation against fake institutions in Assam and other states. The forgery involves pre-matric scholarship, post-matric scholarship, and merit-based means for the students of six minority communities. In its preliminary investigation, the Ministry of Minority Affairs identified 1,572 institutions as doubtful applicants; 830 of them came out as either non-operational, fake, or partially fake. And 225 of the 830 dubious institutions are from Assam. Earlier, an FIR was filed on August 13, 2020, in Nagaon, leading to the arrest of 15 people. The police did submit the charge sheet in the case on October 31, 2022. Another FIR filed with the CID on August 28, 2020, led to the arrest of 43 persons from Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara, and Darrang districts. The CID also filed a charge sheet against 32 people on February 3, 2021. The police also investigated other cases in this connection at Barpeta Police Station, Alopatichar Police Station, etc. Following Assam in the number of fake or non-operational institutions in the country are 162 institutions in Karnataka, 154 in Uttar Pradesh, 99 in Rajasthan, etc.

5.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent a contingent to participate in Exercise Bright Star-23, a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise held in Egypt, marking the first time IAF is participating in this exercise.

The exercise, scheduled from August 27 to September 16 at the Cairo (West) Air Base, includes contingents from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Greece, and Qatar. The objective is to practice planning and execution of joint operations, foster strategic relations, and encourage bonding across borders.

The IAF contingent includes aircraft, Garud Special Forces, and personnel from several squadrons, along with airlift support for approximately 150 Indian Army personnel. This move follows the elevation of India-Egypt bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership” earlier this year, which aims to strengthen cooperation in political, defence, security, energy, and economic areas.

6.

The Indian Supreme Court’s recent decision has overruled a 2014 Madras High Court ruling, stating that advocates can indeed solemnize “self-respect” marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act’s Section 7(A). This provision recognizes marriages between Hindus, performed in the presence of relatives or friends without traditional rituals or priests. This legal recognition aligns with the Tamil Nadu government’s amendment to simplify weddings, eliminating the need for priests and traditional practices.

The Court’s verdict, seen in cases like “Ilavarasan v. Superintendent of Police,” emphasizes that the public declaration of marital status isn’t a requirement for validity. The Court’s stance signifies a move towards modernizing marriage laws, respecting individual choices, and broadening the interpretation of valid marriage under Hindu law.

7.

Reliance Jio is introducing Jio AirFibre, a 5G-based fixed wireless broadband service, with the potential to attract nearly 200 million subscribers in the next three years. This initiative seeks to replicate the success of Jio’s mobile data services, revolutionizing India’s underdeveloped home broadband market.
By utilizing advanced wireless technology, Jio aims to overcome last-mile connectivity challenges, boosting daily connections by almost ten times. This strategic move addresses the limited reach of wired broadband in India, catering to the rising demand for high-speed internet at home. The launch of Jio AirFibre signifies a substantial step towards bridging the digital divide and fostering growth in smart home solutions.