Bihar: Cultural exchange programme to be organised

A cultural exchange programme will be organised in February in Gaya, Bihar under “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” with youths of state, Tripura, as well as Mizoram. Different programmes organised under the aegis of Ek bharat shrestha Bharat are spreading fragrance of unity of India.

Anjani Kumar, District Co-ordinator of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan (NYKS) told AIR that in the upcoming event the youths of Tripura and Mizoram would show case their culinary expertise, perform different kind of folk dance with songs and their traditional musical instruments.

Telangana’s Peddapalli bags ‘Swacchatha Darpan Award 2020’

Peddapalli district administration has won the “Swachhatha Darpan award” for the second consecutive year from the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation at a programme organised in New Delhi. Bollywood actor and founder of Paani Foundation Aamir Khan presented the award to Collector A. Sri Devasena on the occasion. The district, under the leadership of Ms. Devasena, has bagged four national awards under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The district achieved 100% coverage of all villages with community toilet blocks for men and women with running water overhead tank, tiled flooring, washbasins, paintings, signboards etc. It also recorded 100% coverage of soak pits to become the country’s first open-drain free district with salutary effect seen in 65% decline in dengue cases as compared to last year.

The district completely banned single-use plastic and promoted non-woven cloth bags provided by women SHGs and helped them secure employment. Peddapalli was acclaimed for the implementation of panchasutras (five-point programme) to achieve cent per cent sanitation in villages.

Indian Railways sign MoU with RailTel for Phase 2

After successful completion of the Phase 1 execution of NIC e-office for 50,000 users in 58 units, Indian Railways has signed MoU with RailTel for the phase 2 of the project. In phase 2, RailTel will register 39,000 users over 34 Railway divisions in NIC e-office platform by 30th June 2020.

E-Office fosters a paper-less culture which will not only save operational cost but also reduce the carbon footprint which is one of the most urgent needs of the world and directly impacting every citizen of the country.

Robert Abela set to become Malta’s new prime minister

Political newcomer Robert Abela set to become Malta’s new prime minister having been elected leader of the ruling Labour Party following a vote on Saturday.

The election result became known early on Sunday with Abela winning 58 per cent of the votes of some 17,500 members of the party. He was up against Chris Fearne (56) the deputy prime minister and minister of health, who had been the initial favourite to win.

Joseph Muscat is stepping down as leader and prime minister amid claims that he protected associates who had links to people allegedly involved in the 2017 murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Senior IPS A.P. Maheshwari appointed new Director General of CRPF

Senior IPS officer Anand Prakash Maheshwari was on Monday appointed as the Director-General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The post of DG CRPF was lying vacant after R R Bhatnagar retired on December 31.

Maheshwari, a 1984 batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed to the post up to February 28, 2021, i.e. the date of his superannuation, the order stated.

Book compilation of Arun Jaitley’s writings to hit stands in February

A book, compilation of selected writings by former finance minister Arun Jaitley, offers readers with the late politician’s sharp insight on topics including GST, demonetisation and Kashmir, publishing house Juggernaut Books announced.

The book, “A New India: Selected Writings 2014-19”, is an authoritative account of the policies and decisions made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government during its first stint. It will hit the stands in February.

Jaitley, who passed away at the age of 66 in August last year, as a finance minister rolled out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, the biggest tax reforms after Independence. BJP’s and PM Modi’s chief trouble-shooter, he helmed the finance, defence, corporate affairs and information and broadcasting ministries.

‘PAX SINICA: Implications for the Indian Dawn’ launched by S Jaishankar

A book on China titled ‘PAX SINICA: Implications for the Indian Dawn’ authored by Dr. Samir Saran and Akhil Deo was recently launched by Union External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The book is published by Rupa Publications India.

Dr Samir Saran, the President of Observer Research Foundation (ORF), one of Asia’s most influential think tanks is a Commissioner of The Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace, member of the World Economic Forum’s South Asia advisory board and Global Future Council on Geopolitics. Akhil Deo is a Junior Fellow at the ORF. His research interests include India’s foreign policy and the impact of emerging technologies on society.

Swami Vivekananda’s ‘Karma Yoga’ released in Nepal on Vishwa Hindi Diwas

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu released four books, including the Nepali translation of Swami Vivekananda’s ‘Karma Yoga’, at an event marking the Vishwa Hindi Diwas.

The other three books includes – the Nepali translation of a book compiling five famous stories by Indian writer Premchand; the Hindi translations of ‘Ashwathama’ written by Nepalese poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire and; ‘Utkrishta Kahaniyan’ a collection of 25 modern Nepali stories written by young and upcoming Nepali story writers.

A special issue of ‘Sahityalok’, the research journal of Central Hindi Department of Tribhuvan University was also released during an event at the embassy to mark the occasion.

Kolkata: Two ICGS commissioned by Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary, Ajay Kumar commissioned Two Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) Annie Besant and Amrit Kaur at Kolkata. ICGS Annie Besant was named in honour of Annie Besant, philanthropist, theosophist, prolific author and supporter of the Indian freedom struggle. It will be based at Chennai under the operational and administrative control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East). ICGS Amrit Kaur ship will be based at Haldia under the operational and administrative control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (North East).

ICGS Annie Besant and ICGS Amrit Kaur are fitted with state-of-the-art technology, navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery. The ships are equipped with Bofors 40/60 guns and 12.7 mm SRCGs (Stabilised Remote Controlled Gun) for enhancing the fighting efficiency of the ship. The ships are also capable of undertaking multi-faceted tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.

Capt. Tania Shergill, first woman parade adjutant for Republic Day parade

Captain Tania Shergill, an officer with Army’s Corps of Signals, will be the first woman parade adjutant for the Republic Day parade. Captain Shergill is an electronics and communications graduate,
Commissioned in March 2017 from the Officer Training Academy, Chennai.

The Republic Day parade will witness Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2K of the 18 Mechanised Infantry, Dhanush Gun System and the Army Air Defence on the Rajpath. Contingents of the Corps of Signals, Sikh Light Infantry, Kumaon Regiment, the Grenadiers, the Parachute Regiment will also take part in the parade.