National
Multiple projects worth over Rs 2450 crores in Meghalaya
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, and inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple projects worth over Rs 2450 crores in Shillong, Meghalaya on 18 December 2022.
Multiple Projects include:
» In a step which will further boost telecom connectivity in the region, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation 4G mobile towers, of which more than 320 have been completed and around 890 are under construction.
» He inaugurated the New Campus of IIM Shillong at Umsawli.
» The Prime Minister also inaugurated Shillong – Diengpasoh Road, which will provide better connectivity to new Shillong satellite township and decongest Shillong.
» He also inaugurated four other road projects across three states viz Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
» The Prime Minister inaugurated the Spawn Laboratory at Mushroom Development Center in Meghalaya to enhance mushroom spawn production and also provide skill training for farmers and entrepreneurs.
» He also inaugurated the Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre in Meghalaya to improve the livelihood of beekeeping farmers through capacity building and technology upgradation.
» He further inaugurated 21 Hindi libraries in Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Assam.
» The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of six road projects across the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
» He also laid the foundation stone of the Integrated Hospitality and Convention Centre at Tura and Shillong Technology Park Phase -II. The Technology Park Phase -II will have a built-up area of about 1.5 lakh square feet.
- It will provide new opportunities for professionals and is expected to create more than 3000 jobs.
- The Integrated Hospitality and Convention Centre will have a convention hub, guest rooms, food court etc.
- It will provide the necessary infrastructure for promoting tourism and showcasing cultural heritage in the region.
Golden Jubilee celebrations of the North-East Council
⇒ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah participated in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the North-East Council, in Shillong in Meghalaya on 18 December 2022.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong.
- Hailing the contribution of NEC in the development of the North East region, Prime Minister said that this golden jubilee celebration of the NEC coincides with the ongoing Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- Underscoring that he often refers to the 8 states of the region as Asht Lakshmi, he said the government should work on 8 foundation pillars for its development, viz Peace, Power, Tourism, 5G connectivity, Culture, Natural farming, Sports, Potential.
» The official meeting of the Council was held at the State Convention Centre Auditorium while the public meeting was organised at the Polo Grounds in Shillong.
- The meeting marks the golden jubilee celebration of the North Eastern Council. The North Eastern Council (NEC) has completed 50 years in November 2022.
About NEC:
- North Eastern Council (NEC) is under the administrative purview of Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region (MDoNER).
- Established by an Act of the Parliament in 1971 (Act No. 84 of 1971), NEC was formally inaugurated on 7th November, 1972 at Shillong, Meghalaya, marking the beginning of a new chapter of concerted and planned endeavor on the part of the Government of India for the North Eastern Region.
- Originally consisting of the seven states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, Sikkim was included as the eighth member state through the NEC (Amendment) Act, 2002 (68 of 2002).
- NEC has played a key role in the socio-economic development of the North Eastern region and has lent support to various infrastructure projects and other development initiatives across all states of the region.
- It has helped create valuable capital and social infrastructure, especially in critical gap areas of sectors including education, health, sports, water resources, agriculture, tourism, industry, among others.
India’s first-ever Surety Bond Insurance product for infrastructure projects
⇒ Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari launched one of India’s first-ever Surety Bond Insurance product from Bajaj Allianz in December 2022.
» Commenting on the product launch, Shri Gadkari said “India is well on its path to becoming a $ 5 Trillion economy and achieving the dream of our honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji; insurance will play an important role in this growth.
- To realize Modi Ji’s dream, it is important that infrastructure projects are executed at a faster speed; infrastructure, and notably roads, are vital to the economic and social growth of our country.
- With this new instrument of Surety Bonds, the availability of both liquidity and capacity will definitely be boosted; such products stand to strengthen the sector.
Key Points:
- Surety Bond Insurance will act as a security arrangement for infrastructure projects and will insulate the contractor as well as the principal.
- The product will cater to the requirements of a diversified group of contractors, many of whom are operating in today’s increasingly volatile environment.
- The Surety Bond Insurance is a risk transfer tool for the Principal and shields the Principal from the losses that may arise in case the contractor fails to perform their contractual obligation.
- The product gives the principal a contract of guarantee that contractual terms and other business deals will be concluded in accordance with the mutually agreed terms.
- In case the contractor doesn’t fulfil the contractual terms, the Principal can raise a claim on the surety bond and recover the losses they have incurred.
- Unlike a bank guarantee, the Surety Bond Insurance does not require large collateral from the contractor thus freeing up significant funds for the contractor, which they can utilize for the growth of the business.
- The product will also help in reducing the contractors’ debts to a large extent thus addressing their financial worries. The product will facilitate the growth of upcoming infrastructure projects in the country.
Sports
Cyclathon organized by NBEMS
⇒ Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya participated in a Cyclathon organized by National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), on 19 December 2022.
Theme:
The cycle rally with the theme “SAVE EARTH, SAVE LIFE” commenced from Nirman Bhawan and traversed through Kartavya Path.
Key Points:
- Several cycling enthusiasts were part of this early winter morning cylcathon.
- It aimed to encourage health seeking behaviour in the masses through physical activities.
Important Day
Goa Liberation Day 2022
⇒ Goa Liberation Day is observed every year in India on 19 December. Goa celebrated its 61th liberation day on 19 December 2022.
History:
- Goa Liberation Day is celebrated to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’ undertaken by the Indian Armed Forces that liberated Goa from Portuguese rule. India’s military action, Operation Vijay, began on December 18, 1961, and ended on December 19, 1961.
- India observes Goa Liberation Day to celebrate the independence of the smallest state of the Union in 1961.