64 militants of 4 insurgent outfits lay down their arms in Assam

Lucknow's King George's Medical University (KGMU) on Monday came in for the fulsome praise from President Ram Nath Kovind, who said public hospitals like it have played a leading role in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.President Kovind praised the Lucknow's prestigious hospital during his address to its 16th convocation."Public hospitals such as King George's Medical University have played a leading role in the fight against Covid-19. Due to their efforts, millions of countrymen are able to face the challenges of Covid-19 despite conditions like dense population and limited income," the President said.The President specially thanked doctors, nurses and other health workers of public health institutions like KGMU who have been the frontline warriors battling the pandemic.The President said world-wide efforts are going on to harness the coordination of communication technology and individual talent of physicians in the 21st-century health service sector.

-In a major boost to realizing State government’s goal of making an insurgency-free Assam and ushering lasting peace in the State, 64 militants of four insurgent outfits laid down their arms and joined the mainstream in front of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at a function held at Guwahati on Monday. On the occasion, 18 cadres of United Liberation Front of Assam (I) including self-styled deputy commander-in-chief Drishti Rajkhowa, self-styled C-in-C of People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK) Ong Teron, 32 members of United People’s Revolutionary Front (UPRF) and 13 from the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) laid down their arms. Chief Minister Sonowal while welcoming the surrendered militants to the mainstream said, that progress can never be made without peace. He said that those who took the path of violence must join the mainstream and contribute in nation building.

-The Government has decided to constitute a High Level Committee to commemorate the 125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The Committee will decide on the activities for a one year long commemoration starting 23rd January, 2021. The High Level Committee will be headed by Home Minister Amit Shah. The Commemoration is being held as a tribute and as a mark of gratitude to the colossal contribution Netaji made to India’s freedom struggle. The members of the Committee will include experts, historians, authors, family members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as well as eminent persons associated with Azad Hind Fauj-INA. The Committee will also lend guidance to the commemoration activities in Delhi, Kolkata and  other places associated with Netaji and Azad Hind Fauj, both in India as well as overseas. 

-National Water Mission in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan launched the JSA II: Catch the Rain Awareness Generation Campaign in New Delhi on Monday. The campaign was launched jointly by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. The launch event was attended by a large number of participants on digital platforms including field functionaries of NYKS in all the districts of the country. Shekhawat emphasized on the need to focus on water conservation and rainwater harvesting while Mr Rijiju stressed on the importance of involving the youngsters in the revolutionary campaign. The Ministers collectively unveiled the posters and Information, Education and Communication IEC material promoting Catch the Rain campaign.  ‘Catch the Rain’ awareness campaign to cover 623 districts. The awareness generation phase of campaign will run from mid-December 2020 to March 2021.

-In Meghalaya, the first-ever direct flight from Delhi to Shillong became operational. Transport Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar travelled in the FlyBig flight and landed at Umroi, Airport. FlyBig has partnered with the State Government to operate direct flights between Delhi-Shillong and Shillong-Delhi.The Transport Minister said aspirations of the people to have a direct air flight to the National Capital have been fulfilled. He said direct flight to Delhi will be operational twice a week from January 4, 2021.To commence operations immediately, FlyBig Chief Executive Officer, Capt Srinivas Rao informed that they have made arrangements to operate a 75 seater Bombardier Q400 charter for this direct flight.