New Passenger Train flagged-off between Tripura and Manipur

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in presence of Union DoNER Minister G. Kishan Reddy flagged off newly launched Agartala-Jiribam-Agartala Jan Shatabdi Express on Saturday through video conferencing. It is the first rail line connection between Tripura and Manipur. The Railway Minister while addressing the event said that the train connection will boost trade, tourism and transportation sectors of the entire northeast region. Vaishnaw also said that he will soon review the development of Akhaura-Agartala railway project which is a strategic point of connection between India and Bangladesh. Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and several other leaders attended the event through video links from their respective states. Tripura Chief Minister said, the train service will further strengthen the relationship between the two states.Railway officials said the train service will connect from Manipur to Tripura via Arunachal station at Silchar in Assam.The train will run thrice a week.

-Enforcement Directorate has arrested Ex-Chancellor of Alliance University, Bangalore, Madhukar G. Angur in a money laundering case for misappropriating University funds to the tune of 107 Crore rupees. The agency had initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of four FIRs registered against the accused Madhukar and others. ED said that the accused had physically lodged themselves inside the campus premises of the Alliance University, Bangalore, between 2016 and 2017. During this time Madhukar Angur and others informed the parents of the students through emails and physical notices not to deposit the fee in the official accounts of the Alliance University. They asked the parents to deposit the fees of their children into the illegally opened bank accounts, in the name of Srivari Educational Services. It said, the parents of about 4,500 students were persuaded to deposit the fees in the illegally opened bank accounts.

-Union AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has appealed to people to use Ayuraksha kit to fight against COVID 19. Talking to newspersons in Guwahati on Saturday, Sonowal said that the kit consists of 4 components. He said that there are other AYUSH products including Arsenicum Album 30 which could be taken in consultation with physicians.  Sonowal said that Health and AYUSH ministry are working together to contain the COVID situation. He said that practice of Yoga can boost the immunity and he appealed to citizens to do Yoga regularly. The Union minister also said that AYUSH ministry will conduct Surya Namaskar program on 14th of January.

-Development of Northeastern Region, DoNER, Minister G. Kishan Reddy has said that the government has placed development of the northeastern region as a foremost priority through the ‘Act East’ initiative. The Minister said this while participating virtually in the North East festival on Saturday. During the event, the Minister interacted with entrepreneurs and potential startups. He urged the business community to confidently carry the message of ‘investment ready North East’ across the country and beyond. Mr Reddy felt that the Northeastern region now has the opportunity to lead the development journey of New India. He said, over the last seven years, the Northeastern region has seen consistent progress in connectivity of roads, railways, airways, internet and logistics. AIR Correspondent reports that the North East Festival is one such programme that is being organized as a part of the DoNER Dialogues - a series of events that interact with various stakeholders such as the youth, and entrepreneurs of the North eastern region.

-Maharashtra government has announced new restrictions to curb the rising cases of Coronavirus in the state. All schools, colleges and coaching centres have been closed, barring few exceptions. In the revised guidelines, only 50 people will be allowed during marriages, social, religious and political gatherings, while 20 people are allowed for funeral rites. Shopping malls and market complexes will be allowed with 50 percent capacity. Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to travel via public transport. Night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am has also been imposed.