1. PM to attend Golden Jubilee Celebrations of North Eastern Council in Shillong
Tags: Summits State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong on 18 December 2022.
Important facts
He will address an official meeting of the NEC as well as a public meeting on this occasion.
The official meeting of the Council will be held at the State Convention Centre Auditorium while the public meeting will be organised at the Polo Grounds in Shillong.
Union Home Minister, Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Governors and Chief Ministers of North Eastern States, Union Ministers dealing with North Eastern Region, local MPs and MLAs and nominated members of NEC will also attend the function.
During this, the Prime Minister will inaugurate various important projects of the North Eastern region including the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong, NEC projects and Meghalaya state projects and lay the foundation stone for some other projects.
The “GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS”, a commemorative volume chronicling NEC’s contribution towards the development of the North Eastern Region over the last fifty years, will also be released during the Golden Jubilee event.
About North Eastern Council
It is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the North Eastern Region.
It consists of the eight States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
It was constituted under the North Eastern Council Act in 1971.
The Council comprises Governors and Chief Ministers of constituent States and three members nominated by the President.
The Union Cabinet, in June 2018, approved the proposal of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to nominate the Union Home Minister as the ex-officio Chairman of the North Eastern Council (NEC).
The Cabinet also approved that the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of DoNER will act as the Vice-Chairman of the Council.
It discusses any matter in which some or all the States represented on the Council have a common interest and advises the Central Government and the respective State Governments as to the action to be taken on any such matter.
The headquarters - Shillong
2. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur unveils Hockey World Cup trophy
Tags: Sports Sports News
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur on 16th December unveiled the Hockey World Cup trophy in New Delhi.
Important facts
The Federation of Indian Hockey (FIH) Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar - Rourkela Trophy arrived at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the national capital.
The event was also graced by 1975 World Cup winners Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Dhyanchand, Brig HJS Chimni, and former Olympians Harbinder Singh, Padma Shri Zafar Iqbal, and Vinit Kumar (Vice president, Delhi Hockey) among other dignitaries.
About the Trophy Tour
The trophy will travel across 13 states and one union territory before returning to Odisha on December 25, giving fans and the public a chance to engage with the coveted trophy.
The nationwide Trophy Tour was launched in Bhubaneswar on 5th December by the Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik.
The trophy will go to West Bengal, Manipur, Assam, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.
Men’s Hockey World Cup- 2023
The World Cup will be jointly hosted by Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from 13 to 29 January 2023.
Matches will be played in the newly constructed Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, and in the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The Hockey World Cup is organised every four years.
Teams of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023
Pool A: Australia, Argentina, France, South Africa
Pool B: Belgium, Germany, Korea, Japan
Pool C: Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia, Chile
Pool D: India, England, Spain, Wales
Semi Final 1: 27th January, 2023
Semi Final 2: 27th January, 2023
Final: 29th January, 2023
3. National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd signs MoU with NIT Manipur
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) has signed MoU with NIT Manipur through Video Conference on 14th December 2022.
Important facts
The MoU was signed between Prof Gautam Sutradhar, Director NIT Manipur and Chanchal Kumar, Managing Director, NHIDCL.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), works under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.
It is looking for innovative technologies to find practical solutions to the challenges faced in the construction of highways that withstand extreme climatic conditions.
In the same process NHIDCL has signed MoU with prestigious institutes like IIT Roorkee, IIT Kanpur, CSIR-CRRI, NSDC, IIT Patna, NIT Srinagar, NIT Agartala, NIT Silchar, NIT Uttarakhand, NIT Nagaland NIT Sikkim, IIT Kharagpur\
4. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)
Tags: Government Schemes National News
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Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Zubin Irani in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on 15 December said that the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs with the objective of infrastructure development.
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
It aims to develop infrastructure projects in identified areas for socio-economic development.
Under this the priority areas are education, health, skill development, women centric projects etc.
It has been implemented in 1300 identified Minority Concentration Areas (MCAs) of the country.
Projects under PMJVK are implemented and managed by the concerned State/ UT Government.
- In the North Eastern Region (NER), the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura come under PMJVK.
The scheme is now implemented in all Districts of the country including all the Aspirational Districts.
Beneficiaries under PMJVK
Communities notified as minority communities under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 will be taken as minority communities.
Currently, 6 Minorities communities have been notified as Minority Communities. These are - Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains.
5. Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurates National Maternal Health Workshop
Tags: National News
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurated the National Maternal Health Workshop in New Delhi on 14 December.
Important facts
The theme of the workshop was “Striving for zero preventable maternal mortality”.
During the event, Dr. Pawar unveiled the Midwifery-Led Care Units (MLCUs) brochure and Standard Operating Protocol poster for the labour room.
She also introduced the Maternal health guidance booklet for community health officers (CHOs) and SUMAN community linkages brochure.
India has achieved a momentous milestone in reduction of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) registering a significant decline from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20.
India is on a positive path towards maternal health and child health and the Government of India is determined to meet the new challenges.
For the implementation of “Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan”, doctors pledge one day of service per month for this campaign.
More than 3.6 crore pregnant women have received comprehensive antenatal care under this program across all states and union territories.
Awards to states for remarkable efforts and achievements in the area of maternal health
Intensive efforts in reducing MMR: 1st position: Kerala and 2nd Maharashtra
Performance as per the NFHS-5: Antenatal Care services & Institutional deliveries
In 4 ANC services
1st position- Madhya Pradesh; 2nd position Rajasthan
Increase in Institutional Delivery in large states-
1st position West Bengal; 2nd position Uttar Pradesh
Roll out of SUMAN:
In bigger state category, highest SUMAN notification
1st position- Punjab; 2nd position- Tamil Nadu
In smaller state category, highest SUMAN notification
1st position – Goa; 2nd position- Tripura
Quality certifications under LaQshya:
In the Bigger state category, Karnataka bagged the first position.
In the small state category, Chandigarh was the winner.
In absolute numbers of certifications, Madhya Pradesh holds 1st position.
Gujarat won the state with the highest number of medical colleges prize.
High-risk pregnancy management under PMSMA.
Tamil Nadu was the best performing state.
Manipur bagged the first prize for rapid rollout of extended PMSMA.
Bolstering the teamwork among the frontline workers, the best ANM- ASHA teams went to the State of Uttar Pradesh.
Midwifery initiative: Best performing state was Telangana.
6. PM addresses Manipur Sangai Festival via video message
Tags: Festivals State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Manipur Sangai Festival via video message on 30 November.
Important facts
Every year the State of Manipur celebrates the “Manipur Sangai Festival” from 21st to 30th November.
It started in the year 2010 and over the years has grown into a great platform to showcase the rich tradition and culture of Manipur to the world.
The theme of the festival is “Festival of Oneness”. It promotes a sense of belonging and creates pride in ownership of land among people.
The festival showcases the glorious cultural heritage of the state and the love for art that is inherent in the various tribes living in the state of Manipur.
Manipur’s famous martial arts- Thang Ta (a combination Spear and Sword skills), Yubi-Lakpi (a game played with greased coconut like rugby), Mukna Kangjei (a game that combines hockey and wrestling), and Sagol Kangjei- Modern Polo (believed to have evolved in Manipur) were all form part of the festival.
Celebrated as the grandest festival in the state, the Manipur Sangai Festival helps in promoting Manipur as a world-class tourist destination.
The festival is named after the state animal, the Sangai, a deer found only in Manipur.
About Sangai Deer
It is an endemic and endangered subspecies of brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur, India.
It is found in its natural habitat only in Keibul Lamjao National Park, locally in the south eastern part of Loktak Lake.
It is the state animal of Manipur.
IUCN status : Endangered
7. Assam lifts travel restrictions to Meghalaya, six days after border violence
Tags: State News
The Assam government on 27 November 2022 lifted travel restrictions to Meghalaya, six days after being imposed in the aftermath of violence in a disputed area along the inter-state border.
An advisory was issued by the Assam Police, asking people to avoid travelling to the neighbouring state following the incident on 22 November. Barricades were erected in Jorabat near Guwahati and Cachar district, the two main entry points to Meghalaya.
Violence had broken out at Mukroh village (Meghalaya) near the disputed border between the two states in West Karbi Anglong district in the early hours of 22 November, after a truck allegedly laden with illegally felled timber was intercepted by forest guards from Assam. Five tribal villagers from Meghalaya and a forest guard from Assam were killed due to the clashes.
Border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya
During the British colonial rule, undivided Assam included Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram. In 1972, Meghalaya was formed as per the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969.
Background to the Assam Mizoram Boundary Dispute
- Assam and Mizoram share a 164.6 km long boundary.
- Mizoram was a district of Assam known as Lushai Hills during the British time. In 1972, Meghalaya was formed as per the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969.
- The genesis of the dispute lies in the border demarcation during British times.
- In 1875 a notification was issued that differentiated the Lushai Hills from the plains of Cachar and in 1933 another notification was issued to demarcate the boundary between the Lushai Hills and Manipur.
Different Interpretation of Boundary
- According to Mizoram, the boundary shall be demarcated on the basis of 1875 notification, which is derived from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873.
- However the Assam government believes that boundary shall be based on the 1933 notification ,
- Mizoram says that when in 1933 the boundary was demarcated, Mizo society was not consulted.
Attempt to resolve the Border Dispute
- To resolve the issue the chief ministers of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma and Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam held several rounds of talks.
- Twelve disputed areas were identified – three areas contested between West Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya and Kamrup in Assam, two between RiBhoi in Meghalaya and Kamrup-Metro, and one between East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya and Cachar in Assam.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 29 March 2022 between the two chief ministers in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The MoU stated that out of 36.79 sq km of the disputed area, Assam would get full control of 18.46 sq km and Meghalaya of 18.33 sq km.
- The second phase of talks was supposed to take place by the end of November, but has been disturbed due to the recent clash.
8. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attend Manipur's Sangai Festival as a chief guest
Tags: Festivals Person in news State News
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended Manipur's Sangai festival as a chief guest on 27 November 2022 under the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative of the Government of India. Manipur’s biggest festival Sangai is being held from 21 -30 November 2022.Under the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' Manipur and Madhya Pradesh are partner states.
Artist of Madhya Pradesh will perform traditional dance form of Manipur’s like Mao tribe’s Naurata dance, Thai dance troupes etc. Before this, Imphal had participated in the Lokrang Mahotsav of Bhopal and now Bhopal is participating in Sangai Mahotsav of Imphal.
The theme of this festival is the 'Festival of Oneness.' Sangai is the state animal of Manipur, which is found only in Manipur.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme was launched by the Prime Minister Modi on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme is a unique initiative by the Government to promote the spirit of national integration and to strengthen the fabric of emotional bonds between the people of our country.
- Every State and UT in the country would be paired with another State/UT for a time period, during which they would carry out a structured engagement with one another in the spheres of language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism etc.
9. Indian Navy and Royal Enfield organises motorcycling expedition across North east India
Tags: place in news National Defence
The Indian Navy Motor Bike team, ‘The Sea Riders, in partnership with Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle brand, embarked on an motorcycle expedition, as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations’, commemorating the 75th year of independence, across the seven states of North East India from 25 Nov - 14 Dec 22. Royal Enfield is the owner of the famous brand ‘Bullet’.
The expedition was flagged off by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, by Video Conferencing from South Point School at Guwahati. Fifteen Sea Riders rode out on Royal Enfield Meteor 350 cc bikes on their journey to cover a total distance of 3500 kms over a period of 24 days across the seven states of NE India.
The expedition is being conducted over two phases across seven states with each phase covering some of the toughest and most breath-taking terrains in North East India. The riders will traverse along the Indo-Bangladesh border, visiting historical Unakoti sculptures, , the only floating national park in the world Keibul Lamjao National Park (Manipur) and witness the famous Hornbill festival (Nagaland). The expedition will pass through Guwahati (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), Imphal (Manipur), and Kohima (Nagaland).
North Eastern States
States | Capitals |
Assam | Dispur |
Manipur | Imphal |
Mizoram | |
Meghalaya | |
Sikkim | Gangtok |
Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
Nagaland | Kohima |
Tripura | Agartala |
10. Biggest Manipur festival Sangai commences in the state
Tags: Festivals State News
Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the biggest tourism festival of Manipur -Sangai festival on 21 November 2022 at Moirang Khunou in Bishnupur district of Manipur.
The 11th Sangai festival will be held from 21 -30 November 2022. The festival which started in 2010 is being held after a 2 year gap due to covid. It is being held in 13 venues across six districts.
The festival is called Sangai festival to highlight the uniqueness of the shy and gentle deer popularly known as the Sangai in the region. It is a rare species of deer which is also the state animal of Manipur.
The theme of the Sangai festival 2022 is :‘ Festival of Oneness’.
The indigenous sagol kangjei, a sport that has now evolved into the modern game of polo, will also be featured during the festival in its very own birthplace. The Men’s International Polo Tournament will be held in Imphal and the CM’s Sagol Kangjei Tournament in Kangla as part of the festival.
Other major festivals of Manipur
Gang-Ngai
Celebrated for five days in the month of December/January, Gang-Ngai is an important festival of the Kabui Nagas.
Lui-Ngai-Ni
It is a collective festival of the Nagas observed on the 15th day of February every year. This is a seed sowing festival after which tribes belonging to the Naga group begin their cultivation.
Yaoshang
Celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna (February/March), Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur. The Thabal Chongba – a kind of Manipuri fold dance, where boys and girls hold hands together and sing and dance in a circle, is particularly associated with this festival. Yaoshang to Manipur is what Durga Puja is to Bengal, Diwali in north India and Bihu to Assam.
Cheiraoba: The Manipuri New Year
It is celebrated during the month of April. Villagers climb the nearest hilltops in belief that it will enable them to rise to greater heights in their worldly life.
Kang: The Ratha Yatra of Manipur
One of the greatest festivals of the Hindus of Manipur, this festival is celebrated for ten days in the month of July. Lord Jagannath leaves his temple in a car known as “Kang” in Manipur pulled by devotees who vie with one another for this honour.
Heikru Hitongba
Celebrated in the month of September, Heikru Hitongba is a boat race. Long narrow boats are used to accommodate a large number of rowers. An idol of Lord Vishnu is installed before the commencement of the race.
Ningol Chak-kouba: A social festival of the Manipuris
It is a remarkable social festival of the Meiteis. Married daughters of the family come to their parental house along with their children and enjoy a sumptuous feast. It is celebrated on the second day of the new moon in the month of Hiyangei (November) as per Manipur Calendar system.
Kut: Festival of Kuki- Chin- Mizo
It is an autumn festival of the different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of Manipur. It is a happy occasion for the villagers whose food stock is bountiful after a year of hard labour. It is observed on the 1st November every year.
Chumpha: Festival of Tangkhul Nagas
Celebrated for seven days in the month of December, the Chumpha Festival is a great festival of the Rangkhul Nagas. The festival is held after harvest.
