PM to participate in the celebrations of 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Red Fort on 21 April

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the celebrations of the 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Red Fort in New Delhi on 21 April 2022 at around 9:15 PM. He will address the gathering and also release a commemorative coin and postage stamp on the occasion.

Why is it in news?

The programme is being organised by the Government of India in collaboration with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. During the two day (20 and 21 April) event, ragis and children from different parts of the country will participate in ‘Shabad Kirtan’. There will also be a grand light and sound show depicting the life of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Apart from this, the traditional martial art of Sikhs 'Gatka' will also be organized.

Highlights

·       The programme is focussed on highlighting the teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru, who sacrificed his life to protect religion and human values, ideals and principles in world history. He was executed on the orders of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb for supporting the religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits.

·       His death anniversary is commemorated as Shaheedi Divas every year on 24 November. Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi are associated with his sacred sacrifice. His legacy serves as a great unifying force for the nation.

On Civil Services Day, PM to Confer Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration

On the occasion of Civil Services Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will confer the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 21 April 2022 at 11 AM. He will also address Civil Servants during the event.

Why is it in news?

Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration have been instituted with a view to recognize the extraordinary and innovative work done by Districts/implementing units and Central/State organisations for the welfare of common citizens. They are also conferred for effective implementation of identified priority programs and innovation.

Highlights

·       Exemplary work done in the following five identified priority programmes will be given awards which is to be presented on Civil Services Day 2022: (i) Promoting “Jan Bhagidari” or People’s Participation in “Poshan Abhiyan”, (ii) Promoting excellence in sports and wellness through “Khelo India” scheme, (iii) Digital payments and Good Governance in PM SvaNidhi Yojana, (iv) Holistic Development through “One District One Product” scheme, (v) Seamless, End-to-End Delivery of Services without Human Intervention.

·       A total of 16 awards for 5 identified Priority Programmes and for innovations in the sphere of public administration/delivery of services etc. will be given this year.

After Mizoram, African swine flu detected in Tripura; mass execution ordered

Tripura has ordered a mass execution of pigs in different phases after the detection of cases.

Why is it in news?

After Mizoram, African swine flu is now detected in Tripura.

Highlights

·       After Mizoram, Tripura has now detected cases of African swine flu in the state. Tripura's Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD)-run government breeding farm located at Devipur under Sepahijala district has detected cases of African swine flu, reported news agency ANI.

·       Reportedly, over 60 mature pigs died due to unknown reasons, raising an alarm about the flu.

·       According to the Animal Husbandry Department run disease investigation laboratory, three samples were sent to the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for testing on April 7. The laboratory received a positive report of all the samples on April 13, it said. “Even the symptoms of the pigs now sheltered on the farm also indicate that the contagious disease has already entered the farm. Another report that was supposed to come from Bhopal's National Disease Diagnostic institute is yet to reach Tripura,” they said, as reported by ANI.

·       Tripura has ordered a mass execution of pigs in different phases after the detection of cases. Reportedly, in the first phase, 8 feet by 8 feet graves had been dug up to bury the infected pigs. Further, all the pigs are being reared in a private capacity.

·       Farmworkers have been advised to deal with the situation, reported ANI. According to the ARDD's disease investigation laboratory, two task forces of ten people each have been formed to deal with the situation. Reportedly, the two teams are being led by a veterinary officer.

·       As per reports, the laboratory authorities will also write a letter to the government of India over the swine flu situation.

·       Meanwhile, in Mizoram, over 700 pigs have been detected with the African swine flu in a little over two months, reported PTI. At least 17 villages in Aizawl, Champhai, Lunglei, and Saitual districts have been affected due to the outbreak.

India & Finland discuss possible areas of co-operation in quantum computing for virtual Centre of Excellence (CoE)

Why is it in news?

Delegates from India and Finland discussed possible areas of co-operation in quantum computing and a roadmap for the collaborative virtual Centre of Excellence (CoE) that has been planned to be set up.

Highlights

·       “The two countries are trying to get academic and industrial partners which can help develop quantum science and technology for the betterment of humankind in particular and the planet in general. We are committed towards global excellence in this field to achieve the best possible technologies in the shortest possible time,” said Secretary Department of Science and Technology (DST), Dr. S Chandrasekhar while addressing the delegates at a round table meeting organized at DST.

·       Dr. Chandrasekhar stressed on the necessity to chalk out the strengths and weaknesses of both countries in this area and to work together towards a plan to overcome the weaknesses by establishing a core group which will drive the initiative.

·       The meeting was held a day after the signing of the Joint Declaration for setting up the Indo-Finnish Virtual Network Centre on Quantum Computing in the presence of the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh and Visiting Finland Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr Mika Lintila.

·       Mr. Petri Peltonen, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Finland, underlined the need to join the best of Finland with the best of India, use the scientific ecosystems, and the strong IT communities of both the countries and strengthen them in a way that can facilitate spin-offs.

·       “Our aim is towards a product and research-driven collaboration which can work towards supercomputing devices, sensors, communication technologies, space technologies, and many others,” said Dr. KR Murali Mohan, Adviser, DST while highlighting the potential for collaborations through the National Mission for Interdisciplinary Cyber-physical Systems and through Quantum Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST) program

·       Dr. Mika Tirronen, Counsellor, Education & Science, Embassy of Finland, spoke about the strength of Finland quantum computing like infrastructure, heritage, public funding, innovation-driven industry, its strong quantum ecosystem as well as the Nordic spirit of perseverance.

Ceasefire Agreements with National Socialist Council of Nagaland/NK/ Reformation and National Socialist Council of Nagaland/K-Khango extended

Why is it in news?

Ceasefire Agreements are in operation between Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagaland/NK (NSCN/NK), National Socialist Council of Nagaland/ Reformation (NSCN/R) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland/K-Khango (NSCN/K-Khango). 

Highlights

It was decided to extend the Ceasefire Agreements for a further period of one year with effect from 28^th April, 2022 to 27^th April, 2023 with NSCN/NK and NSCN/R and from 18^th April, 2022 to 17^thApril, 2023 with NSCN/K-Khango. These Agreements were signed on 19^th April, 2022.