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- Environmental activists dedicated to river protection have recently announced their decision to launch an indefinite satyagraha in front of the Chief Minister’s residence if the government fails to take immediate action to address the pollution of the Daya River.
- About Daya River:
- The Daya River, located in the Indian state of Odisha, originates from the Kusabhadra River. It flows through the Khurda and Puri districts before draining into Chilika Lake, the largest coastal lagoon in India.
- Length: Around 37 km
- Tributaries: Includes the Malaguni River
- Ecological Importance: The river is vital for wetland biodiversity, offering a habitat for various fish species and migratory birds near Chilika Lake.
- Historical Significance: The Daya River holds historical importance due to its association with the Kalinga War of 261 BCE, fought between Emperor Ashoka and the Kalinga kingdom. It is believed that the river turned red with the blood of soldiers slain in the battle. This haunting sight profoundly affected Ashoka, inspiring him to renounce violence and adopt Buddhism, advocating for peace and non-violence.
- Rwanda-backed M23 rebels recently seized control of Goma, the regional capital, in a volatile and resource-rich region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
- About M23 Rebels:
- The M23, or March 23 Movement, is one of over 100 armed groups actively engaged in combat with Congolese forces in the mineral-abundant eastern region of the DRC.
- The group’s leadership is primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, a minority group in eastern DRC. The M23 operates in the North Kivu province, near the borders with Rwanda and Uganda, and is believed to have more than 8,000 fighters, according to the United Nations.
- The name "M23" comes from the March 23, 2009, agreement between the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), a Tutsi-led rebel faction, and the Congolese government, aimed at ending the Tutsi-led insurgency in eastern DRC. The deal promised political reforms, better representation for the Tutsi community, and integration of former rebels into the Congolese military.
- There are allegations that Rwanda is providing support to the M23 rebels.
- Why is M23 fighting Congolese forces?
- The M23 was formed in 2012 after former CNDP fighters took up arms against the Congolese government. They accused the government of failing to uphold the 2009 agreement, particularly regarding the integration of Tutsi fighters into the national army, protecting minority groups, and ensuring fair distribution of resources.
- M23 claims its primary goal is to defend the rights of Congolese Tutsis and other minority groups, including shielding them from Hutu rebel groups that fled to the DRC following their involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi people.
- The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship recently launched the Swavalambini programme.
- This initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with NITI Aayog, is focused on Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. It aims to empower female students in selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the northeastern region by providing them with the necessary entrepreneurial mindset, resources, and mentorship to succeed in their entrepreneurial ventures.
- MSDE, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and NITI Aayog, has created a structured, stage-by-stage entrepreneurial process. This process includes awareness building, development, mentorship, and funding support.
- Participants who successfully launch their ventures will be recognized and rewarded, with the goal of inspiring others through their success stories.
- The programme provides structured training through the Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP), which introduces 600 female students to entrepreneurship as a promising career path. Additionally, 300 selected students will undergo an intensive 40-hour Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) covering critical business aspects such as skills training, access to finance, market linkages, legal and compliance support, business services, and networking opportunities.
- Following this training, participants will receive six months of mentorship and support to help them turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.