Assam Grants Industry Status to Its Tourism Sector

Why In News

The Assam State Cabinet led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma approved the proposal for grant of industrial status to the tourism sector in the state.

Key Points

As the growth in the tourism sector is vital for socio-economic development in a state, the Assam State Cabinet led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma approved the proposal for grant of industrial status to the tourism sector in the state.

Significance of This Transition:

It has been highlighted that with such industry status, fresh investments in tourism infrastructures permanent in nature will contribute towards rapid employment generation, public-private partnership and infrastructure development.

With the grant of industry status to the tourism sector, now, restaurants, cafeterias, health clubs, spas and wellness centres among others are eligible for incentives under the industrial policy. This move will further encourage and boost private investment in the above areas of the tourism sector.

The newly-implemented policy aims for sustainable and environmentally friendly investment besides capital formation and the creation of gainful employment. The ministry also said mentioned that the infrastructure can be developed through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, which will contribute to the overall development of the region.

Assam has now become a nationally and internationally acclaimed all-season tourist destination for its unique wildlife, bio-diversity and experience of an unexploited wonderland. Tourism is to be one of the main sources of income generation for the people over the years.

Sethrichem Sangtam awarded Rohini Nayyar prize for rural development

Why In News

Rohini Nayyar prize: Sethrichem Sangtam, who helped triple the incomes of 1,200 marginalised farmers in Eastern Nagaland, was awarded the first Rohini Nayyar prize.

Key Points

Rohini Nayyar prize: Sethrichem Sangtam, who helped triple the incomes of 1,200 marginalised farmers in Eastern Nagaland, was awarded the first Rohini Nayyar prize for outstanding contribution to rural development. The prize awarded to an individual 40 years or under in age, was presented by the Niti Ayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery. The winner was selected by an eminent jury from civil society consisting of Dr. Ashok Khosla, founder, Development Alternatives; Dr. Rajesh Tandon, founder, PRIA; and Ms. Renana Jhabwala, national coordinator, SEWA.

Aloke Singh named head of Air India’s low cost airline business

Why In News

The Air India management has appointed Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh as the chief of Air India's low-cost airline business from January 1, 2023.

Key Points

Air India: The Air India management has appointed Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh as the chief of Air India’s low-cost airline business from January 1, 2023. The Low Cost Carrier (LCC) business will consist of AirAsia India and Air India Express. Air India signed agreements to complete the acquisition of 100% shareholding in AirAsia India (AAI) and to subsidiarise it under Air India.

According to the internal communication, current AirAsia India CEO Sunil Bhaskaran will assume the leadership of a new initiative, an aviation training academy. After taking over loss-making Air India in January this year, Tata group has been working on consolidating its airline business. On November 2, Air India said an operational review process is underway to integrate budget carrier AirAsia India with Air India Express and the merger is likely to be completed by the end of 2023.

Centre appoints former SC Judge Hemant Gupta as head of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre

Why In News

Former Supreme Court judge Hemant Gupta has been appointed as the chairperson of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC).

Key Points

Former Supreme Court judge, Hemant Gupta has been appointed as the chairperson of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC). The NDIAC was established for the purpose of creating an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalised arbitration. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Justice Hemant Gupta (retired) as NDIAC chairperson and that of Ganesh Chandru and Anant Vijay Palli as its part-time members.

Hemant Gupta:

Justice Gupta, who demitted office on October 14, was part of a bench which had delivered a split verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the March 15 judgement of the Karnataka High Court refusing to lift the ban on wearing of hijab in educational institutions in the state.

Justice Gupta had dismissed the petitions against the high court verdict upholding the ban on hijab. Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, another judge of the bench, had differed with Justice Gupta saying students have the right to wear hijab. Justice Gupta was elevated as an top court judge on November 2, 2018.

Suhel Ajaz Khan named India’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Why In News

Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan who is presently the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Lebanon has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom to Saudi Arabia.

Key Points

Indian Foreign Service official of 1997 batch, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan who is presently the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Lebanon has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He will replace Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, a 1989 batch IFS officer. Dr. Khan is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

India Saudi Arabia Relations

Saudi Arabia which is the largest exporter of crude oil in the world and is the  custodian of two of holiest mosques of Islam, Al Haram in Mecca and Al-Haram or forbidden mosques  in Medina.

During the visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in 2010 elevated the India-Saudi Arabia tie to ‘Strategic Partnership’.

During PM M0di visit to Saudi Arabia in 2019 Strategic Partnership Council Agreement was signed, which established a high-level council to steer the Indo-Saudi relationship.

Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trading partner after the United States of America, China and the United Arab Emirates.

More than 18% of India’s crude oil imports are sourced from Saudi Arabia. During April -December 2022, bilateral trade was valued at US$29.28 billion. During this period, India’s imports from Saudi Arabia were valued at US$22.65 billion and exports to Saudi Arabia were worth US$6.63 billion.

There are about 22 lakhs Indians living in Saudi Arabia and they constitute the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia.