Current Affairs Assam – December 2017 eMagazine
December 28
Quake caused turbidity in Brahmaputra: China
China said a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Tibet in mid-November had caused turbidity in the Brahmaputra waters, which had sparked concerns in India.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson HuaChunying also said the recent tests showed that the water quality met the standards of Class III water. Class III is generally regarded as good for fish regeneration and wildlife.
Earlier, media reports spoke of heavy pollution in the Brahmaputra river known as Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh. Some apprehension were of formation of barrier lakes in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh that has sparked concerns of a possible deluge in the downstream.
FACTFILE – Brahmaputra River
- The Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers of Asia, a trans-boundary river which flows through China, India and Bangladesh.
- It is the tenth largest river in the world by discharge, and the 15th longest.
- Itoriginate in the Angsi glacier, located on the northern side of the Himalayas in Burang County of Tibet as the YarlungTsangpo River.
- It flows southwest through the Assam Valley as Brahmaputra.
- It flowes through Bangladesh as the Jamuna, merges with the Padma, the popular name of the river Ganges in Bangladesh, and finally become the Meghna before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
- About 3,848 km long, the Brahmaputra is an important river for irrigation and transportation.
- The average depth of the river is 38 m (124 ft) and maximum depth is 120 m (380 ft). The river is prone to catastrophic flooding in the spring when Himalayas snow melts.
- It is a classic example of a braided river and is highly susceptible to channel migration and avulsion.
- It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit a tidal bore. It is navigable for most of its length.
- The lower reaches are sacred to Hindus. While most rivers on the Indian subcontinent have female names, this river has a rare male name, as it means “son of Brahma” in Sanskrit (putra means “son”).
Bid to develop new muga breed to withstand climate change
The Central Silk Board is conducting research in the area of genetic engineering with an aim at developing new muga breedsto overcome the threats to this crops posed by the phenomenon of climate change. The new breeds are sought to be developed in a manner that they would be able to withstand the adverse impacts of soaring temperature, caused by the phenomenon of climate change.
Assam’s Sericulture Director MuktanathSaikia told that the phenomenon of climate change has adversely impacted muga crops in the State. It perhaps needs no mention that Assam is the only muga producing area in the world.
FACTFILE – Muga silk
- It is a variety of wild silk geographically tagged to Assam in India. The silk is known for its extreme durability and has a natural yellowish-golden tint with a shimmering, glossy texture.
- In the Brahmaputra Valley, the larvae of the Assam silkmoth feed on aromatic som (Machilusbombycina) and sualu (Litsaeapolyantha) leaves.
- Muga silk, like other Assam silks, is used in products like saris, mekhalas and chadors.
- Muga silk was recognized as a protected geographical indication (GI) in 2007, and was granted a GI logo for trademark purposes in 2014.
- The Central Silk Board of India has been granted the authority to inspect muga silk products, certify their authenticity and allow producers to use the GI logo. This board is also involved in R&D and infrastructure development for Assamese silk, including muga, through the Central MugaEri Research & Training Institute (CMER&TI) in Jorhat, Assam.
- India produced 158 tonnes of muga silk in FY 2014–15, out of which 136 tonnes were produced in Assam.
Point2Remember – India’s total silk output in the same period amounted to 28,708 tonnes.
December 29
Bill to set up National Medical Commission introduced in LS
A Bill for setting up a National Medical Commission that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) was introduced in the LokSabha by Health Minister JP Nadda.
The Bill would lead to the constitution of a National Medical Commission for development and regulation of all aspects relating to medical education, medical profession and medical institutions and a Medical Advisory Council to advise and make recommendations to the Commission.
The Bill would also lead to constitution of four Autonomous Boards.
- The Under-Graduate Medical Education Board to regulate medical education at undergraduate level.
- The Post-Graduate Medical Education Board to regulate medical education at postgraduate level;
- The Medical Assessment and Rating Board to carry out inspections and to assess and rate the medical institutions.
- The Ethics and Medical Registration Board to regulate professional conduct and promote medical ethics amongst medical practitioners and medical professionals.
Government sounds alarm on Bitcoins
Noting that virtual currencies like Bitcoin have no “intrinsic value”, the Indian government sounded the alarm on the phenomenon of cryptocurrencies, comparing them with the notorious Ponzi schemes floated to dupe gullible investors.
The virtual currencies were not backed by assets, their prices are entirely a”matter of mere speculation”.”Consumers need to be alert and extremely cautious as to avoid getting trapped in such Ponzi schemes.”
Named after an Italian immigrant to the US, Ponzi schemes operate by enticing a gullible group with the promise of very high returns in a short time, but is based on paying off the early investors from the cash from newer ones. The whole structure collapses when the cash outflow exceeds the inflow.
LS passes triple talaq Bill
The LokSabha passed the hugely contentious Bill that criminalises instant triple talaq and makes it punishable by up to three years imprisonment for the husband, a development hailed by the government as “historic” but disapproved of by a section of the Opposition.TheLokSabha passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill by voice vote after rejecting a string of amendments moved by Opposition members.
The Supreme Court had outlawed instant triple talaq in August and asked the government to frame a law within six months. Ending the controversial divorce practice was also the BJP’s electoral promise.
Acting swiftly, the BJP-led government not only introduced the Bill but also got it passed by the Lok Sabha despite its consideration and passage not being part on the agenda.
Under the proposed law, instant triple talaq in any form – spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp – would be illegal and void.
December 30
Gadkari lays foundation of Majuli anti-erosion project
Union Road Transport, Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister NitinJairamGadkari laid the foundation stones of several big projects in Majuli, among which the Rs 237-crore project named ‘Protection of Majuli Island from Flood and Erosion’ to be implemented by the Brahmaputra Board, is the largest in terms of money and area.
The other projects are the ‘Brahmaputra Board Office Complex,’ to be constructed at Bongaon, Majuli at a cost of Rs 40 crore, and the Rs 61-crore project to repair Brahmaputra embankments by the State Water Resources Department.
Stating that the Centre and the State government were giving special attention to the development and protection of Majuli from natural calamities, Gadkari said the treasure trove of varied cultural practices and traditions, along with the flora and fauna, has made the Brahmaputra island a unique place.
Gadkari also flagged off the Inland Waterways Authority of India cargo vessel service between Pandu (Guwahati) and Hatisingmari (Dhubri) from Majuli.
Rs 2.5 lakh crore for new NE roads
The Central government has sanctioned Rs 2.5 lakh crore for the construction of new roads in the north-eastern region. This is the first time in the history of India after Independence that such a huge amount of money for roads in the North East has been announced.
Assam’s share is Rs 1 lakh crore, Rs 25,000 crore for Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 22,000 crore for Manipur, Rs 17,000 crorefor Sikkim and 8,000 crore for Meghalaya.
Altogether around 14,000 km of roads will be constructed with this fund. A decision was also taken to construct five new bridges across the Brahmaputra.
The road connectivity to South East Asian nations, Gadkari said that road connectivity with Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh had already been taken up to expedite trade and investment and a separate fund of Rs 25,000 crore has been earmarked.
Also a ring road will be constructed in Guwahati by the Centre.
Viswanathan Anand wins World Chess Title 2017
Chess Grandmaster VishwanathanAnand by defeating Russia’s Vladimir Fedoseev, has won the World Rapid Championship Title 2017. The Championship was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Anand became India’s first grandmaster in 1988. He held the FIDE World Chess Championship from 2000 to 2002, thus becoming first Asian to do so. He became the undisputed World Champion in 2007 and defended his title against Vladimir Kramnik in 2008. He then defended his title in the World Chess Championship 2010 against Veselin Topalov and in the World Chess Championship 2012 against Boris Gelfand.
