PUNJAB

Punjab approves Rs.650 crore for the rejuvenation of Budah Nallah

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has approved Rs.650 crore for the rejuvenation of highly polluting Budah Nallah at Ludhiana. The state government has directed the local government department to ensure the timely completion of the project, within two years. Out of the total approved amount Rs.342 crore will be contributed by the state government, Rs.208 crore will be contributed by the government of India and Rs.100 crore by the private operator.

In the first phase of the mission, augmentation and refurbishment of dairy effluent treatment, sewage treatment facility, survey to find out missing links for industrial effluent and laying of dedicated conveyance system for industrial wastewater to carry the same to Common Effluent Treatment Plant would be executed.

The second phase will involve Rs.150 crore. It will include reuse of treated effluent, and landscaping. Beautification along the Buddha Nallah will be undertaken at a cost of Rs.283 crore.

Budah Nallah has a total length of 47.55 km, of which 14 km passes through Ludhiana city. Ludhiana has been heavily polluted by the industrial and domestic waste thrown into the Nallah. It caused a major threat to public health and the environment. The State government has called for the participation of the local industry, NGOs, religious and social organizations to carry out the mission.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) reported that the actual waste discharge being generated in the city is 711 million litres per day (MLD) including 610 MLD of domestic sewage discharge, 86 MLD discharge from industrial effluent and 15 MLD discharge from the dairy complex.

INTERNATIONAL

Portugal to launch a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize

Portugal is to launch a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize with an aim to promote Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. The announcement was made by the Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa. at the second meeting of the National Committee for Commemoration of the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at New Delhi on 19 December 2019. The meeting was presided by President Ram Nath Kovind.

The move comes as the country was inspired by the different thoughts and quotes of Mahatma Gandhi.

The first edition of the Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize has been dedicated to animal welfare. This is after the words of Mahatma Gandhi which said that the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

The initiation of the award shows global reverence for Mahatma Gandhi as the world is realizing that his vision of peace, equality, and non-violence.

China successfully launches largest carrier rocket

China has successfully launched the largest carrier rocket of the country, Long March-5, from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China’s Hainan Province.

The rocket, also known as CZ-5, blasted off with more than 1,000 tonnes of thrust.

The Chinese space authorities declared the mission a “complete success” just over half an hour after the lift-off when the Shijian-20 satellite it carried entered its designated orbit.

It is the country’s third attempt to launch the rocket.

The first attempt was made in 2016.

Ethiopia launches its first satellite

Ethiopia launched its first satellite, a landmark achievement for the country’s space program that caps a banner year for the African space industry.

The launch of the Ethiopian Remote Sensing Satellite (ETRSS) took place at a space station in China.

The live broadcast was watched by a group of Ethiopian and Chinese officials and scientists who had gathered at the Entoto Observatory and Research Centre outside the capital, Addis Ababa.

NATIONAL

National Mathematics Day: 22 December

The Indian government declared 22 December to be National Mathematics Day.

This was announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 26 February 2012.

Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on 22 December, 1887, Erode.

He made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems then considered unsolvable.

National Farmers Day: 23 December

December 23 is celebrated as ‘Kisan Diwas’ or ‘National Farmers’ Day’ every year.

The day honours Chaudhary Charan Singh, the 5th Prime Minister of India who was born this day.

It is believed that ‘Zamindari Abolition Bill-1952’ was passed due to Chaudhary Charan Singh’s hard work.

He served as the Prime Minister of India between 28 July 1979 and 14 January 1980.

Govt plans to take khadi turnover to Rs 2 trn in next 5 years

Union minister Nitin Gadkari takes plans to take khadi and village industries turnover to Rs 2 trillion in the next five years from Rs 75,000 crore at present. The industry to expand its share in global trade to about 10 percent, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Minister Gadkari urged players to grab the opportunity to expand in the wake of China that accounts for 17 percent of the global trade business battling increased cost and difficulties. The turnover of khadi and village industries is Rs 75,000 crore at present.

Steps are on to take it to Rs 2 trillion in five years.

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