All India Radio News Summary: 07 SEPTEMBER 2017

All India Radio News Summary: 07 SEPTEMBER 2017

1. Prime Minister’s visit to Myanmar

India and Myanmar have agreed that terrorism remains one of the most significant threats to peace and stability in the region.

• Prime Minister and Myanmar’s StateCounsellor discussed the security situation prevailing along the borders. The two leaders expressed concern at various incidents of terrorism and extremist-inspired violence that have taken place in their territories.
• The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
• India and Myanmar agreed that the fight against terrorism should target not only terrorists, terror organisations and their networks, but also take strong measures against States and entities that encourage, support or finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups.
• PM noted that peace and stability in Myanmar are the highest priority for India and reiterated India’s continued support to Myanmar in consolidating democratic institutions in that country.
• India and Myanmar agreed to bring about overall socio-economic development in Rakhine Stateby undertaking both infrastructure and socio-economic projects.
• The two sides also reviewed the security situation in their immediate neighborhood and agreed upon the special need for enhancing closer bilateral cooperation in maritime security.
• India and Myanmar agreed to foster mutually beneficial and deeper defence cooperation between the two countries.
• India and Myanmar underlined the need for bringing about greater integration of power and energy supply networks between the two countries.

Prime Minister visited Shwedagon Pagoda, an ancient religious monument at Yangon in Myanmar today on the last day of his three-day visit to the country.

• This pagoda contains the relics of four Buddhas, who have attained enlightenment, and therefore it is known as Shwedagon, the Reliquary of the Four.
• He laid wreath at the Martyrs memorial which houses the remains of General Aung San and six comrades who were assassinated on the 19th of July 1947.
• He also visited the mausoleum of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor and leader of India’s First War of Independence in 1857.

Prime Minister addressed a gathering of the Indian Community in Yangon.

• In his address PM said his government never hesitates to take any tough and big decision if it is in national interest because it considers the nation bigger than politics. 
• The Prime Minister appealed to the members of Indian community to partner in making a new India by 2022, which will be free from poverty, terrorism, communalism, casteism and corruption. 
• He said, government’s vision of sabka saath sabka vikas is not confined to the boundaries of the country but it goes beyond and applies to its neighbours.

Prime Minister said, his visit to Myanmar covered significant ground in giving a much needed impetus to relations between the two countries and deepening bilateral co-operation.

2. Focus on early implementation of  public-private partnership (PPP) based smart city projects

These smart city projects were announced during January to September last year for an investment of more than 31 thousand crore rupees. The Centre has asked the States to focus on early implementation of public-private partnership (PPP) based smart city projects.

• In a letter to chief secretaries of all the states and union territories, Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary urged them to ensure commencement of work by November this year on 261 smart city projects in 60 cities.
• States and Union Territories have been asked to speed up work on 370 PPP projects that involve an investment of more than 32 thousand four hundred crore rupees.
• The impactful projects identified range from building 40 outdoor fitness centres in New Delhi Municipal Council area at a cost of 1.31 crore rupees to redevelopment of 340 acre area in Bhopal at a cost of 3,000 crore rupees.
• During a review of Smart Cities mission last week, Prime Minister had emphasised on early implementation of smart city projects.

3. Expert committee to identify key data protection issues in India

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that an expert committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of former apex court judge Justice BN Srikrishna to identify key data protection issues in India and recommend methods to address them.

• The government told the apex court that after the committee’s report is submitted, there is a possibility that a law shall be passed regulating data protection.
• Additional Solicitor General, appearing for the Centre, said the committee will study various issues and make specific suggestions for consideration of the government on the principles to be considered for data protection.

4. NITI Aayog has constituted an Expert Task Force  to provide a major thrust to job creation

NITI Aayog has constituted an Expert Task Force to provide a major thrust to job creation by enhancing India’s exports. It will be headed by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman. The task force will submit its report by November 2017.

• The Niti Aayog said, an urgent and sustained expansion of the organized sector is essential to address India’s unemployment and under-employment issue.
• The think-tank said, given the importance of exports in generating jobs, India needs to create an environment in which globally competitive exporters can emerge and flourish.
• The panel will give recommendations on sector-specific policy interventions in key employment sectors and measures to enhance trade in services with high employment potential.
• It will also propose a comprehensive plan of action to generate employment and alleviate under-employment in both goods and services sectors and low wages by boosting India’s exports in key labour-intensive industries.

5. Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Prevention Act (TADA) court’s judgement in 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case.

A special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Prevention Act (TADA) court in Mumbai today awarded death sentence to all five accused in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case.

6. Priority will be the preparedness of the Armed forces, Defence Minister

The country’s first full-time woman Defence Minister has said her priority will be the preparedness of the Armed forces.

• She said it is important that the armed forces receive all attention in terms of best equipment to discharge their duties.
• She said, priority will also be given to indigenous defence production as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• Very important to India’s defence capabilities is the need to have a big play of ‘Make in India’ in a defence production.

7. A unique story-telling programme under Centre’s flagship Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

Under the Centre’s flagship Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a unique story-telling programme has not only helped more than 10,000 children in Assam to enhance their reading and language skills, but also reduced the number of drop-outs.

• The storytelling initiative gives a chance to integrate children from tea gardens with the society.
• The storytelling programme was launched in 2009 in 20 tea gardens of Assam by a UNICEF in association with local NGO Heritage Assam.
• It is now being implemented in 85 schools in 12 districts of the State.
• Under this programme teachers are trained in pronunciation and some tricks to make storytelling interesting – through voice modulation, poetry, song and dance – by a professional dramatist and recitation artiste.
• After that these teachers will teach the students by this unique way.
• The programme has generated interest even outside the country. A group of researchers from University of Glasgow wanted to learn more about the programme. 

8. US has proposed a range of new sanctions against North Korea

The US has proposed a range of new sanctions against North Korea, including an oil ban and a freeze on leader Kim Jong-un’s assets. It has drafted a UN resolution in response to Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test, which will be considered by members of the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile the Russian President has reiterated his call for dialogue with North Korea after meeting with South Korean President.