1.Vijay Diwas: Prime Minister Modi lights up ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ to mark 50th anniversary of 1971 Indo-Pak war
Prime Minister Modi on December 16, 2020 lighted up ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the National War Memorial in Delhi to start the 50th anniversary celebration of India’s victory in 1971 Indo-Pakistan war which led to creation of Bangladesh. In an official release, the Defence Ministry stated that in December 1971, the Indian armed forced secured a historic victory over the army of Pakistan, which led to the creation of Nation- Bangladesh. The 1971 war also resulted in the largest military surrender after the Second World War. On December 16, India will be celebrating the 50 years of Indo-Pak war which is also called ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. Various commemorative events have also been planned for this day. PM Modi was received by the Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, at the venue. PM, Tri-Service Chiefs and Chief of Defence Staff also laid wreath and paid the homage to the fallen soldiers of the war.
2.Government establishes protocols to manage adverse reactions due to Corona vaccine
The Central government informed on December 15, 2020 that the protocols have been established to manage any form of adverse reactions- severe, minor or serious, to the corona vaccine as it admitted that there is always a possibility of an adverse event after immunization. According to the Health Ministry officials, few adverse reactions cannot be ruled out and the guidelines for managing them has been included in the vaccination drive guidelines. The officials also added that in accordance with guidelines, limited number of vaccination will be monitored in each immunization session. The vaccine for Corona will be offered first to the frontline workers, health workers, and persons who are above 50 years of age. They will be followed by those who are below 50 years with associated comorbidities and finally to the rest of the population based on vaccine availability and disease epidemiology.
3.Election Commission considers idea of digital voter ID card
The Election Commission (EC) is considering the idea of providing voters with a digital election photo identity card for easy accessibility. This was informed by a senior official. However, the official made it clear that no decision has been taken by the Election Commission in this regard. The official said that the election commission keeps getting ideas and suggestions from officers on fields through working groups of (state) chief electoral officers and the public and this is one such idea.
4.Gujarat Land Grabbing Prohibition Act comes into force
The Gujarat Land Grabbing Prohibition Act came into force in the state on December 16, 2020. This was informed by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The Chief Minister announced that the Gujarat Land Grabbing Prohibition Act will be strictly implemented in the state to take legal action against the land mafias in the state, who have illegally occupied the state government’s land as well as the land that belongs to common farmers and privately-owned public trusts and monasteries. A special committee will be formed to ensure comprehensive scrutiny of complaints received under the Act. The committee will comprise seven officers and will be chaired by the District Collector
5.Rourkela selected as second venue for FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023
Odisha’s Rourkela has been selected as the second venue for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 besides capital city Bhubaneswar. The FIH President Narinder Batra and state sports minister Tusharkanti Behera reviewed the existing infrastructure works in the city on December 11, 2020 and laid the road map for subsequent actions. Odisha was announced as the host of the 2023 Hockey World Cup for the second consecutive time by Hockey India in November 2019, after the successful hosting of the 2018 men’s hockey world cup. The 2018 Hockey World Cup was also held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India between November and December 2018. The 2023 Hockey World Cup will have Rourkela city as a second venue along with Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar. Rourkela in Sundargarh district is known as the cradle of hockey as it has produced many international hockey stars.
