Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted again on Thursday, spewing ash columns as high as 8,000 meters, exceeding the intensity of Monday’s eruption that killed nine people and injured dozens. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the latest eruption as residents within the 7-kilometer danger zone had been evacuated. The volcano’s activity has been heightened since January, forcing the closure of the island’s airport and displacing thousands of people. Meanwhile, another active volcano, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, also erupted on Thursday, spewing ash and blanketing nearby villages. Indonesia, situated on the “Ring of Fire,” is prone to volcanic activity and earthquakes, making these eruptions a recurring threat to its large population.
Canada Suspends Faster Visa Program for International Students, Citing Fairness and Integrity
Canada has discontinued the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a program that expedited study permit applications for students from 15 countries, including India. This decision, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, aims to ensure fair and equal access to the study permit application process for all international students. The government cited concerns about program integrity and student vulnerability as reasons for the suspension. While applications received before November 8th will be processed under SDS, all future applications will be subject to the regular study permit stream, requiring students to submit a Guaranteed Investment Certificate and a provincial or territorial attestation letter. This move is likely to impact Indian students significantly, as they were among the largest beneficiaries of the SDS program.
Project ‘Shaurya Gatha’ Launched to Preserve and Promote India’s Military Heritage
On November 8, 2024, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan launched Project ‘Shaurya Gatha’, a joint initiative of the Department of Military Affairs and the United Service Institution (USI) of India. This project aims to educate the public about India’s rich military history and heritage through various initiatives, including the annual Indian Military Heritage Festival. The festival, now in its second year, brings together global and Indian think tanks, corporations, and academicians to discuss national security, foreign policy, military history, and heritage. The event also features publications on military topics, exhibitions showcasing advancements in defense research, and participation by NCC cadets. The project seeks to bridge the gap between the public’s understanding of India’s military heritage and its contemporary security challenges, promoting national discourse and fostering self-reliance in military capabilities through the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Ahmedabad Initiative Wins Innovation Award at Smart Cities Expo World Congress
The Ahmedabad-based community initiative aProCh, focused on creating safe environments for children, won the Innovation Award at the 2024 Smart Cities Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona, Spain. The award, shared with Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, recognizes urban solutions that prioritize human well-being for sustainable and inclusive cities. aProCh’s initiative transforms public spaces into child-friendly areas, empowering children to participate in a sustainable future. The SCEWC, themed “Live Better,” showcased innovations in mobility, economy, and other fields. The event also recognized Shenzhen as the Smart City of 2024 for its “Smarter City, Better Life” initiative and Milano Mayor Giuseppe Sala as the best leader. The Indian delegation at the SCEWC, including representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, received collaboration requests from other participants, highlighting the global interest in India’s smart city initiatives. The event also emphasized sustainability with a zero-waste initiative and the Czech Republic winning the Green Exhibitor Award for its sustainable pavilion built from recycled materials.
India’s Maritime Domain Awareness: A Watchful Eye on the Indian Ocean
India maintains a robust maritime domain awareness system, ensuring complete knowledge of activities in its area of interest, including those of China, according to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. He dismissed concerns over China’s dual carrier operations in the South China Sea, stating that India has conducted similar operations for years and is confident in its ability to safeguard national interests. The Navy Chief emphasized India’s close monitoring of activities in the Indian Ocean region, particularly those involving China, and highlighted the Navy’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement. The Navy is also actively engaging with the public, particularly youth, through initiatives like the THINQ quiz competition, to promote awareness and understanding of its role in safeguarding national security.
Elephant Deaths in Bandhavgarh: Fungal Toxins Point to Kodu Crop Contamination
The deaths of 10 elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) have been linked to acute poisoning from fungal toxins, according to findings from the School of Wildlife Forensics and Health (SWFH) in Jabalpur. While the SWFH report ruled out Herpesvirus as a cause, the Sagar Forensic Laboratory found no traces of pesticides or fertilizers in the samples they tested. The investigation, initially focused on agricultural chemical contamination or poisoning, now points towards the consumption of fungus-infected kodu crops as the likely cause. The SWFH report, however, did not specify the exact nature of the toxins involved, leaving authorities with unanswered questions. The forest department is continuing its investigation, awaiting further reports from laboratories across the country, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Hyderabad and the Center for Wildlife Conservation, Management, and Disease Surveillance at ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly. The IVRI report confirmed the presence of cyclopiazonic acid, a potent fungal toxin, in the elephant samples, exceeding 100 ppb. While the investigation continues, the focus now shifts to identifying the specific fungus responsible for the contamination and the precise levels of toxins involved.
JMM Candidate Deepak Birua: Blaming Centre for Kolhan’s Woes Ahead of Jharkhand Elections
Deepak Birua, a three-time MLA from Chaibasa and the only Ho tribal minister in the previous Jharkhand government, is seeking re-election. He attributes the economic woes of the Kolhan region, particularly the closure of mines and rising unemployment, to the policies of the BJP-led central government. Birua dismisses the impact of Champai Soren’s switch to the BJP on JMM’s support base, claiming that Soren’s recent statements contradict his past actions and are alienating voters. He highlights the JMM government’s welfare schemes and dismisses the BJP’s “infiltration narrative” as an election tactic. Birua criticizes the Centre’s inaction on reopening mines and its alleged withholding of coal mining royalty dues, claiming that the BJP is using pressure tactics to harm the state’s economy. He also blames the Centre for hindering the implementation of the PESA Act and the distribution of Van Pattas. Birua expresses confidence in the JMM’s victory, citing the party’s popular welfare schemes and the public’s dissatisfaction with the BJP’s policies.
Himachal Pradesh CM Emphasizes Efficient Implementation of Flagship Schemes
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed district officials to prioritize the implementation of the state government’s flagship schemes, ensuring that citizens benefit from them. He stressed the importance of good governance and transparency, urging officials to focus on improving services and addressing public grievances. To achieve this, the CM has instructed all DCs and SPs to dedicate two days a week to addressing public concerns in their offices, rather than prioritizing tours. He also encouraged officials to submit suggestions for enhancing governance and ensuring prompt service delivery. This directive reflects the government’s commitment to efficient administration and citizen-centric service delivery.
Smooth Paddy and Millet Procurement in Haryana, Concerns Arise in Other States
Haryana’s paddy and millet procurement process is running smoothly, with over 98% of the arrived paddy already procured and payments directly deposited into farmers’ bank accounts. The state government has introduced an online gate pass system to streamline the process. However, concerns are emerging in other states. Telangana’s Civil Supplies Minister has directed officials to ensure a smooth procurement process, while Punjab’s opposition leader criticizes the AAP government’s handling of paddy procurement, citing a farmer’s suicide due to unsold crops as evidence of inaction.
Vadodara’s Long-Awaited Jungle Safari Nears Reality
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has revived its long-stalled jungle safari project at Ajwa, aiming to launch the first phase by early 2024. After a failed public-private partnership, the VMC is now taking on the project independently, allocating Rs 10 crore for its development. The safari, spread across 150 acres, will initially feature herbivorous animals like spotted deer, blackbucks, and chinkaras, with visitors transported in open jeeps. The VMC is also exploring the possibility of introducing exotic animals, including wolves, hyenas, and swamp deer, to the safari and Sayajibaug Zoo.