General Rawat takes charge as 1st CDS
General Bipin Rawat will take formal charge as India's first chief of defence staff on Wednesday. Rawat was formally confirmed as the chief of defence staff on Monday.
The CDS will serve as the main military adviser to the defence minister on issues of tri-services coordination. Rawat will be given a tri-services guard of honour and would have his office in South Block.
Security high for 202nd anniversary of Bhima-Koregaon battle
Lakhs of people are expected to attend events marking the 202nd anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle at Bhima-Koregaon near Pune on Wednesday. Buddhists, activists of Ambedkarite groups and political parties are expected to participate in the events.
The events mark the victory of dalit soldiers under the British against the upper-caste Peshwa army in 1818. In 2018, the event triggered violence between rightwing groups and dalit activists, which left one person dead and several injured. Over 10,000 security personnel have been deployed for the events at Bhima-Koregaon. The government is reportedly planning to suspend internet services in the area to prevent the spread of rumours. The Hindu reported over 700 people have been detained ahead of the events.
Left parties to begin week-long protests against CAA/NRC, economic slowdown
The CPI(M), CPI, Forward Block and other left outfits are beginning a week-long nationwide campaign of protests and events against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, NRC and NPR and also the continuing economic slowdown.
The Left parties will also solicit support for a planned general strike by trade unions on January 8.
Single-use plastic ban in Kerala
The Kerala government is imposing a blanket ban on single-use plastics in the state from Wednesday. The Pinarayi Vijayan government had decided in November to prohibit production, storage and sale of single-use plastic in the state as a means to improve its waste management system.
Railway fare hike from Wednesday
Travel by trains will get dearer from Wednesday as the Indian Railways has hiked passenger fares across the board. The fare for ordinary non-AC class will increase by 1 paisa/km, for mail/Express non-AC by 2 paisa/km and for AC by 4 paisa/km.
