ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING SYSTEM INTRODUCED IN GRAND CORD LINE (Economy) The most advanced electronic interlocking system of India has mounted on the Grand Cord Route (GCR). Indian Railways hope to increase the speed of various trains and reduce the travel time between Delhi and Howrah from the present 17‐19 hours to about 12 hours only. The Grand Chord is actually a part of the Howrah‐Gaya‐Delhi line and the Howrah‐ Allahabad‐Mumbai line. Indian railways has made possible this achievement by replacing the 65 years old obsolete mechanical signalling system at Tundla station in Uttar Pradesh with the most advanced and secure electronic interlocking system. It will become fully functional from November 17, 2019. Train running time at the station will be reduced from the current 05‐07 minutes to 30‐60 seconds because of centralized power cabin. It will increase the train handling capacity of Tundla Junction to 250 trains per day from the existing maximum of 200 trains. Trains outside Tundla will have to stop for a relatively short time and schedule of trains will be improved. All the yard lines in the direction of Uttar Pradesh have now become fully suitable for the movement of passenger trains, making the orderly operation of more coaching trains possible. BRAHMOS SURFACE TO SURFACE MISSILES TESTFIRED (Security) The Indian Air Force has successfully carried out the test‐firing of two BrahMos surface‐to‐ surface missiles. The missiles were launched from a mobile platform at Trak Island in the Andaman Nicobar islands. The twin launches were carried out as a part of the Indian Air Force’s routine operational training. The missiles were fired on October 21 and October 22. This was confirmed by officials. The test‐firing aimed to check the IAF’s capability of hitting targets with pinpoint accuracy. The targets were at a distance of 300 km. The various variants of the BrahMos missiles are produced by BrahMos Aerospace, which was set up as a joint venture between India and Russia. HUNAR HATS (Economy) “HunarHaat” has become a “credible brand” to fulfil Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi’s commitment to “Make in India”, “Stand up India”and “Start up India”. During the last one year, “HunarHaat”, organised at various parts of the country, has been successful in providing employment opportunities to about 1 lakh 62 thousand artisans and other people associated with them.“HunarHaat” has become a credible and renowned brand where exquisite Handicraft & Handloom made by master artisans and various delicacies from across the country are available under one roof. The Ministry of Union Minority Affairs organizes “Hunar Haat”. The event intends to provide employment opportunities to traditional culinary experts, artisans and craftsmen. The theme of the events to be organized between 2019 and 2020 will be based on Theme: Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Indigenous exquisite pieces of Handicraft & Handloom work like Cane & Bamboo, Jute Products from Assam, Variety of Silks from Jharkhand & Bihar, Varanasi Silk, LucknawiChikankari, Ceramic, Terracotta, glassware, Brassware, Leather, Marble products of Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir Namda, Traditional handicrafts from North Eastern Region, Ajrakh, Bandhej, Mud work, Copper Bells from Gujarat, Silver Filigree products from Odisha and Bamboo Crafts from Chhattisgarh, Scissors from Meerut are available at this “HunarHaat”. WFP ORGANISES “FEED OUR FUTURE AGAINST HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION” (International) United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched its cinema ad campaign ‘Feed Our Future’ against hunger and malnutrition in India. It has been launched by WFP in collaboration with UFO Moviez – India’s largest in‐cinema advertising platform and SAWA ‐ the Global Cinema Advertising Association. It is also supported by Showbox Music TV Channel, LF (Living Foodz TV Channel) and Red FM 93.5. It will help drive the message of zero hunger deeper into the hearts & minds of India. This is for second time WFP has launched this campaign in India to raise awareness on hunger and malnutrition, a reality facing millions of people around the world. It is based on success of previous campaign in collaboration with UFO Moviez and SAWA. It will connect with audiences and garner support it deserves to highlight urgent attention for critical issue of hunger and malnutrition in India. The creative force behind this new campaign is Sir John Hegarty, of The Garage SOHO. It highlights potential loss to the world when children’s voices are silenced due to hunger. Its poignant narrative sees group of Syrian refugee children selected from local community playing in rubble and gazing out of bombed‐out buildings in apparent war zone. NO JOB TO FAMILY BEYOND TWO CHILDREN (State) On October 21, 2019, the Assam Cabinet decided that no Government jobs will be provided to persons with more than 2 children after 1 January 2021. In September 2017, the Assam government had passed the “Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam”. Under the policy, job candidates with two children alone would be eligible for government employment and the existing government staff were to strictly follow the two children family norms. Population of Assam is 3.09 crores. Population Density of Assam is 398 per sq km (greater than that of China). The population in Assam has grown exponentially higher as compared to other states. Migration is the major cause for the population explosion in Assam. Even in the past between 1901 and 2011, population in Assam has increased 9 times. The major explosion happened during the 1971 war. The prevailing conditions in Bangladesh during its liberation forced many Pakistani refugees to migrate to Assam. Illiteracy is another major cause for population explosion in Assam. DELHI GOVERNMENT READY TO IMPLEMENT PM‐KISAN (State) Ahead of scheduled assembly elections, Delhi Government has agreed to implement ambitious Central scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM‐KISAN) that promises small and marginal eligible farmers an income support of Rs.6,000 a year in three installments. Earlier, West Bengal and Delhi Governments had refused to implement the scheme in respective state/UT but even though West Bengal has stood firm on its decision, the Delhi Government has now sent names of 11,000 farmers for availing the benefits under PM‐ KISAN. It is a Central Sector scheme (CSS) with 100% funding from Central government. Under the scheme, the Centre is crediting an income support of Rs.6,000 per year in three equal instalments directly into the bank accounts of farmers. DRDO BEGINS WORK ON HYPERSONIC MISSILES (Security) The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) begins manufacturing of hypersonic missiles. These missiles are five times faster than the speed of sound. DRDO is set to operate a wind tunnel to test and fine tune the technology. The US, Russia and China have already been testing the technology to improve their strategic nuclear deterrence and strengthen their front‐line combat units. China had demonstrated that it has the technology. Other countries like US and Russia have been silent about it. The Hypersonic weapons are capable of carrying conventional and nuclear payloads at extreme speeds. This technology increases the survival against modern ballistic missile defence system. Though, the existing ballistic missile systems deliver loads at extremely high speeds, the hypersonic glided vehicles make tracking and interception impossible. .