Student windfall

In a major thrust towards encouraging students to join Central and other state government services, the Mizoram government has decided to dole out cash incentives to students, who successfully clear competitive examinations.

This was announced by the newly-appointed Mizoram Youth Commission chairman, Joseph Lalhimpuia during a press conference at Aizawl, says a report in the Assam Tribune.

He said that the state government will give an incentive of Rs 50,000 to any candidate from Mizoram who qualifies for the Civil Service (prelims), Combined Medical Services Examination, Indian Engineering Services Examination and other services and also Rs 1 lakh to those who successfully qualify Civil Service (Main) examination, Combined Defence Services examination, NDA and NA examination.

He said the move was conceived to encourage students and educated youngsters to join Central and state services. He added that Rs 30 lakh and Rs 80 lakh have been allocated under Revised Estimate and New Economic Development Policy, respectively for the purpose.

Expo in Guwahati

Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla recently inaugurated an expo titled Emerging North East 2018 in Guwahati. Addressing the gathering of farmers, agri-preneurs, entrepreneurs and experts from the food industry of the region, Governor Heptulla commented that in Manipur every woman is independent and women-only markets are run by 5,000-6,000 women in Imphal.

Heptulla also added that except Assam, there are hardly any industries in other states of the region. She said that focus should be put on industrialisation across the region and that can be possible only if communication to all North-eastern states is improved.

Under good care

Breaking gender barriers and stereotypes, a woman Indian Forest Service officer, IFS officer Davinder Suman, is fighting a relentless battle to protect Assam’s flora and fauna, says a report in the Assam Tribune.

The 2012-batch officer hails from Hoshiarpur in Punjab and has been serving as the Divisional Forest Officer of Sonitpur West division since 2016. She has been at the forefront in every action — whether it is chasing marauding elephants, catching forest produce transported illegally or planting trees. Consider these statistics — the Sonitpur West division of the forest department has registered the highest number of forest offences this year, at 446.

The division also realised the maximum amount of revenue at the state level. She has also been instrumental in seizing 443 vehicles this year, by far the highest in the Northern circle. Not to mention that it was despite pressure from adversaries.

Pledge to protect

Every morning before classes begins students in the fringe areas of the Manas National Park take a pledge to protect the landscape. This unique initiative is part of the Aaranyak’s Manas Tiger Conservation Programme that aims at ensuring a holistic conservation and protection of the park, says a report in the Guwahati-based Assam Tribune.

According o SK Basistha, deputy project manager, Manas Tiger Conservation Programme, this is a well-planned and carefully-designed programme to reach various target groups. Altogether 63 schools have been identified in the fringe areas of MNP, covering Baksa and Chirang districts, to initiate an effective conservation education programme among students.