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Sikkim Govt announced new covid restrictions

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Covid restrictions in Sikkim

The sikkim government today announced new covid restrictions applicable till the 24th of January. All persons entering the State shall be required to produce a negative RTPCR report conducted within 72 hours prior to the date of entry. Vehicles bearing registration numbers ending with odd digits shall be allowed to ply on days having odd dates, vehicles bearing registration numbers ending with even digits shall be allowed to ply on days having even dates.

All-State Government offices including PUs, Boards, Corporations under the state government shall work with 50% attendance. All social, political, religious, and sports-related gatherings shall be prohibited. Number of persons for marriage ceremony shall be restricted to 50. The number of persons for performing funeral rites shall be restricted to 20.

On odd-even on covid restrictions, vehicles bearing registration numbers ending with odd digits shall be allowed to ply on days having odd dates. Vehicles bearing registration numbers ending with even digits shall be allowed to ply on days having even dates.

The COVID-19 curve in Sikkim is rising again after months of decline, with the number of new cases per day doubling over the past two days, driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, amid spreading as festival and social gatherings. Confirmed infections climbed to an average of about 70 new cases today, Sunday compering to yesterday January 8th, according to Sikkim Medical Hospital. And all but two East and West districts reported 51 and 13 each — reported that case numbers have gone up over the past two weeks.

At the same time, parts of the country are running up against deep vaccine resistance for children below 19, while the highly contagious mutant version of the coronavirus that was first detected in India is accounting for an ever-larger share of infections in Delhi and Mumbai together.

Also, Read| AIC-SMUTBI selected by Startup India to provide financial Assistance to Startups

AIC-SMUTBI selected by Startup India to provide financial Assistance to Startups

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AIC-SMUTBI selected by Startup India

AIC-SMU Technoloogy Business Incubation Foundation (AIC-SMUTBI) which is an Incubator supported by AIM, NITI Aayog, Government of India has been selected by Startup India, Department of Promotion of Industries and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization of Product.

AIC-SMUTBI is the first incubator from North East India to be part of the portfolio of Startup India Seedfund as on date.

Currently, there are 769 startups registered with Startup India Portal out of which only 31 incubator has so far been listed in the portfolio of Startup India SeedFund Scheme. AIC-SMUTBI is one of the latest additions to their portfolio.

AIC-SMUTBI supports startup at their early stage of the venture and is sector agnostic. It currently has 73 startups from all the states of North East India and also other parts of the country working in domains like Defence, Aerospace, Agriculture, EdTech, e-Mobilty, FinTech, FMCG, HealthCare, IOT/ML/AL, Tourism etc.

As per CEO of AIC-SMUTBI, Dr Tej Chingtham, Seed funding is the first official equity funding stage. It typically represents the first official money that a startup raises. Funding from Angel investors and Venture Capital firms becomes available to startups only after the proof of concept has been provided. Similarly, banks generally provide loans only to asset-backed applicants. It is essential to provide seed funding to startups with an innovative idea to conduct proof of concept trials. Many innovative business ideas fail to take off due to the absence of this critical capital required at an early stage for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization. AIC-SMUTBI Seed Fund offered to such promising cases can have a multiplier effect in validation of business ideas of many startups, leading to employment generation.

The funds can be raised by startups most likely in the instruments of Convertible Notes, Debt or equity with opportunities for follow on investments from the partner Venture Fund and Investors.

This Seed Fund of AIC-SMUTBI  will be available to startups recognized by DPIIT, incorporated not more than 2 years at the time of application and should not have received more than Rs 10 lakh of monetary support under any other Central or State Government scheme. This does not include prize money from competitions and grand challenges, subsidized working space, founder monthly allowance, access to labs, or access to prototyping facility.

Also Read| One died, 37 medical staffs from NBMCH tested Covid-19 positive

One died, 37 medical staff tested positive in NBMCH

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NBMCH Siliguri
NBMCH Siliguri

SILIGURI NBMCH: After a senior citizen’s death and more than 37 medical students along with health staff tested Covid-19 positive at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) the concerned authorities have become more alert to control the situation.

On Wednesday Sixty-five years old Deepak Kumar Baruwa of Gairkatta, Binnaguri under Jalpaiguri died of coronavirus.

In the last twenty-four hours, in NBMCH 138 people including medical students and health staff from Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts were tested Covid-19 positive.

Out of 636 samples collected in the last twenty-four hours, 138 were found Covid-19 positive, where 28 Medical students of 1st and Year, 7 Nursing Staffs and two other health staff were tested Covid-19 positive.

In northeast, Assam reported its first two cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19. This was announced by Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta on Wednesday, January 5th.

The first patient is a 13-year-old boy named Rohan Das, a resident of Sonapur, who tested positive for the variant in Shillong, Meghalaya. On Tuesday, Meghalaya government informed about his Covid-19 status. He had traveled to Meghalaya recently where he was tested as per norms.

A second patient is a 35-year-old man named Mohammad Mahmud Hussain, a resident of Hojai district, who has tested positive for the Omicron variant. He recently returned from Saudi Arabia. Reportedly, both the persons who have contracted the Omicron variant of COVID-19 have already tested negative.

Also Read| Meghalaya CM in Sikkim for 3-day family vacation

Meghalaya CM in Sikkim for 3-day family vacation

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Meghalaya CM in Sikkim visit

Pakyong, Jan 4 (IPR) Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad Sangma arrived at Pakyong Greenfield Airport a while back. He is on a three-day visit to Sikkim with his family.

The Chief Minister is in the Himalayan State on a personal visit. On his arrival, the dignitary was received and welcomed by DIG Special Branch, Shri Prawin Gurung, ADC Shri Hamant Rai, officers of Home Department and Airport authorities.

While speaking to the media, Shri Sangma termed Sikkim as a beautiful State known for its tourism. He shared, “The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim is close to me, so i decided to come here as a family and spend a few days and enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Sikkim.”

The Meghalaya Chief Minister is keen on visiting a few national parks and lakes in Sikkim. “We have come to see the rural side of Sikkim. For the next two days, we will spend time in the interiors of Sikkim to see the natural beauty that the State has to offer”.

The Meghalaya CM was all praise for the Pakyong Airport. He said, “It is a great effort by the Airport Authority having an airport at this height on a hill top, a table top land, and this was my first experience. It is a marvel and we must give credit to the pilots, who are so precise in landing. It is a great boon for the people of Sikkim and the tourists who wish to visit. I hope in the future more flights can be connected to Sikkim and various parts of the Northeast. Sikkim has a huge potential for tourism and the only way to take advantage of it is through connectivity.”

Also Read|COVID-19 Vaccination for 15 to 18 age launched

COVID-19 Vaccination for 15 to 18 age launched

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COVID-19 Vaccination for 15 to 18 age launched

Gangtok, Jan 3 (IPR) Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim launched COVID-19 Vaccination for age group 15 to 18 years today at AYUSH Building, STNM Hospital, Sochyagang.

The Vaccination drive was launched simultaneously in all the District Hospitals along with COVID Vaccination Centres under PHCs.

The covid-19 vaccination drive at STNM Hospital was formally launched by Deputy Mayor, GMC, Smt Tshering Palden in the presence of Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health, Shri D. Anandan, DG cum Secretary, Health, Dr. Pempa T. Bhutia, and Councellor GMC Shri Sandeep Malu.


AMS I , AMS II, ADHS cum State Immunization Officer, Medical Officer (CVC Sochyagang), Nursing Officers, D.D SIECB, HEO SIECB and other staff were also present on the occasion.

The drive saw enthusiastic participation of teenagers in the stipulated age group.

The online registration has been opened on 1st January 2022 at the cowin.gov.in portal. Covaxin is the vaccine used for children aged 15 to 18 years and the interval between two doses is 28 days. The sessions will be conducted at the different health centers as per their schedule given to health workers.

The mass vaccination drive was also taken in South Sikkim.

Also Read| Tourist swept away by Lachung river while taking selfie

Tourist swept away by Lachung river while taking selfie

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" Tourist swept away by Lachung river"

One tourist from Bihar swept away by strong current of Lachung river when he went nearby to take selfie to the popular spot which led him slipping off a rock, the police said on Monday.

Abhishek Kumar, 21 year old hailed from Bihar’s  Bhagalpur district. Who had come to lachung with his relatives and friends on new year event on 1st January, has been swept away by lachung chu today morning while taking selfie near the river Bank at lachung. Search operation is being carried out lachung lead by Sikkim police with the help from Lachung Dzomsa Hotel Association:Members of Lachung Dzomsa, ITBP & Army.

Police reached the spot and launched a search for him when their friends raised an alarm feared he has been swept away by river and he is still missing, police said while search operation is going on. However, efforts are on to trace him, police said.

Search operation for Abhisek Kumar who was reportedly slipped from the rock & swept away by Lachung Chu today morning was conducted in two phase by the Lachung CP/PS team right after the receipt of information.

First phase was conducted with the help of ITBP, 4/5 GR & locals while the second phase was conducted with SDPO Chungthang ASP LB Chettri and his staffs, members of hotel association of Lachung & members of Lachung Dzumsa but in vain. It is to be noted that the current flow of the river is very high and water level has also increased due to melting of snow. Search operation has been called off for today at 1630 hours and will be resume tomorrow morning.

Sikkim police has advisory to all tourists: Please don’t go near the river in excitement as the rocks are very slippery and rough which may cost your life.

Also Read| 2nd Alumni Meet at CSJMC, Dibrugarh University

2nd Alumni Meet at CSJMC, Dibrugarh University

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Dibrugarh University

Dibrugarh University: Centre for Studies in Journalism & Mass Communication (CSJMC), Dibrugarh University, one of the finest media and communications institutions of North-East India, successfully organised its second Alumni Meet 2021 today at Indira Miri Conference Hall, Dibrugarh University, to reconnect with its alumni as well as work towards setting newer and greater agenda
for the upcoming meets.

The Centre has an illustrious alumni network serving reputed institutions across the world. This meet also provided with a platform to the current batch to interact and network with their seniors, allowing a fulfilling exchange of interactions. A new Executive Committee of the Alumni Association was also formed and a new agenda was set during the meet.

Along with the illustrious alumni, spread all across the world, the event was graced by eminent personalities like Prof. Jahnabi Gogoi Nath, Vice Chancellor (i/c), Dibrugarh University, Dr. Kandarpa Kumar Deka, former Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University, Dr. Karabi Deka Hazarika, former Professor, Lakshminath Bezboroa Chair, Dept. Of Assamese, Dibrugarh University, Dr. Probin Kr. Gogoi, Chairperson, CSJMC, DU, Prof. Neeta Kalita Barua, President of Dibrugarh University Alumni Association, Dr. Kamala Borgohain, First Chairperson, CSJMC, Dibrugarh University, Dr. Pratim Barua, former Chairperson, CSJMC , Dibrugarh University, as well as other distinguished guests.

The event started off with a lamp lighting ceremony by Prof. Jahnabi Gogoi Nath, Vice Chancellor (i/c), Dibrugarh University. In her inaugural speech, she said, “This is the age of information and Journalism and Mass Communication studies hold a critical space in the society. CSJMC, DU has produced wonderful talent who have been able to establish themselves in the dynamic industry. I hope through this meet, the alumni will be able to contribute for the betterment of the centre and the community in general.”

In his keynote address, Dr. Probin Kumar Gogoi, Chairperson, CSJMC, Dibrugarh University said, “I am glad that we are able to host the 2nd alumni meet at CSJMC, DU today. It gives our students and alumni to express themselves and share their experiences. We are hopeful that we will be able to leverage upon this relationship with the alumni to help shape the centre into a department.”

Special Invitee Dr. Kandarpa Kumar Deka, former Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University, while remembering his days as the Vice Chancellor of the University said, “I served this university for about 27 years as teacher, Academic Registrar and Vice Chancellor. I am delighted to see that a centre that was founded under my tenure and Dr. Kamala Kanta Borgohain, has become one of the most notable study Centres at the University with the help of the work of the faculty and the students.

The next destination is to be able to advance itself from being a Centre to a Department, with support from its stakeholders. I wish them all the best for the future.”

Guest of Honour, Dr. Karabi Deka Hazarika, former Professor, Lakshminath Bezboroa Chair, Dept. Of Assamese, Dibrugarh University, said, “Extremely happy to have spent the day at CSJMC, Dibrugarh University today. The alumni meet is very essential for the development of an institute; it helps establish a nexus between the past and the present students. I personally believe that the profession of journalism and mass communication is of high significance to serve the interests of the society. I hope that the students will take up this profession with utmost responsibility.” CSJMC’s first Chairpersons, Dr. Kamala Kanta Borgohain fondly remembered his days at the Centre
and said, “We faced numerous hurdles while laying the foundation of the centre, however, I am immensely proud of how far it has arrived. I hope that we continue to reach higher echelons.”

Dr. Pratim Barua, Former Chairperson, CSJMC, DU, in his speech said, “An alumni association of an organisation is as important as the organisation itself; it is one of the associations which can keep an institute connected to the past and the future. An organisation may be constrained in terms of resources, but the alumni can provide the resources in many ways. An extraordinarily active link needs to be built to take the centre forward.”

The inaugural session was followed by an interactive session with the alumni chaired by Prof. Neeta Kalita Barua, President, Dibrugarh University Alumni Association. This all-day event that offered a platform for a reminiscence of remarkable journeys, memorable stories and interactive sessions ended with vote of thanks from the chair.

ABOUT CSJMC:
The Centre for Studies in Journalism and Mass Communication, Dibrugarh University is one of the leading institutions of higher learning in the field of communication and media studies in India. It has been successful in carving a niche for itself in the field of Media and Communication education since its inception in 2008.

Eminent scholars, journalists, filmmakers, video professionals, corporate communication specialists, and leading academicians constitute a panel of eminent visiting faculty who offer quality education to the students from across India and those from abroad enrolled under Indian Council for Cultural Relations – African

Also Read| Changu Lake now open for tourists

Changu Lake now open for tourists

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Changu Lake now Open for Tourist

The Sikkim government on Sunday 2nd January said that Changu lake and have been open for tourists from Monday, a week after it allowed after huge snowfall last week which lead to hundreds of tourists being trapped in Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir due to huge snowfall.

STDC a local government body that controls tourism activities in East Sikkim’s Changu lake and said on Sunday, they have opened for tourists, meanwhile, Nathula is still closed.

Tourists were seen thronging the East Sikkim’s Gangtok due to peak season, and a large number of tourists were seen waiting for Changu lake to Open earliest.

The state government will decide on opening up another much-visited destination of Gurudongmar Lake, Zero Point, and Kala Patthar which is still closed to a huge number of snowfalls recorded, last week of December 12 inch of snowfall was recorded in Lachung & Lachen village of North Sikkim which leads difficult for traffic to move.

Last Saturday Night many tourists were stuck near the Changu Village, east Sikkim due to heavy snowfall, In difficult times Indian Army began a rescue operation, rescued 1200 tourists, and provided them shelter and food.

As the weather conditions improved from Sunday morning to afternoon on new years eve, the official said that Changu lake and is now open for tourist from Monday.

Tourists can get vehicle permits to Changu lake and from Travel agencies nearby or vehicle drivers can arrange it.

Also, Read| IIT-Kharagpur to host the annual fest 2022

IIT-Kharagpur to host the annual fest 2022

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IIT-Kharagpur to host the annual fest 2022

Kshitij, the annual techno-management fest of IIT-Kharagpur, has grown exponentially since its inception in 2004 to become Asia’s largest in its genre. The 19th edition will be held in the month of January. More than 37 events certified by LINE, KLA+, etc., workshops by technical giants like IBM, Google, McAfee, Siemens, Codechef, etc. and guest lectures by world-famous personalities such as KS Pua (also known as the father of Pendrive), Mr. Pratik Gandhi (Lead actor in ‘Scam1992’, the highest-rated Indian TV show on IMDB) and Shri A S Kiran Kumar(former ISRO chairman) were conducted in previous editions. Along with this, we also witnessed a special virtual tour of the iconic Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project by Tata Projects and some edifying tech summits with esteemed guests like Mr. Phalgun Kompalli (Co-founder, upGrade), Mr. BVR Mohan Reddy (Founder and executive chairman, Cyient Limited).

The previous year, Kshitij encountered participation of 65,000 people and gave away total prize money of 45 lakhs. We have also had a lot of the latest developments in technologies from all over the world on exhibition. Kshitij has secured patronages from UNESCO, SAYEN, CEE, MAKE IN INDIA, etc.

The 19th edition of Kshitij will be conducted entirely on an online platform. We have packed it with exciting competitions, events, guest lectures, exhibitions, and much more. The registration is entirely free of cost.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity of being a part of one of India’s leading college fests from the comfort of your home. This time IIT-Kharagpur Kshitij will be held between 21-23 January 2022.Visit our website www.ktj.in for event registrations and be sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram page for regular updates.

One can also follow the Facebook page for more information about events, follow here – https://www.facebook.com/ktj.iitkgp

Also, Read| Inside Government School in Yogi’s UP

Inside Government School in Yogi’s UP

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Class room in Govt. School in Yogi's UP

The Sikkim Today‘s one of the National teams is on the tour to Yogi’s UP (Uttarpradesh) just before the election, the quality of education and healthcare should be the priority.

With work of two factors between Government and Administrative, in Uttarpradesh If administrative fail to report to CMO government within a week they will face strict action, in 2019 Uttarpradesh Cm Yogi Adityanath warned if any single mafia/ goons harass any private company in any district, DC and local administration will be responsible which make a fear for administrative to work better with the order of Chief Minister it was in 2019 when CM of state invited hundred of Bigger company to setup plant.

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Women in science the priority of the lab.

In the education sector, enhanced and improved basic facilities for students, government schools in the state are now compering with private ones. Now, it is not only private schools but state-run schools also offer facilities like smart classrooms, playgrounds, and libraries to ensure quality education for children.

According to village people when asked if children are going to school or not, they said they have started sending their children to school again, the transformation shows the education sector’s fulfillment of promises made in its education policy. There are over 1.3 lakh government schools in UP that have been undergone a massive transformation in terms of infrastructure despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Science Labs

The initiatives of the Yogi’s UP government to make primary schools more attractive & safe zone have started yielding results. There is an increase of 30% in attendance in the school after lab facilities came to the school. More parents are showing interest in enrolling their children in government schools instead of sending them to expensive private schools because of new facilities. Different school for girls has been set up and 12 new admissions in one month have come to gram panchayat Sawali after the facilities.

Uttarpradesh education policy has target “school for every student”, which policy said “Mission Rozgar” which has appointed 5 lakhs trained teacher, and Girl’s hostel has been constructed in 107 block development in the state.

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Astronomy Lab in the hometown of Sir Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar in Sikandarabad. It is in the primary school of Mukundgarhi village.

Discussing with a principal of one school, he said “before 2018, 75% girls and 40% boys used to come with a barefoot and old uniform, thing have changed now Government is providing shoe, bag, uniform, book, copies to all student and make sure student attend the school”

Apart from this, 3.78 lakh cooks in government school used to get 1000 monthly salary which was raised by 500 rupees per month to 1500 Rupees, 2 saree every 6 months, free health insurance cover up to 5 lakh on same time Yogi’s UP Government wanted to raise cook’s salary by 500 per months to 2000 per months due to challenge of Covid.

It’s under “Operation Kayakyap” led by Yogi’s UP Govt, a district-wise survey is taken every month in every school. Every school is visited by DC and Education team, checking meals, classroom, toilet which has to send the report to CMO.

“The thing has changed, I’m happy that my daughter is going back to school, she has got a uniform, shoes, she also gets a meal in school, when she came back home she finish house chore and start studying she even tells us about universe and concept, this is one thing I’m happy about,” said one parent who re-sent his daughter nearby school in 2019.

Talking about “Operation Kayakyap” which focuses on sending more children to school about 8.4 million children studying in 113,000 government primary schools. The Yogi’s UP government has launched an innovation called the ‘Graded Learning Programme’. Teachers grouped children across grades 1-5 according to their current reading and mathematics levels, and used appropriate activities and materials for each group, for two hours during the school day, strengthening foundational skills. Using a mobile-based android application that 230,000 trained teachers downloaded on their phones, learning data from each class of the state’s 113,000 schools was regularly uploaded by the teachers. The data generated comprehensive dashboards displaying charts and simple bar graphs that were reviewed to track progress at different levels. And who knew that motivated teachers and a structured approach would result in an extraordinary achievement of improving reading by 22 percentage points in the Government school.

And by 2020, the programme reached classrooms across all 75 districts with help of the Uttarpradesh Education department, in the next few months, 1.7 million children in grades 3 and 4 were being able to read basic texts in Hindi at grade 1 level.

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Kitchen for Mid Day meal

By 2030, the Yogi government’s Operation Kayakyap will target 95% of UP’s schools will be improved and every child can go to school.

The Sikkim Today Team, having seen it in real, researching, and observed a variety of learning improvement initiatives across Uttar Pradesh in 2021 with the help of the Zilla Panchayat and education department and DM, we are fortunate to have had a first-hand glimpse into one of the most promising movements to push learning ambitiously at scale through a government system. It is early days yet for Yogi Adityanath and still, huge challenges for him to be sure in his mind that child won’t drop from school in the future. Time will tell after the upcoming election how the education system will be controlled in the state. Even locals can say anyone clearly till 2018 it used to control by mafia and goons where children fear of going to school. But in 2018-21, along with many people who are behind UP’s effort, The Sikkim Today too would like to believe that this is a strong first challenging step for Yogi Government who vowed to change the education system in Yogi’s UP the 2017 election manifesto.

Also, Read| Forgot “Nehru Road”, now travel to Nathula via “Narendra Modi Marg”