PM Modi To Name 21 Islands, Inaugurate Model of Proposed Netaji Memorial in Andamans

PM Modi To Name 21 Islands, Inaugurate Model of Proposed Netaji Memorial in Andamans

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a ceremony to name 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar today at 11 am via video conferencing, on the occasion of Parakram Diwas marking freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 126th birth anniversary. 
• During the event, he will also unveil the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji, to be built on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Dweep.
• In the honour of Netaji, the Union Territory’s Ross Island was named as Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Dweep by Modi during his visit to the island in 2018. Likewise, Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed as Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep. 
• The 21 islands will be named after 21 Param Veer Chakra awardees and the largest unnamed island will be named after first Param Veer Chakra awardee, the second largest unnamed island will be named after the second Param Vir Chakra awardee, and so on.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann launched 'Schools of Eminence' project

• Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Saturday launched his government's ambitious project Schools of Eminence. A budget of Rs 200 crore has been earmarked for the Schools of Eminence project.
• The project aims at reimagining education in government schools envisioning holistic development of students and preparing them to be responsible citizens. Its five pillars are state-of-the-art infrastructure, academics, human resource management, sports and co-curricular activities and community engagement.
• Under the Schools of Eminence project, 117 government schools in 23 districts will be upgraded with a special emphasis on classes 9 to 12. The official said besides career-related counselling, Innovative teaching practices will be followed and guidance for professional exams will also be provided to students.

BSF starts ‘Ops Alert’ exercise ahead of Republic Day

• The Border Security Force (BSF) has started an‘Ops Alert’ exercise to enhance security along the India Pakistan border in Kutch district of Gujarat and Barmer in Rajasthan in view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations. 
• The exercise, which began on Saturday, was being carried out to “thwart any ill designs of anti­national elements” during the Republic Day celebrations, the BSF Gujarat Frontier said in arelease. 
• The exercise will continue till January 28, all along the India Pakistan International Border from Sir Creek (marshy area) to the Rann ofKutch in Gujarat and Barmer of Rajasthan.