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Commonwealth Day, observed annually on March 13, holds special significance as it emphasizes the collective endeavour of the Commonwealth to establish a harmonious and interconnected global community.
The theme of the Commonwealth Day 2023 is "Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future."
In 2023, Commonwealth Day will highlight the commitment of member countries to promote a sense of solidarity and shared humanity while working towards peace and integration.
This day serves as a powerful reminder of the unity, cooperation, and fraternity among Commonwealth nations, symbolizing their unwavering dedication to equality, peace, and democracy.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared his intention to completely withdraw the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the state by the end of this year.
Currently, eight districts in Assam are governed by the AFSPA Act of 1958, granting security forces, the authority to conduct operations and make arrests without a warrant.
The act also provides legal protection to security personnel from arrest and prosecution in case of fatalities resulting from their actions.

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) grants special powers to the armed forces, which can be enforced by the Central government or a state's Governor, when a state or its specific regions are declared "disturbed" under Section 3.
The Act defines such areas as those experiencing a "disturbed or dangerous condition that necessitates the use of armed forces to aid civil power."
AFSPA has historically been implemented in regions affected by militancy. The AFSPA, often criticized as draconian, confers extensive powers upon the armed forces.
These powers include the authority to use lethal force, resulting in death, against individuals who are in violation of the law or carrying weapons and ammunition.
Furthermore, the act empowers the armed forces to make arrests without warrants based on "reasonable suspicion" and conduct searches of premises without warrants.

Tripura's Chief Minister, Manik Saha, revealed that Sourav Ganguly, the renowned cricket icon, has been selected as the brand ambassador for Tripura tourism.
Manik Saha further stated that Ganguly's involvement in the promotional campaigns would significantly boost the tourism industry in the state.

In a virtual ceremony held at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi, Indian Railways took a step towards strengthening bilateral relations by officially transferring 20 Broad Gauge (BG) locomotives to Bangladesh.
The event was attended by the Railway Minister of India, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and the Minister for Railways of Bangladesh, Nurul Islam Sujan.
These locomotives, provided as a grant from the Government of India, fulfilling an important commitment made during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh to India in October 2019.
To meet the specific requirements of Bangladesh Railway, the Indian side has appropriately modified the locomotives.
This handover will greatly contribute to managing the growing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh.

Broad Gauge

Broad gauge, also known as wide gauge or large line, refers to a railway track gauge with a distance of 1676 mm (5 ft 6 in) between the two tracks. It can be described as any gauge wider than the standard gauge, which is 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ inches).
In India, the first railway line constructed in 1853 was a broad-gauge line stretching from Bore Bunder (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) to Thane.
Apart from railway networks, broad gauge tracks are also employed in ports for purposes such as crane operations. The use of broad gauge offers enhanced stability and superiority over narrower gauges.

On the occasion of inauguration of the new parliament building on 28th May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will place the historic 'Sengol' (sceptre) near the Speaker's seat, marking a significant moment.
The Union Home Minister emphasized the importance of this golden 'Sengol' as a symbol of Independence, representing the transfer of power from the British to the Indians.
The Sengol holds huge importance in India, especially in Tamil culture. It has been important from the time of the Chola dynasty.
The ‘Sengol’, which will be placed inside the new Parliament building is the same one that former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru received at the time of the Independence.
He stated that the transfer of power encompasses more than just formalities, emphasizing the need for it to be rooted in local traditions while addressing modern requirements.
He also mentioned that the Prime Minister will honour 60,000 workers (referred to as "shram yogis") during the inauguration ceremony.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) recently announced several key initiatives during its second Chintan Shivir event held in Munnar, Kerala.
Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal made significant announcements, with a focus on promoting green shipping and digital transformation of ports.
The 'Panch Karma Sankalp' encompasses five major announcements made by the MoPSW. These announcements are as follows: MoPSW to provide 30 per cent financial support for the promotion of Green Shipping; Deendayal Port and VO Chidambaranar Port to be developed as Green Hydrogen Hub; Jawaharlal Nehru Port and VO Chidambaranar Port to become smart port by next year.
These announcements highlight the ministry's commitment to promoting sustainable practices, embracing green technologies, streamlining operations through digital platforms, and ensuring the modernization of ports in India.

India and Australia have recently unveiled a migration agreement as part of their efforts to enhance economic collaboration.
The announcement followed a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese.
The deal aims to "promote the two-way mobility of students, graduates, academic researchers and business people".
In addition, the leaders engaged in discussions regarding regional security concerns amid escalating tensions in the area.