Bogibeel Bridge:

The bridge is 4.94 km long and is India’s longest railroad bridge.
The bridge spans over River Brahmaputra between Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts of Assam,
This bridge reduces distances between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
This bridge would greatly enhance “ease of living” in the region.

Dhola Sadhiya:

Spanning 9.15 km, the bridge is built across the Lohit river which is a tributary of the Brahmaputra river.
It connects Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The total length of the project, including the approach roads on each side, is 28.50 km.
It is the longest road bridge. It is 3.55 km longer than the Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai. The sea link has now become the second longest river bridge in the country.

Why in News:

Both the projects are being currently used by the ruling BJP showcase development ahead of the election.

Besides Sony and Tsunami Japan is also known for. . . . . . .

Gengo or ‘era name’: In Japan, the years are counted not just using the international standard, Gregorian calendar, but by Gengo, or ‘era name’, that counts up from the coronation of a new emperor until his death or abdication.

Kanji (Chinese characters used in the Japanese language)
The Meiji Gengo (literally: enlightened rule), January 1868-July 1912
Showa Gengo (literally: enlightened harmony), December 1926-January 1989
Heisei Gengo (literally: achieving peace), 1989-2019

Akihito’s coronation in January 1989 had marked the beginning of what is known as the Heisei era, and the end of the ‘Showa’ period of his predecessor, Emperor Hirohito.

Reiwa Gengo (literally: auspicious harmony), 2019 onwards
Reiwa can be interpreted to mean ‘auspicious’ (rei) ‘harmony’ (wa). But, given that kanji can often be understood in multiple ways, it is also possible to read rei as ‘orderly’ and wa as ‘Japanese’. For the first time in history, the two kanji comprising the Gengo were taken from Japanese classical literature, rather than Chinese classics, the traditional source for era names.

U.S. designates Iran’s elite military unit as a ‘terrorist organization’

President Donald Trump on Monday announced the United States is designating Iran’s elite military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a terrorist organisation.

Mr. Trump said in a statement that the “unprecedented” move “recognizes the reality that Iran is not only a state sponsor of terrorism, but that the IRGC actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft.”

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was formed after the 1979 Islamic revolution with a mission to defend the clerical regime.

The IRGC designation marks the first time that the United States has ever named a part of another government as a foreign terrorist organization.

MAINS SPECIAL

Editorial

The Hindu: Open up the Supreme Court

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/open-up-the-supreme-court/article26773825.ece

Practice Question based on the editorial:

To maintain integrity and reputation of the Supreme Court the Collegium to appoint judges should work in more transparent and open manner. Discuss

The Hindu: ‘India-Maldives relations have never been better’

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/interview/india-maldives-relations-have-never-been-better/article26773646.ece
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/maldives-elections-mohamed-nasheed-mohamed-nasheed-ibrahim-solih-india-maldives-relations-5667626/

Practice Question based on the editorial:

Do you agree that landslide victory of MDP in Maldives will strengthen India’s policy of “Neighborhood first” with Maldives?