TNPSC Current Affairs July 29, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.New revenue division for Tiruvannamalai district.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announced the new revenue division for Tiruvannamalai District. The new revenue division will become the third division with Arni as its Headquarters that comprise Arni, Polur, Kalasapakkama and Jamunamarathur taluks. The other two revenue divisions of Tiruvannamalai district are Cheyyar and Tiruvannamalai.

2.Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker’s Flora of British India.

June 30 this year is 200^th birth anniversary of JD Hooker. JD Hooker was one of the greatest Botanist from England. He travelled widely in eastern Himalaya and described more than 3,000 species of plants in his seven volume book “Flora of British India”. This is the first and the only authoritative account of the plants of the sub-continent.

TNPSC Current Affairs July 27, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.Prime Minister launched Deep Sea fishing project in Rameswaram.

Prime Minister has launched Deep Sea fishing project in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to find a permanent solution to the annoying Fishermen issue. As per the new scheme over 2000  trawlers will switch over to construct tuna longliner trawlers under the ‘Blue Revolution’ scheme.

The project will replace the trawlers with 2000 deep-sea fishing boats with long lines and gill nets in 3 years. The production of deep-sea fishing boats takes 9 months but as per project, it planned to compress the period into 6 months.

 It also end the Indian fishermen trespass the Sri Lankan water while fishing in Palk straight and get arrested by Sri Lankan Navy.

As per the project, Centre would sponsor the beneficiary with 50 per cent and State government with 20 Per cent. Then Beneficiary has to contribute 10 per cent and beneficiaries would be helped to raise 20 Per cent institutional finance.

Why Deep Sea fishing project?

• The deep sea Fishing project aims to end the bottom trawling by Indian Fisherman.
• The project will train the fisherman in deep sea fishing and capacity building and the Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi, has come forward to open a training centre for deep-sea fishing in Kanniyakumari district
• The deep sea voyage duration is around 15 to 28 days, it can yield 8-10 tonnes of fish and get profit around Rs 7- 8 lakhs. 

Bottom Trawling and its impact: 

• Bottom Trawling is the main issue between Indian and Srilankan Fisherman.
• Bottom Trawling is a trawling along the sea floor using heavily weighted nets, which is considered very bad in fishing circles as it wipes out everything in their path including coral reefs, sea grasses or rock gardens which fish hide from predators.
• Bottom trawling will end up many creatures mistakenly including endangered fish and even vulnerable corals which can live for several years.
• It also destroys large areas of seafloor habitat which give food and shelter to marine species and this will leave the marine ecosystem permanently damaged

Carbon dating confirms Keezhadi Excavation is from sangam era..

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

 The 2 samples sent by Archaeological survey of India for Carbon dating from Keezhadi site has confirmed by USA’s Beta Analitc Inc ,that it belongs to Sangam era which is more than 2,200 years old.

Carbon Dating has confirmed that 2 samples are belonging to 3^rd Century BC and now it will help to reconstruct the ancient Tamil society.

About Carbon Dating: (source:NCERT)

• Radiocarbon or carbon 14(C¹⁴) is a radioactive isotope of carbon which is present in all living objects. It decays like all radio-active substancs, at a uniform rate.
• When an object is living, the process of the decay of C¹⁴ is neutralized by absorption of C¹⁴ through air and food.
• However when an object ceases to be alive, its C¹⁴ content continues to decay at uniform rate but it ceases to absorb from C¹⁴ air and food.
• By measuring the loss of C¹⁴ content in an ancient object, its age can be determined.
• The decay of C¹⁴ takes place at a uniform rate. It is known that the half-life C¹⁴ of is 5568 years.

Gethsie Shanmugam, Sri Lankan teacher wins Ramon Magasaysay award.

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

Sri Lankan teacher Gethsie Shanmugam , has won the one among the six recipient of Ramson Magasaysay award for counselled war widows and orphans to overcome their nightmares.

The other 5 winners are

2.Yoshiaki Ishizawa, Japanese historian for helping Cambodians to preserve Angkor temples.

3.Abdon Nababan, an Indonesian working for the return of large tracts of forest land to indigenous communities,

4.Tony Tay, Singapore businessman who leads the cooking of 6,000 meals a day for the destitute,

5. The Philippine Educational Theater Association, a theater group which stood up to a dictatorship and Lilia de Lima,

6. Filipino who oversaw the opening of job-generating export processing zones(source dailymirror).

 About Ramon Magasaysay award:

Ramon Magsaysay award is an annual award to perpetuate former Philippines president Ramon Magsaysay, which is estabished on 1957 for courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society by the trustee of Rockfeller brothers fund based on US. This award is considered as Asia's Nobel Prize.

Prime Minister launched Deep Sea fishing project in Rameswaram.

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

Prime Minister has launched Deep Sea fishing project in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to find a permanent solution to the annoying Fishermen issue. As per the new scheme over 2000  trawlers will switch over to construct tuna long liner trawlers under the ‘Blue Revolution’ scheme.

The project will replace the trawlers with 2000 deep-sea fishing boats with long lines and gill nets in 3 years. The production of deep-sea fishing boats takes 9 months but as per project, it planned to compress the period into 6 months.

 It also end the Indian fishermen trespass the Sri Lankan water while fishing in Palk straight and get arrested by Sri Lankan Navy.

As per the project, Centre would sponsor the beneficiary with 50 per cent and State government with 20 Per cent. Then Beneficiary has to contribute 10 per cent and beneficiaries would be helped to raise 20 Per cent institutional finance.

Why Deep Sea fishing project?

• The deep sea Fishing project aims to end the bottom trawling by Indian Fisherman.
• The project will train the fisherman in deep sea fishing and capacity building and the Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi, has come forward to open a training centre for deep-sea fishing in Kanniyakumari district
• The deep sea voyage duration is around 15 to 28 days, it can yield 8-10 tonnes of fish and get profit around Rs 7- 8 lakhs. 

Bottom Trawling and its impact: 

• Bottom Trawling is the main issue between Indian and Srilankan Fisherman.
• Bottom Trawling is a trawling along the sea floor using heavily weighted nets, which is considered very bad in fishing circles as it wipes out everything in their path including coral reefs, sea grasses or rock gardens which fish hide from predators.
• Bottom trawling will end up many creatures mistakenly including endangered fish and even vulnerable corals which can live for several years.
• It also destroys large areas of seafloor habitat which give food and shelter to marine species and this will leave the marine ecosystem permanently damaged

TNPSC Current Affairs July 25, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.Achievements made under Hamari Dharohar Scheme:

Hamari Dharohar scheme aims to preserve rich culture and heritage of minorities through selective intervention under the overall concept of Indian culture

The Main objective is to curate rich heritage of minorities under overall concept of Indian Culture, curting iconic exhibition, preservation of literature or documents , support and promotion of calligraphy and Research and development of minorities.

Under this scheme two important projects have been undertaken

An exhibition of Parsis (Zoroastrians) “The Everlasting Flame” to showcase the civilization and culture of the Parsis (Zoroastrians) was organized in 2016

Translating 240 invaluable documents belonging to Medieval period on the subjects of Medicines, Mathematics, Literature, etc. from Arabic language to English, digitization and re-printing by Dairatul Maarifil Osmania (an institution established in 1888 AD) under Osmania University, Telangana. (as per official release)

2.First Two NOPVs Launched by RDEL at Pipavav, Gujarat

Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) has launched the first two Shachi and Shruti NOPVs (Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels) at Pipavav, Gujarat. These 2 shisps are part of a five ship project being constructed for Indian Navy. It help to increase the ocean surveillance and patrolling capabilities of the Indian Navy.

3.Ramnath Kovind sworn in as President of India.

Ramnath Kovind sworn in as 14^th President of India. President Kovind was administered oath by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar.

Achievements made under Hamari Dharohar Scheme:

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

Hamari Dharohar scheme aims to preserve rich culture and heritage of minorities through selective intervention under the overall concept of Indian culture

The Main objective is to curate rich heritage of minorities under overall concept of Indian Culture, curting iconic exhibition, preservation of literature or documents , support and promotion of calligraphy and Research and development of minorities.

Under this scheme two important projects have been undertaken

An exhibition of Parsis (Zoroastrians) “The Everlasting Flame” to showcase the civilization and culture of the Parsis (Zoroastrians) was organized in 2016

Translating 240 invaluable documents belonging to Medieval period on the subjects of Medicines, Mathematics, Literature, etc. from Arabic language to English, digitization and re-printing by Dairatul Maarifil Osmania (an institution established in 1888 AD) under Osmania University, Telangana. (as per official release)

TNPSC Current Affairs July 24, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.India and the RCEP

India is looking forward for the negotiations for a Mega Free Trade Agreement called the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) with the ten ASEAN member states and the group’s Free Trade Agreement partners.

2. Project Mausam: Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes

Project Mausam is an initiative of Ministry of Culture with Archaeological Society of India (ASI), New Delhi as the nodal agency and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi as its Research Unit. Project Mausam was launched in June, 2014 during 38th session of the World Heritage Committee

Objective: 

• The project aims to re-connect and re-establish communications between countries of the Indian Ocean world, which would lead to an enhanced understanding of cultural values and concerns; also focus is on understanding national cultures in their regional maritime milieu.
• The Main objective of the project is to inscribe places and sites identified under Project Mausam as trans-national nomination for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
• Once Project Mausam gets the heritage status, no other project can interfere with the designated area.
• India has identified 39 countries, including China and Pakistan, to be brought under this project.

 3.High Altitude Cloud Observatory near Munnar, Kerala

A high altitude cloud physics observatory has been established at Munnar, Kerala in Western Ghats, the region which is gateway for the monsoon of India. It will used to observe cloud and rain processes over that region with state of the art observations.

Importance:

It will help to understand the rainfall distribution and will allow better characterization of rainfall processes in the numerical models used for prediction of monsoon rainfall

It will help in monitoring cloud and rainfall processes enable for accurate representation of cloud micro-physical process in forecast models to improve over all skill of rainfall prediction for severe weather phenomena viz, heavy rainfall, thunderstorm etc., not only over Kerala but for the entire

Country

                                                                                                                             Source: Business Standard 

4.Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India’ (SPPEL)

Central Government has initiated a Scheme known as Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India’ (SPPEL), being implemented by Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore. It aims to protect, preserve, and document all the mother tongues or languages of India which are spoken by less than1000 People. 

5.V.O.Chidambaranar Port gets National Award for Excellence in Cost Management

2016 National Award for Excellence in Cost Management has bagged by V.O Chidambaranar Port from ‘The Institute of Cost Accountants of India’ under the category “Transportation and Logistics”

Project Mausam: Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

Project Mausam is an initiative of Ministry of Culture with Archaeological Society of India (ASI), New Delhi as the nodal agency and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi as its Research Unit. Project Mausam was launched in June, 2014 during 38th session of the World Heritage Committee

Objective: 

• The project aims to re-connect and re-establish communications between countries of the Indian Ocean world, which would lead to an enhanced understanding of cultural values and concerns; also focus is on understanding national cultures in their regional maritime milieu.
• The Main objective of the project is to inscribe places and sites identified under Project Mausam as trans-national nomination for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
• Once Project Mausam gets the heritage status, no other project can interfere with the designated area.
• India has identified 39 countries, including China and Pakistan, to be brought under this project.

High Altitude Cloud Observatory near Munnar, Kerala

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

A high altitude cloud physics observatory has been established at Munnar, Kerala in Western Ghats, the region which is gateway for the monsoon of India. It will used to observe cloud and rain processes over that region with state of the art observations.

Importance:

It will help to understand the rainfall distribution and will allow better characterization of rainfall processes in the numerical models used for prediction of monsoon rainfall

It will help in monitoring cloud and rainfall processes enable for accurate representation of cloud micro-physical process in forecast models to improve over all skill of rainfall prediction for severe weather phenomena viz, heavy rainfall, thunderstorm etc., not only over Kerala but for the entire

Country

                                                                                                                             Source: Business Standard

TNPSC Current Affairs July 22 and 23, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.Batagur baska described as critically endangered turtle by IUCN

Batagur Baska (Northern river terrapin) is critically endangered turtle to get new home in water ponds in the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve. The 60 m long turtle is assumed extinct in several southeast Asian countries is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN) in its Red List of threatened species.

Batagur Baska described as the world’s second most endangered turtle and Yangtze giant soft shell turtle (Rafetus Swinhoei) is considered as the most endangered freshwater turtle.

About IUCN:

• International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international, independent organization, founded in 1948, with headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.
• It promotes and initiates scientifically based conservation measures and the ecologically sustainable use of natural resources
• It publishes data books listing Red List of Threatened Species, a comprehensive assessment of the current risk of extinction of thousands of plant and animal species.

Batagur baska described as critically endangered turtle by IUCN

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

Batagur Baska (Northern river terrapin) is critically endangered turtle to get new home in water ponds in the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve. The 60 m long turtle is assumed extinct in several southeast Asian countries is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN) in its Red List of threatened species.

Batagur Baska described as the world’s second most endangered turtle and Yangtze giant soft shell turtle (Rafetus Swinhoei) is considered as the most endangered freshwater turtle.

About IUCN:

• International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international, independent organization, founded in 1948, with headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.
• It promotes and initiates scientifically based conservation measures and the ecologically sustainable use of natural resources
• It publishes data books listing Red List of Threatened Species, a comprehensive assessment of the current risk of extinction of thousands of plant and animal species.

India japan nuclear deal came into force

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

India and Japan civil nuclear deal came into force that would enable Japan to export nuclear power plant technology to India. It also can assist with finance for nuclear power plants in India.

India is the only non- None Proliferation treaty (NPT) signatory with which Japan has entered into the civil nuclear deal. As per deal Japan will assist India in nuclear waste management and could undertake joint manufacture of nuclear power plant components.

About NPT

• Non Proliferation Treaty or NPT is also known as the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
• It is an international treaty to curb the spread of nuclear weapons, technology and help to use nuclear energy peacefully.
• NPT came into force in March 1970. Initially 191 countries adhered to this; later in 2003 North Korea came out from NPT.
• NPT countries are classified into 2 categories, Nuclear weapon state and Non-Nuclear Weapon state. NWS consists of US, Russia, china, France, and UK (all are permanent members of UN Security Council) and rest are NNWS.
• Also NWS has agreed not to help NNWS state to develop acquire nuclear weapons.
• India, Pakistan, Israel, South Sudan remain outside the treaty hence they possess nuclear weapons.
• If they want to join in Non Proliferation Treaty they should dismantle all their nuclear weapons. Only South Africa joined in NPT on 1991 after dismantling all its Nuclear Weapons.

TNPSC Current Affairs July 20, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

 TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.India japan nuclear deal came into force

India and Japan civil nuclear deal came into force that would enable Japan to export nuclear power plant technology to India. It also can assist with finance for nuclear power plants in India.

India is the only non- None Proliferation treaty (NPT) signatory with which Japan has entered into the civil nuclear deal. As per deal Japan will assist India in nuclear waste management and could undertake joint manufacture of nuclear power plant components.

About NPT

• Non Proliferation Treaty or NPT is also known as the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
• It is an international treaty to curb the spread of nuclear weapons, technology and help to use nuclear energy peacefully.
• NPT came into force in March 1970. Initially 191 countries adhered to this; later in 2003 North Korea came out from NPT.
• NPT countries are classified into 2 categories, Nuclear weapon state and Non-Nuclear Weapon state. NWS consists of US, Russia, china, France, and UK (all are permanent members of UN Security Council) and rest are NNWS.
• Also NWS has agreed not to help NNWS state to develop acquire nuclear weapons.
• India, Pakistan, Israel, South Sudan remain outside the treaty hence they possess nuclear weapons.
• If they want to join in Non Proliferation Treaty they should dismantle all their nuclear weapons. Only South Africa joined in NPT on 1991 after dismantling all its Nuclear Weapons.

The 200th anniversary celebrations of the Paika Rebellion of Odisha

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

The President of India Shri Pranab Mukharjee, has inaugurated the 200^th anniversary celebration of the heroic Paika Rebellion of Odisha, a valiant uprising of Paikas against the British rule.

About Paika’s

• Paikas were peasant militias of the Gajapti rulers of Odisha.
• Paikas rendered military service to the king during war and taking up cultivation during peace times.
• Under Baxi Jagandhu Bidyadhara , paikas unfurled the banner of rebellion against the British rule in 1817 .
• After 2 years of rebellion, they were finally suppressed by British in 1919. Baxi Jagabandhu was finally arrested in 1825and died in captivity in 1829.
• Many historians have opined that the Paika Rebellion of 1817 was India’s first organized armed rebellion against British Raj

Tamil Nadu government proposed a project to boost groundwater.

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

To boost a Groundwater and preventing flood water draining into the sea, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department has proposed a project to construct different kinds of artificial recharge structure across the river basins.

The artificial structures such as check dams, dykes, recharge wells, and recharge shafts to sustain resources and improve groundwater quality. Recharge structures will be constructing across the river basins under the Green climate fund under UN framework convention on climate change.

TNPSC Current Affairs July 19, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.MoU between India and Netherlands on cooperation in space technology  

India and Netherlands has signed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purpose.

  

The cooperation such as, space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology (as per official release)

2.TR Zeliang sworn in as Nagaland CM

TR. Zeliang sworn in as Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was 19^th Chief Minister of Nagaland

Malabar-2017 Exercise came to end.

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

The 10 day annual trilateral Naval exercise Malabar 2017 between India, the United States and Japan had a spectacular end. The exercise aims to increase deeper military ties and interoperability among the three navies and develop common understanding of procedures for Maritime Security Operations in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

About MALABAR-17 

• The exercise held at 2 phases, professional interactions during the Harbour phase at Chennai and operational activities at sea during the sea phase.
• Sea phase also included Aircraft Carrier operations, Air Defence, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Surface Warfare, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), Search and Rescue, Joint Manoeuvres and Tactical procedures
• Indian Navy was represented by aircraft carrier INS Vikramditya and other naval ships

 About Malabar Exercise: 

• It is a Trilateral Naval Exercise which includes India, US and Japan.
• It was begun in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between India and US, later in 2015 Japan has included as permanent member.
• The past non-member participants are Singapore and Australia.
• The exercise will take place alternatively in Indian and western Pacific Ocean.
• The exercise will be held in two phases, Harbour phase and at Sea Phase.
• The exercise includes diverse activities including complex surface, sub-surface and air operations
• It will help maritime security in the Indo-pacific region which will benefit the global maritime community

TNPSC Current Affairs July 17 and 18, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.Malabar-2017 Exercise came to end.

The 10 day annual trilateral Naval exercise Malabar 2017 between India, the United States and Japan had a spectacular end. The exercise aims to increase deeper military ties and interoperability among the three navies and develop common understanding of procedures for Maritime Security Operations in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

About MALABAR-17 

• The exercise held at 2 phases, professional interactions during the Harbour phase at Chennai and operational activities at sea during the sea phase.
• Sea phase also included Aircraft Carrier operations, Air Defence, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Surface Warfare, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), Search and Rescue, Joint Manoeuvres and Tactical procedures
• Indian Navy was represented by aircraft carrier INS Vikramditya and other naval ships

 About Malabar Exercise: 

• It is a Trilateral Naval Exercise which includes India, US and Japan.
• It was begun in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between India and US, later in 2015 Japan has included as permanent member.
• The past non-member participants are Singapore and Australia.
• The exercise will take place alternatively in Indian and western Pacific Ocean.
• The exercise will be held in two phases, Harbour phase and at Sea Phase.
• The exercise includes diverse activities including complex surface, sub-surface and air operations
• It will help maritime security in the Indo-pacific region which will benefit the global maritime community

2.Annual Anayoootu, or the feeding of elephant ceremony held at Kerala

Annual Anayootu or the feeding of elephant ceremony held Thekkinkadu Maidan Maidan in front of Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur district, Kerala. More than 50 elephants lined up for the annual ritual.

Eraniel palace - Kanyakumari District.

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

Eraniel palace is located at Kanyakumari district. It was a treasure house and seasonal capital of Venad dynasty and later it came under Travancore Kings.

Eraniel palace lost its glory once Travancore kings shifted its capital from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram. Eraniel palace was also known as “Ranasinganallur”.