TNPSC Current Affairs April 11, 2018

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs April 11. 2018 (11/04/2018)

 

Download as PDF

Topic : Latest Diary of Events

Silappathikaram

A rare dance panel of Nayak period and an inscribed pillar of Chola period have been found on an abandoned brick mound at Pathalapettai near Kiliyur in Tiruchi.

Silappathikaram has references to such ritualistic performances by rural folks.

The dance panel:

The dance panel is depicted on a stone slab that measures 1.21 metres in length and 33 centimetres in height.

Four pairs of well dressed male and female dancers, holding some object in one of their hands, are seen engaged in a ritualistic dance in the panel.

Three pairs are shown hugging each other while the last pair is dancing keeping a distance between.

All of them are decked with ornaments and different head gears. The female deity with a flower in the right hand seen between the first two pairs and the pot depicted between the last two pairs denote the ritualistic nature of the dance.

About the pillar:

The pillar found at the spot has an inscribed base. The base has a Tamil inscription of Chola paleography with a few Grantha letters used in between.

Though seven lines are visible, the last two are not readable. The inscription records that a certain Rejaladeviyar Sativinjey, queen of Iladevayan, had gifted that pillar.

A sketchy figure of a Mugalinga is seen sculpted on the first half of the pillar, suggesting its conversion into a Linga.

Silappatikaram:

It is one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature according to later Tamil literary tradition. A poet-prince from Kodungallur near Kochi, referred to by the pseudonym Ilango Adigal, is credited with this work.

The epic revolves around Kannagi, who having lost her husband to a miscarriage of justice at the court of the Pandyan Dynasty, wreaks her revenge on his kingdom.

_

Topic : Latest Diary of Events, General Administration, Profile of States

FSSAI introduces Project Dhoop

In order to address rising incidence of Vitamin ‘D’ Deficiencies (VDD), particularly amongst the young people, FSSAI has launched a unique initiative, ‘Project Dhoop’ in association with NCERT, NDMC and North MCD Schools.

About Project Dhoop:

Project Dhoop urges schools to shift their morning assembly to noon time, mainly between 11am and 1pm to ensure maximum absorption of Vitamin D in students through natural sunlight.

Significance of micronutrients for the body:

Micronutrients including vitamins are needed by people in only very small amounts, but these are the “magic wands” that enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones and other substances essential for proper growth and development.

As tiny as the amounts are, the consequences of their absence are severe.

Vitamin A, D, B12, Iron, Folic Acid and Iodine, are the most important; their lack represents a major threat to the health and development of populations the world over, particularly children and pregnant women in countries like India.

How to prevent Vitamin D deficiency in school children?

Vitamin D deficiency occurs due to overuse of sunscreen, wearing clothes that cover most of the skin, working all day in an air-conditioned atmosphere, and other factors.

Also, the school uniforms needs to be designed in a way that at least face and arms are exposed to sunlight, which would be equivalent to 18 per cent of body surface, and the exposure has to be at least for 30-40 minutes.

_

Topic : Latest Diary of Events

Happy cities summit

The 2018 Happy Cities Summit is being held in Andhra Pradesh.

About the summit:

The first ‘Happy Cities Summit: Amaravati 2018’ is a unique event bringing the best of minds in urban innovation across the world.

While the Government of Andhra Pradesh is hosting it, the event partners are Dalberg, Confederation of Indian Industries, and Centre for Liveable Cities (Singapore).

The Happy Cities Summit: Amaravati 2018 will be centered on the foundational principles of happy cities: ‘Citizen-centric governance’, ‘Liveable Communities’, ‘Clean & Healthy Environment’, and ‘Vibrant Economies’.

Objective of the summit is to evolve a framework for thinking about and measuring ‘city happiness’ as well as a declaration and set of principles for guiding policy and action in the development of ‘happy cities’, especially relevant for cities in the developing world.

_

Topic : New Appointments

Sripriya Ranganathan appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea

Ms. Sripriya Ranganathan (IFS: 1994), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea.

_

Topic : New Appointments, Persons in News

Azerbaijani presidential election, 2018

In Azerbaijani, President Ilham Aliyev receives 86% of the vote and is re-elected for another seven-year term.

About him:

Ilham Aliyev is the fourth and current President of Azerbaijan, in office since 2003.

He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee.