TNPSC Current Affairs August 27, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 27, 2020 (27/08/2020)

Download as PDF (English)

 

Topic: Geographical Landmarks, Latest inventions on Science and Technology

Asteroid 2018VP1

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an asteroid named 2018VP1 is on a collision course with Earth.

Asteroid 2018VP1:

Asteroid 2018VP1 has a diameter of about 2 metres, around the size of a small automobile. Only 1 in 240 chance that 2018VP1 would impact the Earth. It would likely burn up into a fireball after entering the Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the ground. According to NASA, such an event happens about once every year.

Asteroid Collision with Earth:

Cut-off Size: Objects that can cause significant damage upon impact are larger than 30 metres.

As per NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations Programme, asteroids that are 140 metres or larger (bigger than a small football stadium) are of “the greatest concern” due to the level of devastation their impact is capable of causing.

No asteroid larger than 140 metres has a “significant” chance of hitting the Earth for the next 100 years.

_

Topic: Places in News, Profile of States

New Circles of Archaeological Survey of India

The Ministry of Culture has announced 7 new circles of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Key facts:

The step has been taken in accordance with the Prime Minister’s call to facilitate and strengthen the process of preservation and registration of archaeological monuments.

New circles in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Trichy (Tamil Nadu), Jhansi and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Raiganj (West Bengal) and Rajkot (Gujarat) have been created.

The Hampi circle has been upgraded from the previous Hampi mini circle, and the Delhi mini circle has been merged with the Delhi circle.

ASI Circles:

For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance the entire country is divided into 36 Circles. These carry out archaeological fieldwork, research activities and implement the various provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 and Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):

ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.

It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.

Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.

It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.

_

Topic: Profile of States

Pulikkali Folk Art of Kerala

Pulikkali will be held online in Kerala this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.

 

 

Key facts:

Pulikkali (Puli means Leopard/Tiger and Kali means Play in Malayalam) is a recreational street folk art performed on the fourth day of Onam celebrations.

Onam (August–September) is a Hindu rice harvest festival of Kerala celebrated to commemorate King Mahabali.

The folk art is mainly practiced in Thrissur district of Kerala. The main theme of this folk art is tiger hunting with participants playing the role of tiger and hunter.

Performers paint their bodies like tigers and hunters and dance on streets to the beats of traditional percussion instruments such as thakil, udukku and chenda.

It was introduced by Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, the then Maharaja of Cochin.

Various events:

Another key event which takes place during Onam is Aranmula Boat Race, the oldest river boat festival in Kerala. It takes place at Aranmula in Pampa river, near a Sree Parthasarathy temple in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.

_

Topic: Awards and Honours

National Teachers Award 2020

Forty-Seven teachers from across the country will be conferred the National Teachers Award for the year 2020.

 

 

Among them the following two Techers are selected from Tamil Nadu.

R C Saraswathi, headmistress of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ashok Nagar in Chennai and

S Dhilip, an English teacher from Government Higher Secondary School in Sathyamangalam in Villupuram.

_

Topic: Profile of States

First Marine Ambulance launched by Kerala Government

Around thirty fishermen lose their lives at sea in a year due to accidents during fishing. Under this context, the Government of Kerala has launched Marine Ambulance services to provide more efficient rescue.

Key facts:

The Marine Ambulance specializes in providing first aid and also rescue operations. The ambulance is capable of providing critical care up to five people simultaneously. The ambulances run on Scania engines and can run at maximum speed of 14 knots.

The ambulance has been designed under the standards of Indian Registry of Shipping.

 

 

The ambulances to be deployed are as follows

Pratheeksha in Thiruvananthapuram.

Pratyasha in Ernakulam.

Karunya in Kozhikode.

_

Topic: International Events

Largest ever Testing Hydrogen bomb blast

Russia released a 40-minute video of detonation of the world’s most powerful hydrogen bomb. The bomb was called the Tsar Bomb. It is believed to be 3,333 times more destructive than that of the Hiroshima Nagasaki Atom bombs Little Boy and Fat Man.

Key facts:

The Hydrogen bomb was first tested over Novaya Zemlya, an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. The video released was titled “Top Secret: Test of a clean hydrogen bomb with a yield of 50 mega tonnes”. The video shows how the bomb was built and carried to testing centre.

The Tsar was a product of the long running nuclear race between USSR and USA. The bomb was 26 feet long and weighed more than 27 tonnes.

A Hydrogen Bomb derives its energy by nuclear fusion reactions. On the other hand, an atom bomb derives its energy from nuclear fusion reaction. Hydrogen bombs have so far not been used in any war.