TNPSC Current Affairs January 02, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs January 02, 2019 (02/01/2019)

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Topic: Historical Events, Places in News

Bhima Koregaon anniversary

January 1st, 2018 marks the 201st anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle.

About the Bhima- Koregaon battle:

A battle was fought in Bhima Koregaon, a district in Pune with a strong historical Dalit connection, between the Peshwa forces and the British on January 1, 1818.

The British army, which comprised mainly of Dalit soldiers, fought the upper caste-dominated Peshwa army. The British troops defeated the Peshwa army.

Outcomes of the battle:

The victory was seen as a win against caste-based discrimination and oppression. Peshwas were notorious for their oppression and persecution of Mahar dalits. The victory in the battle over Peshwas gave dalits a moral victory a victory against caste-based discrimination and oppression and sense of identity.

However, the divide and rule policy of the British created multiple fissures in Indian society which is even visible today in the way of excessive caste and religious discrimination which needs to be checked keeping in mind the tenets of the Constitution.

Why Bhima Koregaon is seen as a Dalit symbol?

The battle has come to be seen as a symbol of Dalit pride because a large number of soldiers in the Company force were the Mahar Dalits.

Since the Peshwas, who were Brahmins, were seen as oppressors of Dalits, the victory of the Mahar soldiers over the the Peshwa force is seen as Dalit assertion.

On 1 January 1927, B.R. Ambedkar visited the memorial obelisk erected on the spot which bears the names of the dead including nearly two dozen Mahar soldiers. The men who fought in the battle of Koregaon were the Mahars, and the Mahars are Untouchables.

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Topic: Govt., Oriented Schemes and their Utilities, General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

Saubhagya scheme

Maharashtra has completed the 100% electrification under the central scheme of ‘Saubhagya’ and has illuminated 10,93,614 homes before the stipulated deadline of December 31.

Under the Saubhagya scheme, the target of 100% electrification of the state was to be achieved by December 31, 2018. However, the State Power Utility (SPU) achieved the target on December 27, 2018 itself.

About SAUBHAGYA Scheme:

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – ‘Saubhagya’ was launched in September, 2017.

Under Saubhagya free electricity connections to all households (both APL and poor families) in rural areas and poor families in urban areas will be provided.

Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has been designated as nodal agency for the Saubhagya scheme.

The scheme aims to achieve universal household electrification in all parts of the country.

All DISCOMs including Private Sector DISCOMs, State Power Departments and RE Cooperative Societies shall be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme in line with Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY).

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Topic: General Administration, Latest Reports and Events

Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats

The Committee on Government Assurances in the Rajya Sabha has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to constitute a committee to address the issues and grievances of local people in Western Ghats. The committee has submitted a report in this regard.

Important observations made by the committee:

Over 56,000 square kilometres of ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats could not be earmarked as ‘no-go’ zones due to State governments’ ‘insensitivity’.

The recent monsoon floods in Kerala and parts of Karnataka should serve as alarm bells for the administrations in the States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, which have failed to mark ESA in the Western Ghats.

Background:

The panel had examined issues regarding the categorisation of the Western Ghats as ESA as per the recommendations of two committees led by Madhav Gadgil and K. Kasturirangan. The panel examined 62 assurances during its deliberations with various State governments and other organisations, and had visited Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru, before preparing its report.

What next?

The committee is of the view that implementation of the recommendations of the Kasturirangan report is only possible with active support of local population. It also requires consultation with the State government at micro level to achieve the objectives of saving the Western Ghats.

Recommendations of Kasturirangan Committee:

A ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining.

No new thermal power projects, but hydro power projects allowed with restrictions.

A ban on new polluting industries.

Building and construction projects up to 20,000 sq m was to be allowed but townships were to be banned.

Forest diversion could be allowed with extra safeguards.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

ISRO launches Samwad with Students on New Year Day

As part of the enhanced outreach programme of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), a new platform named “Samwad with Students” (SwS) was launched in Bengaluru.

About the SwS Initiative: ISRO aims to engage youngsters across India to capture their scientific temperament. The new conversation mission will inspire students cutting across schools and colleges.

The first SwS event saw 40 wards and 10 teachers from select schools interact with ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan at the Anthariksh Bhavan.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events, General Administration

Institutions in News- NALSA

President Ram Nath Kovind has nominated Justice AK Sikri as Executive Chairman of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

About NALSA:

NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide free legal services to weaker sections of society. The aim is to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reasons of economic or other disabilities.

Important functions performed by NALSA:

NALSA organises Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. NALSA identifies specific categories of the marginalised and excluded groups and formulates various schemes for the implementation of preventive and strategic legal service programmes.

Services provided by the agency include free legal aid in civil and criminal matters for the poor and marginalised people who cannot afford the services of a lawyer in any court or tribunal.

Free legal services include provision of aid and advice to beneficiaries to access the benefits under the welfare statutes and schemes and to ensure access to justice in any other manner.

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

Prayagraj

The Union Home Ministry has approved the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh Government to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj.

Background: The city of Allahabad was originally known as Prayag in ancient times. Between 1574 and 1583, the 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar founded a fort near the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna, known as Sangam, as he was impressed with its strategic position.

Hence, Akbar named the fort and its neighbourhood as Ilahabad, which meant the “Abode of God”, inspired by the religion he had founded, Din-i-Illahi. In the later years, Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan renamed the entire city as Allahabad. However, the area near the Sangam, which is the site of the Kumbh Mela, continued to be called Prayag.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events, Profile of States

Women’s Wall in Kerala

Kerala government had on January 1st organised the Women’s Wall or Vanitha Mathil to “protect renaissance values.

Around thirty lakh women formed a human chain across the National Highway from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram, around 620-kilometre long, extending their support to the state government’s resolve to implement the Supreme Court’s verdict allowing women of all ages access to Sabarimala and to protect the secular and progressive values of Kerala.

Organised by the government and supported by various social organisations having links with the renaissance movement, the Women’s Wall is an attempt by the government to defend the state from communal forces.

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Topic: India and its Neighbouring Countries, Latest Diary of Events

Panda Bonds Pakistan

For the first time in history, the federal cabinet has approved a new financial strategy called Panda-Bonds in Pakistan. These bonds will become the new and favourable method to raise foreign exchange.

What Are Panda Bonds?

A Panda bond is a Chinese renminbi-denominated bond from a non-Chinese issuer, sold in the People’s Republic of China. These bonds were first issued in 2005 by the International Finance Corporation and the Asian Development Bank.

The Chinese government had been negotiating for several years about implementation details before permitting the sale of such bonds; they had been concerned about the possible effects on their currency peg.

How Will Panda Bonds Benefit Pakistan?

The bonds will help Pakistan’s government to diversify the current investor base in capital market insurance and will also be used as a source of raising Renminbi. Furthermore, the tenor, size and pricing will be determined according to the market response at the time of issuance.

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Topic : Latest Diary of Events

Cinereous vulture

Bird watchers and researchers recently sighted Cinereous vulture in Hazaribagh in Jharkhand.

During the winter, the Cinereous vulture migrates from the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia to warmer places, including India.

Key facts:

Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) draws its name from “monachus”, which means hooded (like a monk) in Latin. It is also known as the black vulture, monk vulture, or Eurasian black vulture. It is classified as Near Threatened under the IUCN Red List.

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Topic : India’s Foreign Policy, General Administration

State Visit of Prime Minister of Norway to India

Prime Minister of Norway, H.E. Ms. Erna Solberg will be paying a State visit to India from 7-9 January, 2019 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. During the visit, Prime Minister Solberg will call on Rashtrapatiji and Vice President and hold talks with the Prime Minister of India.

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Topic : Latest Diary of Events

Morocco ranks high in climate action

According to the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), Morocco has been named the second best performing country after Sweden.

About India’s Performance: India ranks 11th in this year’s CCPI, improving its standing by three places compared to the previous edition.

Most notably India improved its performance in the Renewable Energy category, joining the group of medium performers.

However, national experts argue that plans to build new coal-fired power plants may pose a risk of offsetting positive developments in the renewable energy sector.

Comparatively low levels of per capita GHG emissions and a relatively ambitious mitigation target for 2030 give India an overall high rating in the emissions category.

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Topic: Awards and Honours, Persons in News, Latest Diary of Events

Music Academy Awards 2018

The Music Academy issued the music awards to the following persons:

Sangita Kalanidhi Award: Renowned Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam received the Sangita kalanidhi award for his contribution

Special life achievement award: TH Vinayakaram received this award. Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram also known as Vikku Vinayakram, is a Grammy Award–winning Indian percussionist. He plays Carnatic music with the ghatam, an earthen pot, and is credited with popularising the ghatam.

Sangita Kala Acharya awards: Mridangam vidwan Thanjavur R. Ramadas and Carnatic vocalist guru K. Omana Kutty together received this awards.

The T.T. Krishnamachari awards: These awards were presented to veena vidhushi Kalyani Ganesan and veteran nagaswaram vidwan Sembannarkoil S.R.G. Rajanna.

Musicologist Award: Premeela Gurumurthy, Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University, received the Musicologist Award.

Natya Kala Achary Award: Smt Shanta Dhananjayan received this award.

Indira Sivasalam Endowment Concert and Medal: Vidushi Jayanthi Kumaresh received this awards.

 

Topic : Environment and Ecology, Latet Diary of Events

Reindeer population on the decline

The 2018 Arctic Report Card released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that reindeer population has been declining along with a warming Arctic. According to the report, about 2.6 million reindeer have been lost over the last 20 years.