TNPSC Current Affairs July 06, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs July 06, 2019 (06/07/2019)

Topic: Profile of States, Latest Diary of Events, Places in News

Kerala Champions Boat League

The Champions Boat League (CBL) has been conceived by tourism officials in Kerala on the model of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to transform the state’s legendary and historically-significant ‘vallamkali’ (snake boat races) into a world-class sporting event.

The snake boat, or ‘chundam vallam’ is essentially a long canoe that can seat up to 100 rowers and can have a length between 100 and 138 feet in length. The entire wooden structure resembling a snake with its raised hood, hence the name.

Background:

Snake boat races owe their origins as far back as the 13th century when princely kingdoms, located in present-day Alappuzha along the backwaters, would have raging battles in the water. These battles used to be fought on the snake boats especially constructed for the purpose. In fact, the construction mechanisms of such boats are even said to be recorded in the Vedas.

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Topic: Latest Historical Diary of Events

20 years of ‘Operation Vijay’

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas (26th July 2019), the Indian army has released a special Kargil Tribute Song’ to honor, salute and pay homage to the Kargil martyrs and the war veterans who sacrificed and fought for the country.

The video was released by the Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

Key facts:

The song titled ‘Tujhe Bhulega Na Tera Hindustan’ has been written by renowned Bollywood lyricist Sameer featuring Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Olympic bronze medallist boxer Mary Kom, actors Salman Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Anupam Kher, Kangana Ranaut, and Suniel Shetty.

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Topic: Latest International Diary of Events

Facebook, Google taxed by France

Frances’s Lower House of Parliament has approved a small, pioneering tax on Internet giants like Google, Amazon and Facebook.

The Bill aims to stop the tech-multinational companies from avoiding taxes by setting up headquarters in low-tax European Union Countries.

Currently these companies pay nearly no tax in countries where they have large sales like France.

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Topic: New Inventions on Science and Health, Latest Diary of Events

Schizophrenia Gene

Indian and Australian scientists in a collaborative effort have identified a new gene directly linked to Schizophrenia.

Researchers from the University of Queensland and the Schizophrenia Research Foundation led by R. Thara in Chennai analyzed the genomes of more than 3000 Chennai residents.

They identified a gene called NAPRT1 which is directly linked to Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves.

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Topic: Latest Reports, International Diary of Events

Henley Passport Index 2019 – India ranks 86th

As per the recently released Henley Passport Index 2019, which ranks 199 countries in the world based on their Visa-Free Scores showed that Indian passport ranked at 86th position with a mobility score of 58.

Japan and Singapore secured the joint top position as the most powerful passports in the world with a score of 189.

Key facts:

The index includes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations including micro-states and territories.

India seated 86th position with Mauritiana and Sao Tome and Principe. 58 countries around the world will allow visa-free entry to Indian passport holders. In 2018 index, India ranked 79th position.

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Topic: India’s Foreign Policy, Latest Diary of Events

ISRO signed a contract with Russian company Glavkosmos to train Indian astronauts for ‘Gaganyaan’

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a contract with a Russian company, Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of the state corporation Roscosmos, for selection support, medical examination and space training of Indian astronauts for ‘Gaganyaan’ mission.

Gaganyaan, Rs 9,023-crore project, will be launched in December 2021 including a woman astronaut.