TNPSC Current Affairs November 10, 2020

Topic: Profile of States

Saffron Cultivation in Northeast

A pilot project of saffron cultivation has yielded successful results in Yangyang village of Sikkim, which produced its first crop of saffron recently.

Key facts:

Saffron is a plant whose dried stigmas (thread-like parts of the flower) are used to make saffron spice. Saffron cultivation is believed to have been introduced in Kashmir by Central Asian immigrants around the 1st Century BCE.

It has been associated with traditional Kashmiri cuisine and represents the rich cultural heritage of the region. It is a very precious and costly product. In ancient Sanskrit literature, saffron is referred to as ‘bahukam’.

It is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Topic: Economical Policies in India

Fifteenth Finance Commission Report

The Fifteenth Finance Commission headed by N K Singh is to submit its report the President of India.

Key Recommendations:

The recommendations made by the commission are as follows:

The Commission has recommended that the states shall get 41% of central tax revenues. Earlier, the fourteenth Finance Commission had recommended 42%.

4.3 lakh crores for the local governments

Rs 1 lakh grant to health care

Rs 2.9 lakh crores of revenue deficit grants to 17 states.

The commission have recommended the states to keep aside at least 8% of their budget for building health care capacities.

Moderninsation of Defence and Internal Security Fund

The Finance Commission had recommended to set up Modernisation of Defence and Internal Security Fund. The fund is to be called Rashtriya Suraksha Naivedya Kosh. The fund is to add up to Rs 2.4 lakh crores by 2021-26. Of this, Rs 1.5 lakh crore is to be directly transferred to Consolidated Fund of India.

The fund is to be used for capital investment for defence, state police forces and paramilitary forces. The Defence Ministry will have exclusive rights over the funds.

Topic: Profile of States, New inventions on Science and Technology

First Hyperloop Passenger ride successful

The Virgin Hyperloop that plans to connect Mumbai and Pune in 25 minutes has conducted its first successful passenger ride. The test was conducted in Las Vegas.

Hyperloop:

The Hyperloop is a new mode of transport that speeds up to 1000 kilometres per hour. The idea was conceived by Tesla and SpaceX in 2012.

There are several companies that are working on the technology. However, Virgin Hyperloop is the only one that is develop the transport in India.

About the Technology:

In the technology, the capsules or pods are to be zipped in to a continuous steel tubes that are held at partial vacuum. The pod is supported between an air compressor in the front and a battery compartment in the back. The skis of the hyperloop eliminates rolling resistance of the hyperloop. IT allows movement of pods at high speeds. They are driverless vehicles. They are electronically assisted to accelerated.

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Topic: Discovery of Rare Species

Minks

Mink are dark-coloured carnivorous mammals from the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, otters and ferrets. More than 50 million mink a year are bred for their fur, mainly in China, Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland.

Mink oil is used in some medical products and cosmetics, as well as to treat, preserve and waterproof leather.

There are two extant species referred to as “mink”: the American mink and the European mink. The European mink is listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered due to an ongoing reduction in numbers.

Why in News?

Denmark has recorded over 200 human cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants that are associated with farmed minks.

Why?

Mink, like their close relatives, ferrets, are known to be susceptible to coronavirus.

Like humans they can show a range of Covid-19 symptoms, from no signs of illness at all to severe problems, such as pneumonia.

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Topic: India and its Foreign Relations

India and Maldives

India, Maldives sign four MoUs to boost ties:

It includes a $100 million Indian grant for an ambitious connectivity project. This is a part of India’s “$500 million package” for the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP).

Two MoUs have been signed for high impact community development projects.

A fourth MoU was signed on cooperation in sports and youth affairs.

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Topic: General Administration

Ministry of Shipping renamed to Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has renamed the Ministry of Shipping to Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on November 8, 2020. PM Modi announced the renaming of the ministry at the inaugural virtual event of Ro-Pax terminal at Surat’s Hazira.

He also flagged-off the Ro-Pax ferry service between Hazira and Ghogha in Gujarat in the event. This ferry service between Hazira and Ghogha will reduce the distance of 370 km to 90 km by seat route. Also, the journey time is now reduced to 3-4 hours from 10-12 hours earlier.

Recent Changes in the name of Ministry of Shipping:

While announcing the renaming of Ministry of Shipping, Modi said that in most of the developed nations, the Ministry of Shipping handles waterways and ports. This is the reason, both these are now being added in the Ministry of Shipping in India.

He also highlighted that with the clarity in the name of the ministry; there will be more clarity in work.

At present, Mansukh L. Mandaviya is the Union Minister of Shipping which is now Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Recent Changes in the name of Ministry of Shipping

On 17 November 2000, the “Ministry of Surface Transport” was divided into two new ministries- “Ministry of Shipping” and “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways”.

On 2 October 2004, both the bifurcated ministries- “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways” and “Ministry of Shipping” were merged again and renamed as “Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways”. The ministry then had two departments- “Department of Road transport and Highways” and “Department of Shipping”. In the year 2009, Ministry of Shipping was again formed by dividing these two departments into separate ministries.

On 8 November, 2020; the name of “Ministry of Shipping” has been changed to “Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways”.

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Topic: Books and Authors

Nepal President releases Special Anthology on Mahatma Gandhi

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari has released a special pictorial anthology on Mahatma Gandhi to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This anthology is written in the Nepali language.

The book was launched at a special function held at in Kathmandu in the presence of Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

Key facts:

This anthology on Gandhi is titled as “Maile Bujheko Gandhi” or “the Gandhi as I understood”. The book has been released to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the culmination of the 2 year-long celebrations of ‘150 years of Mahatma’.

This anthology has been published by the Indian Embassy together with the B P Koirala India-Nepal Foundation. The publishers hope that the teachings, ideas of Mahatma Gandhi will bring Nepalese youth closer to the global icon.

The book aims to bring to youth of Nepal closer to Mahatma Gandhi. The book also brings together the perspectives of 25 eminent Nepali personalities about Mahatma Gandhi.

 151st Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi:

The 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated on October 2, 2020. The world paid homage to the great icon and also marked the end of the celebration of 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi.

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Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Technology

Thirty Meter Telescope Project: Indian Astronomers collaborated with Nobel Laureate

The Indian Astronomers have collaborated with 2020 Physics Nobel Laureate Prof Andrea Ghez on the “Thirty Meter Telescope Project”. The telescope is being installed at Hawaii and is to revolutionise the understanding of the universe.

Thirty Meter Telescope Project:

It is an international partnership project between India, China, Japan, California and Canada.

About the Telescope:

It is extremely large telescope. It is designed for Ultra Violet to mid infra red observations. It has 30 metres prime mirror diameter and is three times as wide as the largest existing visible light telescope in the world.

The three major instruments to be included in the telescope are Infrared Imaging Spectrometer, Wide Field Optical Spectrometer and Infrared Multi Object Spectrometer.

India’s Proposal to change location:

The proposed site to construct the Thirty Meter Telescope was considered as sacred to the indigenous Hawaiians. Thus, it is being objected by the local communities in the region. Due to these obstructions, the project has not made any significant progress. Thus, India has suggested for change of location.

Mauna Kea:

The proposed site was Mauna Kea. It is a dormant volcano in Hawaii. Mauna Kea is considered as sacred. The alternate to the location is Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos in Canary Islans, Spain. Mauna Kea was chosen as it offers best imaging possibilities and stable weather. Also, it has necessary infrastructure to manage telescopes as it already hosts several telescopes.

What is India’s role in Thirty Meter Telescope project?

India has committed to offer 200 milion USD. This is a tenth of the proposed cost. India is to contribute 83 of the 492 precisely polished mirror needed for the project. India, as of 2020, will receive 10% of available slots. The level of contribution determines amount of viewing time a member country gets.