TNPSC Current Affairs November 21, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs Nov 21, 2019 (21/11/2019)

Download as PDF

 

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

Idris Elba

A species of wasp has been named Idris Elba. The wasp, recently discovered in Mexico, was found living as a parasite in the eggs of another insect, known as the bagrada bug, which is a major pest of cruciferous vegetables.

This newly discovered wasp species could be the ultimate weapon in the battle against the stink bug — also known as the painted bug — by “parasitizing” stink bug eggs and thus preventing offspring from growing.

_

Topic: International Diary of Events

MK-45 naval guns

The United States of America has approved the sale of thirteen MK-45 naval guns and related equipment to India.

Key facts:

The MK 45 is a naval artillery gun designed for use against surface warships, anti-aircraft and shore bombardment to support amphibious operations.

The gun mount features an automatic loader with a capacity of 20 rounds that can be fired under full automatic control, taking a little over a minute to exhaust those rounds at maximum fire rate. It has a range of more than 20 nautical miles or 36 km.

_

Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration, Profile of States

National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR)

The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) at Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh.

Key facts:

It will be an autonomous national institute under the Ministry of AYUSH with the mandate to undertake interdisciplinary education and research programmes in Sowa-Rigpa in collaboration with national and international institutes.

It will act as an apex institute for Sowa-Rigpa system. The existing Sowa-Rigpa institutions work under the Ministry of Culture.

What is Sowa -Rigpa?

It is a traditional system of medicine practised in the Himalayan belt of India. It originated in Tibet and popularly practiced in countries namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, and Russia. The majority of theory and practice of Sowa-Rigpa is similar to “Ayurveda”.

Yuthog Yonten Gonpo from Tibet is believed to be the father of Sowa Rigpa. The basic theory of Sowa-Rigpa may be representing in terms of the following five points:

The body in disease as the locus of treatment.

Antidote, i.e., the treatment.

The method of treatment through antidote.

Medicine that cures the disease.

Materia Medica, Pharmacy & Pharmacology.

_

Topic: Sports and Medals, Latest Diary of Events

World Cup Final: Manu Bhaker bags gold, breaks junior world record in 10m Air Pistol

Manu Bhaker became only the second Indian shooter after Heena Sidhu to win a gold medal Women’s 10m Air Pistol at the ISS World Cup. Manu Bhaker won the India’s first gold medal at 2019 ISSF World Cup in Women’s 10m Air Pistol.

Key facts:

Manu Bhaker shot 244.7 to win gold medal at World Cup Finals. Manu also broker the junior world record with her score. Yashaswini Deswal finished 6th in the final round

_

Topic: Awareness in Space, Latest Diary of Events

NASA Reveals First Geological Map of Saturn’s Planet-sized Moon ‘Titan’

Astronomers from NASA have, now, finally revealed the first geological map of Titan. The largest moon of Saturn is the only planetary body in the solar system, apart from Earth, that has stable liquid lakes on its surface and dunes that are made up of organic matter.

“Lakes and labyrinths: the first map showing the global geology of Saturn’s planet-sized moon, Titan, has been completed. It charts a dynamic world of dunes, plains, craters and other terrains.”

_

Topic: Latest Reports and Summits

Annual Report on Road Accidents in India released

The Ministry of road transport and highways released a report on “Road Accidents in India, 2018”. According to the report, around 1,51,417 deaths occurred in India due to road accidents in 2018. It pointed out that road environment, human errors and vehicle conditions were the major reasons for road accidents.

Key facts:

The reports said that the number of road accidents have increased by 2.4% as compared to 2017. Around 53 crashes and loss of 17 lives are occurring in India every hour.

Around 48% of road crash deaths were of persons in the age group between 18 years and 35 years. 6.6% of persons who died in road accidents were minors.

According to the report, Tamil Nadu topped the country in terms of number of road crashes. The report also said that many states failed to enact Motor Vehicles Amendment Act and also reduced the fines (Eg: Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand).

_

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Prithvi-2 missile successfully test fired

India successfully test-fired two rounds of its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile. These test were conducted from a mobile launcher from Launch Complex-3 of Chandipur Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Balasore district of Odisha.

About Prithvi-2 missile:

It is surface-to-surface tactical missile with a strike range of 350 km. It is India’s first missile indigenously developed by DRDO under prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It is capable of carrying 500 to 1,000 kg of warheads, both conventional as well as nuclear.

_

Topic: Awards and Honours, Persons in News

President’s Colour awarded to Indian Naval Academy

President Ram Nath Kovind and Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, awarded President’s Colour to Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala at Kochi, Kerala. The President’s Colour is the highest honour bestowed upon a military unit.

It was awarded to INA in recognition of the yeoman service rendered by the institution in training and shaping Indian Naval officers over the last 50 years at three different locations – Goa, Kochi and Ezhimala. To commemorate this occasion, a special postal cover was also released by the President.