TNPSC Current Affairs March 24, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs March 24, 2020 (24/03/2020)

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

National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) is being implemented and steered jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY).

Implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

Focus of the mission:

The Mission envisages empowering national academic and R&D institutions spread over the country by installing a vast supercomputing grid comprising of more than 70 high-performance computing facilities.

These supercomputers will also be networked on the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN). The NKN is another programme of the government which connects academic institutions and R&D labs over a high speed network.

The Mission includes development of highly professional High Performance Computing (HPC) aware human resource for meeting challenges of development of these applications.

Achievements:

The first supercomputer assembled indigenously, called Param Shivay, was installed in IIT (BHU) and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Similar systems Param Shakti and Param Brahma were installed at IIT-Kharagpur and IISER, Pune. They are equipped with applications from domains like Weather and Climate, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Bioinformatics, and Material science.

Significance:

World-wide supercomputing facilities have enabled countries in their S&T capabilities in areas such as designing vehicles, aeroplanes, massive structures like high rise buildings and bridges, infrastructure, discovery of new life saving drugs, discovery and extraction of new energy sources including oil, natural gas etc.

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Topic: Current socio-economic issues

New Hanta Virus Emerges in China after COVID-19

A man in Yunnan Province of China has tested positive for Hanta Virus. He died shortly after he was tested positive for the virus on March 23, 2020. The symptoms of Hanta Virus are similar to that of the Corona Virus.

About Hanta Virus:

The Hanta Virus, also called the Orthohanta virus spreads through rats. It causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome according to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. It transits through urine, droppings, saliva of rodents. The virus enters humans through their nose, mouth or eyes.

Spread of the virus:

The virus does not spread from person-to-person. Rather, it spreads when a person comes in direct contact with the bodily fluids of the rodents carrying the virus. It also spreads through bites of the rats. The virus is not airborne.

Current scenario:  The virus is not something newly discovered. It exists since a long period of time. However, the virus is challenging for the current situation as its symptoms are very similar to that of Corona Virus, Pneumonia, Flu.

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Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

India goes on Complete LOCKDOWN to fight COVID-19; allocates Rs 15,000 crores

PM Modi announced that Government of India has allocated Rs 15,000 crores to fight against Corona Virus. The Fund is to be used to increase health infrastructure in the country. This includes testing kits, beds and training professionals to combat the disease.

The allocated funds are also to be used in procurement of personal protective equipment for health care workers. The Prime Minister has also announced complete lock down of the country for 21 days.