TNPSC Current Affairs August 05, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 05, 2020 (05/08/2020)

Download as PDF (English)

Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration

24 States under One Nation-One Ration Card

Recently, Manipur, Nagaland and Uttarakhand, along with the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir have been integrated with the One Nation-One Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme.

Now a total of 24 States/UTs are connected under the ONORC scheme. The remaining states/UTs are targeted to be integrated into the scheme by March 2021.

The ONORC Scheme:

It was started as an inter-State portability of ration cards in 2019.

It allows the migratory National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 beneficiaries to lift their entitled quota of food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country.

This can be done by using their existing ration card with Aadhaar based authentication.

With 24 States/UTs connected under the scheme, about 65 crore beneficiaries, comprising 80% of the total beneficiaries covered under the NFSA, can now get their subsidised ration from anywhere in these 24 states and union territories.

_

Topic: Historical Diary of Events

Nagara Architecture of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir

The grand temple at Rama Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya will follow the Nagara style of temple architecture.

What is Nagara style of temple architecture?

 

The Nagara style of temple architecture is found in northern India.

In the Nagara style, the temple is generally constructed on an upraised platform called jagati. Mandapasare present in front of the Garbhagriha. These are adorned with the Shikhara, the tallest one being above the Garbhagriha.

Nagara style doesn’t usually have elaborate boundary walls or gateways. Generally, there is no water tank in the temple premises and the pradakshina patha is covered. The garbhagriha is always located directly under the tallest tower.

The basic form of a Hindu temple contains the following architectural elements:

Garbhagriha– the small room where the principle deity/deities of the temple reside

Mandapa– the portico or hall at the entrance of the temple generally designed to house a large number of people

Shikhara– the mountain like spire which can have different shapes from pyramidal to curvilinear

Vahana– the mount or vehicle of the main deity placed generally in line of sight from Garbhagriha

Subdivisions:

Nagara school is further subdivided into different schools based on region like Odisha, Khajuraho, Solanki etc.

_

Topic: Places in News, Latest International Events

Beirut

It is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast, Beirut is an important regional seaport.

Why in News?

A huge explosion recently devastated the port area of the capital Beirut. The blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in a warehouse.

What is ammonium nitrate?

In its pure form, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is a white, crystalline chemical which is soluble in water.

Where all is it used?

It is the main ingredient in the manufacture of commercial explosives used in mining and construction.

It is a common chemical ingredient of agricultural fertilisers. It is also the main component of the explosive composition known as ANFO — ammonium nitrate fuel oil.

When it can cause a fire hazard?

Pure ammonium nitrate is not an explosive on its own. It is classified as an oxidiser (Grade 5.1) under the United Nations classification of dangerous goods.

If mixed with ingredients like fuel or some other contaminants, or because of some other external factors, it can be very explosive.

The explosion of large storage can happen primarily in two ways:

By some type detonation or initiation because the storage comes in contact with explosive mixture.

Due to a fire which starts in the ammonium nitrate store because of the heat generated due to the oxidation process at large scale.

_

Topic: India and its Neighbouring countries

Pakistan’s New Map

Recently, Pakistan has released a new political map that includes all of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sir Creek and Junagadh.

The map has been released on the eve of the first anniversary of the abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

The Map:

The map depicts entire Jammu & Kashmir as a disputed territory and does not show any borders in the east of Kashmir. It has also renamed Kashmir Highway in Islamabad as Srinagar Highway.

It claims the Siachen, regions of Sir Creek and the erstwhile state of Junagadh in Gujarat as part of Pakistan’s territory.

This is not the first time Pakistan has tried to portray Junagadh as part of its territory. The 2012 Atlas of Pakistan also portrayed Junagadh as a Pakistan’s territory.

The map also shows the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) as being part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

India’s Response:

India has called Pakistan’s move as an exercise in political absurdity, which lays untenable claims to the Indian territories.

These assertions have neither legal validity nor international credibility and it only confirms the reality of Pakistan’s obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism.

 

Where is Sir Creek?

Sir Creek is a 96-km strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands.

Originally named Ban Ganga, Sir Creek is named after a British representative.

The Creek opens up in the Arabian Sea and roughly divides the Kutch region of Gujarat from the Sindh Province of Pakistan.

Concerns for India:

This is the second time in the recent past where India’s neighbouring country has published a new map claiming India’s territories. Nepal was the first country to do so.

Nepal published its news map claiming the territories of the Kalapani region.

Closeness of Nepal, Pakistan towards China.

Recently, China also changed the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector in its favour.