TNPSC Current Affairs December 09, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs Dec 09, 2019 (09/12/2019)

Topic: Historical Diary of Events

Paika Rebellion

President Ram Nath Kovind recently laid the foundation of a memorial dedicated to the 1817 Paika Rebellion.

Who are Paikas?

Recruited since the 16th century by kings in Odisha from a variety of social groups to render martial services in return for rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) and titles. They were the traditional land-owning militia of Odisha and served as warriors.

How the rebellion began?

When armies of the East India Company overran most of Odisha in 1803, the Raja of Khurda lost his primacy and the power and prestige of the Paikas went on a decline. So, they rebelled back.

The British were not comfortable with these aggressive, warlike new subjects and set up a commission under Walter Ewer to look into the issue.

The commission recommended that the hereditary rent-free lands granted to the Paikas be taken over by the British administration and this recommendation was zealously adhered to. They revolted against the British.

Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra Bharamarbar Rai, the highest-ranking military general of King of Khorda Mukund Dev II, led the Paikas to join the uprising.

However, the rebellion also had several other underlying causes – like the rise in the price of salt, abolition of the cowrie currency for payment of taxes and an overtly extortionist land revenue policy.

Outcome:

Although initially the Company struggled to respond they managed to put down the rebellion by May 1817. Many of the Paik leaders were hung or deported. Jagabandhu surrendered in 1825.

Topic: New Inventions on Science and Health

FrogPhone

It is the world’s first solar-powered remote survey device that can be installed at any frog pond and which receives a 3G or 4G cellular network. Developed by a team from various Australian institutions.

The FrogPhone will allow researchers to dial these devices remotely, and analyse the data later.

It will reduce costs and risks, including the negative impact of human presence on the field site.

These devices also allow for monitoring of local frog populations more frequently than before, which is important because these populations are recognised as indicators of environmental health.

Topic: Places in News, Latest Diary of Events

Victoria falls

The flow of Victoria Falls, with a width of 1.7 km and a height of roughly 108 metres, has been reduced to a trickle due to the severe droughts in the southern African region since October 2018.

The falls are fed by the Zambezi river and define the boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa. The falls are also referred to as “The Smoke that Thunders” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

December 9: International Anti-Corruption Day

The International Day of Anti-Corruption is marked by the United Nations every year on December 9 since 2003. Theme: United Against Corruption

Topic: International Diary of Events

Sanna Marin becomes World’s Youngest-Serving Prime Minister

The 34-year-old Sanna Marin, was selected by her Social Democratic party of Finland to become the country’s youngest prime minister ever, taking over after resignation of outgoing leader Antti Rinne. Sanna who will now be youngest head of government in the country’s history, has earlier served as transport minister of Finland.

Topic: Awards and Honours, Latest Diary of Events

South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi wins Miss Universe 2019 title

Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi was crowned as Miss Universe 2019 at the event held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, United States. The 26-year-old Zozibini Tunzi was presented the crown by Philippines’ Catriona Gray, who was the Miss Universe winner in 2018.

India was represented by Vartika Singh in the beauty pageant. Vartika Singh failed to enter the top 10 of the Miss Universe 2018 competition. After Lara Dutta had won the crown in 2000, no Indian contestant has been able to win Miss Universe title in all these 19 years.

Topic: New Inventions on Science and Health

Malaysia records first polio case in 27 years

Malaysia has reported the first case of Polio in 27 years, when a three-month-old Malaysian infant boy was diagnosed with polio. The last polio case in Asia-Pacific country occurred in 1992, and in 2000, after which the country was declared polio-free. In this recent case, the child was confirmed to be infected with vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 1 (VDPV1) on 6 December 2019.

Topic: Awards and Honours

Diwali-Power of One Awards

Four eminent diplomats have been honoured with the ‘Diwali – Power of One’ award in recognition and of their work, especially at United Nations (UN), for a secure and peaceful world.

The Winner were honoured with the ‘Power of One’ awards during a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, United States. The award annually honours those who have made exemplary contributions in upholding the values that the United Nations stands for.

Topic: Awareness in Space, Latest Diary of Events

ISRO to launch RISAT, the Spy satellite of India

The Indian Space Research Organization is gearing to launch RISAT-2BR1 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on December 11, 2019. It is the second satellite in the RISAT series. The first satellite RISAT-2B was launched earlier this year.

Key facts:

The launch is the 50th mission of ISRO’s PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). Along with the RISAT-2BR1, it will also carry 9 commercial satellites. They are 6 from the US, and each from Italy, Israel and Japan.

The RISAT-2BR1 is a spy satellite that is launched to boost Indian military’s Earth surveillance.

Topic: Awareness in Space, Latest Diary of Events

Duchifat 3: Satellite built by Israeli school students to be launched by ISRO’s PSLV C48

Three youngsters Alon Abramovich, Meitav Assulin and Shmuel Aviv Levi, all 17 to 18 years old from Sha’ar HaNegev High school in Israel’s southern region will be traveling to India to launch a satellite dubbed as- ‘Duchifat 3’, designed and built by them aboard PSLV C48 from Sriharikota launch site of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) on 11 December 2019.

Besides Duchifat 3, the PSLV C48 will carry place India’s RISAT-2BR1 and 8 other foreign satellites as payload. India was chosen for the launch because of success enjoyed by country’s space programme and also because of close relations between the two countries.

About Duchifat 3 Satellite:

It is a remote sensing and photo satellite which will be used for ecological research of Earth from space. It is designed to serve children from across the country to carry experiment through Earth observation.