TNPSC Current Affairs February 28, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs February 28, 2020 (28/02/2020)

 

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Topic: Profile of States, Latest Diary of Events

Kerala High Court bans all forms of agitations in schools, colleges

The Kerala High Court has ruled that strikes, rallies and gheraos that affect regular classes should not be held on the campuses of schools and colleges.

Observations made by the Court:

Those who are not participating in the strike have every right to attend their classes and no one should force them to participate in agitations that affect smooth conduct of classes.

Academic institutions are only meant for studies and they should not be venues for strikes and protests.

Nobody has the right to override a student’s right to study and action can be against those who indulge in strikes, rallies and gheraos that affect regular classes.

Background:

The important verdict came in the wake of some private schools in Pathanamthitta moving the court with a plea to restrain student politics.

Though the court had banned politics on the campus earlier also it was not implemented properly and students were suffering due to frequent disruptions of classes during strikes, they contended.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

National Science Day

28th February is celebrated as National Science Day (NSD) in India. NSD is celebrated to commemorate discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’, which led to Sir C.V. Raman winning the Noble Prize. The first National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 1987.

This year, the theme for National Science Day 2020 is “Women in Science”, which aims to appreciate the contribution of women in the field of science.

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Topic: Welfare Oriented Government Schemes and their Utility

1000 springs initiative

It is an online portal launched recently on GIS-based Spring Atlas with the hydrological and chemical properties of the springs mentioned.

What are Springs?

Springs are natural sources of groundwater discharge and have been used extensively in the mountainous regions across the world.

Aim: To improve access to safe and adequate water for the tribal communities living in difficult and inaccessible part of rural areas in the country. It is an integrated solution around natural springs.

Key features:

It includes the provision of infrastructure for piped water supply for drinking; provision of water for irrigation; community-led total sanitation initiatives; and provision for water for backyard nutrition gardens, generating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the tribal people.

Implementation:

Under this initiative, more than 70 young tribal youths from the rural belt of three districts of Odisha namely, Kalahandi, Khandamal and Gajapati have been trained as barefoot hydro geologists by combining traditional and scientific knowledge for identification and mapping of springs, and undertaking rejuvenation and protection measures in their habitations.

Significance of this initiative:

The initiative will help in harnessing the potential of perennial springs’ water to address the natural scarcity of water in tribal areas.

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Topic: Geographical Landmarks

What is 2020 CD3, a mini-moon?

Astronomers have observed a small object orbiting Earth, which they have dubbed a 2020 CD3, “mini-moon” or the planet’s “second moon”.

Key features:

It is actually an asteroid, about the size of a car; its diameter is about 1.9-3.5 m. It is called a Temporarily Captured Object (TCO). And unlike our permanent Moon, the mini-moon is temporary; it will eventually break free of Earth’s orbit and go off on its own way.

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Topic: Discovery of New Species

What is Henneguya salminicola?

It is a non-oxygen breathing animal discovered recently. It is a fewer-than-10-celled microscopic parasite that lives in salmon muscle.

According to the researchers, as the organism evolved, it gave up breathing and stopped the consumption of oxygen for the production of energy — which means it relies on anaerobic respiration (through which cells extract energy without using oxygen).

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Topic: Awards and Honours, Latest Diary of Events

Sahitya Akademi Award 2019

Sahitya Akademi Award for translation goes to K.V. Jeyasri for her translation of the Malayalam novel ‘Nilam Poothu Malarnna Naal’ into Tamil as ‘Nilam Poothu Malarntha Naal’. Also, Sahitya akademi presented Sahitya akademi awards for 24 writers.

Among them, Cho. Dharman received it for his novel ‘Sool’ (tamil) and Shashi Tharoor for his book ‘An Era of Darkness’ (English).