TNPSC Current Affairs January 04, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs January 04, 2019 (04/01/2019)

Topic: General Administration, Latest Diary of Events, Places in News

Monuments of national importance

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently declared that it has added six structures to the list of monuments of national importance, taking the total number to 3,693.

With 506 monuments under its belt, Karnataka continues to top the list in South India, followed by Tamil Nadu (413). Nationally too, Karnataka is in the second place after Uttar Pradesh, which has 745 such monuments.

The six monuments declared as Monuments of national importance in 2018 are:

Old High Court Building in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Haveli of Agha Khan in Agra.

Haveli of Hathi Khana in Agra.

Neemrana Baori in Rajasthan’s Alwar district.

Group of Temples at Ranipur Jharail in Odisha’s Bolangir district.

Vishnu Temple in Kotali, Pithoragarh district, Uttarkhand.

What is an Ancient Monument?

According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, any structure, sculpture, inscription, etc., which is in existence for not less than 100 years is termed ancient.

About ASI:

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.

Topic: India and Its Foreign Policies, General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

India – Myanmar – Thailand Trilateral Highway

The 1360 kms long India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is an initiative pertaining to India, Myanmar and Thailand. India is undertaking construction of two sections of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar namely,

Construction of 120.74 KM Kalewa-Yagyi road section, and

Construction of 69 bridges along with the approach road on the 149.70 KM Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section.

Both these sections were awarded on Engineering, Procurement and Construction mode in May 2018 for Kalewa-Yagyi section and November 2017 for the TKK section. The scheduled time for completion of both the projects is three years from the date of commencement at the project site by the executing agency.

The above mentioned projects are funded by Government of India under Grant Assistance to the Government of Myanmar.

Background:

The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is a highway under construction under India’s Look East Policy that will connect Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar.

Look-East Policy:

India’s Look East Policy is an effort being made by the Indian government to cultivate and strengthen economic and strategic relations with the nations of Southeast Asia in order to solidify its standing as a regional power.

This policy also serves to position India as a counterweight to the strategic influence of the People’s Republic of China in the region.

Look-East Connectivity:

Commerce with South and East Asian nations accounts for almost 45% of India’s foreign trade. Myanmar and ASEAN nations are part of India’s Look East Policy.

Topic: India’s Cultural Panorama, Profile of States, Latest Diary of Events

Makaravilakku festival season

The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala has been opened for the 21 day-long Makaravilakku festival season, marking the concluding phase of the annual pilgrimage season.

Makaravilakku is an annual festival held on Makar Sankranti in Kerala, at the shrine of Sabarimala. The festival includes the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of Ayyappan) procession and a congregation at the hill shrine of Sabarimala.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Cyclone – PABUK

Cyclonic storm “PABUK” over South China Sea and its emergence into Andaman Sea on 05th January 2019. A cyclonic storm “PABUK” lay centred over south China Sea about 1500 km east-southeast of Port Blair.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Kaiga Atomic Power Station creates world record for continuous operation for 941 days

The Kaiga Atomic Power Station of Karnataka has created a new world record, with one of its units functioning continuously without any interruption for more than 940 days. The previous world record was held by Unit 2 of Heysham of the United Kingdom. It operated without any interruption for 940 days.

About Kaiga Atomic Power Station:

Kaiga Atomic Power Station is a nuclear power generating station located at Kaiga in Karnataka, India. It is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India. The power plant has been functioning since March 2000. The Kaiga power plant has four units of 220 MW each.

Topic: Awards and Honours, Persons in News

Shanta Dhananjayan gets Nritya Kalanidhi

Eminent Bharatanatyam exponent Shanta Dhananjayan was conferred the title of Nritya Kalanidhi at the 13th dance festival inaugurated at The Music Academy.

Robert G. Burgess, Consul General of the United States of America in Chennai, presented the award to Ms. Dhananjayan.