TNPSC Current Affairs October 25, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs Oct 25, 2019 (25/10/2019)

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Topic: Latest Historical Diary of Events

Vishwa Shanti Stupa

Golden Jubilee of Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir recently celebrated. Constructed atop the Ratnagiri Hill, it is the world’s highest peace pagoda.

Conceptualised by renowned Buddhist monk Nipponzan Myohoji and built by Japanese monk Fujii Guruji.

About Rajgir:

The first Buddhist Council, immediately after the Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha, was convened at this place which presently is called Rajgir. Rajgir is also known as Panchpahari as it is surrounded by five holy hills.

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Topic: International Events, Places in News

East Antarctic Marine Protected Area

A push by Australia and France to create a massive ocean sanctuary in east Antarctica is in doubt as nations meet in Hobart to discuss the plans, with China and Russia opposing.

Key facts:

This protected area was proposed by Australia and the European Union. The area would conserve examples of biodiversity in the high latitudes of the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean.

The area contains distinctive deep water flora and fauna and supports important ecosystem roles, such as feeding areas for marine mammals, penguins and other seabirds.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events, Profile of States

Chenani-Nashri tunnel renamed

Chenani-Nashri tunnel renamed after Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The 9km Chenani Nashri Tunnel is on NH 44 in Jammu & Kashmir. It is the longest such state of art tunnel in the country, connecting Udhampur to Ramban in Jammu.

It is the world’s sixth road tunnel with a transverse ventilation system enabled and controlled by ABB software.

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Topic: Places in News, Latest Diary of Events

Thotlakonda monastery

Why in News? The mahastupa of the 2,000-year-old Buddhist heritage site of Thotlakonda, reconstructed in 2016 by the state archaeology department, has collapsed during the recent torrential rainfall.

Key facts:

Thotlakonda Buddhist Complexis situated near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. Thotlakonda was well within the influence of ancient Kalinga, which was an important source of dissemination of Buddhism to Sri Lanka and various parts of Southeast Asia.

The excavations reveal Satavahana dynasty lead and Roman silver coins indicating foreign trade; terracotta tiles, stucco decorative pieces, sculptured panels, miniature stupa models in stone, and Buddha footprints were also found.

The excavations also yielded twelve inscriptions in the Brahmi script.

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

Indian Railway launches one touch ATVM

The Indian Railways launched the “one touch ATVM” at 42 suburban stations. The purpose of the service is to render fast ticketing to millions of commuters, especially in the Mumbai Suburban Network.

The machine will reduce wasting time of the passengers. It will greatly ease the load on ticketing system of Mumbai Suburban Network. The features of the one touch ATVM is that a passenger can obtain ticket in two steps.

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Topic: Awards and Honours, Persons in News

Sakharov Prize: Jailed Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti wins

The European Union (EU) Parliament awarded the ‘Sakharov Prize for Human Rights’ to Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti, who has been jailed and sentenced to life imprisonment in China for “separatism”.

The award was announced by European Parliament head David Sassoli, who also urged China to immediately release Ilham Tohti as well as called for the respect of minority rights in China.

About The Sakharov Prize:

It is awarded by the European Union (EU) Parliament annually for free speech. It was constituted in memory of Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov.

About Ilham Tohti:

He was a former Professor of economics at a Beijing university. In 2014, he was sentenced to life in prison following a show trial. He has worked for more than 20 years on the situation of Uighur minority and on fostering inter-ethnic dialogue and understanding in China.

In September 2019 he also won another of Europe’s top human rights awards called ‘Vaclav Havel prize’, for “giving the entire Uighur people a voice”. He was also nominated by US lawmakers for ‘Nobel Peace Prize’, amid growing scrutiny of China’s treatment of Uighurs.