TNPSC Current Affairs August 24, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 24, 2020 (24/08/2020)

Topic: Political Systems in India, General Administration

National Council for Transgender Persons

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has constituted the National Council for Transgender Persons, under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

Key facts:

It aims to mainstream the transgender community’s concerns, focusing on livelihood issues as well as to raise awareness about the trans community, so that transpersons are accepted within families and in the larger society.

To ensure that transgender welfare boards are set up in all States and essential needs of the transgender community, like housing, food, healthcare and education are met.

Functions:

Advising the Central government on the formulation of policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons.

Monitoring and evaluating the impact of policies and programmes designed for achieving equality and full participation of transgender persons.

Reviewing and coordinating the activities of all the departments. Redressing grievances of transgender persons. Performing such other functions as prescribed by the Centre.

Composition: Its chairperson will be the Union Minister of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Topic: Places in News

Wildfires in California

California (USA) is facing sprawling wildfires destroying more than 400,000 acres of forests in Northern and Central California. The spark for many of these fires come from around 11,000 lightning strikes California has been hit by.

Key facts:

Historically, California has had many wildfires, which have increased manifold in recent times.

The 10 largest fires have occurred since 2000, including the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest in history of the USA.

The frequency of western U.S. wildfires has increased by 400% since 1970.

Topic: Profile of States

Nuakhai Juhar – August 23

The Prime Minister of India greeted the farmers on the occasion of Nuakhai Juhar (23rd August, 2020).

Key facts:

Nuakhai Juhar is an agricultural festival, also called Nuakhai Parab or Nuakahi Bhetghat. It is celebrated to welcome the new crop of the season. Nuakhai is a combination of two words that signifies eating of new rice as ‘nua’ means new and ‘khai’ means eat.

This is the festival of Western Odisha, southern Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas of Simdega (Jharkhand). Its coastal counterpart is Nabanna, observed in Coastal Odisha.

It is observed on panchami tithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Topic: Places in News, Profile of States

India’s longest ropeway on Brahmaputra to open for public in Guwahati

The State Minister of Assam, Siddhartha Bhattacharya inaugurated India’s longest ropeway across river Brahmaputra.

Key facts:

The ropeway is to cut short the travel time by almost an hour. It is 2 km long and the distance is covered in 7 minutes. One-way ride is to cost Rs 60.

The ropeway has been built at a cost of Rs 56 crores. The construction was initiated in 2006 as a part of beautifying Brahmaputra. The ropeway is to be of great help when the ferry services had to be stopped between the banks due to excessive flooding of Brahmaputra.

The ropeway journey is to provide view of Neelachal hills (where Kamakhya temple is located).

Topic: India and its Foreign Relations

India-Uzbekistan hold first National Coordination Committee meeting

On August 24, 2020, India and Uzbekistan held their first National Coordination Committee meeting where they discussed their bilateral interests such as trade and investment and Line of Credit projects.

Key facts:

The meeting was co-chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister and Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister. The countries have bilateral trade of over 300 million USD.

Pharmaceuticals is the major area of trade between the countries. Also, medical tourism has increased between the countries in the recent past.

A Joint Centre of Information Technology was set up in 2006 and was upgraded in 2014. Also, the Indian companies have made suitable investments in amusement parks, pharmaceuticals, automobile components and hospitality industry.

In July 2019, an IT park was established in Tashkent, Uzbekistan with Indian assistance.