TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20.08.2024

1. NATIONAL

PM TO RELEASE 109 CLIMATE RESILIENT CROP SEEDS

• Development of New Crop Varieties:
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 109 new varieties of crop seeds.
• These varieties are high-yielding, climate-resilient, and bio-fortified.
• Release by Prime Minister:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release these new crop varieties for farmers.
• The release event is scheduled for Sunday morning at 11 a.m.
• Characteristics of New Varieties:
• High-Yielding: These seeds are expected to produce higher crop yields.
• Climate-Resilient: They are designed to withstand adverse climatic conditions. 
• Bio-Fortified: These seeds are enriched with essential nutrients to improve nutritional value.
• Less Water-Consuming: These varieties require less water, making them suitable for water-scarce regions.
• BROADER IMPLICATIONS
• Agricultural Productivity:
• Increased Yields: The introduction of high-yielding varieties can significantly boost agricultural productivity, contributing to food security.
• Climate Adaptation: Climate-resilient varieties can help farmers cope with the challenges posed by climate change, such as droughts and floods.
• Nutritional Security: Bio-Fortification: Bio-fortified crops can address nutritional deficiencies in the population, particularly in rural areas where malnutrition is prevalent.
• Water Conservation: Efficient Water Use: Less water-consuming varieties can promote sustainable water use in agriculture, crucial for regions facing water scarcity.
• Economic Impact: Farmer Income: Higher yields and reduced input costs (e.g., water) can enhance farmers’ income and improve their livelihoods.
• Market Dynamics: The introduction of new varieties can influence market supply and demand, potentially stabilizing prices

2. DEFENCE

ANTI-TERROR OPERATION CONTINUES IN J&K ANANTNAG – CIVILIAN SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES

• Security Operations:
• Regular counter-terrorism operations by the Army, CRPF, and local police.
• Enhanced surveillance and intelligence sharing among agencies.
• Political Initiatives: Revocation of Article 370 for full integration of J&K.
• Conducting panchayat elections and planning assembly elections post-delimitation.
• Development Measures: Infrastructure development (roads, electricity, digital connectivity).
• Special economic packages to boost tourism, handicrafts, and agriculture.
• Employment generation programs targeting youth.
• Social and Psychological Efforts: Community engagement to build trust and counter radicalization.
• Educational initiatives and rehabilitation programs for former militants.
• Diplomatic and Legal Actions: ○ Countering international propaganda and securing borders.
• Strengthening anti-terror laws like UAPA to combat terrorism effectively.
• Human Rights and Rehabilitation: Ensuring human rights during operations and rehabilitating displaced persons, especially Kashmiri Pandits.

3. ART AND CULTURE

• Gotipua Dance Tradition: Gotipua literally means “single boy,” reflecting the fact that this dance form was traditionally performed by young boys dressed as girls.
• Often adorned with makeup, jewelry, and traditional costumes, which makes their performances visually striking and deeply rooted in cultural aesthetics.
• It involves over 20,000 hours of training spanning 10 years, including singing, dancing, yoga, and acrobatics.
• The dance is believed to have originated in the 16th century and is closely associated with the worship of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha.
• Historically, Gotipua dance was performed in temples and during festivals, and it is considered the precursor to the Odissi classical dance form.
• Challenges in Adulthood: Once they reach adulthood, many Gotipua dancers struggle to find employment or continue in the arts.
• They often lack the skills for other trades and face difficulties in securing livelihoods.
• Decline in Tradition: Fewer boys are joining Gotipua dance academies (akhadas) due to the lack of future prospects.
• Akhadas (Dance Schools): These are the traditional schools where Gotipua dancers are trained.
• Each akhada typically has a few students under the tutelage of a guru (teacher).
• There is a decline in the number of Gotipua schools, and the dance form is losing its prominence. 
• Cultural and Gender Dynamics: With fewer boys participating, girls are beginning to take up the dance, leading to debates about changes in tradition.
• Concerns are raised about the future of the dance as it traditionally excludes women from temple performances during their menstrual cycles. 
• Government and Cultural Support: Efforts are being made to integrate Gotipua with Odissi dance and provide financial support to Gotipua dancers.
• The Odisha government has initiated programs like the Mukhyamantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana (MKSY) to provide financial support, pensions, and travel allowances to Gotipua dancers
• But dancers often face delays in receiving these benefits. Social and Economic Struggles:
• Former dancers often end up in low-paying jobs unrelated to their training.
• The article highlights the need for better support systems to ensure the survival and evolution of this cultural tradition.

4. BILATERAL

JAISHANKAR CONCLUDES THREE DAY KEY VISIT TO MALDIVES

• The outcomes of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s three-day visit to the Maldives:
• Strengthened Bilateral Relations: The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both India and the Maldives to strengthen their multi-dimensional bilateral relationship, focusing on peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.
• India-Maldives Development Projects: Mr. Jaishankar, along with Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, inaugurated India’s Line of Credit (LoC)-assisted water and sewerage network project on 28 islands of the Maldives.
• Commitment to Continued Assistance: During discussions with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Mr. Jaishankar conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and reassured India’s continued development assistance to the Maldives.
• Enhanced Maritime Cooperation: The visit highlighted the strategic importance of the Maldives as a key partner in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and the maritime-focused “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
• Security and Defence Partnership: Mr. Jaishankar’s meetings included discussions with the Maldivian Defence Minister and other officials, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the India-Maldives defence and security partnership.

5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Perseid meteor shower:

• Timing: The Perseid meteor shower typically occurs from mid-July to late August, with peak activity between August 11 and 13.
• Origin: The meteors are debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet, which orbits the Sun every 133 years.
• Meteor Shower: A meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through a cloud of comet debris, causing meteors to burn up in the atmosphere.
• Safety: The Perseid meteor shower poses no threat to Earth as most meteors burn up in the atmosphere.
• The Swift-Tuttle comet was once thought to be a potential threat in 2126, but later calculations have ruled out any danger for at least the next two millennia.
• Peak Activity: During the peak, the Perseids can produce more than 60 meteors per hour.

ONE LINER

1. The Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0 under which financial assistance to one crore urban poor and middle class families to construct house
2. Cotton cultivation to be 10-12% lower this season as yield fall almost 35% of these caused by Pink bollworm infestation