TNPSC Current Affairs March 03, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs March 03, 2020 (03/03/2020)

Topic: Current socio – economic issues

State funding of elections

The Election Commission has informed the Government that it is not in favour of state funding of elections.

What is state or public funding of elections?

This means that government gives funds to political parties or candidates for contesting elections. Its main purpose is to make it unnecessary for contestants to take money from powerful moneyed interests so that they can remain clean.

Why public funding is good?

Political parties and candidates need money for their electoral campaigns, to keep contacts with their constituencies, to prepare policy decisions and to pay professional staff. Therefore, public funding is a natural and necessary cost of democracy.

Public funding can increase transparency in party and candidate finance and thereby help curb corruption.

In societies where many citizens are under or just above the poverty line, they cannot be expected to donate large amounts of money to political parties or candidates. If parties and candidates receive at least a basic amount of money from the State the country could have a functioning multi-party system without people having to give up their scarce resources.

Topic: Eminent Places in News

UNESCO World Heritage List

Government of India has submitted two nomination dossiers namely ‘Dholavira: A Harappan City’ and ‘Monuments and Forts of Deccan Sultanate’ for inclusion in the World Heritage List for the year 2020.

What is a World Heritage Site?

It is a location having an “Outstanding Universal Value”. According to the World Heritage Convention’s Operational Guidelines, an Outstanding Universal Value signifies “cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.”

Dholavira is located in the Khadir Island in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. It is a mature harappan site.

Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Technology

How will in-flight WiFi work?

The government has permitted airlines operating in India to provide in-flight WiFi services to passengers. Previously, the Telecom Commission had given its green signal to in-flight connectivity of Internet and mobile communications on aircraft in Indian airspace in 2018.

Who can permit?

The pilot may permit the access of Internet services by passengers on board an aircraft in flight, through Wi-Fi on board, when laptop, smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, e-reader or a point of sale device is used in flight mode or airplane mode.

How in- flight connectivity works?

In-flight connectivity systems use two kinds of technologies– terrestrial and satellite internet services.

Once flight mode is activated, the plane’s antenna will link to terrestrial Internet services provided by telecom service providers.

Then, when the aircraft has climbed to 3,000 m, the antenna will switch to satellite-based services.

This way, there will be no break in Internet services to passengers, and cross-interference between terrestrial and satellite networks will be avoided.

Benefits:

Globally, more than 30 airlines allow voice calls and internet access during flights. This facility will now will help Indian airlines compete with foreign carriers.

Business travellers greatly value these services as they can continue their work commitments without any deterrence.

Other travellers can be in touch with their near and dear ones even during the flight.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

March 3: World Wildlife Day

The 2020 year was earlier announced as “BioDiversity Super Year”. Therefore, several events are being conducted based on biodiversity.

It includes World Wildlife Day as well. This year the World Wildlife Day is being celebrated under the theme of “Sustaining all Life on Earth”.

Topic: Geographical Landmarks, Places in News

National Chambal Sanctuary declared as Eco-Sensitive Zone

The Government of India declared National Chambal Sanctuary as Eco-Sensitive Zone. The Sanctuary is home to Gangetic Dolphins and critically endangered Gharials.

Key facts:

The Sanctuary is home to naturally living Gharials. 75% of Gharials live in the Sanctuary. It also harbours 180 species of migratory birds and fresh water Gangetic Dolphins.

Being declared as Eco Sensitive Zone, construction of resorts, hotels or other residential and industrial activities are prohibited.

Topic: Books and Authors

The life and times of Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. J. Jayalalitha

Book on late chief minister J Jayalalitha titled “The life and times of Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. J. Jayalalitha” written by Amar Prasad Reddy was released recently.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Exercise Indra Dhanush – 5th edition

The Indian Air Force and Royal Air Force (RAF) of the UK jointly commenced the 5th edition of Exercise Indra Dhanush at Air Force Station, Hindan, UP.

The exercise is tasked to enhance mutual operational understanding between the two air forces via close interaction.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Discovery of 17 new planets

University of British Columbia astronomy student Michelle Kunimoto has discovered 17 new planets. The 17 new planets were discovered by combining the data gathered by NASA’s Kepler mission. Among the 17 planets, Earth-like world found was officially named ‘KIC-7340288 b’. It is almost 1 ½ times the size of Earth.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Mission Purvodaya

The Union Minister of Steel announced at a workshop organized by Confederation of Indian Industries that Government of India is to make Odisha the steel hub of India. This is to be achieved by the Government with the help of Japan.

The Mission Purvodaya was launched in January 2020. It aims to develop Eastern India as an integrated steel hub. This will also help achieve the target of National Steel Policy, which is producing 300 MT of steel by 2030.