Current affairs : August 13, 2016
Deep Brain Stimulator
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute
for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram have agreed
to join hands to develop ‘Deep Brain Stimulator’ (DBS).
- DBS involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of brain and the regular electrical pulses generated by a pacemaker-like device placed under the skin in upper chest regulates the abnormal impulses of the brain.
- The DBS consists of implanted pulse generator, electrodes and extension cables which interface with external Programmer module and wireless battery charger.
Central Agricultural University (Amendment)
Bill, 2016
Parliament has passed the Central Agricultural University(Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Key facts:
- The bill seeks to amend the Central Agricultural University Act, 1992, that was enacted for the establishment and incorporation of a university for the north-eastern region in order to promote development and research in agriculture and allied sectors.
- The bill includes Nagaland under the jurisdiction of Imphal Central Agriculture University (CAU). The amendment will help Nagaland to reap the benefit of the Imphal Central Agriculture University, established for the entire north eastern region
CAG uncovers roads to nowhere:
According to the performance audit report of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) by CAG, tabled in Parliament recently, a total of 372
works under the rural road connectivity scheme were abandoned/proposed to be
abandoned mid-way in 11 States, due to non-availability of land or land
disputes. Of these, Rajasthan accounts for the highest – 213 abandoned works –
followed by Odisha with 107 works.
Diamond Quadrilateral:
Six corridors on Diamond Quadrilateral connecting metropolitan
cities and growth centers of the country (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Kolkata)
have been identified for feasibility studies for high speed rail connectivity
viz: (i) Delhi-Mumbai, (ii) Mumbai-Chennai, (iii) Chennai-Kolkata, (iv)
Kolkata-Delhi and both diagonals i.e. (v) Delhi-Chennai and (vi) Mumbai-Kolkata
routes. Feasibility studies are being undertaken through Government to
Government cooperation, with China and Spain respectively.
Longest living vertebrate:
Greenland sharks have been named the longest-living vertebrate on Earth. University
of Copenhagen researchers estimated that these sharks live at least 400 years,
nearly two centuries longer than the whales. They are the largest fish native
to Arctic seas, with adults typically measuring between 13 and 16 feet and
females consistently outgrowing the males. To determine the age of Greenland
sharks, researchers examined the eye lens nuclei of 28 females, caught during
scientific surveys. Analysis suggested that these sharks reach sexual maturity
around the age of 150
S-400:
It is the new advanced S-400 air defence missile system deployed
by Russia to annexed Crimea
Rhino horn verification:
The verification of rhino horns to check their genuineness and
updating of the complete inventory of horns kept in various treasuries in the
custody of Assam government since 1980, has begun in Assam. The first treasury
to be opened will be Golaghat with the highest number of
rhino horns in government custody with most from Kaziranga National Park. The
rhino horns are scattered in 12 treasuries of Assam, the maximum being in
Golaghat followed by Nagaon, Guwahati and Tezpur.
Krishna Pushkaralu:
It is a festival of River Krishna which normally occurs once in every 12 years and is celebrated
with much glory. The Pushkaram is observed for a period of 12 days from the
time of entry of Jupiter into Virgo (Kanya rasi). Krishna Pushkaralu 2016
recently began in Telangana
Huge LPG subsidy savings:
CAG findings have revealed that about 92% of the Rs. 23,300-crore
savings in subsidy payouts by the Petroleum Ministry in 2015-16 was due to the
sharp fall in oil prices.
M.S. Subbulakshmi :
The United Nations will
issue a stamp to mark the birth centenary of M.S. Subbulakshmi during
celebrations for India’s Independence Day. Subbulakshmi, whose birth
anniversary falls on September 16, performed at the UN fifty years ago, making
her the first Indian to have the honour. Subbulakshmi was a Carnatic vocalist.
She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest
civilian honour. She is the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon
Magsaysay award, often considered Asia’s Nobel Prize.
100 million for 100 million:
It is a campaign launched by Nobel laureate Kailash
Satyarthi recently. It targets 100 million youth, whose
idealism, energy and enthusiasm would help liberate the 100 million children
shackled in slavery and poverty across the world.
Bharatavani:
The government is planning to digitize as many as 165
important Tulu works and make available on-line on a
Union government portal. They will be uploaded under the Bharatavani project,
an initiative of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. Bharatavani
project is about making available “knowledge in and knowledge about” all
languages in the country in multimedia formats (text, audio, video and images)
through an online portal.
