24-25.03.19 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

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UTTARAKHAND

 

  • Uttarakhand History: CHAND KINGDOM

 

  • Chand Kingdom of Kumaon was originally inhabited by a large number of Hindu clans, each controlling a small area and protecting it with a fortress. These fortresses were scattered across the western portion of Kumaon where fertile cropland was more readily available, because of these fortresses western Kumaon was referred to as Garhwal. “The country of fortresses”

 

  • Because of its crucial strategic position and religious significance Chand Kingdom of Kumaon was attacked a number of times. In the sixteenth century the sultans of Bahmani launched several expeditions in to Kumaon. In 1635 the moghal emperor Shah Jahan I (r. 1628 – 1658) launched a massive invasion of Kumaon and in that war, Kumaon successfully repulsed the moghals. Shah Jahan increased the size of the force and attacked again, without any success against the brave Kumaonis.

 

  • The Chand Kingdom at its peak included Kumaon, Garhwal, Himachal, J&K, Mahakali Anchal, Seti Anchal, Bheri Anchal, Karnali Anchal, Rapti Anchal, Dhawalagiri Anchal, Gandaki Anchal, Lumbini Anchal and the Transhimalaya region of Tibet, which included the holy Mount Kailash also known as Gang Rinpoche or as Kangri Rinpoche in the local language.

 

  • The Kumaon Kingdom stretched up to Afghanistan at the far end, Nepal and Tibet at the other end and plains of UP on one end. Very few kingdoms in the world can lay claim of having influence in such a vast area.

 

  • Even today the attire worn by people and practices being followed in the entire stretch from Afghanistan, Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Tibet and Nepal is similar.

 

  • The Katyuri kings were a medieval ruling clan of present-day Uttarakhand, India. They ruled over the Kumaon region from 800 to 1100 AD. They called their state Kurmanchal, the land of Kurma, the second Avatar of Vishnu, which gives the region its present name, Kumaon. 

    INTERNATIONAL

    • Finland tops Global Happiness Index for the second straight year
    • Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the second year.

     

    • Indian figures at 140th place, seven spots down from last year, on this year’s UN World Happiness Report.

     

    • The report was released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations on March 20 which was declared as World Happiness Day by the UN General Assembly in 2012.

     

    • The report ranks countries on six key variables that support well-being: income, freedom, trust, healthy life expectancy, social support and generosity.

     

    • World Tuberculosis Day is observed on 24 March

     

    • World Tuberculosis Dayis observed on 24 March each year. World TB Day is marked by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease. The theme of World TB Day 2019  is ‘It’s time’. 
    • The date marks the day in 1882 whenRobert Kochannounced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. His discovery opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.

     

    • Italy to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative

     

    • Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte pledged to make Italy the first Group of Seven nation to join China’s ambitious Belt and Road initiative (BRI).
    • This move will help rebalance Italy’s trade with the Asian nation.
    • Four Italian ports could reportedly be opened to Chinese investments for BRI.
    • The US has warned Italy against joining the Chinese initiative.

     

    NATIONAL

    • RBI Governor called for permanent status to Finance Commission

     

    • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Dascalled for permanent status to Finance Commission. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das is also the member of the fifteenth finance commission. 
    • The permanent status will ensure consistencies between finance commissions so that there is some certainty in the flow of funds to states. The permanent status will also provide for continuity between the successive finance commissions. The establishment of the finance commission through permanent status will also enable it toaddress issues arising from the implementation of the recommendations of the finance commission during the intervening period.
    • The RBI governor also called on for a robust expenditure planning without compromising on fiscal consolidation as fiscal federalism gathers momentum in the era of uniformgoods and services tax (GST). The planning is to address the socio-economic challenges without diluting the goals of fiscal consolidation.

     

    • Advanced electronic intelligence satellite to be launched on Apr 1: ISRO

     

    • India on April 1 will launch an advanced electronic intelligence satellite – EMISAT, along with 28 other international satellites.

     

    • India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its 47th mission (PSLV-C45), will launch EMISAT.

     

    • The satellite is slated for liftoff at 0930 Hrs on April 1.

     

    • EMISAT is a primary satellite jointly by developed ISRO and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and weighs around 436 kilograms.

     

    • It will measure the electromagnetic spectrum in space.

     

    • The 28 international customer satellites are from four countries – Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.

     

    • Navin Chawla’s new book titled ‘Every Vote Counts’ islaunched

     

    • Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Navin Chawla’s book ‘Every Vote Counts’ was launched by former Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari in New Delhi.

     

    • This book is about how the electoral machinery works in India.

     

    • The book explains about India is on the cusp of change, and with its parliamentary elections coming up.

     

    • 64th Filmfare Awards 2019

     

    • The 64th Vimal Filmfare Awards 2019 kicked off at the Jio Garden in BKC, Mumbai.

    Best Actor: Ranbir Kapoor for Sanju

    Best Actress: Alia Bhatt for Raazi

    Best Film: Raazi

    Best Director: Meghna Gulzar for Raazi

    Best Playback Singer (Male): Arijit Singh for Ae Watan – Raazi

    Best Playback Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal for Ghoomar – Padmaavat

    Best Music Album: Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Padmaavat

     

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