+91 9815591973 support@examlife.info
MENU
Click on Drop Down for Current Affairs

16th August 2019

 

Topic:- Independence day(History)

 

1) News:- India celebrated its 73 rd  Independence Day.

  • Yesterday, Himachal CM Jairam Thakur hoisted the flag at The Ridge, Shimla.

 

What is India’s Independence Day?

  • Independence Day is an annual celebration of the day India gained freedom from foreign rule.

 

Why Independence day celebrated on 15 th August?
  • In July 1947, the British House of Commons(Parliament) passed the Indian Independence Act, 1947 and it received the Royal clearance. August 15th – Lord Mountbatten, the Viceroy at that time, thought this date as lucky for himself. It was the same day in 1945(15th August), that the Japanese forces surrendered before him in World War II.

 

Indian Independence Day Significance and Celebration:-

  • Every year we celebrate Independence day by taking time out to reflect on what it took for our country to gain independence and how far it’s come since. The national anthem is sung and flag-raising ceremonies, drills, are conducted throughout the country. People make an effort to wear the national or their local dress to celebrate their nation and culture. Kite flying is also an Independence Day tradition, with people of all ages flying kites to represent the freedom we attained on this day.
  • The prime minister will take part in a flag-raising ceremony at the Red Fort in Old Delhi and a parade with members of the armed forces and police. The prime minister then delivers a speech to the country, speaking on the country’s accomplishments during the past year and outlining some of the countries goals for the future.

 

Highlights of  73rd Independence day celebrated in Himachal Pradesh:-

 

  • A Vision Document – “Vision Himachal Pradesh -2030” has been prepared.
  • To attract investors in the state in a big way, ‘Rising Himachal Global Investor Meet’ is being organized at Dharamshala on 7 and 8 November, with an investment target of Rs 85000 crore. 38000 crore MoUs have been signed so far with various potential investors.
  • Announced to increase the financial assistance currently being extended from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per annum to ex-servicemen, military widows, dependents who are above 60 years of age who are not getting the old-age pension.
  • The Chief Minister announced to increase the financial assistance amount of World War II fighters from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 10000 per month and widows of fighters from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000 per month.
  • No fees will be charged from women in the examinations of the State Public Service Commission and the State Staff Subordinate Services Selection Commission.
  • It has been decided to give free books to about 65 thousand students studying in class IX and X. The Chief Minister announced that till now the government used to provide free books to children from the first to the eighth grade. Now children of ninth-tenth have also been included in this scheme.
  • The government of the country has started a scheme called “Sahara” for those suffering from a serious illness, who are in constant need of care, under which they will be provided assistance of Rs 2000 per month. The state government has launched a scheme called “Himcare” to provide better medical care to people not covered in Ayushman India in the state.
  • The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is also being implemented effectively. Under this scheme, 6000 rupees per year are being provided to all farmers as incentives.

 

Honours received on Independence Day:-

 

  •  Himachal Gaurav Award to Nishad Kumar and Lt. Pratibha Jamwal.
  • Prerna Strot Awards to Subedar Rinjin Dorje (posthumously), Alaika and Himkara organization.
  • Himachal Pradesh disaster Awarded the Civil Services Award to the Management Authority, which was received by former Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda.
  •  State Level Disaster Management Authority awards were given to the Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts, which were received by Deputy Commissioner Yunus Khan and Ashwini Kumar respectively.

 

Steps towards Good Governance with people participation:-

 

  • Innovative works like Jan Manch, Him Pragati Portal, e-Samadhan, Chief Minister Monitoring and Quality Check Cell are major steps taken towards good governance in the state. While all these works have succeeded in reaching the general public, administrative efficiency has increased and transparency has come in the functioning.

 

Topic:- Geography

 

2) News:-Landslides in Mandi, Kullu after heavy rain.

 

What is Landslide?

  • A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of “mass wasting,” which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.

 

Cause of Landslide in hilly areas:-

 

Natural Causes:-

 

  1. Climate
  • Long-term climatic changes can significantly impact soil stability. A general reduction in precipitation leads to the lowering of water table and reduction in the overall weight of soil mass, reduced solution of materials and less powerful freeze-thaw activity. A significant upsurge in precipitation or ground saturation would dramatically increase the level of groundwater. When sloped areas are completely saturated with water, landslides can occur. If there is an absence of mechanical root support, the soils start to run off

 2  Earthquakes

  • Seismic activities have, for a long time, contributed to landslides across the globe. Any moment tectonic plates move, the soil covering them also moves along.

 3  Weathering

  • Weathering is the natural procedure of rock deterioration that leads to weak, landslide-susceptive materials.

4  Erosion

  • Erosion caused by sporadic running water such as streams, rivers, wind, currents, ice and waves wipes out latent and lateral slope support enabling landslides to occur easily.

  5  Volcanoes

  • Volcanic eruptions can trigger landslides. If an eruption occurs in a wet condition, the soil will start to move downhill instigating a landslide.

    6  Forest fires

  • Forest fires instigate soil erosion and bring about floods, which might lead to landslides

.

Human causes:-

 

Mining

  • Mining activities that utilize blasting techniques contribute mightily to landslides. Vibrations emanating from the blasts can weaken soils in other areas susceptible to landslides. The weakening of soil means a landslide can occur anytime.

Clear cutting

  • Clear cutting is a technique of timber harvesting that eliminates all old trees from the area. This technique is dangerous since it decimates the existing mechanical root structure of the area.
www.examlife.info

 

QUIZ:-

Question 1:- On Independence day, State Level Disaster Management Authority awards were given which of the following district?

  1. Kullu
  2. Chamba
  3. Kangra
  4. Shimla

 

Question 2:- The government of the country has started a scheme called “Sahara” for those suffering from a serious illness, who are in constant need of care, under which they will be provided assistance of Rs ____ per month.

  1. 1000
  2. 1500
  3. 2000
  4. 6000

 

Question3:- The Chief Minister announced to increase the financial assistance amount of World War II fighters from Rs. 3000 to Rs.____ per month.

  1. 4000
  2. 4500
  3. 10000
  4. 21000

 

Answers:-

 

 

  • Q1:-1
  • Q2:- 3
  • Q3:- 3

 

For HPAS(Himachal Pradesh Administrative Exam) Test Series 2020, click below:-

Know more

 

www.examlife.info