24 July 2016 Current Affairs
Union Government to redraw Red Corridor
The Union Government is planning to redraw Red Corridor by reducing the number of Maoist (LWE: Left wing extremism) affected districts by about a fifth. In this regard, approximately 20 of the 106 districts which have been described as being Maoist-affected and are part of the Red Corridor may be removed from the list. The Red Corridor is a region in the eastern part of India that experiences considerable Naxalite–Maoist insurgency. There are 106 districts spanning across 10 States in the Red Corridor.’ Of these, 44 districts are worst-affected.
Violinist A Kanyakumari, first female violinist to get Sangita Kalanidhi Award
Renowned Violinist Avasarala Kanyakumari from south India was selected for the prestigious 2016 Sangita Kalanidhi Award. With this, she becomes first female violinist chosen in the history of this prestigious award. She will be bestowed with the award on January 1, 2017. She will also preside over the 90th annual conference of the Music Academy scheduled from December 15, 2016 to January 1, 2017.
Lewis Hamilton wins 5th Hungarian Grand Prix
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain has won the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix title of Formula One. It his overall fourth Hungarian Grand Prix title after winning it in 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2013. Thus he holds record of most wins (drivers) with 5 wins. Besides it was his fifth title of the 2016 season after Monaco Grand Prix (May 2016), Canadian Grand Prix (June 2016), Austrian Grand Prix (July 2016) and British Grand Prix (July 2016) Hungarian Grand Prix was the eleventh race of the 2016 season and was held at the Hungaroring is a motor-racing circuit in Mogyoród, Hungary.
Scientists working toward storing digital information in DNA
Scientists are working towards storing digital data in the base sequence of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). Thus they are seeking to make the genetic material capable to store data for long time in durable format as an archive data for the future. DNA is by its essence an information-storing molecule. It carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living. These genetic instructions are passed from generation to generation by the genes. It basically transmits the blueprints for creating the human body. The information in the DNA is stored in strings i.e. in the form four-letter DNA code.
Kerala Government launches first ever Water Metro project in the country
Kerala Government has launched Kochi Water Metro project, the first ever Water Metro project in the country. It was launched by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Kochi. The project aims to provide water connectivity to people living between islands in the Kochi agglomeration area and the city. Kochi Water Metro project is an integrated water transport project developed as feeder service to the Kochi Metro Rail. It will become operational in two years. The project will be implemented by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and funded by German Development Bank (Kfw).