12th DECEMBER 2024 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Renovated Periyar Memorial in Vaikom - Inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
- A memorial to Father Periyar was erected in Vaikom in Kottayam, Kerala, in 1994 to commemorate the temple entry protest that began 100 years ago. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had ordered the renovation of the memorial.
- Following this, Minister E.V. Velu inspected the Periyar Memorial in Vaikom area. It has a photo exhibition hall, library, visitors' pavilion, children's park, etc. that describe Periyar's life story. This memorial, which was opened in 1994, has now been renovated at a cost of Rs. 8.5 crore.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin went to Kerala to inaugurate this program. In this situation, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin participated in the centenary celebration of the Vaikom protest held under the leadership of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and inaugurated the renovated Periyar Memorial and Library.
- The third phase of excavation has been underway in the Vijayakarishalkulam Mettukadu area near Vembakottai in Virudhunagar district since June 18. So far, more than 2850 artifacts including gold coins, copper coins, broken fireclay figurines, chess pieces, glass beads, round chips, and conch bracelets have been found in the third phase of excavation.
- In this context, a blue glass bead and a fireclay medallion have been found in the excavation pit dug on Wednesday.
- India has reached a significant milestone in its economic journey with total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) reaching $1 trillion since April 2000. In the first half of the current fiscal, FDI has increased by about 26% to $42.1 billion.
- FDI plays a transformative role in India’s growth by providing substantial non-debt finance, promoting technology transfer and creating employment opportunities. Initiatives like “Make in India”, liberalised sectoral policies and Goods and Services Tax (GST) have boosted investor confidence, while competitive labour costs and strategic incentives continue to attract multinational companies.
- In the last decade (April 2014 to September 2024), total FDI inflows stood at $709.84 billion. This is 68.69% of the total FDI inflows in the last 24 years. This strong inflow of investments points to India’s key role in shaping the global economic landscape.
- India's ranking in the Global Competitiveness Index 2024 has improved by three places to 40th place from 43rd in 2021. In addition, India was named the 48th most innovative country in the top 50 countries and was ranked 40th out of 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2023. This is a significant improvement from its 81st position in 2015.
- The growth rate of industrial production for October 2024 was 3.5 percent. This rate was 3.1 percent in September. The growth rates of the three sectors - mining, manufacturing and electricity - were 0.9 percent, 4.1 percent and 2.0 percent respectively.
- The rapid estimates of industrial production were 149.9 in October 2024, compared to 144.9 in October 2023.
- The World Chess Championship series was held in Singapore. Gukesh and Ding Liren were tied with 6.5 points in 13 rounds of this 14-round series. Thus, the 14th round began today (Dec. 12) amidst great expectations. This round also ended in a draw for both of them.
- However, a small mistake made by Liren in the 55th move shortly before the end of the match turned out to be in Gukesh's favor. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Gukesh finished the game in the 58th move and scored a point.
- Gukesh won the World Chess Championship title according to the points table of Gukesh 7.5 and Ding Liren 6.5. With this, Gukesh has become the second Tamil Nadu player to win the World Chess Championship series after Viswanathan Anand.
- He also holds the record of being the youngest player to win the World Chess Championship. Russian player Garry Kasparov had previously held that honor. He became the champion at the age of 22. However, Gukesh broke this record at the age of 18.
