Relevance IN - Prelims ( about styrene gas)
What's the NEWS

• A gas leak, reminiscent of the 1984 Bhopal tragedy, has claimed at least 11 lives and affected thousands of residents in five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

• Styrene is a chemical which has the texture of a colourless liquid.
• It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex.
• Styrene is also found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Short-term exposure to the substance can result in respiratory problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation in the mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal issues.
• And long-term exposure could drastically affect the central nervous system and lead to other related problems like peripheral neuropathy.
• It could also lead to cancer and depression in some cases.
• The gas is "non-poisonous" and is only fatal when exposed for longer durations.
• It unclear at the moment whether the deaths are due to direct exposure to styrene gas or one of its byproducts

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Sanjivini App + Ayush based study related to COVID19) + Mains ( GS II Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
What's the NEWS

• The Union Health & Family Welfare Ministry launched the ‘AYUSH Sanjivani' App and two AYUSH based studies related to COVID-19 situation
• The ‘AYUSH Sanjivani ' mobile app, which has been launched , will help to generate data on acceptance and usage of AYUSH advocacies and measures among the population and its impact in prevention of COVID 19.
• It is developed by Ministry of AYUSH and MEITY and shall reach out to a target of 50 lakh people.
• COVID-19 management has provided a potent platform for alliance between MoHFW, MoAYUSH and technology organisations such as CSIR, ICMR, and UGC to not only develop AYUSH interventions and solutions, but also help in promoting AYUSH knowledge for the larger good of the global community.
• These organisations are joining hands and are being supported and guided by ICMR and DCGI in propagating the wholesomeness and holistic health benefits of the age-old traditional medicinal knowledge of Ayurveda

Culture
Vesak Global Celebrations

Relevance IN - Prelims(all about Vesak- Buddha Poornima) + Mains GS I ( Indian culture and heritage)
What's the NEWS

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the virtual Vesak Global Celebrations on Buddha Purnima

• Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), a global Buddhist umbrella organised the Virtual Prayer Event with the participation of heads of Buddhist Sanghas from around the world.
• The program was live streamed and it was viewed by large audiences in India ,Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, S. Korea, Myanmar, Mongolia, Malaysia, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam among others.
• Vesak- Buddha Poornima, is considered the Triple Blessed Day as it celebrates Tathagata Gautam Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Maha Parnirvana.

Know! all about Buddha Purnima

• Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti or Vesākha is the most sacred occasion for the Buddhists.
• As per Hindu Mythology Lord Buddha is believed to be the 9th incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• One among the most important festivals, Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the Vai shaaka lunar month (that corresponds to the month of April-May).
• This is a special day when Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautum Buddha.
• On this day the supreme light of realization dawned on Buddha and he attained Enlightenment(Nirvan) beneath the Bodhi tree at Bodha Gaya.
• Buddha passed into eternity(Maha Parinirvana) after completing his Sahasra Chandra Darshana (80th year) on the full moon day of Vaishakha.
• Initially Buddhism spread from India and gradually assimilated into many foreign cultures, therefore Buddha Purnima is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.

Human Resource Development
Modifications in PMRF Scheme to boost research in the country

Relevance IN - Prelims( all about PMRF ) + Mains( GS II GS II Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources)
What's the NEWS

• The Human Resource Development Ministry announced that, to boost research in the country various amendments have been carried out in Prime Minister's Research Fellowship Scheme.

Know! about the amendments done

• After the amendments, now for the students from any recognised institute/ university (other than IISc/ IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIEST/CF IIITs), the requirement of GATE Score is reduced to 650 from 750 apart from minimum CGPA of 8 or equivalent.
• Now there will be two channels of entries, one direct entry and lateral entry.
• In lateral entry, the students, who are pursuing PhD in PMRF granting institutions (completed 12 months or 24 months as per certain requirements) can also apply to become fellow under the scheme as per new guidelines.
• NITs, which appear in top 25 institutions as per NIRF Ranking (overall) can also become PMRF Granting institution.
• To boost research a dedicated Division is being created in the ministry with the name of "Research and Innovation Division".
• This division will be headed by a director who will be coordinating research work of various institutions coming under MHRD.

Know! about PMRF

• The Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme has been designed for improving the quality of research in various higher educational institutions in the country.
• With attractive fellowships, the scheme seeks to attract the best talent into research thereby realizing the vision of development through innovation.
• The scheme was announced in the Budget 2018-19. The institutes which can offer PMRF include all the IITs, all the IISERs, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and some of the top Central Universities/NITs that offer science and/or technology degrees.
• The candidates will be selected through a rigorous selection process and their performance will be reviewed suitably through a national convention.
• Starting Academic Year 2020-21, candidates can apply for PMRF through either direct entry channel or lateral entry channel.

Prelims Factoids
Bishnu Sendra Parva 2020
Relevance IN - Prelims( about Bishnu Sendra Parva)
What's the NEWS

• Bishnu Sendra Parva, a hunting festival of tribals, was observed with only the observance of at-home rituals in Jharkhand. Hence, no animal was killed during the Bishnu Sendra Parva for the first time.

Know! more about the fest and the tribes

• The tribal hunters of Jharkhand did not reach the forests to observe the hunting festival, also known as Bishu Shikar. Instead, tribals observed the rituals with bows, arrows, spears and wire mesh outside the forests
• No animal was killed during the hunting festival as tribals refrained from venturing into the forest due to the lockdown.
• It is an annual hunting festival observed by tribals of Jharkhand and the neighbouring Odisha and West Bengal,
• While Santhal tribals take up the annual ritual of hunting animals one day, others, including Ho and Oraon tribes, observe this festival for a month so that every village gets a chance to hunt down a few animals.

Prelims Factoids
Chhau dancers and artisans-the mask makers of Jharkhand
Relevance IN - Prelims( about chhau dance)
What's the NEWS

• In April every year, for more than a century, this community has celebrated Spring with chhau, a masked ritual dance drama.
• This year, in response to the pandemic and resulting lockdown, the artisans are instead finding inventive ways to create personal protective equipment (PPE).
• The artisans have created a prototype of chhau PPE. In this the mask is made the traditional way, layering paper mache, cloth and clay, with an additional three ply fabric used inside to cover the nostrils.

Know! about Chhau dance

• Chhau dance, also spelled as Chau or Chhaau, is a semi classical Indian dance with martial, tribal and folk traditions, with origins in eastern India.
• There are three versions of chhau. Purulia chhau in West Bengal, Mayurbhanj chhau in Odisha and Seraikela chhau in Jharkhand.
• The dance ranges from celebrating martial arts, acrobatics and athletics performed in festive themes of a folk dance, to a structured dance with religious themes found in Shaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism.
• The costumes vary between the styles, with Purulia and Serakeilla using masks to identify the character
• The artform features epics and regional legends, using martial art and acrobatic moves.
• Mask making began in Charida, West Bengal, about 150 years ago, and these colourful masks depicting faces of boldly painted gods, heroes, birds and animals are still popular today.
• Mask makers come from two areas: Charida and Seraikela, as Odisha's chhau does not use masks.

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