Facts in News

May 26, 2021

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Facts in News
Buddha Purnima	This year the Buddha Purnima is celebrated on May 26. Key Points On Buddha Purnima, the people celebrate the birth of Gautama Buddha (founder of Buddhism). Buddha Purnima is also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima or Vesak. As per the Hindu calendar, Buddha Jayanti falls on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakh (which usually falls in April or May). However, it is actually based on the Asian lunisolar calendar, which is why the dates change every year. Lord Buddha Born: 563 BC in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) as Prince Siddhartha Gautama. Parents: Suddhodana (father) was the chief of the Shakya clan and Maya Devi (real mother) and Prajapati Gautami (foster mother). Buddha is considered as the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Gautama Buddha preached Dharma (duty), non-violence, harmony and kindness. He left his worldly possessions and princedom at the age of 30 to lead a life searching for the truth, seeking penance in the hopes of liberating himself from suffering (dukkha). Gautama attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya (Bihar), after 49 consecutive days of meditation. He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (UP), which is known as Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law). He died (attained Mahaparinirvana) at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at Kushinagar (UP). Teachings: His teachings were related to four noble truths or ariya-sachchani and eightfold path or ashtangika marg. The teachings were recorded around 25 B.C.E. in Pali language, into three Pitakas. Vinaya Pitaka Sutta Pitaka Abhidhamma Pitaka Four noble truths: Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world. Every suffering has a cause – Samudaya. Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha. Can be achieved by following the Astangika Marg (Eightfold Path)- Right view, Right intention, Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood, Right mindfulness, Right effort, Right concentration Image Courtesy: Times now News
Zero Shadow Day	Recently, the residents of Bhubaneswar (Odisha) have witnessed zero shadow day. Zero Shadow Day It is a special celestial event that occurs twice a year. It occurs at every point on Earth between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. During this time, no shadows appear of any object or living being when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. The highest point of this skydome is called the zenith. When the sun reaches the zenith, the shadow will fall under the object. Reasons: Uttarayan (movement of the Sun from south to north from the winter solstice to summer solstice) and Dakshinayan (back from north to south) happen because Earth’s rotation axis is tilted at an angle of roughly 23.5° to the axis of revolution around the Sun. The Sun’s location moves from 23.5°N to 23.5°S of Earth’s equator and back. All places whose latitude equals the angle between the Sun’s location and the equator on that day will experience Zero Shadow Day. Image Courtesy: TOI
Beed Formula	Recently, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have urged the Centre to implement the ‘Beed district formula’. Key Points Beed formula is also known as the 80-110 plan. Under the scheme, if there could be a ‘surplus’ in gross premiums of insurance schemes to be collected by insurers, then the premium above a threshold is refunded to the state government. The firm won’t have to entertain claims above 110% of the gross premium (insurance scheme). The state government has to bear the cost of any claims above 110% of the premium collected to insulate the insurer from losses. The premium surplus (gross premium minus claims) exceeding 20% of the gross premium is refunded by the insurer to the state government. Last year, the formula was successfully implemented in the Beed district of Maharashtra and later adopted by Madhya Pradesh
Amorphophallus Titanum	Recently, a rare flower namely Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum) has been displayed in San Francisco (United States). Key Points The ‘corpse flower’ (also known as the Carrion flower) is native to the rainforests of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is known to be one of the world’s largest ‘unbranched inflorescence’ or a stalk bearing a cluster of flowers. The flower emits a heady odour in order to attract pollinating insects in the wild such as scavenging flies and beetles. The ‘corpse flower’ can grow to be up to 10 feet tall and unveil two of its key components: Deep red skirt-like petal known as the spathe and Yellow rod-like ‘spadix’. Another crucial component of the plant is the ‘corm’, a fleshy underground plant stem that acts as a storage organ where the corpse plant’s energy is stored. Conservation: IUCN declared it as an Endangered plant in 2018. Image Courtesy: Britannica
Digital Border By UK	Recently, the United Kingdom announced that it will be implementing a Digital Border by 2024. Key Points Digital Border will be an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system which includes delivering a digital system allowing for online evidence of immigration status. It would allow officials to “count people in and count people out”. It will be required for all non-British or Irish citizens without a visa or immigration status who come to the UK. The overseas health workers will get a free visa extension. Those passengers required to get a permit under the new system would include those travelling to the UK. Those who wish to work in the UK or stay in the country would need to obtain a visa, rather than an ETA. This system has already been put in place for European Economic Area (EEA) nationals to apply for the right to remain in the UK post-Brexit. The new scheme is modelled on the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization which has been in place since 2009. A similar system also exists in Canada.
Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS-TS)	Recently, a study mentioned that symptoms of PIMS-TS were seen in children. Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS-TS) PIMS-TS (a systematic disorder), also known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), is a rare condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The similar condition in adults is known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A). It was first defined in April 2020. It is thought to be a rare immune overreaction that occurs approximately four to six weeks after mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptoms: fever, rash, eye infection, diarrhoea, stomach-ache and nausea. In some rare cases, the condition may lead to multi-organ failure.
TDB National Award 2021	Recently, a Bangalore based startup has received TDB National Award 2021, for developing a commercial solution for conversion of CO2 to chemicals and fuels. This technology will enhance the production of chemicals and fuels from anthropogenic CO2 generated from various sources including coal and natural gas power generation sectors, steel industry, cement industry, etc. It will also integrate multiple components involved in the CCUS (Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration) to develop a complete solution for the environmental issues due to global warming. CCUS is a process that captures CO2 emissions from sources like coal-fired power plants and either reuses or stores it so it will not enter the atmosphere. Technology Development Board Established in: 1995 Headquarters: New Delhi It is a statutory body established by an act of Parliament, Technology Development Board Act, 1995. Objective: To promote development and commercialization of indigenous technology and adaptation of imported technology for much wider application. Composition: 11 Board members.
Biohub	Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Swiss Confederation signed a MoU to launch the first WHO BioHub Facility. Key Points This facility will be part of the WHO BioHub System, which was announced in November 2020. It will enhance the rapid sharing of viruses and other pathogens between laboratories and partners globally, in order to inform risk assessments, and sustain global preparedness against these pathogens.