Monthly-Current-Affairs-May-2020

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 MAY 2020 PT-MAINS

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 S.No. Topics Page No. 1 GS-1 01 2 02 3 Chuni Goswami 03 4 Jamini Roy 04 5 06 6 Thrissur Pooram 08 7 Enhancing Erosion in Himalayas 11 8 14 9 Earth’s Magnetosphere 15 10 159th Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath tagore 16 11 17 12 Buddha Purnima-All about Buddhism 18 13 Band-like clouds seen over Sun’s neighbour-Luhman 16A 19 14 20 15 Red Sanders 21 16 Deep Ocean Mission 22 17 Polar vortex brings spring snow 23 18 24 19 Toda artisans 25 20 Gandhi Peace Prize 27 21 City Liveability Index 28 22 Lord Jagannath Temple 29 23 Odisha Helpline “Bharosa’’ 30 24 31 25 Rhododendron 31 26 Poumai Naga Tribe 32 27 Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ 33 28 Stages of Amphan Cyclone 37 29 Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1913-1996) 38 30 Ujh multipurpose project 38 31 Classical Language Status 39 32 Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga 40 33 Director General of IMD 42 34 43 35 Awa Guaja 45 36 46 37 Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana-PMVVY – OLD AGE & Senior Citizens 47 Bomb Cyclone Cryosphere Zojila Tunnel Pili Yesa Ramkinkar Baij Heatwaves South Atlantic Anomaly Forest Fire Swarms of locusts Sangeet Natak Academy

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 38 Lalit Kala Akademi 48 39 Current locations in Today’s News 48 40 Vinayak Damodar Savarkar 49 41 How Heat wave in North India is unusual 51 42 Hansa Jivraj Mehta 53 43 Erra Matti Dibbalu-Geoheritage sites 54 44 Port Antsiranana, Madagascar 55 45 Jal Marg Vikas Project – Inland waterways 56 46 Dam Safety 57 47 Mount Mayon 58 48 Assumption Island – Seychelles 58 EDITORIAL PLUS 60 1 Continue India’s tryst with Nehruvian ideology 64 66 GS-2 68 69 1 Rights of Minority Institutes not Absolute 70 2 Germany extends ban on Hezbollah 73 3 Ethnic clashes in Central African Republic 76 4 Libya crisis 79 5 Govt extends lockdown for two more weeks 81 6 B R Ambedkar laid the foundation for workers’ rights, social security in India 83 7 India is a candidate for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC 88 8 Sudan moves to criminalise Female Genital Mutilation 90 9 Curbs on large gatherings of people and World major protests & Moment 94 10 Lokpal and Lokayukta 95 11 BRICS ACTION against COVID-19 97 12 BRICS 100 13 World Press Freedom Index 2020 101 14 “The Saras collection” on Gem portal 105 15 Off Course-Issues related to Cauvery Water Management Authority 106 16 Centre’s Directive to use Aarogya Setu app 108 17 Arctic Council 110 18 Kerala model to contain COVID-19 111 19 Article 54-J&K 113 20 Bioterrorism or Biological Attack 114 21 Operation Samudra Setu 22 Drone Regulation in India 23 India hands over 3 tranche of emergency medical assistance to Bangladesh 24 Vande Bharat Mission one of the largest evacuation mission

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 25 Analysis of Motor Vehicle Act 115 26 Nashik model to combat COVID-19 118 27 Israel – Palestine-Hamas Conflict 119 28 Trump says crisis ‘worse than Pearl Harbor’ 123 29 Dilution of labour laws- Factories(Amendment) Bill,2014 125 127 30 UN releases commemorative postage stamp on anniversary of eradication of smallpox 128 130 31 Tamil Nadu to introduce online application for RTI 134 136 32 Phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan sharpens focus on CPEC-OBOR 137 138 33 Kailash Mansarovar runs into diplomatic trouble-India-Nepal Spat 139 34 National infant mortality rate at 32, Madhya Pradesh worst performer 142 35 MISSION SAGAR 144 36 COMMIT 146 37 Rajya Sabha Analysis- Do numbers matter in Rajya Sabha? 148 38 SC & 4G Services in J&K 149 39 India caught in U.S.-China spat over Taiwan’s status at WHO 150 40 RERA Act,2016 152 41 TIR Convention 153 42 BIO International Convention 154 155 43 Keeping Asia-Pacific afloat 156 44 Post-lockdown guidelines 157 45 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) 158 46 Baltic travel bubble 160 47 Virtual courts – worldwide 162 48 Sikkim’s Statehood Day-Formation of Sikkim 163 49 Draft Space Activities Bill, 2017 164 50 Getting India back to the Afghan high table 165 51 The new Indian road to Lipu Lekh-Nepal’s protests 166 52 National Test Abhyas 169 53 Working safely: On workplaces during the pandemic 170 54 National Tobacco Control Policy 171 55 Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana 173 56 US pull out of Open Skies treaty 177 57 The IMD via UMANG App 178 58 ‘ReSTART’ policy 181 59 Domicile rules for J&K 60 China suggests shift in BRI approach amid debt concerns 61 Impeachment of a SC judge 62 US-China new Cold War 63 UMANG App

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 64 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (1958) 181 65 Orange Passports and LOTUS mark on PASSPORT 182 66 Aadhaar Face Authentication 183 67 International termination charges (ITC) 183 68 Shekatkar Committee recommendations 184 69 Malimath Report 185 70 Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) 185 71 Delimitation Commission 186 72 National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) 188 73 National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) 190 74 Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) 191 75 Accessible India Campaign (AIC) 192 76 Export control regime 193 77 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the year Award 194 EDITORIAL PLUS 196 198 1 Taiwan’s coronavirus protocol shows how it is done 200 2 Pandemics without borders, South Asia’s evolution 202 3 MPLADS, its suspension, and why it must go 204 4 It’s time for a virtual judiciary 207 5 Resuscitating multilateralism with India’s help 209 6 India needs to enact a COVID-19 law 211 7 Conducting elections during a pandemic 213 8 India can absorb shocks of pandemic; take the lead in reshaping Global order 215 9 Shaping India’s response in a global hinge moment 217 10 Coronavirus lockdown | How can inter-State workers be protected? 218 11 What’s in a NAM? 221 12 The epidemic and ensuring safety in courts 223 13 Responding to COVID-19 at the grassroots 226 14 The trends shaping the post-COVID-19 world 227 15 Time for EU fiscal stimulus 229 16 Rajya Sabha Analysis -The need for a second chamber 231 17 Reaffirm cooperative federalism 233 18 Riding roughshod over State governments 235 19 Italy, India and a common thread in partnership 238 20 NEET is not student-friendly, merit-promoting 240 21 We need social physicians 243 22 The changing nature of Chinese diplomacy 245 23 China, better prepared for the post-COVID world 24 Backing the angels in white coats

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 25 How public health boosts an economy 246 26 Lower the temperature, defuse the issue 248 27 Reasons behind India and Nepal fighting over Kalapani? 251 28 India-China border issues 254 29 No answers yet for Somalia 257 30 Batting for free speech-Misuse of defamation cases 259 31 A time for reform in courts 261 32 Rising tide: On return of protests in Hong Kong 263 33 A moment to trust the teacher 264 34 From a standoff to a stalemate 266 35 For a reset in India-Nepal relations 268 36 Anchoring ties with Canberra the virtual way 271 37 Belated, but welcome: On Supreme Court move on migrant workers 273 GS-3 275 277 1 Janaushadhi Sugam Mobile 278 2 ATULYA 280 3 March core sector output slumps 6.5%- Index of Core Industry 282 4 Activists seek testing of Ganga water for COVID-19 treatment-CSIR-NEERI 283 5 UN Chief said world should follow South Korean model to fight CoVID -19 284 6 GI tag to Manipur black rice, Gorakhpur terracotta 285 7 International Workers’ Day 287 8 IEA: Global Energy Review 2020 290 9 5G signal now available on Mount Everest peak 292 293 10 Government raises Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) 294 295 11 Researchers in Canada are using algae to develop CoVID 19 test kits 297 12 Kashmir saffron gets GI tag 298 299 13 US FDA ALLOWS “Remdesivir” antiviral drug for severely ill CoVID 19 patients 300 301 14 National Mission for Clean Ganga organised IDEAthon 302 15 Chitra EmBed and Chitra EnMesh 303 16 eCovSens 308 17 NHC drug (beta-D-N4-hydroxycytidine)-Prodrug 309 18 Mobile power plants are taking to the high seas 311 19 ‘BHARATMARKET’ for retail traders 313 20 Forex reserves fall $113 mn to $479.45 bn 21 5G-Rajya Sabha Analysis 22 R&D Statistics and Indicators 23 African swine fever: Assam told to go for culling 24 Open Budget Survey 2019 25 Bru crisis and their displacement to Tripura

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 26 Mission Demo-2 315 27 Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) 317 28 Digital Currency 318 29 Russia to launch first satellite to monitor artic climate 319 30 Kisan Sabha App 321 322 31 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi kendras playing vital role to combat CoVID 19-PMBJP 324 325 32 India’s manufacturing sector activity hits record low in April amid lockdown: PMI Survey 326 327 33 UV Blaster 329 330 34 Bois Locker Room 331 35 Land management body 332 36 Corona-Killer 100 334 37 Dekho Apna Desh webinar 335 38 Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) 337 39 Bureau of Energy Efficiency-BEE 339 40 Soil Health Card Scheme 340 41 RBI Cancels Licence of CKP-Cooperative Bank 341 42 Drop in FPI 342 43 Nsafe mask 344 44 Microwave Oven as Sterilisation unit-COVID-19 345 45 Israel isolates Coronavirus antibody 347 46 Vishakhapatnam Gas Leak Incident- Styrene gas 348 47 Indian Navy’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 349 48 Environment Impact Assessment 358 49 Year of Awareness on Science and Health (YASH) 360 50 Ayush Sanjivani application 363 51 Disaster Management in India 364 52 FAME – NATIONAL ELECTRONIC MOBILITY MISSION 365 53 Vehicle Scrappage Policy 366 54 Lockdown air: less NO2, same PM2.5 and more urban ozone 367 55 After pharma, pesticide industry eyes make in India opportunity 369 56 China’s experimental spaceship works normally in orbit 370 57 3 drug regimen in Phase 2 trial for COVID-19 371 58 Sal forest tortoise 372 59 Using NFHS for population surveillance for coronavirus 373 60 China began the mining of combustible ice-Flammable ice 374 61 Cobra Lily 62 Panda of the sea 63 Solibacillus kalamii 64 Turtle – Threats

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 65 Monkeypox Virus 375 66 Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia)-Murder Hornet 376 67 Stringency Index 377 68 3D bioprinted cartilage 378 69 Wi-Fi Calling 379 70 NDMA ISSUES guidelines for restarting industries post lockdown 380 71 RBI gold reserves up 40.4 tonnes in 2019-20 381 72 Covid’s vitamin D link 382 383 73 DRUVS and NOTESCLEAN - COVID-19 384 74 COVID KAVACH ELISA 385 75 MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY 387 389 76 Magnetic fiel National Technology Day-Technology Development Board in Uranus 390 392 77 One Nation One Ration Card system. 393 78 Atal Pension yojana completes 5 years 394 79 ICMR's clearance on using convalescent plasma therapy 395 80 Feluda Test 396 81 National Technology Day 397 82 SwasthVayu ventilator 398 83 VAJRA scheme 399 84 NISAR 401 85 Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) 402 86 Steps to control Climate Change – Analysis by Dr.Anil Kakodkar 404 87 Atmanirbhar Bharat - Fiscal Stimulus Package 406 88 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)-BPPI 408 89 APMC amendments 410 90 Self-reliant India based on 5 pillars 412 91 Ethalin hydropower project 413 92 Global Nutrition Report 2020 414 93 CHAMPIONS portal – MSME 415 94 UV Radiation and classification 417 95 Sohrai Khovar Paitning got GI Tag 419 96 Desert Locusts 421 97 Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala’s MSME package 422 98 Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA),2010 424 99 Malnutrition 425 100 Smart Metering Programme (SMP) 426 101 FORCE (‘Fiscal Options and Response to Covid-19 Epidemic’) 102 New Green Building Code 103 Cartosat-2

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 104 Chitra GeneLAMP-N 427 105 6.5-km two-lane tunnel road to Wayanad 428 106 Perumon bridge and Naluchira bridge 429 107 NIPER-Guwahati designs innovative 3D products to fight COVID-19 430 108 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) 431 109 Economic package announced by Finance Minister 432 110 Model Contract Farming Act, 2018 435 111 Resident Indians remit record $18.75 bn in FY20 436 437 112 Monetary, regulatory support can help agri industry account for 20% of exports by 2025 438 439 113 Agriculture Export Policy,2018 440 114 Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme 441 115 INLCU L57- Landing Craft Utility (LCU) MK-IV class 443 444 116 Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sachet and two interceptor boats (IBs) C-450 and C-451 445 447 117 Model Contract Farming Act, 2018 450 118 Aviation sector measures on expected lines 451 119 Coronavirus package | Government throws open defence production 453 120 How will the COVID-19 relief for MSMEs help? 455 121 Coal, mineral reforms to help reduce imports 457 458 122 Human Challenge Studies 459 123 Street vendor loans an uncharted turf for big banks- Analysis 460 124 Herd Immunity-Dangerous assumption 461 125 Antimicrobial masks manufactured by IISC 462 126 SOFIA 463 127 Make masks at home with cotton and silk 464 128 National Migrant Information System (NMIS) 466 129 LiFi 467 130 New Ginger Species 469 131 Night Frogs 470 132 Lockdown 4.0 guidelines 471 133 Non-functional FASTag to be charged double toll Fee 472 134 5th tranche of Atma Nirbhar Bharat package- Structural Reforms 473 135 Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme 474 136 Sovereign gold bond (SGB)-FAQ 475 137 Biodegradable metal implants 479 138 BPDS and POMID disinfectant sprays 139 MicroRNA- Why old age make it more difficult to fight 140 A matter of relief: On economic stimulus package 141 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) 142 Impact of weather on COVID-19 reproduction number

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 143 Public debt 480 144 Green Nobel Prize 482 145 Section 54 in the Disaster Management Act, 2005 483 146 Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) 484 147 Star Rating Protocol of Garbage Free cities 485 148 Doppler Weather Radar 487 149 WAG12 489 150 Keoladeo National Park 490 151 Spike missile 491 152 Humpback Whale 492 153 NABARD 493 154 Swayam Prabha 494 155 Cerberus-Trojanware 495 156 Indigenous Cryogenic Engine 496 157 Tabby's star 497 158 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 498 159 Ozone Depletion 499 160 No Development Zone 500 161 Negotiale Instruments Act, 1881 500 162 Ecologically Sensitive Area of Western Ghats. 501 504 163 Society of Indian Defen National Directives for COVID-19 Management violations 505 506 164 MHRD has ensured safe shifting of stranded students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas 507 508 165 IIT Guwahati discovers new ways to prevent memory loss due to Alzheimer 509 166 Agappe Chitra Magna 511 167 Alternative dwarfing genes in wheat can eliminate rice crop residue burning 514 168 “Sweet Revolution” as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan 515 169 RBI slashes the lending rates 518 519 170 NTPC in pact with ONGC to set up Joint Venture Company for Renewable Energy Business 520 521 171 RBI announces 9 measures for strengthening the Economy 522 172 Give loan to eligible borrowers without fear of CBI, CVC and CAG 523 173 Mizoram grants ‘industry’ status to sports 524 174 N-95 masks 524 175 Oil price pickle 525 176 Farthest known galaxy 177 FDI in single brand retail 178 Chiru Goat 179 LEADS Index 180 What Covid-19 does to central nervous system?

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 181 Why do some Covid-19 patients lose their sense of smell? 526 182 Sholas 527 183 Nilgiri Pipit 527 184 National Logistics Plan 528 185 Cyber & Information Security (CIS) Division 528 186 Operation Digital board 529 187 Charu Mussel 530 188 Locust attack: All about Locusts 531 534 189 A joint fight by India and Pakistan, over the years: To control the Locusts swarms 536 537 190 Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) 538 191 UV-C light source for Germicidal Irradiation 538 192 Credit scores 539 193 NASA’s Kilopower Project 539 194 5G technology 540 195 Automated ocean pollution observation system 540 196 UN Environment Management Group (EMG) 541 197 Cyber Surakshit Bharat 542 198 Missile Park 'Agneeprastha' to be set up at INS Kalinga 544 199 7.75% RBI Bonds 546 200 ANITA: Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna 548 201 Fabrication of Controlled Nanostructures 549 202 Banks Board Bureau 549 203 First investment for NIIF 550 204 Road kills App 552 205 CRISPR-Cas9 - Gene Editing 555 206 INDIGEN PROJECT 556 207 Rotavac 556 208 Sea Turtles in India 557 209 Mission Innovation 557 210 National Institutional Ranking Framework 558 211 Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 559 212 Objectionable Content 560 213 Pulse Polio Immunisation (PPI) - IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME 214 Prompt Corrective action (PCA) 562 564 EDITORIAL PLUS 1 Plasma therapy is no silver bullet 2 Needed: a pandemic patent pool

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 3 It’s about food, nutrition and livelihood security 566 4 When will a COVID-19 vaccine be ready? 568 5 Debt and Mutual Funds-Franklin Templeton and Mutual Fund crisis in India 570 6 India’s disease surveillance system needs a reboot 572 7 A grain stockist with a role still relevant 574 8 COVID-19 and India’s fiscal conundrum 577 9 Boost wages to stimulate India’s growth - Pump Priming 579 581 10 Pathways to a more resilient economy 584 11 Getting over pandemic stage fright 586 12 Everyone wants a good stimulus 588 13 A war-like state and a bond to the rescue-Consol Bonds 590 14 Slower growth and a tighter fiscal 593 15 Funds and the PM 595 16 What labour law changes mean ? 598 17 The face of exploitation-Poor state of Migrant workers 600 18 Labour Rights 602 19 Getting cash transfers out of a JAM- Drwabacks of DBT 604 20 A plan to revive a broken economy 607 21 Provide income support, restore jobs 609 22 Lockdown syndrome: On virus-induced economic crisis 610 23 Stop the return to laissez-faire- Analysis of Labour laws 613 24 Will migrant workers benefit from the Centre’s measures? 615 25 How will the COVID-19 relief for MSMEs help? 617 26 Reforms and Agriculture 619 27 Farm gate in focus: On amending Essential Commodities Act 620 28 Where is health in the stimulus package? 622 29 Labour rights are in free fall 624 30 Preparing for a syndemic 625 31 A jolt to national energy security 627 32 End of a monopoly-APMC Act Analysis 628 33 Grasping the defence self-reliance nettle 630 34 A double disaster: On a cyclone amid the coronavirus 631 35 Time after time: On RBI repo rate cut 632 36 Digital currency plan, made in China 634 37 Hardly the 1991 moment for Agriculture 636 38 The problem with the liquidity push 638 39 How India can become self-reliant

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 40 Enjoying the fruits of their labour 641 41 The Swarm Locust Attack 643 42 Export blocks: On India’s trade amid the pandemic 644 GS-4 646 648 1 Ramadan marks the revelation of the Quran, which places knowledge above all 652 654 2 Right to Information 3 New habits-COVID-19 656 4 Older men worry less about Covid-19 than others: study 659 EDITORIAL PLUS 1 The New Normal 2 The pandemic and the challenge of behavior change – Social Marketing

Easy to PICK – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May-2020 GS - I

Easy to PICK1 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Chuni Goswami  Former India football captain Chuni Goswami, 82, passed away in Kolkata on Thursday after a prolonged illness. The captain of the 1962 Asian Games gold- medal winning team, Goswami had also represented Bengal in first-class cricket tournaments.  Under his captaincy, the Indian football team won gold at the 1962 Asian Games, finished runner-up at the Asian Cup in 1964 and narrowly lost to Burma in Mardeka football six months later. In club football, Goswami always played for Mohun Bagan. In his college days, he captained Calcutta University in both football and cricket in the same year.

Easy to PICK2 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Jamini Roy Context artisans, followers of religious cults, village women and adivasis with immense dignity. He represented in National Gallery of Modern Art pays tribute to the his paintings what they held sacred with references pioneering artist Jamini Roy on his 133rd Birth from folk tales and narratives that permeated the rural Anniversary year through virtual tour. consciousness. In this particular painting titled 'Woman' the artist has painted the figure of a woman About Jamini Roy against a red background with thick, black contouring lines. The simplification of form suggests a sculptural He was honoured with the State award of Padma quality, especially the structured drapery with an Bhushan in 1955. He was one of the most famous ornate border. pupils of Abanindranath Tagore. From 1924 onwards, Jamini Roy experimented with a Jamini Roy was one of the earliest and most significant new idiom as he was looking for ways to simplify form. modernists of twentieth century Indian art. During this time his images for the most part became From 1920 onwards his search for the essence of form either monochromatic bearing an austere play of led him to experiment with dramatically different white, soft grey and black or the palette was limited visual style. His career spanning over nearly six to the use of one or two colours. decades had many significant turning points and his With a masterly control of the brush, he created works collectively speak of the nature of contours of the form with fluid, calligraphic lines. Roy, his modernism and the prominent role he played in during this phase painted seated female forms, mother breaking away from the art practices of his time. and child figures, bauls, leaping deer, crawling infant Trained in the British academic style of painting in the early decades of the twentieth century, Jamini Roy became well-known as a skilful portraitist. He received regular commissions after he graduated from the Government Art School in what is now Kolkata, in 1916. The first three decades of the twentieth century saw a sea-change in cultural expressions in Bengal. The growing surge of the nationalist movement was prompting all kinds of experiments in literature and the visual arts. The Bengal School, founded by Abanindranath Tagore and Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan under Nandalal Bose rejected European naturalism and the use of oil as a medium and were exploring new ways of representation. Jamini Roy, too, consciously rejected the style he had mastered during his academic training and from the early 1920s searched for forms that stirred the innermost recesses of his being. He sought inspiration from sources as diverse as East Asian calligraphy, terracotta temple friezes, objects from folk arts and crafts traditions and the like. From the end 1920s, Jamini Roy rejected the European oil medium and began to use the traditional pigments from vegetable and mineral sources. The imagery was often drawn from village life. Jamini Roy invested in the portrayal of peasants,

Easy to PICK3 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Thrissur Pooram For the first time since its inception, Thrissur Pooram will be observed with rituals within the temple premises with just a few participants. This was done in the wake of the lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Thrissur Pooram is an annual Hindu festival held in Kerala. It is celebrated on the day when the star sign “Pooram” occurs in the Malayalam month of “medam (April-May)”.  The festival was the brainchild of Raja Rama Varma, famously known as Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin (1790–1805).  Pooram officially begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting ceremony) in which all the participating temples of the festival are present.  The Pooram consists of ten temples in and around Thrissur and is considered to be a ceremony where these deities come together to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva at the Vadakkunnathan Temple, located in the centre of the town.  One of the hallmarks of the festival is the percussion ensemble consisting of traditional instruments like chenda, maddalam, edakka, thimila and kombu.  The seventh day of the pooram is the last day. It is also known as “Pakal Pooram”.  Pooram, though a Hindu ritual, has grown to encompass all religious and cultural strains of Kerala. Both the Muslim and Christian communities participate in the festival in a variety of ways highlighting secular credentials of the state.

Easy to PICK4 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Enhancing Erosion in Himalayas  Scientists traced where the rivers draining The scientists and students from the Wadia Himalaya and its foreland erode the most Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) have explored the Zanskar catchment area. The study and identified the zones which receive was conducted to understand the landform evolution in transitional climatic zones, these eroded sediments and fill up. using morphostratigraphy, Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating and  The study suggested that the wide valley provenance analysis of landforms like valley fill terraces and alluvial fans. of Padam in the upper Zanskar is Valley Fill Terrace: The fill terrace is created a hotspot of sediment buffering and has either a stream or river starts to incise into the material that it deposited in the valley. Once this stored a vast amount of sediments. The occurs benches composed completely of alluvium form on the sides of the valley. The upper most sediment contribution from such transient benches are the fill terraces. Alluvial Fans: Triangle-shaped deposit of gravel, basins is significant when compared to the sand and even smaller pieces of sediment, such as silt. sediment reportedly eroded from the Note: WHIG is an autonomous institute under entire Indus system in Ladakh. the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.  Most of the sediments in the Padam valley Morphostratigraphy: The organization of rock were derived from Higher Himalayan or sediment strata into units based on their surface morphology (landforms). crystalline that lie in the headwater region of Zanskar.  The dominant factors responsible for sediment erosion were deglaciation and Indian Summer Monsoon derived precipitation in the headwaters.  The provenance analysis suggested that despite the presence of the deep narrow gorge and a low gradient, the upper and lower Zanskar valleys Optically-Stimulated Luminescence: It is a late Quaternary dating technique used to date the last time a quartz sediment was exposed to light. As sediment is transported by wind, water or ice, it is exposed to sunlight and zeroed of any previous luminescence signal. Provenance Analysis: It aims to determine the source region (provenance) of a sediment sample. It is aimed to reconstruct the parent rock or rocks of sand bodies, the time of deposition of the sand and, if possible, the climate conditions during the formation of the sediments. Key Findings

Easy to PICK5 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 remained connected throughout their aggradational history. Significance  The study will help to understand river- borne erosion and sedimentation, which are the main drivers that make large riverine plains, terraces and deltas that eventually become the evolving grounds for civilizations.  The study brought forwards the 35 thousand-year history of river erosion and identified hotspots of erosion and wide valleys that act as buffer zones.  It showed how rivers in drier Ladakh Himalaya operated on longer time scales and how they responded to varying climates. The Ladakh Himalaya forms a high altitude desert between Greater Himalayan ranges and Karakoram Ranges and the Indus and its tributaries are major rivers flowing through the terrain.  Understanding of water and sediment routing becomes crucial while developing infrastructure and for other development works in the river catchment area. Zanskar River  It is one of the largest tributaries of the upper Indus catchment.  It drains transversely northward from the Higher Himalaya, dominated by the Indian summer monsoon, to flow through the arid, westerlies-dominated, highly folded and thrusted Zanskar ranges in Ladakh.  The Doda and the Tsarap Lingti Chu confluence at Padam to form the Zanskar, which in turn joins the Indus at Nimu.  Zanskar valley can be divided into upper and lower divisions, separated by a gorge of nearly 60?km in length.

Easy to PICK6 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Earth’s Magnetosphere Scientists at the Indian Institute of nearby flowing ambient Geomagnetism (IIG) have developed a plasma such as the solar generalized one-dimensional fluid simulation wind. code capable of studying a wide spectrum of  Magnetosheath: It is the coherent electric field structures in near-earth region of space between the plasma environments or earth’s magnetosphere. magnetopause and the bow shock of a planet's  The developed simulation code is expected magnetosphere. to help in planning of future space  Magnetopause : It is the missions. boundary between the planet's magnetic field and Key Points the solar wind.  Formation of Earth’s Magnetosphere:  Northern tail lobe : The o Sun is the major source of plasma magnetosphere of the earth deposition in space around the contains two lobes, referred Earth. Thus, the Sun forces some of to as the northern and its plasma towards the earth in the southern tail lobes. form of the solar wind. Magnetic field lines in the northern tail lobe point  Plasma is the most common towards the earth. state of matter in the  Southern tail lobe: The universe as a whole.It magnetic field lines in the consists of a gas of ions and southern tail lobes point free electrons. away from the earth. Usually, the tail lobes are o The speed of solar wind varies almost empty, with few between 300 to 1500 km/s, which charged particles opposing carries with it a solar magnetic the flow of the solar wind. field, called the Interplanetary  Plasmasphere : The Magnetic Field (IMF). plasmasphere, or inner magnetosphere, is a region o The interaction of the IMF with of the Earth's the earth’s magnetic field creates magnetosphere consisting the magnetosphere of the earth. of low energy (cool) plasma. o The magnetosphere shields our  Solar winds: It is a stream home planet from solar and cosmic of charged particles particle radiation, as well as released from the upper erosion of the atmosphere by the atmosphere of the Sun, solar wind - the constant flow of called the corona. charged particles streaming off the Significance of Study of Plasma Processes: sun. The plasma processes have the ability to hamper the working of a number of satellites that have Regions of the Earth’s Magnetosphere: been placed in orbit in the magnetospheric region. The schematic diagram of Earth’s magnetosphere However, the morphology of these plasma shown consists of different regions namely,  o  Bow shock : It occurs when the magnetosphere of an Earth interacts with the

Easy to PICK7 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 processes changes over space and time. These changes can be ideally deciphered only through computer simulations. The study will help advance the knowledge of plasma waves, instabilities, and coherent effects associated with wave-particle interactions that are useful in planning future space missions. It can also lead to precisely controlled fusion laboratory experiments for ever-expanding energy needs of humanity. Indian Institute of Geomagnetism  Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) is an autonomous institution functioning directly under the Department of Science and Technology.  It has its main Campus at Panvel, Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra).  It conducts basic and applied research in Geomagnetism (study of dynamics of earth’s magnetic field) and allied fields like Solid Earth Geomagnetism/Geophysics, Magnetosphere, Space and Atmospheric Sciences.  The Institute also supports a World Data Centre for Geomagnetism (WDC, Mumbai), which is the only International centre for Geomagnetic data in South Asia and caters to the needs of Space and Earth Scientists and researchers from various universities and research institutions.

Easy to PICK8 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 159th Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath tagore 159th birth anniversary of Gurudev - in 1930 and then across Europe and All about Rabindranath Tagore America. Henceforth they gained international recognition. Rabindranath Context veered towards abstraction in his figuration. His works depict a great sense National Gallery of Modern Artwill organise the of fantasy, rhythm and vitality. Virtual Tour titled “Gurudev – Journey of the  A powerful imagination added an Maestro through his visual vocabulary” from 7th enigmatic strangeness and a sense of depth May 2020 to commemorate the 159th birth to his works. One is overwhelmed by the anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore awe-inspiring figures of birds and humans and semi-abstract forms. The Modern art of the Gurudev energy of his works is counterbalanced by  Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), a cool precision and lyricism. popularly known as ‘Gurudev’, was born  Tagore celebrated creative freedom in his in an affluent Family. The maestro was technique; he never hesitated to daub fascinated by the worlds of literature, art, coloured ink on paper to give life to his music and dance at an early age. In 1913, subjects. His drawings and ink paintings he became the first Indian to receive a are freely executed with brushes, rags, Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel cotton-wool and even his fingers. 'Geetanjali'.  For Tagore, art was the bridge that  He also wrote the National Anthems of connected the individual with the world. India and Bangladesh. He left his imprint Being the modernist he was; Tagore on art and played a role in transforming its completely belonged to the world of his practices and ushering into modernism. time particularly in the realm of art.  Rabindranath Tagore was primarily known Expressionism in European art and the as a writer, poet, playwright, philosopher primitive art of ancient cultures inspired and aesthetician, music composer and him. Fantasy, wild imagination and an choreographer, founder of a unique innate feel for the absurd gave a distinctive educational institution - Visva- Bharati character to his visual language. His works and a painter. Tagore's emergence as a have been an inspiration to the artists in painter began in 1928 when he was 67 India as well as across the world. years old.  For him, it was as an extension to his Rabindranath Tagore’s role in the freedom poetic consciousness. Beginning with struggle scratching and erasures on the pages of his India’s National Movement for freedom was manuscripts during the mid-20s of the 20th accompanied by a large wave of social, Century, he slowly moved to portraying educational and economic awareness throughout independent images. the nation. Tagore, one of the foremost thinkers in  Between 1928 and 1940, Rabindranath the country at the time spent time in building painted more than 2000 images. He never educational infrastructure. A man of true talent, gave any title to his paintings. Fed by his contribution to the freedom movement is memories and the subconscious, significant. Rabindranath's art was spontaneous and Following are the events that are evident in dramatic. His images did not represent the showing his contributions to the freedom struggle; phenomenal world but an interior reality. His role during Bengal partition:  His work of art were first exhibited in Paris

Easy to PICK9 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 In 1904, the Viceroy of India Lord Curzon Lord Chelmsford dated May 30, 1919. announced that the Bengal providence would be divided into two parts. The British government His views on education was worried about the social integrity among different communities in Bengal and wanted to  As one of the earliest educators to think in divide and rule. During this time Rabindranath Tagore wrote the terms of the global village, Rabindranath song Banglar Mati Banglar Jol (Soil of Bengal, Tagore’s educational model has a unique Water of Bengal) to unite the Bengali population. He started the Rakhi Utsav where people from sensitivity and aptness for Hindu and Muslim communities tied colourful threads on each other’s wrists. In 1911, the two education within multi-racial, multi- parts of Bengal were reunited. Literary works as weapons: lingual and multi-cultural situations, Tagore, unlike most of the other freedom fighters of his time, exposed the depravity of the British amidst conditions of acknowledged rule by chronicling all his adversities with British imperialism through poetry and literary works. He economic discrepancy and political wrote most of his pieces in his mother tongue, Bengali, to be later translated to cater to his vast imbalance. audience. He used his literature as mobilization for political and social reform, hence allowing other  Rabindranath did not write a central nations to be aware and further apply international pressure to Britain to be accountable for its educational treatise, and his ideas must be actions. He documented everything that would expose Britain’s true intentions in India. gleaned through his various writings and Role in Jalianawalabagh: educational experiments The Jallianwala Bagh massacre even in its at Santiniketan In general, he envisioned centenary year brings out the same vivid experience of trauma felt on April 13, 1919. The an education that was deeply rooted in incident completely altered the political scenario one’s immediate surroundings but and composition of India fighting against the British government. The event caused many connected to the cultures of the wider moderate Indians loyal to the British rule to abandon their loyalty to embrace nationalist world, predicated upon pleasurable values and grow distrustful of British. Many freedom fighters and political leaders were learning and individualized to the influenced by the incident too. Tagore’s actions against the cruel act also awakened the non-violent personality of the child. stand against the colonial rule. Tagore during the time of the massacre was ‘Sir’  He felt that a curriculum should revolve Rabindranath Tagore (knighthood conferred in 1915) and had been a Nobel Laureate for six years. organically around nature with classes On receiving the news about Jallianwala Bagh, he tried to arrange a protest in Calcutta (now Kolkata) held in the open air under the trees to and finally denounced the knighthood as an act of protest with a repudiation letter to Viceroy provide for a spontaneous appreciation of the fluidity of the plant and animal kingdoms, and seasonal changes.  In Tagore’s philosophy of education, the aesthetic development of the senses was as important as the intellectual–if not more so–and music, literature, art, dance and drama were given great prominence in the daily life of the school.  In keeping with his theory of subconscious learning, Rabindranath never talked or wrote down to the students, but rather involved them with whatever he was writing or composing  In terms of curriculum, he advocated a different emphasis in teaching. Rather than studying national cultures for the wars won and cultural dominance imposed, he advocated a teaching system that analyzed history and culture for the progress that had been made in breaking down social

Easy to PICK10 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 and religious barriers.  Tagore’s educational efforts were ground- breaking in many areas. He was one of the first in India to argue for a humane educational system that was in touch with the environment and aimed at the overall development of the personality. Santiniketan became a model for vernacular instruction and the development of Bengali textbooks; as well, it offered one of the earliest coeducational programs in South Asia.  One characteristic that sets Rabindranath’s educational theory apart is his approach to education as a poet. At Santiniketan, he stated, his goal was to create a poem ‘in a medium other than words.

Easy to PICK11 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Buddha Purnima-All about Buddhism Context stressing upon the individualistic component of Buddhism. President’s Greetings on The Eve of Buddha  The main teachings of Buddhism are Purnima on May 6th encapsulated in the basic concept of four Vesak Day noble truths or ariya-sachchani and Vesak Day, spelt “Wesak Day” until the 1970s, eightfold path or astangika marg. commemorates the birth, enlightenment and attainment of nirvana of Siddharta Gautama Four noble truths: Shakyamuni (Sakyamuni) Buddha.The day falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month. It falls Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world. on 7th May,2020. Every suffering has a cause – Samudya. Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha. About Buddhism It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga (Eight Fold Path).  The religion is based upon the teachings, life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Eight Fold Paths: the path consists of various Gautam, born in circa 563 BCE. interconnected activities related to knowledge, conduct, and meditative practices.  He was born into royal family of Sakya clan who ruled from Kapilvastu, in 1. Right view Lumbini which is situated near the Indo- 2. Right intention Nepal Border. 3. Right speech 4. Right action  At the age of 29, Gautama left home and 5. Right livelihood rejected his life of riches and embraced a 6. Right mindfulness lifestyle of asceticism, or extreme self- 7. Right effort discipline. 8. Right concentration Dukkha and its extinction are central to the  After 49 consecutive days of meditation, Buddha’s doctrine. Suffering is not limited to the Gautama attained Bodhi (enlightenment) actual pain but also to the potential to experience under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya a village in these things. Bihar. The essence of Buddhism is the attainment of enlightenment. It points to a way of life that avoids  Buddha gave his first sermon in the village self-indulgence and self-denial. There is no of Sarnath, near the city of Benares in UP. supreme god or deity in Buddhism. This event is known as Dharma-Chakra- The ultimate goal of Buddha’s teaching was the Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law). attainment of nibbana which was not a place but an experience, and could be attained in this life.  He died at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at a Buddha also established code of conduct both for place called Kushinagara a town in UP. the monastic order and the laymen to follow which The event is known as Mahaparinibban. are also known as the Five Precepts or Pancasil and refrain from them. Tenets of Buddhism 1. Violence 2. stealing  Buddha asked his followers to avoid the 3. sexual misconduct two extremes of indulgence in worldly 4. lying or gossip pleasure and the practice of strict 5. taking intoxicating substances e.g. drugs abstinence and asceticism.  He ascribed instead the 'Madhyam Marg' or the middle path which was to be followed.  According to him everyone was responsible for their own happiness in life,

Easy to PICK12 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 or drink his deputy under the patronage of King Kanishka of Kushan Empire. Major Buddhist Texts Buddhism was divided into two sects namely Mahayan and Hinayan.  The Buddha's teaching was oral. He taught for 45 years, adapting the teaching to suit Schools of Buddhism the group he was addressing. Mahayana:  The Sangha memorized the teachings, and  It is one of the two main schools of there were group recitations at festivals Buddhism. and special occasions.  The term Mahayana is a Sanskrit word which literally means \"Great Vehicle\".  The teachings were rehearsed and  It believes in the heavenliness of Buddha authenticated at the First Council and were and Idol worship of Buddha and divided in Three Pitakas in 483 BC. Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha Nature.  It originated in northern India and Kashmir  His teachings were written down around and then spread east into Central Asia, East 25 B.C.E. in Pali. Asia and some areas of Southeast Asia.  Buddhist schools embedded in China, Buddhist Councils Korea, Tibet and Japan belong to the Mahayana tradition. Buddhist Councils marked important turning points in the early Buddhism. Hinayana These councils resulted in sectarian clashes and  Literally Lesser vehicle, also known as the eventual Great Schism that resulted in the two Abandoned Vehicle or Defective vehicle. major schools, Theravada and Mahayana. It believes in the original teaching of In total, 4 major Buddhist councils were Buddha or Doctrine of elders. convened:  It does not believe in Idol worship and tries to attain individual salvation through self First Council discipline and meditation. It was held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the  Theravada is a Hinayana sect. Buddha, around 483 BC under the patronage of King Ajatshatru and was presided by Theravada Mahakasyapa, a monk.  It is the most ancient branch of extant The council was held in the Sattapani cave at Buddhism today. Rajgriha.  It remains closest to the original teachings The council was held with the purpose of of the Buddha. preserving Buddha’s teachings (Sutta) and rules  Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri for disciples. During this council, the teachings of Lanka and subsequently spread to the rest Buddha were divided into three Pitakas. of Southeast Asia. It is the dominant form of religion in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Second Council Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It was held in Vaishali, a village in Bihar under the patronage of the king Kalasoka in 383 BC. It was Vajrayana presided by Sabakami.  Vajrayana means “The Vehicle of the Thunderbolt”, also known as tantric Third Council Buddhism. It was held in 250 BC in Patliputra under the  This Buddhist school developed in India patronage of Ashoka and was presided by around 900 CE. Moggaliputta Tissa.  It is grounded on esoteric elements and very complex set of rituals compared with Forth Council the rest of the Buddhist schools. It was held in 72 AD at Kundalvana, Kashmir. It was presided by Vasumitra, while Asvaghosa was

Easy to PICK13 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Zen  It is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty as the Chan school of Chinese Buddhism in and later developed into various schools.  It spread to Japan in 7th century C.E.  Meditation is the most distinctive feature of this Buddhist tradition. UNESCO’s heritage sites related to Buddhism:  Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar  Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, MP  Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, Bihar  Ajanta Caves Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Easy to PICK14 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Band-like clouds seen over Sun’s neighbour-Luhman 16A A group of international astrophysicists have Starting in 1995, astronomers have been able to identified cloud bands on the surface of Luhman detect a few nearby brown dwarfs. All of the 16A, one of a pair of binary brown dwarfs in brown dwarfs discovered so far are parts of a the Vela constellation. binary system. A binary system is one in which two stars orbit around one another (just like the They have used an idea put forth Indian planets of our solar system orbit our star, the Sun). astrophysicist Sujan Sengupta, who is at the It is believed that some of the more massive brown Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, that dwarfs fuse deuterium or lithium and glow the light emitted by a cloudy brown dwarf, or faintly. reflected off an extrasolar planet, will be polarised. He suggested that a polarimetric technique could The faintness of the glow proved to be serve as a potential tool to probe the environment providential in finding the cloud bands. Unlike a of these objects. star whose brightness would be too high, or an extrasolar planet orbiting a star, where the extra Subsequently, many astronomers detected light from its star would have to be cut off to make polarisation of brown dwarfs. But what is special the measurement, the light of the brown dwarfs in the newest study of Luhman 16 is that the was just right. researchers have found the actual structure of the clouds — that they form bands over one of the pair The group, by using the Very Large Telescope at (Luhman 16A) of brown dwarfs. European Southern Observatory, Chile, found that Luhman 16A had band-like clouds in its Luhman 16A atmosphere, whereas the same was not true of Luhman 16B. Luhman 16 is a binary star system, the third closest system to the Sun after Alpha Centauri and Barnard’s star. At a distance of about 6.5 light years from the Sun, this pair of brown dwarfs referred to as Luhman 16A and Luhman 16B orbit each other, casting a dim light. Brown Dwarfs Brown dwarfs are objects which have a size between that of a giant planet like Jupiter and that of a small star. In fact, most astronomers would classify any object with between 15 times the mass of Jupiter and 75 times the mass of Jupiter to be a brown dwarf. Given that range of masses, the object would not have been able to sustain the fusion of hydrogen like a regular star; thus, many scientists have dubbed brown dwarfs as \"failed stars\".

Easy to PICK15 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Red Sanders  Red sanders or red sandalwood, is a species endemic to the southern Eastern Ghats mountain range of South India.  It is a rare kind of sandalwood that is in high demand in international market and costs around Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000 a kg.  The major markets for the wood are China, Japan, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal.  This tree is valued for the rich red color of its wood. The wood is not aromatic. The tree is not to be confused with the aromatic Santalum sandalwood trees that grow natively in South India.  Pterocarpus santalinus is listed as an Endangered species by the IUCN, because of overexploitation for its timber in South India.  It is also listed in the appendix II of the CITES, which means that a certificate is required in order to export it, that should only be granted if the trade is not detrimental to the survival of the species.

Easy to PICK16 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Deep Ocean Mission  Government of India is all set to launch ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ by January 2018 and it will improve India’s position in ocean research field.  Achievements in the field of ocean research: The program on Poly metallic nodules was initiated at CSIR-NIO with the collection of the first nodule sample from Arabian Sea on board the first Research Vessel Gaveshani on 26 January 1981.  India was the first country in the world to have been given the Pioneer Area for exploration of deep-sea mineral viz. Polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin in 1987.  Based on the resource evaluation, India has now retained an area of 75,000 sq km with an estimated resource of about 100 million tons of strategic metals such Copper, Nickel, Cobalt besides Manganese and Iron.  A First Generation Mine-site (FGM) with an area of 18,000 sq km has been identified. Latest technologies for extraction of metals from the minerals have also been developed under the programme.

Easy to PICK17 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Polar vortex brings spring snow Winter in May - snowfall covers parts of atmosphere. northeast United States and Canada. A polar  By itself, the only danger to humans is the vortex has brought cold weather and springtime snow to parts of the northeast magnitude of how cold temperatures will United States and Canada. get when the polar vortex expands, sending Arctic air southward into areas The stream of arctic air slipped south on Saturday, that are not typically that cold. bringing the unusual weather. In many areas, snow How is it Linked to Global Warming flurries fell against a backdrop of sunny skies,  The global temperature has risen by 0.8°C green trees and flowers. The US National Weather since 1880. Service issued a freeze warning extending into  The Arctic has warmed over twice the early Sunday for most of the country's northeast. average. Parts of New Jersey woke up to a rather cold  The temperature difference between surprise on Saturday with a dusting of snow as North Pole and regions like North temperatures in some areas of the US state America has reduced. dropped to below zero degrees Celsius.  The energy generated by the jet stream travels upward and disrupts What it is? the polar vortex, causing it to split.  One of these two \"child\" vortices has Recently, the United States is grappling visited North America this week, causing with extreme cold with temperature reaching to the record temperatures. -30°C in cities like Chicago and Dakota.  This is caused by a blast of Arctic air, which is a result of a “polar vortex” event.  The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. It was also known as the Polar Pig.  The term \"vortex\" refers to the counterclockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles. It always exists near the poles, but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter.  However, many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward. This occurs fairly regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large outbreaks of Arctic air in the United States and portions of Europe and Asia.  It is also not a feature that exists at the Earth’s surface, rather it exists tens of thousands of feet up in the

Easy to PICK18 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Toda artisans Toda artisans from the Nilgiris have come  In the Toda language it is called pohor. forward to use their traditional skills in making face-masks and to help people ward off the  The traditional Toda dress is a distinctive infection and also provide Todas with livelihood. shawl which is  Toda Tribe is a pastoral tribe of the Nilgiri Hills of southern India. called putukuli. Considered a grand  The Toda language is Dravidian but is garment, it is only worn for special the most unusual and different among the languages belonging to the Dravidian occasions like visits to the temple, family. festivals and finally as a shroud.  They live in settlements of from three to seven small thatched houses.  The embroidery is done by Toda  They traditionally trade dairy women and has distinctive red and products, as well as cane and bamboo articles, with the other Nilgiri peoples. black (and occasionally blue) thread work in geometric designs on unbleached white cotton fabric.  It has got a Geographical Indications (GI) Tag. Toda Embroidery

Easy to PICK19 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Gandhi Peace Prize Context Memorial Trust to individuals or organisations in recognition of creative The Ministry of Culture invites nominations for efforts toward promoting international awarding Gandhi Peace Prize every year. The peace, development and a new nominations are to be made in accordance with the international economic order; ensuring provisions of the Code of Procedure for Gandhi that scientific discoveries are used for the Peace Prize which is available on Ministry of larger good of humanity, and enlarging the Culture. scope of freedom.  The prize carries a cash award of 2.5 About the Gandhi Peace Prize million Indian rupees and a citation.  A written work, in order to be eligible for  The Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in consideration, should have been published. the year 1995 on the occasion of the 125th The panel constituted by the Indira Gandhi birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Memorial Trust consists of prominent national and international personalities  This annual award is given to individuals including previous recipients. The and institutions for their contributions recipients are chosen from a pool of towards social, economic and political national and international nominees. transformation through non- violence and other Gandhian methods.  The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 crore, a citation and a Plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.  The Award for every year is selected by a Jury under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister.  Julius K Nyerere, former Tanzanian President, was the first recipient of the award in 1995.  The recipient is selected by a Jury, headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and consisting of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India and two other eminent persons. The prize is open to all the individuals regardless of their nationality.  Only achievements within the last 10 years or the older works, significance of which has become apparent recently will be considered. About Indira Gandhi Prize  The Indira Gandhi Prize or the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize or the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is the prestigious award accorded annually by Indira Gandhi

Easy to PICK20 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 City Liveability Index  The index was launched by the Ministry of Urban Development.  The index is for measuring the quality of life in 116 major cities including smart cities, capital cities and cities with a population of above one million each.  It accesses cities on a comprehensive set of 79 paratmeters to capture the extent and quality of infrastructure including availability of roads, education and health care, mobility, employment opportunities, emergency response, grievance redressal, pollution, availability of open and green spaces, cultural and entertainment opportunities etc.

Easy to PICK21 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Lord Jagannath Temple  The Jagannath Temple of Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu located on the eastern coast of India, in the state of Odisha.  The temple is an important pilgrimage destination and one of the four great 'Char Dham' pilgrimage sites.  The construction of the Jagannath temple was initiated by King Anantavarma Chodagangadeva in 12th century.  The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival.  Anantavarma Chodagangadeva is also known for building the Sun temple of Konark and Puri is considered as the cultural capital of Odisha.

Easy to PICK22 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Odisha Helpline “Bharosa’’ To relieve the distress of the student community 21 of the Constitution guarantees during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government protection of life and personal has launched Central University of Odisha liberty to every citizen. o In July 2018, Delhi Government Helpline “Bharosa’’. launched a happiness curriculum for schools.  Aim: To provide Cognitive Emotional o Goal 3 of the Sustainable Rehabilitation Services to all University Development Goals (SDGs) Students of Odisha. focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at  Need: Social distancing and self-isolation all ages. because of Covid-19, has led to decline in social interactions which further impact Mental Health Care Act, 2017 mental and physical health. It is being called the ‘social recession’ i.e. a collapse  Right to make an Advance in our social contacts. Directive, wherein patients can state on how to be treated or not to be treated for  Benefit: This app would provide mental the illness during a mental health situation. and psychological assistance to the students.  Right to appoint a Nominated Representative: A person shall have the Mental Health right to appoint a nominated representative to take on his/her behalf, all health related  Mental health is defined as a state of well- decisions like: o Right to access mental health care, being in which every individual realizes o Right to free & quality services, o Right to get free medicines, his or her own potential, can cope with the o Right to community living, o Right to protection from cruel, normal stresses of life, can work inhuman and degrading treatment, o Right to live in an environment, productively and fruitfully, and is able to safe and hygienic, having basic amenities, make a contribution to her or his o Right to legal, aid o No Electroconvulsive Therapy community. (ECT) without anesthesia  Other Related Initiatives:  This act brought changes in Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (which criminalized o The Government of India has attempted suicide). Attempt to commit suicide not an offence. launched the National Mental  Now, a person who attempts to commit Health Programme (NMHP) in suicide will be presumed to be “suffering from severe stress’’ and shall not be 1982, keeping in view the heavy subjected to any investigation or prosecution. burden of mental illness in the community, and the absolute inadequacy of mental health care infrastructure in the country to deal with it. o The Supreme Court has held healthcare to be a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Constitution incorporates provisions guaranteeing everyone's right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Article

Easy to PICK23 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Rhododendron Rhododendron is a large genus of flowering plants and is found mainly in Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas and Nilgiris. Some plants of Rhododendron are evergreen and some are deciduous in nature.  The species is found in varied habitats from subtropical forest to alpine shrubs, rhododendrons range from dwarf shrubs to large trees.  The cold, moist slopes and deep valleys of the eastern Himalayas form a conducive habitat for the luxuriant growth of Rhododendron species and rich diversity in North Eastern States.  The species has been designated as the State tree of Uttarakhand and its blooming in the Garhwal Himalayas is celebrated as ‘Phool Sankranti’, a festival of flowers.  The studies on the flowering cycle have revealed that they are prominent indicators of climate change.  In high altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh rhododendrons are routinely cut for firewood by local people, forest fires in the dry seasons in Manipur and Nagaland were threatening the survival of many species.

Easy to PICK24 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Poumai Naga Tribe  The Poumai Naga is one of the major Naga tribe in northeastern state of Manipur in India.  The Poumai predominantly live in the Senapati District of Manipur, though there are villages in Nagaland state.  The Poumai speak their own language, Poula, and are generally Christians.  They celebrate Thounii Festival

Easy to PICK25 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ Tropical cyclone type of storm.  Tropical cyclone, also called typhoon or Conditions for formation of tropical hurricane, an intense circular storm that cyclones originates over warm tropical oceans and is characterized by low atmospheric 1. The temperature of the surface layer of pressure, high winds, and heavy rain. ocean water must be 26.5 °C (80 °F) or warmer, and this warm layer must be at  Drawing energy from the sea surface and least 50 metres (150 feet) deep. maintaining its strength as long as it remains over warm water, a tropical 2. A preexisting atmospheric circulation cyclone generates winds that exceed 119 must be located near the surface warm km (74 miles) per hour. In extreme cases layer. winds may exceed 240 km (150 miles) per hour, and gusts may surpass 320 km (200 3. The atmosphere must cool quickly enough miles) per hour. with height to support the formation of deep convective clouds.  Accompanying these strong winds are torrential rains and a devastating 4. The middle atmosphere must be relatively phenomenon known as the storm surge, an humid at a height of about 5,000 metres elevation of the sea surface that can reach (16,000 feet) above the surface. 6 metres (20 feet) above normal levels. 5. The developing system must be at least  Such a combination of high winds and 500 km (300 miles) away from the water makes cyclones a serious hazard for Equator. coastal areas in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Every year during the 6. The wind speed must change slowly with late summer months (July–September in height through the troposphere—no more the Northern Hemisphere and January– than 10 metres (33 feet) per second March in the Southern Hemisphere), between the surface and an altitude of cyclones strike regions as far apart as about 10,000 metres (33,000 feet). the Gulf Coast of North America, northwestern Australia, and eastern Super cyclones India and Bangladesh. An extremely powerful cyclone; (Meteorology) a Different names of tropical cyclones tropical cyclone with sustained wind speeds in excess of 130 knots (240 km per hour) in the  Tropical cyclones are known by various region of the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Bay names in different parts of the world. In of Bengal. the North Atlantic Ocean and the eastern North Pacific they are Cyclone Amphan-Super Cyclone called hurricanes, and in the western North Pacific around the Philippines,  Cyclone Amphan has now intensified into Japan, and China the storms are a super cyclonic storm on Monday and is referred to as typhoons. likely to move across the northeast Bay of Bengal, and cross the West Bengal and  In the western South Pacific and Indian Bangladesh coasts between Digha and Ocean they are variously referred to the Hatia Island on May 20, according to as severe tropical cyclones, tropical the Indian Meteorological Department cyclones, or simply cyclones. (IMD).  All these different names refer to the same  ‘Amphan’ (pronounced UM-PN) that had turned into an extremely severe cyclonic storm gathered more strength

Easy to PICK26 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 over the Bay of Bengal while moving and Odisha till May 20. slowly towards the coast. It has now 6. The National Disaster Response Force intensified further into a super cyclonic (NDRF) has enhanced its strength to a total of 37 storm likely to make landfall on teams, with the addition of 20 more, to combat Wednesday, the IMD has indicated. the dual challenge of Cyclone Amphan and the  The IMD has warned that the cyclone coronavirus pandemic, the chief of the federal could ravage east Medinipur, south and contingency force said on Monday. north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and 7. The Odisha government is in the process of Kolkata districts in West Bengal. evacuating people from low-lying areas in 12  Twenty-one years ago, in 1999, another districts including 6 coastal ones due to the super cyclonic storm had ravaged large approaching super cyclonic storm. parts of Odisha and Gangetic West 8. The impending cyclone has forced the Indian Bengal. It had taken Odisha, a number of Railways to divert the route for its Bhubaneswar- months to repair the extensive damage that New Delhi-Bhubaneswar AC Special trains the Super Cyclone had caused back then. running from Bhubaneswar between May 19 and  The state is expected to face extensive 22. damage in the storm that is likely to 9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also discuss uproot communication and power the super cyclonic storm in a high-level meeting poles. It said the Cyclone Amphan could on Monday to review the situation and also disrupt rail and road links in many preparedness. places in Bengal and Odisha and inflict extensive damage to standing crops, plantations and orchards. Tracking Amphan 1. Cyclone Amphan is likely to move north- northeastwards and rapidly across the northwest Bay of Bengal, and cross the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts between Digha and the Hatia Island as a very severe super cyclonic storm. 2. This has raised the possibility of heavy rains and high-velocity winds in coastal Odisha and Bengal and the state governments have initiated the process of evacuating people from vulnerable areas. 3. Cyclone Amphan is likely to have a wind speed of up to 185 km per hour on Wednesday, the Union Home Ministry has said in its latest update. 4. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued by the IMD for Gajapati, Puri, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara. On Tuesday, the rainfall activity is likely to increase in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajapur, Mayurbhanj, Khurja and Cuttack in Odisha. 5. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till May 21, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena has said. The IMD has issued a warning to suspend all fishing activity in Bengal

Easy to PICK27 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Stages of Amphan Cyclone Date/Time(IST) Position (Lat. 0N/ Maximum sustained Category of cyclonic long. 0E) surface wind speed disturbance 19.05.20/1130 16.5/86.9 (Kmph) 19.05.20/1730 17.1/87.1 19.05.20/2330 18.0/87.3 210-220 gusting to 240 Extremely Severe 20.05.20/0530 19.3/87.7 Cyclonic Storm 20.05.20/1130 20.9/88.2 20.05.20/2330 22.7/88.7 200-210 gusting to 230 Extremely Severe 21.05.20/1130 24.3/89.3 Cyclonic Storm 21.05.20/2330 25.6/90.2 190-200 gusting to 220 Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 180-190 gusting to 210 Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 160-170 gusting to 190 Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 95-105 gusting to 115 Cyclonic Storm 50-60 gusting to 70 Depression 20-30 gusting to 40 Low Pressure Area

Easy to PICK28 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1913-1996) Context Shri Nijalingappa, which came to be known as the Congress (O). The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind,  Thus the Congress came to be paid homage to Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, divided into the Congress (O) and former President of India, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Congress (R) parties. The today (May 19, 2020) on his Birth Anniversary. Presidential election went in favour He paid floral tributes in front of the portrait of of Mr. V. V. Giri. Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy.  President of India (25 July 1977 to 25 July 1982): After the defeat of the About Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Congress (R) in the Lok Sabha elections of 1977, Sanjeeva Reddy was elected with  He was one of the foremost political the backing of the Janata Party as the sixth leaders from Andhra Pradesh. He President of India. As president, Reddy participated in various freedom struggles worked with Prime Ministers Morarji against the British and was imprisoned Desai, Charan Singh and Indira Gandhi. several times.  Reddy authored a book, Without Fear or Favour: Reminiscences and Reflections  He was elected to the Constituent of a President, published in 1989. Assembly in India.  Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh:  When the Andhra Province was separated from Madras and T. Prakasam became the Chief Minister of Andhra, Sanjeeva Reddy was appointed Deputy Chief Minister.  When the new state of Andhra Pradesh was constituted Sanjeeva Reddy became its first Chief Minister and served in that capacity from 1956 to 1959. He again became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1962 for one year.  Lok sabha speaker: Sanjeeva was speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1967 to 1969.  Presidential election against VV Giri:  He then contested for the office of the President as the official Congress candidate against V. V. Giri who was then the Vice- President.  The Presidential resulted in the split of the Congress with an overwhelming section siding with Indira Gandhi, who had rebelled against the old guard, headed by

Easy to PICK29 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Ujh multipurpose project Ujh multipurpose project The Central Water Commission (CWC) has finalised a detailed report on Ujh multi-purpose project . The project is to come up in Kathua district, will store around 0.65 million acre feet (MAF) of water from Ujh (a tributary of Ravi).  It will irrigate 30,000 hectares and produce over 200 MW of power.  India has planed this project under the mandates of Indus water treat (IWT) CWC Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of India in the field of Water Resources. It is presently functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (NOW JAL SHAKTI MANTARALYA). The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering in consultation of the State Governments concerned, schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development. It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required.

Easy to PICK30 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Classical Language Status Classical Language Status Maharashtra government has sent a proposal to Ministry of Culture for granting classical language status to Marathi language. As of now, six languages i.e. Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia and Sanskrit have been given the status of classical languages. The criteria adopted for the eligibility of a language for granting classical language status are i. High antiquity of its early texts/ recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years; ii. A body of ancient literature/ texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; iii. The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community; iv. The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots. The benefits include-  A one-time grant of Rs 100 crore for research and development of the language.  Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in the concerned language.  Setting up of a 'Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages' can be set up.  The University Grants Commission can be requested to create, to start with at least in Central Universities, a certain number of professional chairs for classical languages, for scholars of eminence in the concerned language.

Easy to PICK31 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Jagdishpur-Haldia & Bokaro-Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL) project is also known as Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga. The 2,655 km project aims to connect the eastern states to the national gas grid.  Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal are the beneficiary states.  The project will usher Industrial development in East India by supplying environmentally clean natural gas to fertiliser and power plant, refineries, steel plants and other industries.  It also provides clean energy to households and transportation in the cities en-route the pipeline.  State-run gas utility GAIL India has recently placed orders for 400-km of pipeline. Director General of IMD Mrutyunjay Mohapatra is the Director General of IMD

Easy to PICK32 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Awa Guaja Awa Guaja  Awa Guaja is a hunter-gatherer tribe of the Amazon forest in Brazil.  They practice hunting-gathering.  They are only 400 in number

Easy to PICK33 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana-PMVVY – OLD AGE & Senior Citizens PMVVY is a social security scheme for senior Analysis for MAINS citizens intended to give an assured minimum National Elderly Policy defines person of 60+ pension to them based on an assured return on the age group as elderly. purchase price / subscription amount. Population figures on ageing Age division of Indian population (0-14) is 30.8%, (a) Extension of Pradhan (15-59) is 60.3%, (60+) is 8.6%. According to MantriVayaVandanaYojana (PMVVY) up to Population Census 2011, there are nearly 104 31st March, 2023 for further period of three million elderly persons in India. It has years beyond 31st March, 2020. increased from 5.5% in 1951 to 8.6% in 2011. Projected a rise upto 19% in 2050. As regards (b) To allow initially an assured rate of return of rural and urban areas, more than 73 million 7.40 % per annum for the year 2020-21 persons i.e. 71% of elderly population resides in per annum and thereafter to be reset every year. rural areas while 31 million or 29% of elderly population are in urban area. (c) Annual reset of assured rate of interest with Feminisation of ageing effect from April 1st of financial year in line with revised rate of returns of Senior Citizens Saving  Among the challenges which India faces, Scheme (SCSS) upto a ceiling of 7.75% with UNPF report says the feminisation of fresh appraisal of the scheme on breach of this ageing remained a key one. threshold at any point.  The sex ratio of the elderly has increased (d) Approval for expenditure to be incurred on from 938 women to 1,000 men in 1971 to account of the difference between the market rate 1,033 in 2011 and is projected to increase of return generated by LIC (net of expenses) and to 1,060 by 2026. the guaranteed rate of return under the scheme.  The report also noted that between 2000 (e) Capping Management expenses at 0.5% p.a. and 2050, the population of 80-plus people of funds of the scheme for first year of scheme would have grown 700% “with a in respect of new policies issued and thereafter predominance of widowed and highly 0.3% p.a. for second year onwards for the next 9 dependent very old women” and so the years. special needs of such old women would need significant focus of policy and (f) Delegating the authority to Finance programmes. Minister to approve annual reset rate of return at the beginning of every financial year. Problems associated with old age  Financial (g) All other terms and conditions of the scheme o Retirement and dependence of remaining the same. elderly on their child for basic necessity. The minimum investment has also been revised o Sudden increase in out of pocket to Rs.1,56,658 for pension of Rs.12,000/- per expenses on treatment. annum and Rs.1,62,162/- for getting a o Migration of young working-age minimum pension amount of Rs.1000/- per persons from rural area have month under the scheme. negative impacts on the elderly, living alone or with only the spouse usually poverty and distress. o Insufficient housing facility.  Health o Multiple disabilities among the

Easy to PICK34 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 elders in old age. 2016. All unclaimed amounts from small savings accounts, PPF and o Health issues like EPF are to be transferred to this fund. blindness,locomotor disabilities o Under the RVY scheme, aids and assistive living devices are and deafness are most prevalent. provided to senior citizens belonging to BPL category who o Mental illness arising from senility suffer from age-related disabilities such as low vision, and neurosis. hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disabilities. The o Absence of geriatric care facilities aids and assistive devices, viz walking sticks, elbow crutches, at hospitals in rural area. walkers/crutches, tripods/quad pods, hearing aids, wheelchairs,  Social artificial dentures and spectacles are provided to eligible o Indian society is undergoing rapid beneficiaries. o The scheme is being transformation under the impact of implemented by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of industrialization, urbanization, India (ALIMCO), which is a public sector undertaking under the technical & technological change, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. education and globalization. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) o Consequently, the traditional The Ministry of Rural Development runs the National Social Assistance Programme values and institutions are in the (NSAP) that extends social assistance for poor households for the aged, widows, disabled, and in process of erosion and adaptation, cases of death where the breadwinner has passed away. resulting in the weakening of Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to person of 60 years and above and intergenerational ties that were the belonging to family living below poverty line as per the criteria prescribed by Government of hallmark of the traditional family. India. Central assistance of Rs 200 per month is provided to person in the age group of 60-79 o Industrialization has replaced the years and Rs 500 per month to persons of 80 years and above. simple family production units by Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) This scheme is run by the Ministry of Finance. the mass production and the The Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) was first launched in 2003 and then relaunched in factory. 2014. Both are social security schemes for senior citizens intended to give an assured minimum o Negligence by kids towards their old parents. o Disillusionment due to retirement. o Feeling of powerlessness, loneliness, uselessness and isolation in elderly. o Generational gap. Recent initiatives by government Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is a nodal agency for the welfare of elderly people. The main objective of the scheme is to improve the quality of life of older persons by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities, etc. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)  o This scheme is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This is a central sector scheme funded from the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. The fund was notified in the year

Easy to PICK35 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 pension on a guaranteed minimum return on the  In 1982, the Report of the World subscription amount. Assembly on Ageing (also known as \"the The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana International Plan on Ageing\") was The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana published, which represented the first (PNVVY) was launched in May 2017 to provide international debate on the rights of older social security during old age. This is a persons and presented a plan for their simplified version of the VPBY and will be implementation. implemented by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.  The UNPF were tasked with implementing Under the scheme, on payment of an initial lump the Plan of the Second World Assembly sum amount ranging from Rs 1,50,000 for a which adopted “Madrid International minimum pension of Rs 1000 per month to a Plan” on ageing in 2002. maximum of Rs 7,50,000/- for a maximum pension of Rs 5,000 per month, subscribers will Role of SOCIETY get an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate Elderly peoples carries immense experience of of return of 8% per annum payable their personal and professional life, society at monthly/quarterly/half-yearly/annually. large need to channelise those experience for The Centre will bear 75 percent of the total budget better tomorrow. and the state government will contribute 25 percent of the budget, for activities up to district  They can provide a vital generational link level. for upcoming generations. It provides support and stability to families and Vayoshreshtha Samman society at large. Conferred as a National award, and given to eminent senior citizens & institutions under  Grandparents in joint families provide a various categories for their contributions on crucial link for transferring values and International day of older persons on 1st october. morals to the younger generation in their initial years, thereby contributing towards Legal backings upbringing of better human beings and  Article 41 and Article 46 are the responsible citizens. constitutional provisions for elderly persons. Although directive principles are  Acknowledging seniors’ contributions not enforceable under the law, but it would help to make ours a more age- creates a positive obligation towards the inclusive society that does not pit one state while making any law. generation against the other.  Section 20 of Hindu marriage and adoption act, 1956 makes it obligatory  Their deep cultural impressions and social provisions to maintain an aged parents. experiences provide the necessary buffer  Under Section 125 of Criminal against intolerance, violence and hate Procedure Code, the elder parents can crimes which provides stability in society claim maintenance from their children. especially in the era of hate and crime.  The Maintenance and Welfare of They can play a significant role in easing Parents and Senior Citizens Act, out societal tensions, both within and 2007, seeks to make it legal for the outside families through their insight and children or heirs to maintain their parents understanding. or senior citizens of the family.  Convention on the Rights of Older Persons Way forward is proposed in united nation. Increasing the monthly pension of elderly to minimum of Rs 2,000 per month.  Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Housing for the aged, particularly the aged poor, must be a priority.  Assisted living facilities for indigent

Easy to PICK36 – “UPSC Monthly Magazine\" May - 2020 elderly, particularly those with age-related issues like dementia, needs policy focus.  More tax benefits, or at least removing tax on deposit interest for seniors.  Enhancing the geriatric care health infrastructure especially in rural area.  Allocation of special budget for elderly population at both levels.  Providing entertainment facilities like libraries and clubs at panchayat level.  Appreciations for the contributions of elderlies at village level. Conclusion For the welfare and care for the older persons, we must focus on the protection of already existing social support systems/traditional social institutions such as family and kinship, neighborhood bonding, community bonding and community participation must be revived and kins should show sensitivity towards elderly citizens. Social security is the concurrent responsibility of the central and state governments as, mandated under Indian constitution i.e, Well-being of senior citizens – Article 41 in particular and 46 in general of Indian constitution. In this regard, National Policy on Senior Citizen, 2011 was framed.