Sweden reports first case of Mpox strain outside Africa amid global health emergency

Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) is a rare viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes variola virus (causing smallpox) and vaccinia virus (used in smallpox vaccines). First detected in humans in 1970, it is endemic in central and West Africa.

• Transmission:Spread from animals to humans (zoonotic) and between humans via close contact, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials.
• Symptoms: Fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes; can lead to severe complications or death.
• Vaccination: WHO recommends vaccines, widely used in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to control outbreaks.

Epidemiology:

• Endemic Regions:Historically, monkeypox was primarily found in Central and West African countries, particularly in tropical rainforests.
• Global Spread:In recent years, there have been outbreaks in other regions, including the United States and Europe, demonstrating its potential for wider spread.

Transmission:

• Zoonotic Transmission:The virus is transmitted from animals to humans, with primary reservoirs being rodents and primates.
• Human-to-Human Transmission:It can spread through close contact with infected individuals, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing.
• Direct Contact:Contact with the skin lesions or bodily fluids of infected individuals can also transmit the virus.

Symptoms:

• Incubation Period:Typically 7 to 14 days, but can range from 5 to 21 days.
• Initial Symptoms:Fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.
• Rash Development:Followed by a rash that progresses through various stages: macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and finally crusts. The rash usually starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body.
• Duration:Symptoms generally last 2 to 4 weeks.

Treatment:

• Supportive Care:There is no specific treatment for monkeypox; management focuses on supportive care to relieve symptoms.
• Antiviral Drugs:In severe cases, antiviral medications like tecovirimat (TPOXX) may be used.
• Vaccination:The smallpox vaccine has been shown to provide protection against monkeypox and may be used in outbreak settings.

 Prevention:

• Avoiding Contact:Reduce the risk by avoiding contact with wild animals, especially in endemic areas, and avoiding contact with infected individuals.
• Infection Control:Practice good hygiene, including handwashing and using personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings.
• Vaccination:Vaccination of high-risk populations and healthcare workers can help prevent outbreaks.
• Surveillance:Monitoring and reporting of cases to track outbreaks and implement control measures.
• Isolation and Quarantine:Infected individuals may need to be isolated to prevent spread, and contact tracing is crucial to identify and manage potential cases.

Handwritten translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s ’Jana Gana Mana’ goes viral on Independence Day 2024

Early Life and Background:

• Born:May 7, 1861, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India.
• Family:
  • Father:Debendranath Tagore, a prominent figure in the Brahmo Samaj, an intellectual and reformist movement.
  • Mother:Sarada Devi, known for her devotion and spiritual influence.
• Education:
  • Home-schooled initially; exposed to a variety of educational influences.
  • Briefly attended University College London but did not complete formal higher education.

Major Achievements:

• Nobel Prize:Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems "Gitanjali," becoming the first non-European to win the prize.

Reforms and Contributions

1. Educational Reforms:

• Visva-Bharati University (1921):
  • Founded in Shantiniketan, aimed to integrate Indian and Western educational traditions.
  • Emphasized holistic education, blending arts, humanities, and science with a focus on creativity and individuality.

2. Social Reforms:

• Advocated for social justice, women''s rights, and educational empowerment.
• Criticized colonial rule and societal norms, promoting ideas of equality and cultural renaissance.

3. Cultural Contributions:

• Promoted the use of Indian languages and culture in literature and education.
• Encouraged the fusion of traditional Indian art forms with modern ideas.

Major Works

1. Poetry:

• Gitanjali (Song Offerings) (1910, English translation 1912):
  • Collection of poems expressing deep spiritual and philosophical themes.
• The Crescent Moon (1903):
  • Poems for children, reflecting innocence and simplicity.
• Fruit-Gathering (1916):
  • Poems celebrating nature and human experience.

2. Novels:

• The Home and the World (Ghare-Baire) (1909):
  • Explores themes of nationalism, personal freedom, and the complexities of relationships during the Indian independence movement.
• Noukadubi (The Wreck) (1926):
  • A novel about the impact of social norms on personal identity and relationships.
• Chokher Bali (A Grain of Sand) (1903):
  • Examines themes of passion, betrayal, and social constraints.

3. Short Stories:

• Kabuliwala (1892):
  • A story of an Afghan merchant and his bond with a young Bengali girl, exploring themes of cultural and emotional connections.
• The Postmaster (1891):
  • Centers on the emotional connection between a postmaster and an orphan girl in a remote village.
• The Professor (1891):
  • Highlights the relationship between a professor and a student, focusing on social and intellectual themes.

4. Plays:

• The King of the Dark Chamber (1910):
  • A philosophical play exploring themes of governance, divine rule, and human aspiration.
• Raja (The King) (1910):
  • Discusses leadership, justice, and the nature of power.
• Chitra (1892):
  • A dramatic adaptation of the Mahabharata character Chitra, focusing on themes of gender and identity.

5. Essays and Other Writings:

• Nationalism (1917):
  • A collection of essays critiquing the concept of nationalism and its implications for society.
• Sadhana (1909):
  • Essays on spirituality and religious experience.

6. Music:

• Rabindra Sangeet:
  • Tagore composed over 2,000 songs, reflecting a range of themes including spirituality, love, and social issues.

PM Modi calls for discussions on Uniform Civil Code in Independence Day speech: ‘It needs to be secular’

Uniform Civil Code

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) refers to the proposal for a single set of civil laws governing all citizens of India, regardless of their religion. To replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community with a common set governing every citizen.

Article 44: Directive Principle of State Policy.

• Text: "The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India."
• Significance: Provides a directive for the establishment of UCC but is not justiciable (cannot be enforced by the courts).

Historical Background

• Pre-Independence:
  • British Era: British administration introduced various legal reforms but retained separate personal laws for different communities.
• Post-Independence:
  • Constitutional Assembly: Debate on UCC, with emphasis on balancing secularism and minority rights.

Arguments For UCC

• Equality and Justice: Promotes equal treatment and justice irrespective of religion.
• Secularism: Aligns with secular principles of the Indian Constitution.
• Legal Uniformity: Simplifies legal processes and enhances the rule of law.
• Social Cohesion: Reduces communal tensions arising from religious differences in personal laws.

Arguments Against UCC

• Religious Freedom: Concerns about infringing upon the freedom to practice and follow one''s religion.
• Cultural Diversity: Fears that it might erode the rich cultural and religious diversity.
• Political Sensitivity: Subject to political and religious opposition, potentially leading to societal unrest.

Key Challenges

• Political and Social Opposition: Different communities and political parties have varied stances on UCC.
• Implementation Complexity: Harmonizing diverse personal laws and addressing specific community concerns.
• Judicial and Legislative Hurdles: Balancing the directive principles with fundamental rights and existing legal frameworks.

Conclusion

The UCC remains a significant but controversial topic in Indian legal and political discourse. Its future depends on balancing constitutional ideals with socio-cultural realities and addressing diverse opinions and concerns.

PM Modi Pays Homage to Sri Aurobindo on Birth Anniversary

Sri Aurobindo

He is popularly known as yogi Rishi Aurobindo. He was a revolutionary, nationalist, poet, educationist and philosopher.  He was born on August 15, 1872, in Calcutta to Shri Krishnadhan Ghosh. His father was a rich doctor from Calcutta. At the age of seven he was taken to England for education. There he studied at St. Paul’s School, London, and at King’s College, Cambridge

Roles played as a Service officer and professor: He became a state service officer on his return to India in 1893.  He worked for the next thirteen years in the Princely State of Baroda in the service of the Maharaja and as a professor at Baroda College. 

Revolutionary: He also joined a revolutionary society and took a leading role in secret preparations for an uprising against the British Government in India. He became a leading figure in the freedom movement and used to write fearless articles for the English newspaper Bande Mataram.

• He also contributed articles to the Bengali weekly Yugantar.
• Later, he started the weekly English journal titled Dharma, in which he tried to convey the message of Swaraj or freedom from British rule.
• He was one of the founders of the youth club Anushilan Samitiwhich protested against the atrocities of the British government.
• He was one of the leading protesters against the 1905 Partition of Bengal and called on the citizens to boycott British institutions and goods.
• He took part in the 1906 session of the Indian National Congress and was a member of the team which set four objectives-Swadeshi, Swaraj, education and boycott.

leader of the Nationalist movement: 

• In 1906, soon after the Partition of Bengal, Sri Aurobindo quit his post in Baroda and went to Calcutta, where he soon became one of the leaders of the Nationalist movement. 
• He was the first political leader in Indiato openly put forward, in his newspaper Bande Mataram, the idea of complete independence for the country.
• Prosecuted twice for seditionand once for conspiracy, he was released each time for lack of evidence.

Literary Works:

• An English newspaper called Bande Mataram (in 1905)
• Bases of Yoga
• Bhagavad Gita and Its Message
• The Future Evolution of Man
• Rebirth and Karma
• Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol
• Hour of God

Centre launches new AI-based surveillance system to manage pests, connect scientists with farmers

The Centre has launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) to help farmers connect with agriculture scientists and experts for pests’ control.

National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)

• The NPSS is an AI-based platformlaunched by the government on August 15, 2024.
• It is designed to help farmers connect with agricultural scientists and experts for effective pest controlusing their phones.
• It provides data for selected crops i.e. Rice, Cotton, Maize, Mango and Chilies.

Aim of NPSS:

• The aim of NPSS is to reduce the dependence of farmers on pesticide retailers and inculcate a scientific approach among them towards pest management. NPSS will analyse the latest data on pests using AI tools to help farmersand experts in pest control and management.

Objectives of project:

• Design, development and implementation of National Pest Surveillance System
• Implementation of the system so as to provide regular correct pest management advisories to the farmers
• Promotion of IPM through implementation of the system.

How will farmers use it?

• Farmers can take photos of infested crops or pests using the NPSS platform, which are then analysed by scientists and experts.
• Then they will suggest the correct quantity of the pesticide at the right time, reducing excessive pesticide use.
• Target Groups: Approximately 14 crore farmers across India.

Initiatives for promoting AI in Agriculture

• Kisan e-Mitra’: AI-powered chatbot to assist farmers on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
• Al for Agriculture Innovation (AI4AI) initiative, launched by the World Economic Forum. Under it, ''Saagu-Baagu’initiative was launched to promote innovation in agriculture in Telangana.
• AI based analytics for crop health monitoring using Satellite datasets for rice and wheat crops.