Prelims Focus 17th September 2025

Polypropylene

In News: In Assam’s Golaghat, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for a polypropylene factory at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL).

• Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer in the polyolefin family.
• Because of its versatility, durability, and light weight, it is one of the most popular plastics in use worldwide.
• Polypropylene is used in the production of textiles, medical kits, masks, fibers, bags, ropes, and carpets, and it is also an essential component in the automobile industry, as well as manufacturing agricultural and medical devices.
• In addition to its well-known Eri and Muga silk and its traditional Gamosa, Assam will now be known for its polypropylene fabrics.

Enhanced Sterile Insect Technique

In News:  Scientists are experimenting with an Enhanced Sterile Insect Technique (Enhanced-SIT) in Naousa, northern Greece, in order to manage invasive fruit fly species that pose a threat to crops, particularly peaches.

• • The EU funded the REACT project, which cost €6.65 million, lasted four years, and covered 12 nations, including the UK, Israel, and South Africa.

• Targeted Pests:

• • The main local pest is the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata).
  • The peach fruit fly (Bactrocera zonata) and the Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) are invasive species from Asia that are extremely harmful worldwide.
• Technique: University of Patras produced sterile male flies.
  • Bacterial supplements are used to feed these, which increases their resistance, lifespan, and competitiveness in reproduction.
  • The end result is a slow decline in population with no reproduction.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

In News: Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is currently spreading rapidly among children in Delhi and neighbouring Haryana, with a notable surge in cases reported since July-August 2025. The majority of affected children are under 10 years old, particularly between ages 3 and 7. This increase is linked to the monsoon season, which typically encourages the spread of viral infections.

About HFMD: 

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral illness, mostly affecting children under 5.

Key Facts of HFMD: 

• Caused by Coxsackievirus or Enterovirus.
• Symptoms: fever, painful mouth sores, and red rash/blisters on hands, feet, sometimes buttocks.
  • Spreads via direct contact with saliva, respiratory droplets, stool, or blister fluid; outbreaks common in schools and daycare.
  • Usually mild and resolves in 7–10 days; treatment is supportive (hydration, pain relief).
• Prevention: frequent hand-washing and cleaning surfaces.
  • Complications are rare but may include dehydration or, very rarely, viral meningitis.

Birhor Tribe

In News: Around 550 residents of Fulwariya hamlet in Koderma district, mostly belonging to the Birhor tribe, will soon get electricity after nearly eight decades of darkness. 

• This milestone was marked by the installation of a 63 KVA transformer, with plans for another, under the Ujjwala Yojana scheme to power over 100 homes. 
• The village had faced delays in electrification due to forest law restrictions, as the approach road passes through a protected forest, but forest department clearance was granted with strict conditions to protect wildlife. 
• The arrival of electricity is expected to improve education, health, and livelihood opportunities for the community members. 
• The Birhor tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) primarily found in Jharkhand, with smaller populations in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. 
• The name “Birhor” means “jungle people,” reflecting their traditional forest-dependent lifestyle. 
• They are ethnologically related to the Santals, Mundas, and Hos and are characterized by short stature, long heads, wavy hair, and broad noses. 
• Traditionally nomadic, the Birhor live in small bands and practice hunting, gathering forest produce, and rope-making from vine fibers for livelihood.

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