Prelims Focus 30th September 2024

Jivitputrika Festival

In News: 

Around 46 people, consisting of 37 children, drowned while taking holy dip in rivers and ponds in several districts of Bihar in the course of the ‘Jivitputrika’ competition.

• Jivitputrika Vrat (Jitiya Vrat), is a significant festival dedicated to the well-being and prosperity of children, observed often by mothers.
• It involves women fasting and taking a holy dip.
• Region: It is well known in several states across India, consisting of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, in addition to Nepal.
• Duration: This festival spans 3 days, taking place throughout the seventh to ninth lunar day of Krishna-Paksha in the month of Ashvin.
  • The celebration starts with Nahai-Khai, wherein moms take a purifying tub and consume a nourishing meal.
  • The 2nd day is marked by the rigorous fasting ritual, and the festival concludes on the 3rd day with Paaran, where the fast is broken with a meal.

India Elected to GlobE Steering Committee

In News: India has been elected to the GlobE Network’s guidance committee in Beijing, gaining a pivotal position in shaping international anti-corruption efforts.

• Background: The Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GloBE Network) was an initiative of G-20.
  • It was formally launched on June 3, 2021, throughout a special event at the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption. 
• Member: It has 121 member countries and 219 member authorities.
• Objective: The GloBE Network is a platform in which agencies from the world share criminal intelligence, develop strategies, and support in the common cause of combating corruption. 
• Governance: The Network has one chair, one vice-chair and 13 members in the Steering Committee for offering management to the agency.

Poumai Naga Tribe

In News:The Poumai Naga tribe from Purul village in the Senapati district of Manipur has made an important move for wildlife conservation by prohibiting the hunting, trapping, and killing of wild animals and birds in their area.

• The Poumai Naga tribe, one of the prominent indigenous communities in Manipur, India, has recently been at the forefront of significant socio-political developments. 
• In May 2024, during their third assembly, the Poumai Naga Union (PNU) announced its decision to dissociate from the United Naga Council (UNC) and other affiliated organizations. 
• This move was made to protect the rights and interests of the Poumai community amid rising tensions and external pressures. 
• The PNU criticized an order served to its leaders, asserting their right to defend their community against perceived threats and announcing plans for a non-cooperation movement if their demands were not met within a stipulated timeframe1.

Marburg Virus Disease

In News: Marburg virus disease is on the rise in Rwanda, resulting in six fatalities to date. According to Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Sabin Nsanzimana, the deceased and the majority of those infected are healthcare professionals.

• Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus, a member of the Filoviridae family, which also includes the Ebola virus. 
• First identified during simultaneous outbreaks in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia, MVD has a high fatality rate, with some outbreaks reporting up to 88% mortality. 
• The disease typically begins abruptly with symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, and malaise, progressing to severe gastrointestinal symptoms and hemorrhaging within days. 
• Human infection often occurs through prolonged exposure to Rousettus bat colonies or through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Recent outbreaks have been reported in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania in early 2023, raising concerns about the virus’s potential for human-to-human transmission and the challenges in controlling its spread. 
• Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for MVD; management focuses on supportive care, including rehydration and symptom relief. 
• Public health measures are crucial for outbreak containment, emphasizing the need for protective equipment for healthcare workers and community awareness to mitigate risks associated with this deadly disease.

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