UPSC Daily Current Affairs – Prelims [6th February 2023]

Visva-Bharati University soon to be declared World’s First “Living Heritage University” by UNESCO

Source – Indian Express

Founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, Visva-Bharati University is set to make history as the world’s first “living heritage university” as recognized by UNESCO.

• First of its kind typically, heritage recognition is given to monuments and not functioning universities. However, Visva-Bharati University is breaking new ground with its upcoming heritage designation.

About Visva-Bharati University

In May 1922, the Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organization, and the university was officially inaugurated as a Centre for Culture. This allowed for an exploration of the arts, language, humanities, and music.

Diverse Institutes with Unique Architectural Expressions The university is comprised of various institutes, each with its own distinct architectural expression. Some notable structures include:

• Kalo Bari, a mud structure with coal tar finish and sculpture panels
• Mastermoshai studio, a single-storied building for the first principal of Kala Bhavan, Nandalal Bose
• Murals and paintings on Cheena and Hindi Bhavan, created by artists such as Benodebehari Mukhopadhyay, Nandalal Bose, Surendranath Kar, and Somnath Hore, with the active involvement of students.

The North Star: A Guide for Navigation and Democracy

Source – Indian Express

Polaris, commonly known as the North Star or Pole Star, is a bright star located less than 1° away from the north celestial pole.

• Its position and brightness have made it a valuable tool for navigation since ancient times.
• Polaris is part of the constellation Ursa Minor and is approximately 323 light-years from Earth.

The North Star in the Night Sky

• Due to Polaris’ location nearly in line with Earth’s rotational axis “above” the North Pole, it appears almost motionless in the sky while all other stars in the northern sky seem to rotate around it.
• This makes Polaris an ideal reference point for celestial navigation.

The Changing North Celestial Pole

Over a period of 26,000 years, the Earth’s axis completes one full rotation. As a result, the north celestial pole changes over time. By the end of the 21st century, Polaris will no longer be the North Star, and a new star will need to be identified.

The North Star of Democracy

In recent political contexts, the phrase “parliament is the North Star of democracy” refers to the institution that guides and dictates the direction of democracy.

Parliament, as the representation of the will of the people, is considered the most fundamental institution in a democracy by many political thinkers.

In the words of CJI Chandrachud, it is the basic structure doctrine that prevents this from happening.

Pradhan Mantri PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Development Mission

Source – Times of India

The Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission was proposed in the Budget 2023-24 with the aim of improving the socio-economic conditions of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India.

The Mission

The PM PVTG Development Mission is aimed at providing basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water, and improved access to education and health, to PVTG families and habitations. The launch of the mission is a step towards addressing the challenges faced by PVTGs and improving their standard of living.

Who are the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups?

The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups are a group of tribal communities in India that require greater support and development. Out of the 705 Scheduled Tribes in India, 75 have been identified as PVTGs and are spread across 17 states and one Union Territory.

Criteria for Identification of PVTGs

The government of India identifies PVTGs based on the following criteria:

• Pre-agricultural level of technology
• Low level of literacy
• Economic backwardness
• Declining or stagnant population.

Pandemic Treaty

Source – DownToEarth

WHO’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) published a ‘zero-draft’ of the pandemic treaty on February 1.

What is Pandemic Treaty?

International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (Pandemic Treaty)

Purpose: The Pandemic Treaty aims to enhance the global community’s preparedness and response to pandemics and ensure that these efforts are carried out equitably.

Goals:

• Improve pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response measures
• Advance the principles of equity, solidarity, and health for all
• Ensure a better preparedness and fair response for future pandemics

Muons

Source – Indian Express

In News

In their quest to better understand the ancient city of Xi’an in China, researchers are turning to muons – subatomic particles that pass through matter and reveal its internal structure.

Using muons, the researchers have discovered small anomalies in the density of the city’s fortress wall, which may pose safety risks. The study aims to gain insight into the condition of the wall and ensure its preservation for future generations.

What are Muons?

Muons are subatomic particles that are created when the particles in Earth’s atmosphere collide with cosmic rays, which are clusters of high-energy particles that move through space just below the speed of light. It is estimated that approximately 10,000 muons reach every square meter of Earth’s surface per minute.

What is Muon Tomography or Muography?

Muography is a method of imaging similar to X-ray, but it is capable of scanning larger and wider structures because of the greater penetration power of muons.

Applications of Muography:

Muons have various applications in the fields of archaeology, security, and volcanology. For instance, the Cosmic Ray Muon Imaging System (CORMIS) was used to examine the wall of the ancient city of Xi’an in China, leading to a major discovery. Muography is also used in customs security and for internal imaging of volcanoes.

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