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Prelim Bits 22-05-2018

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May 22, 2018

The Ulysses Clause

  • It is a term related to the advance directive or living will.
  • An advance directive is a document executed by patients authorizing the cessation of medical treatment when the doctor deems they are beyond recovery.
  • The Ulysses Clause is a built-in exception: it authorizes doctors to ignore the objection under some conditions and continue treatment.
  • The term is derived from a story in Greek mythology.
  • Ulysses, eager to hear the beguiling song of the Sirens, which will draw the listeners to their death, asks his men to cover their ears with wax, while he himself is to be bound to the ship’s mast, but free to listen to the song.
  • They have orders to prevent him from breaking free.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy

  • India's most celebrated social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, remembered best as the "father of the Indian Renaissance" was born on May 22 1772.
  • He was born in Radhanagar village in Murshidabad district of West Bengal.
  • He was a staunch supporter of monotheism.
  • He also shunned the orthodox Hindu rituals and idol worship right from the childhood.
  • In his first book "Tuhfat al-muwahhidin” he advocated for reason in religion and opposed ritualism.
  • He opposed "Sati", the regressive practice that forced a widow to immolate herself on husband's pyre.
  • In 1828, Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the "Brahmo Samaj", which is said to be one of the first Indian socio-religious reform movements.
  • Google search engine marked his birthday by a doodle.

Ashtapadiyattam

  • Vice-President relaunched the ancient dance drama 'Ashtapadiyattam' based on 'Gita Govindam' believed to be penned by 12th century poet Jayadeva, at a function in Kerala.
  • It is called Ashtapadis (Ashta- 8) as the Gita Govinda has couplets grouped into eights.
  • So the name Ashtapadi + attam (Dance), a dance –drama based on Ashtapadi
  • Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam classic encompasses a unique mix of classical literature, classical music and classical dance.
  • Gita Govindam’s unusually wide appeal comes from the story of Sri Krishna and his love for Radha.
  • The performance of the Gita Govinda at Puri Jagannath by the Mahatis and later by the Goutipas was significant in the development of Odissi.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus building

  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, earlier known as Victoria Terminus has completed 130 years of its construction on 20th May 2018.
  • It was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a consulting architect.
  • It is designed in Gothic style adapted to suit Indian context.
  • The dome of the terminus has been reported to be the first octagonal ribbed masonry dome that was adapted to an Italian Gothic style building.
  • The crowning point of the whole building is the central main dome carrying up a colossal figure of lady pointing a flaming torch upwards in her right hand, and a spoked wheel low in the left hand, symbolizing `Progress’.
  • In 2004, UNESCO has enlisted this building as World Heritage Site for its architectural splendour.
  • It is the headquarters building of Central Railway.
  • It is the most photographed building after Taj Mahal

Mission Innovation

  • Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change will be leading an Indian delegation for participation in the Mission Innovation Ministerial being held at Malmo-Sweden.
  • It is the third mission innovation ministerial meeting.
  • Mission Innovation (MI) is a global initiative of 22 countries and the European Union to dramatically accelerate global clean energy innovation.
  • India is founding member of Mission Innovation and part of the Steering Committee.
  • It co-leads innovation challenges on smart grids, off grids and sustainable bio-fuels. 
  • The other innovation challenges are Carbon Capture, Converting sunlight, clean energy materials and Affordable heating and cooling of buildings.
  • The MI Steering Committee, comprised of member government representatives, provides strategic guidance to foster implementation of the Enabling Framework.
  • Core administrative functions are carried out by the MI Secretariat, a small, flexible team supporting the Steering Committee.

Clean energy ministerial meeting (CEM)

  • The 3rd Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-3) takes place in Malmö, Sweden, back to back with the 9th Clean Energy Ministerial in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • The cities of Malmö and Copenhagen are famously linked by the Öresund Bridge, chosen for the event as a powerful symbol of joining forces to accelerate the clean energy revolution.
  • CEM is a high-level global forum to promote policies and programs that advance clean energy technology, to share lessons learned and best practices, and to encourage the transition to a global clean energy economy.
  • The Framework for the Clean Energy Ministerial, adopted at the seventh Clean Energy Ministerial in 2016.
  • The annual meeting of energy ministers and other high-level delegates from the 24 member countries and the European Union provid an opportunity to leverage high-level political will and private sector leadership to drive ambitious, real-world clean energy policies and actions.
  • The CEM is focused on three global climate and energy policy goals:
      1. Improve energy efficiency worldwide
      2. Enhance clean energy supply
      3. Expand clean energy access
  • India is a member of the CEM and hosted CEM4 in 2013.
  • The active organizations in CEM from India are
  1. Bureau of Energy Efficiency
  2. Power System Operation Corporation Ltd.
  3. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.

 

Source: PIB, The Hindu

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