Gibraltar
- Gibraltar is a British overseas territory occupying a narrow peninsula of Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast, just northeast of the Strait of Gibraltar, on the east side of the Bay of Gibraltar (Bay of Algeciras).
- In the news: Following the triggering of formal Brexit negotiations, it was revealed the EU’s draft document on its Brexit strategy said no agreement on its future relationship with the UK would apply to Gibraltar without the consent of Spain – giving it a potential veto. Spain – a member of the EU – reportedly lobbied for the condition. Gibraltar, which voted by 96% to stay in the EU in June’s referendum, accused Spain of using Brexit to pursue its territorial aims.
UPSC
- In News: “Prof. Syiemlieh joined the Commission as Member on June 25, 2012 and was later appointed to perform the duties of the post of Chairman, UPSC under Article 316 (1A) of the Constitution of India w.e.f. January 4, 2017. He took the Oath of Office and Secrecy as Chairman, Union Public Service Commission, under clause (1) of Article 316 of the Constitution of India, today (3rd April, 2017).”
- Usually, the Commission consists of nine to eleven members including the chairman.
- Further, no qualifications are prescribed for the Commission’s membership except that one-half of the members of the Commission should be such persons who have held office for at least ten years either under the Government of India or under the government of a state.
- The chairman and members of the Commission hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
- The President can appoint one of the members of the UPSC as an acting chairman in the following two circumstances: (a) When the office of the chairman falls vacant; or (b) When the chairman is unable to perform his functions due to absence or some other reason.
New BRV-PV Vaccine
- Developed by Serum Institute of India.
- It is a vaccine against rotavirus.
- Currently, two vaccines exist against rotavirus, but they must be kept refrigerated at all times. In addition to being heat-stable, BRV-PV is also cheaper than the other two rotavirus vaccines on the market, with a price of less than $2.50. This price should help ensure that countries quickly incorporate the new vaccine into routine immunization programs.
- Rotavac, a rotavirus vaccine produced by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, became part of India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) when it was introduced in 4 states in April 2016, and was subsequently extended to 5 more states last month. The key step forward in the manufacture of Serum Institute of India’s new BRV-PV vaccine — to be ultimately called Rotasiil — is that it does not, unlike Rotavac, require refrigeration, and is, therefore, easier to store in low-income countries where rotavirus poses the greatest threat to children.
- Rotavirus: Rotavirus is a virus that causes diarrhea, mostly in babies and young children. The diarrhea can be severe, and lead to dehydration. Vomiting and fever are also common in babies with rotavirus.
Multilateral Groupings Trivia
India is a founding member of:
- International Labour Organisation
- South Asian Subregional Economic Cooperation
- Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
Seats of Learning from India’s Past
- Takshashila: Rawalpindi District of the Punjab, Pakistan
- Somapura: Naogaon District, Bangladesh
- Jagaddala: North-west Bangladesh on the border with India
- Nalanda: Nalanda District, Bihar
- Odantapuri: Nalanda District, Bihar
- Vikramashila: Bhagalpur District, Bihar
- Valabhi: Bhavnagar District, Gujarat
A number of monasteries grew up during the Pāla period in ancient Bengal and Magadha. According to Tibetan sources, five great Mahaviharas stood out: Vikramashila, the premier university of the era; Nalanda, past its prime but still illustrious; Somapura Mahavihara; Odantapurā; and Jaggadala. The monasteries formed a network; "all of them were under state supervision" and there existed "a system of co-ordination among them ... it seems from the evidence that the different seats of Buddhist learning that functioned in eastern India under the Pāla were regarded together as forming a network, an interlinked group of institutions," and it was common for great scholars to move easily from position to position among them.
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