Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 26 Jun 2023

Kendra Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023

Recently, Priya A S has been awarded the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023 in the Malayalam language for her novel Perumazhayathe Kunjithalukal. The novel Perumazhayathe Kunjithalukal, set against the backdrop of the 2018 Kerala floods, captures the resilience and unity displayed by children from diverse backgrounds during the calamity.

The Kendra Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar is a prestigious literary award for children's literature in India. It is presented by the Sahitya Akademi and recognizes outstanding contributions in the field. The award carries a cash prize and plaque, encouraging authors and promoting the growth of children's literature.

Read more: Sahitya Akademi Award

Recovery of Stolen Chola-Era Idols

The Tamil Nadu Police's Idol Wing CID (IW CID) has made a significant breakthrough in recovering 16 antique idols that were stolen or went missing from Chola-era temples. With assistance from U.S. authorities, the idols were traced to museums and art galleries in the United States. The idols, including exquisite Chola-era bronzes, were identified and are set to be returned to their respective temples in Tamil Nadu.

The Cholas, a powerful dynasty that ruled the southern regions of India from the 9th to the 13^th century, left a lasting impact on the region's history and culture. Under monarchs like Vijayalaya, Aditya I, and Rajendra Chola, the Empire expanded its influence and established control over neighboring kingdoms, including the Pallavas and Pandya Kings. The Cholas implemented a well-organized administration, dividing their vast kingdom into mandalams and nadus, with separate governors overseeing each region. They were patrons of art and architecture, with Chola temples like Brihadeshwara and Rajarajeshwara exemplifying the grandeur of Dravidian temple architecture. The Cholas' artistic legacy also included iconic sculptures, such as the Nataraja sculpture depicting Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance and bronze images that are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship. The Chola dynasty's reign marked a golden age of prosperity, art, and cultural advancement in southern India.

Read more: Chola Dynasty

 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is marked on 26 June every year which was decided by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse. Theme for 2023: People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention. The aim of this year’s campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy; providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all; offering alternatives to p unishment; prioritising prevention; and leading with compassion. The campaign also aims to combat stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental.

Every year on 26th June, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also releases the World Drug Report.

GEMCOVAC-OM: India's Indigenous mRNA Vaccine for Omicron Variant

India's first indigenously developed and only approved mRNA vaccine, GEMCOVAC-OM developed by Gennova, targeting the Omicron variant of Covid-19, will be priced at ₹2,292 per dose. The vaccine will initially be available only as a booster or precaution dose, and individuals who have already received three doses will be ineligible. The key advantage of GEMCOVAC-OM lies in its stability within a 2-8 degree Celsius range, making it suitable for storage in ordinary refrigerators. The vaccine can be administered via the needle-free PharmaJet system, delivering it directly into the skin.

The mRNA vaccine activates the immune system to produce antibodies that help counter an infection. The vaccine introduces a portion of the spike protein, the key part of the coronavirus, to stimulate an immune response. mRNA vaccines are fragile and must be wrapped in a layer of oily lipids. DNA is more stable and flexible in vaccines. Both mRNA and DNA vaccines are expected to be effective, but mRNA vaccines require stringent freezer conditions that make them expensive. mRNA and DNA vaccines can be quickly updated to emerging variants and used for a variety of diseases.

Read more: mRNA vaccine, Omicron