Prelims in Focus, an IAS Abhiyan Initiative to quickly navigate through the important facts, current affairs, static portion to enrich aspirant’s knowledge base along with conceptual clarity. Our Prelims in Focus initiative will surely be an added advantage for UPSC Prelims Examinations. This initiative will help the aspirants to focus to the main points of a topic quickly at the same time. In this initiative, we will cover 10-15 important facts on a daily basis. Click here to Join our Telegram Channel to read these articles.  We will continue our Monthly Pre-Bits Flash Liner along with this initiative. 

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Prelims in Focus-Part-29

1. Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE)
   __________
   ➖According to a statement on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website, GHE is the one of the world’s first outfit using tourism and technology to bring solar energy to remote communities as recognised by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
2. The UN Global Climate Action Awards
   ________________
   ➖Spearheaded by the Momentum for Change initiative at UN Climate Change. The projects are recognised as innovative solutions that not only address climate change but also help drive progress on many other sustainable development goals.
3. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement or BECA
   ___________
   ➖Gives India access to classified geo-spatial data as well as critical information having significant military applications from the US

   ➖Fourth and final `foundational’ understanding the US has with India

   ➖Allow India to gain access to precision data and topographical images – on a real time basis, from US military satellites

   ➖Sensitive satellite and sensor data provided by the US will also allow India to keep a close watch in the Indian Ocean.
   ______
   📌 Note: Other Foundational Agreements

   ➖Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (Comcasa) signed in 2018.

   ➖General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002

   ➖Logistics Exchange memorandum of Agreement (Lemoa) in 2016.

4. Every monsoon, the Gond and Korku tribes of Madhya Pradesh’s Betul and Harda districts celebrate Hari Jiroti. It is a month-long festival of greenery, during which the tribals plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees.
5. The Irulas and Kurumbas linked hands at Thoppaiyur, a small tribal hamlet in a remote part of the Blue Mountains near Sholurmattam to celebrate Thottatam a unique week long tribal festival.
6. The criteria for identifying Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups are: –

   1. Pre-agricultural level of technology,
   2.Low level of literacy,
   3.Economic backwardness,
   4.A declining or stagnant population.

7. Doctrine of Severability
   _________
   ➖Gets validation from Article 13.

   ➖Article 13 states that any statute / law inconsistent with Fundamental Rights will be declared void .

   ➖Now , this Doctrine of Severability says that — the whole law need not be declared void ; only those provisions of the statute which are inconsistent with Fundamental Rights can be declared void.

8. POWER Initiative
   ________
   ➖Launched by Union Minister for Science & Technology has launched a Scheme titled SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research).

   ➖Mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering research funding in various S&T programs in Indian academic institutions and R&D laboratories.

   ➖SERB – POWER Scheme will have two components namely (i) SERB-POWER Fellowship (ii) SERB- POWER Research Grants.
   ________
   The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB),

   ➖Statutory body of the DST has been contemplating to institute a scheme to mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering.

9. Meri Saheli
   ________
   ➖Launched by Indian Railways

   ➖Initiative for focused action on the security of women across all zones with an objective to provide safety and security to lady passengers

   ➖Initiative of RPF, the strategy entails interaction with lady passengers especially those travelling alone by a team of lady RPF personnel at the originating station.

10. NAGOBA JATARA
    __________
    ➖A tribal festival

    ➖Celebrated by Mesaram clan of Gond tribes from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh belonging to the Mesram clan offer prayers at the festival.

    ➖Special attraction of the event: Gusadi Dance performance from the Gond tribe

    ➖Event also includes a ceremony called ‘bheting’, which incorporates new brides into the clan.

    ➖Ceremony of Betal puja, which involves display of martial art, constitutes the last of the rituals in the event.