1.Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D)

Context: BPR&D observed its 49th Foundation Day on August 28, 2019.

About BPR&D:

• The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), was set up on 28 August 1970 via Government resolution in furtherance of the objective of the Government of India for the modernisation of police forces.
• It was established under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It was setup for the following reasons and with the primary objective of modernization of police force:
  • To take direct and active interest in the issues
  • To promote a speedy and systematic study of the police problems,
  • To apply science and technology in the methods and techniques used by police.

2.Werewolf Syndrome

Context: 17 children developed the so-called ‘werewolf syndrome’ after a major medicine mix-up.

About:

• Hypertrichosis, also known as Werewolf Syndrome, is a condition characterized by excessive hair growth anywhere on a person’s body.
• It can affect both women and men, but it’s extremely rare. The abnormal hair growth may cover the face and body or occur in small patches.
• Hypertrichosis can appear at birth or develop over time.
• Hypertrichosis has no cure, and you can’t do anything to prevent the congenital form of the disease. The risk of certain forms of acquired hypertrichosis may be lowered by avoiding certain medications, such as minoxidil.
• Treating hypertrichosis involves the removal of hair through a variety of short-term methods like shaving, chemical epilation, waxing, plucking hair, bleaching, etc.

3.Saharia Tribes

Context: UIDAI has recorded January 1 as default date of birth on the Aadhaar card for Saharia Tribes in Kakra village.

About:

• Saharia tribe comes under the special backward tribes of Madhya Pradesh.
• The Saharias are mainly found in many districts of Madhya Pradesh and Baran district of Rajasthan.
• Traditionally, they trace their beginnings to the days of the Ramayana and beyond. They trace their origin from Shabri of the Ramayan.
• Due to the fact that it is the most backward tribe of Madhya Pradesh the government declared this tribe as special backward tribe.
• The tribe members believe in Folk Hinduism’s gods and goddess that they worship and celebrate in major festivals
• They are also known as the younger brothers of Bhil’s (Bhils or Bheels are primarily an ethnic group of people in West India).
• Their habitats are located in the forest area, barren and stony land and they are still a primitive society.
• Even after a long span of India’s independence, the people of Sahariya tribe are economically underdeveloped and socially backward.
• Sahariya tribe is losing its primitive nature and status due to the social changes, encroachment of forests and rapid urbanization.

4.Dindigul Lock & Kandangi Saree

Context: Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul lock and Kandangi saree gets GI tag.

About Dindigul Lock:

• Dindigul is also known as “LOCK CITY”. Head made Dindigul Locks has reputed brand image and hence it has a huge demand in local and international markets.
• The Lock manufacturing industry in Dindigul is more than 500 years old and spread over places in the district. They can guarantee aspects like quality, full safety & key facilities, most importantly they are attractive and unique in design.
• The popular kinds of locks that are manufactured in dindigul are Mango lock, Door Lock, Trick Lock, Bell Lock, Drawer Lock, Shutter Lock & Book Shutter Lock. Dindigul Locks are specifically purchased for Temples.
• More than 3,125 lock manufacturing units are limited to an area of 5 km in and around Dindigul. They are concentrated in Nagelnagar, Nallampatti, Kodaiparailpatti, Kamalapatti and Yagappanpatti. The abundance of iron in this region is the reason for the growth of the industry.
• Government institutions such as prisons, godowns, hospitals, and even temples use these locks instead of other machine-made ones.
• Dindigul lock manufactures claim that the precision lever mechanism in their locks is manually assembled with unique key code and shackles are meticulous in design that gives greater resistance to anyone who tries to break in.
• Though there are plenty of locks available in the Indian market, yet people give first preference for reputed Traditional Dindigul Locks.

About Kandangi Saree:

• The Kandangi saree, a native of Karaikudi taluk in Sivaganga district.
• It is recognised by its thick, coarse cotton material that can endure roughest washes and characteristic conventional checks and temple patterns for borders.
• The recurring pattern of checks or stripes is one the most significant marks of a typical Kandangi saree.
• A Kandangi saree is hand-woven by traditionally-skilled Karaikudi weavers who take a full week to weave it.
• Karaikudi is dry (owing to its tropical climate) and in contrast, the Kandangi saree exudes bright hues such as yellow, orange, red and a minimal black.
• The saree is characterised by the large contrast borders — covering as far as two-thirds of the saree, which is usually 5.10 to 5.60 m in length.

5.Indian Star Tortoise

Context: India’s proposal to upgrade the protection of Indian Star Tortoises in CITES have been approved.

About:

• The Indian star tortoise is a threatened species of tortoise which found in dry areas and scrub forest of India and Sri Lanka.
• This species is quite popular in the exotic pet trade, which is the main reason of it being endangered.
• Members at the CITES CoP 18 Conference held at Geneva have voted to move Indian Star Tortoise from CITES Appendix II to CITES Appendix I.
• The species has been placed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• The natural food preferences of this species are found to include an herb locally known asthazhuthama, and a particular variety of cactus which found in abundance inside the CWS thus making it a favourable place for these species to live in.

6.Coprolite

Context: Scientists have found the oldest parasite DNA ever recorded. The discovery was made in the “coprolite” of a prehistoric puma in Argentina.

What Are Coprolites?

• Coprolites are fossilised faeces belonging to animals that lived millions of years ago.
• Scientists can analyse and study their shape and size and depending on the location they were found in; they can figure out the animal from which they came as well as uncover what those animals ate.
• For instance, if there are bone fragments in the faeces, it tells scientists that the animal might have been a carnivore. Tooth marks can reveal how the animal ate.

7.Indonesia’s New Capital

• The capital of Indonesia, which is Jakarta at present, will be relocated to the province of East Kalimantan on the lesser populated island of Borneo.
• The relocation is meant to reduce the burden on Jakarta, which has been facing problems such as poor-quality air, traffic gridlocks and is particularly prone to flooding.
• It is also the largest Indonesian city with a population of 1 crore people and is located on the North West coast of the most populous island in the world, Java.