1. Lockdown: Arr-Rinam

Context:

• Arr-Rinam is the equivalent of a lockdown imposed by consensus for 48 hours whenever an epidemic strikes. It is a tribal lockdown ritual of the Galos, one of the 26 major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.

Arr-Rinam:

• Arr-Rinam, which follows the Ali-Ternam ritual to ward off an epidemic, is said to be a part of the Galo culture.
• Ali-Ternam: Ali means epidemic and Ternam means forestall.
• Arr-Rinam rituals were said to be last performed almost four decades ago when a water-borne disease had affected many members of the community.
• These rituals are performed periodically for livestock, primarily the semi-wild mithun, that are prone to contagious diseases

Motor:

• The Adi community inhabiting East Siang and Lower Dibang Valley districts too performed a similar ritual called Motor.
• They believe that the ritual lets shamans with legendary powers to locate wild herbs to combat an Epidemic.

2. District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Funds

Context:

• Recently, the Union finance minister asked the state governments to use district mineral foundation (DMF) funds for response and preparedness to fight the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

About DMFs:

• It is instituted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act 2015.
• It may be used to supplement and augment healthcare facilities, screening and testing requirements and any other resources that might be required.
• They are non-profit trusts to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining-related operations.
• Its objective is to work for the interest of the benefit of the persons and areas affected mining related operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
• Its manner of operation comes under the jurisdiction of the relevant State Government.
• It is collected at the district level. There are certain high-priority areas identified in all states’ DMF rules, where at least 60 per cent of the fund must be used. These include vital and pressing concerns, including healthcare.
• The various state DMF rules and the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Khestra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) guidelines stipulate some “high priority” issues for DMFs, including Drinking water, Health, Women and child welfare, Education, Livelihood and skill development, Welfare of aged and disabled, Sanitation

About Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY):

• It is meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).
• To implement various developmental and welfare programs in mining affected areas that complement the existing ongoing schemes of State and Central Government.
• To minimize the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts.
• To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in Mining Areas.

3. Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO)

Why in News?

• Recently, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) has taken various measures to ensure un-interrupted supply of Oxygen to hospitals and other health care facilities due to nationwide lock down for containment of COVID-19 pandemic.

About Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization (PESO):

• It comes under, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India.
• It administers the usage of explosives & petrol stations in India.
• It is headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra.

4. Arunachal Tribes Revive Lockdown Rituals

Why in News?

• A tribal lockdown ritual has staged a comeback in Arunachal Pradesh, the State geographically closest to China’s Hubei province where the COVID-19 outbreak began.

Highlights:

• The border State’s West Siang district ceremonially entered the Arr-Rinam phase at the stroke of 5 p.m. on Thursday.
• Arr-Rinam is the Galo equivalent of lockdown imposed by consensus for 48 hours whenever an epidemic strike. The Galos, one of the 26 major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, dominate West Siang district.
• Arr-Rinam, which follows the Ali-Ternam ritual to ward off an epidemic, has been a part of their culture for a long time.
• Ali-Ternam, Ali means epidemic and Ternam forestall, and Arr-Rinam were last performed almost four decades ago when a water-borne disease had affected many members of the community.They have been performing these rituals periodically for livestock, primarily the semiwild mithun, that are prone to contagious diseases. But this is for the first time in 30-40 years that they have performed the rituals for the safety of humans.
• The Adi community inhabiting East Siang and Lower Dibang Valley districts too performed a similar ritual called Motor that they believe lets shamans with legendary powers to locate wild herbs to combat an epidemic.
• In districts such as Papum Pare and East Kameng, the dominant Nyishi community observed Arrue involving self-quarantine.

5. India to join WHO’s COVID-19 trials

Why in News?

• India has volunteered to participate in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ongoing solidarity trial for developing vaccines for Covid-19.

Highlights:

• WHO with its partners is organizing a study called the solidarity trial in many countries in which some of the untested treatments are compared with each other.
• The study has been designed to generate the robust data needed to show which treatments are the most effective.
• In order to look at newer drugs that might come, India is soon likely to participate in the WHO solidarity trial for COVID-19. Earlier we did not do it because our numbers were so small and contribution would have looked minuscule.
• WHO’s multi-country solidarity trials aims to isolate drugs approved by regulators for other diseases that can be utilised in the Covid-19 fight.
• They have been performing these rituals periodically for livestock, primarily the semiwild mithun, that are prone to contagious diseases. But this is for the first time in 30-40 years that they have performed the rituals for the safety of humans.
• The Adi community inhabiting East Siang and Lower Dibang Valley districts too performed a similar ritual called Motor that they believe lets shamans with legendary powers to locate wild herbs to combat an epidemic.
• In districts such as Papum Pare and East Kameng, the dominant Nyishi community observed Arrue involving self-quarantine.

6. COVID-19 and ‘Force Majeure’

Why in News?

• In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways has decided that the period from 22.03.2020 to 14.04.2020 shall be treated under “Force Majeure”.

What is Force Majeure?

• A Force Majeure (FM) means extraordinary events or circumstances beyond human control such as an event described as an Act of God (like a natural calamity).
• Force majeure refers to a clause that is included in contracts to remove liability for natural and unavoidable catastrophes that interrupt the expected course of events and restrict participants from fulfilling obligations.
• Force majeure clauses excuse companies (or other parties to a contract) from meeting certain obligations when events beyond their control interfere with their ability to hold up their end of the bargain.
• If invoked, the clauses can relieve companies from commitments, temporarily or permanently, without being in breach of their agreement.

Implication of “Force Majeure” by Indian Railways:

• During this Force Majeure period, no demurrage, stacking, stabling, detention and ground usage charge shall be leviable. This step was taken in the view of Recent Pandemic.
• Zonal Railways have been advised to coordinate with State Government authorities to ensure logistics support in order to keep up the essential Goods Transportation.

7. Fight Corona IDEAthon

Why in News?

• Fight Corona IDEAthon is a 2-day online ideathon to mitigate the uncertainties arising in light of the rampaging Pandemic.
• MHRD Innovation Cell, AICTE, MEITY Startup Hub, InnovatioCuris and other institutions of global and national prominence have jointly organized it.

Highlights:

• It endeavours to scout for accessible and affordable technological solutions that can contain the rapid spread of infection, ease the mounting pressure and ensure a quick return to normalcy.
• The event is being held in partnership with Forge & InnovatioCuris.

How does it work?

• Challenges and problem statements have been sought from healthcare professionals, government officials and other stakeholders working on the ground.
• The problems and challenges are curated under 8 different categories such as – Personal Hygiene & Protection, Awareness, Preparedness & Responsible Behavior, Medical Systems – Diagnostic & Therapeutic, Screening, Testing & Monitoring – Devices & IT/Digital/Data Solutions, Protecting Most Vulnerable Groups, Community Task Forces/Working Groups, Remote Work & Remote Education, Stabilizing Affected Businesses and the Open Category.
• Problem statements of high magnitude soliciting innovative technological solutions are put forth for student innovators, educators, researchers, professionals and startups to ideate and innovate feasible products.
• During the IDEAthon, Startups and innovators shall be guided by Domain experts, Healthcare providers and professionals, Innovation experts, etc. from across the country through a virtual platform.
• Few international agencies like worldstartup.co, United Nations Technology and Innovation lab, and Crowdera have also come forward to support the participants.