Nada yoga

• Nada yoga is an ancient Indian metaphysical system. It is equally a philosophical system, a medicine, and a form of yoga.
• The system's theoretical and practical aspects are based on the premise that the entire cosmos and all that exists in the cosmos, including human beings, consists of vibrations, called n? da.
• This concept holds that it is the energy of vibrations rather than of matter and particles which form the building blocks of the cosmos.
• Nada yoga is also a reverential way to approach and respond to vibrations. In this context, silent vibrations of the self (Anahata), sound and music (ahata) carry a spiritual weight more meaningful, respectively, than what sensory properties normally provide. Silent vibrations of the self (anhata) and Sound and Music (ahata) are considered to play a potential medium/intermediary role to achieve a deeper unity with both the outer and inner cosmos.
• Music has been used by most Indian saints as an important and powerful tool in the quest for the achievement of nirvana; notable names to be mentioned here include Kanakadasa, Thyagaraja, Kabir, Meerabai, Namdeo, Purandaradasa and Tukaram.
• Naad is considered to be the basis of music and also as the basis of the energy in self.
• Naad reaches its crescendo or Brahmnaad when we regulate our inner energy through yoga and music.
• This is the reason that both music and yoga have the power of meditation and motivation, both are immense sources of energy, the Prime Minister added.
• Prime Minister said, music has not only been a source of happiness, but also a means of service and a form of penance.

SPIC MACAY

• SPICMACAY is a non-profit, voluntary, non-political and participatory student movement registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 .
• People from all walks of life are welcome to join and contribute with their ideas, time, finance or any other resources.
• The movement has a central executive body in New Delhi and organises its programmes through a worldwide network of schools, colleges and educational institutions.
• SPIC MACAY is supported nationally by the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the HRD Ministry.
• SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth) is a non-political, nationwide, voluntary movement founded in 1977 by Dr Kiran Seth, Professor-Emeritus at IIT-Delhi who was awarded the ‘Padma Shri’ for his contribution to the arts in 2009.
• SPICMACAY’s intention is to enrich the quality of formal education by increasing awareness about different aspects of Indian heritage and inspiring the young mind to imbibe the values embedded in it.
• It seeks to inspire youth through experiencing the mysticism embodied in the rich and heterogeneous cultural tapestry of Indian and World Heritage, with a hope that the beauty, grace, values and wisdom embodied in these arts will influence their way of life and thinking and inspire one to become a better human being.

Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951

• The Election Commission of India announced elections to the Council of States to fill 55 seats of Members from 17 States, retiring in the month of April 2020.

• Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 specifies that the Election Commission for reasons which it considers sufficient may extend the time for the completion of any election by making necessary amendments in the notification issued by it under section 30 or sub-section (1) of section 39 of the said Act.
• Accordingly, considering the prevailing unforeseen situation of public health emergency due to COVID-19 and related advisories in the country, the Election Commission deferred the poll and extended the period of said election under the provisions of section 153 of the said Act and decided that the announcement of the fresh date of poll and counting for the said biennial elections will be made by the ECI after reviewing the prevailing situation.

Ultra Swachh

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a disinfection unit named Ultra Swachh to disinfect a wide range of materials, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), electronics items, fabrics, etc.

• Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), the Delhi-based laboratory of DRDO has developed this product with industry partner M/s Gel Craft Healthcare Private Ltd, Ghaziabad.
• The system uses an advanced oxidative process comprising of multiple barrier disruption approaches using Ozonated Space Technology for disinfection.
• The system is double layered with specialised Ozone sealant technology assuring the trapping of ozone for the necessary disinfection cycle.
• It also has a catalytic converter to ensure environment-friendly exhaust i.e. only oxygen and water.
• The system is in compliance with International Standards of Industrial, Occupational, Personal and Environmental Safety.
• The Ultra Swachh comes in two variants namely Ozonated Space and Trinetra Technology.
• Trinetra technology is the combination of Ozonated space and a radical dispenser. Treatment is optimised with automation for a quick disinfection cycle.

CHAMPIONS portal

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today launched the technology platform CHAMPIONS which stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength.

• As the name suggests, the portal is basically for making the smaller units big by solving their grievances, encouraging, supporting, helping and handholding.
• It is a real one-stop-shop solution for the MSME Ministry.
• This ICT-based system is set up to help the MSMEs in the present difficult situations and also to handhold them to become national and international champions.

Detailed objectives of CHAMPIONS:

1. Grievance Redressal: To resolve the problems of MSMEs including those of finance, raw materials, labour, regulatory permissions etc particularly in the Covid created the difficult situation;
2. To help them capture new opportunities:  including manufacturing of medical equipment and accessories like PPEs, masks, etc and supply them in National and International markets;
3. To identify and encourage the sparks:  i.e. the potential MSMEs who are able to withstand the current situation and can become national and international champions.

• It is a technology packed control room-cum-management information system.
• In addition to ICT tools including telephone, internet and video conference, the system is enabled by Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Machine Learning.
• It is also fully integrated on a real-time basis with GOI’s main grievances portal CPGRAMS and MSME Ministry’s own other web-based mechanisms.
• The entire ICT architecture is created in-house with the help of NIC at no cost. Similarly, the physical infrastructure is created in one of the ministry’s dumping rooms in a record time.