PRELIMS
Bhils’ Gavri Festival
Why in News : For the first time, Gavri showcased in a photo exhibition at the India International Centre Art Gallery, New Delhi.
Community: Celebrated by the Bhil tribe of Mewar, Rajasthan.
Duration: A 40-day ritual festival starting after Raksha Bandhan.
Deities Worshipped: Gorkhiya Mata and Parvati (regarded as sister).
Cultural Elements: Includes dance-dramas (khels), trance performances, folk songs, and religious ceremonies.
Social Significance:
- Challenges caste and class hierarchies through satire and parody.
- Temporary divine status given to Bhil performers.
- Gender roles reversed in performances (men play female roles).
Themes in Plays:
- Nature worship (‘Badliya Hindwa’)
- Historical resistance (‘Bhilurana’) against Mughals and the British.
Russia Earthquake & Tsunami (2025)
Why in News: One of the strongest quakes recorded in Russia’s Far East prompted mass coastal evacuations.
Places in News
- Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula: Epicentre of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake; recorded tsunami waves of 3–4 metres.
- Japan – Hokkaido: Northern island; recorded tsunami waves of 60 cm; at least one person injured.
- Hawaii & U.S. West Coast (San Francisco): Tsunami waves of 60–150 cm observed.
Pacific Ring of Fire: Region prone to high seismic activity; includes Russia’s Far East and Japan.
Tsunami Alerts: Initially issued for Russia, Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast—later downgraded as the threat lessened.
Legionnaires’ Disease
Why in News: Outbreak reported in Central Harlem, New York City since late July 2025.
About the Disease
Causative agent: Legionella bacteria
Type: Severe pneumonia
Transmission:
- Inhalation of aerosolised contaminated water droplets
- Not contagious – no person-to-person transmission
Sources:
- Cooling towers, hot tubs, large plumbing systems, decorative fountains
- Natural freshwater sources (lakes, rivers)
Symptoms (2–14 days after exposure)
- High fever, persistent cough, muscle aches, shortness of breath
- Milder form: Pontiac fever (flu-like symptoms, resolves in a week)
High-Risk Groups
- Age 50+, smokers, people with chronic lung disease
- Immunocompromised individuals
Global Context
- Underreported globally due to diagnostic limitations
- WHO highlights need for better detection and surveillance
- Incidence in countries with good reporting: 10–15 cases per million/year
Past outbreaks linked to:
- Public bathhouses (e.g., Japan)
- Hotel air conditioning systems
- Water tanks in residential buildings
Report on “Devolution of Funds under Panchayati Raj System”
Why in News: The Standing Committee tabled a report on declining devolution of funds to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) under the Panchayati Raj system.
Constitutional Provisions
Article 280: Empowers Central Finance Commission (CFC) to recommend fund devolution.
73rd Constitutional Amendment: Institutionalized Panchayati Raj; mandates devolution of 3Fs – Functions, Funds, Functionaries.
Eleventh Schedule: Lists 29 subjects for Panchayats to implement.
Key Concerns Raised
- Declining funds to RLBs – threatens fiscal decentralisation.
- Reduction in untied and scheme-based transfers.
- Partial devolution of 3Fs – uneven across states.
- Delays in forming State Finance Commissions (SFCs).
- Slow audit and Action Taken Reports (ATRs) – e.g., Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.
Recommendations
- Ensure adequate, untied, and performance-linked grants.
- Create mechanisms to ring-fence funds and prevent diversion.
- Timely constitution of SFCs to avoid fund blockage.
- States to publish clear roadmap for devolution of powers to PRIs.
15th Finance Commission Grants
- Total Grant Period: 2021–22 to 2025–26
- Untied Grants (40%): Local needs under 29 subjects
- Tied Grants (60%): National priorities
Reasons for Reduced Funding (2021–22 to 2024–25)
- Absence of elected RLBs
- Failure to upload plans (digitally)
- Non-onboarding on eGramSwaraj portal
- Audit non-compliance
- Inaction on State Finance Commission reports
