Booker Prize
Overview:
The Booker Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards, given annually for a single work of fiction.
History:
Founded in 1969 in the UK, initially limited to Commonwealth writers, it is now open to authors worldwide, irrespective of nationality.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Awarded to novels originally written in English and published in the UK or Ireland during the prize year.
- Self-published novels are not eligible.
- The novel must be an original work in English (translations are excluded).
Prize Details:
- Winner’s reward: £50,000.
- Shortlisted authors: £2,500 each.
Booker Prize Foundation:
Established as a charity in 2002, it manages both the Booker Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker International Prize, introduced in 2005.
Walking Pneumonia
Overview:
Walking pneumonia is a type of atypical pneumonia, primarily caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae, though other bacteria and viruses can also be responsible.
Symptoms:
Symptoms are often mild, resembling a common cold, such as cough, sore throat, low-grade fever, and fatigue.
Why “Walking Pneumonia”?
It is termed “walking pneumonia” because it is less severe than typical pneumonia, allowing individuals to continue daily activities.
Transmission:
Transmission occurs through airborne droplets from close contact, such as coughing, sneezing, or speaking.
Treatment:
Although often not serious, walking pneumonia can linger for weeks and may require antibiotics for treatment in some cases.
Silent Pneumonia:
It is sometimes referred to as “silent pneumonia” due to the possibility of no symptoms, despite X-ray findings showing fluid-filled air sacs in the lungs.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
Overview:
Established in 1982 under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India, located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, adjacent to Rajaji National Park.
Objectives:
- Enhance scientific knowledge on wildlife resources.
- Provide training for wildlife conservation and management at various levels.
- Conduct research to develop techniques for wildlife management in Indian conditions.
- Collaborate with international organizations for wildlife research and training.
- Develop as a regional center for wildlife conservation.
Research Areas:
- Biodiversity, endangered species, wildlife management, forensic wildlife research, eco-development, spatial modeling, and studies related to climate change.
Governing Board:
Chaired by the Union Minister and includes representatives from the Centre, state governments, and academic institutions.
World Intellectual Property Indicators
India’s Position in Global IP Rankings:
India ranks in the global top 10 for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.
Growth in Patent Applications:
- India recorded the fastest growth in patent applications in 2023 (+15.7%) among the top 20 economies.
- India ranks 6th globally in patent applications with 64,480 filings.
- Resident filings accounted for 55.2% of all patent submissions in India in 2023.
Industrial Design Applications:
- India witnessed a 36.4% rise in industrial design applications in 2023.
- The Textiles and Accessories, Tools and Machines, and Health and Cosmetics sectors led the way in design filings.
Trademark Filings:
- India ranked 4th globally in trademark filings with a 6.1% increase in 2023.
- Around 90% of India’s trademark filings were by residents.
- India’s trademark office holds the second-largest number of active trademark registrations globally (over 3.2 million).
Patent-to-GDP Ratio:
India’s patent-to-GDP ratio grew significantly from 144 to 381 over the past decade, reflecting the country’s expanding intellectual property activity alongside its economic growth.
Global Patent and Trademark Trends:
- Global patent applications in 2023 reached a record of 3.55 million.
- Top contributing countries: China, United States, Japan, South Korea, and India.