Today’s Important Prelims Bits 16-05-2022
Thomas Cup
In News: India wins first-ever Thomas Cup crown, hammer 14-time champions 3-0 in final in historic feat.
About Thomas Cup
- Thomas Cup is an international badminton competition. The 16 teams that compete for the prestigious title are representing member nations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
- The championship was started by a legendary badminton player of England Sir George Alan Thomas, who was inspired by Tennis’s Davis Cup and Football’s World Cup.
- The first tournament was held from 1948–1949 and was conducted every three years till 1982.
- Since 1982, it is being conducted every two years.
- The three teams with the most titles in the championship are Indonesia, China, and Malaysia with 14, 10, and 5 titles, respectively.
Indian Shuttlers: Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and the world number 8 doubles duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.
Key Highlights of the Tournament
- In the first men’s singles game, Lakshya Sen beat Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 8-21, 21-17, 21-16.
- In the first men’s doubles game, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Mohammad Ahsan and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 18-21, 23-21, 21-19.
- Kidambi Srikanth defeated Jonatan Christie 21-19, 23-21 in straight sets in the second men’s singles match.
NATO
In News: Finland formally announced its intention of joining NATO
Significance of Finland joining NATO
- Finland was declared independent in 1917 after more than a century of rule by Moscow. Its army twice fought off Soviet forces during the second world war before ceding about 10 per cent of its territory.
- If Finland joins the NATO, it will be one of the quickest enlargements for the alliance.
- Furthermore, Russia and Finland share a 1,300-km border. If Finland joins, it would double the length of the alliance’s border with Russia.
- Russia’s second-biggest city, St. Petersburg, lies some 170 km from the border with Finland. Finland and Sweden joining the NATO will mark an overhaul and redrawing of Europe’s security map in the East.
Putin’s warning to Finland
- Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto that ditching neutrality and joining the NATO “would be a mistake” that could damage relations between their two countries.
- Russia has, in parts, blamed NATO’s Eastward expansion for war with Ukraine.
- Putin has promised a “military, technical” response if they join the alliance.
Buddha Purnima
In News: PM Modi arrives in Lumbini on Buddha Purnima
About Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is the full moon day that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and attainment of Mahasamadhi by Gautama the Buddha. Sadhguru talks about the significance of this day and the story behind Gautama the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Significance
- The date of Buddha Purnima is based on Asian lunisolar calendar and it usually falls on the Hindu month of Vaisakha on the full moon day. Hence, this day is also known as Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima or Vesak.
- Buddha Purnima is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama or Gautam Buddha.
- Buddha Jayanti is one of the most sacred Buddhist festivals celebrated in honour of Gautama Buddha who got liberated from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
- A philosopher, spiritual guide, religious leader and meditator, Buddha is the ninth Vishnu avatar (reincarnation), according to Hindu traditions.
- Buddha was born around 563 BC at Lumbini in modern-day Nepal and he grew up in the kingdom of Kapilavastu, which was ruled by his father.
- People eat ‘kheer’ this day because it is said that a woman offered Gautam Buddha a bowl of milk.
- Normally, Buddhists from the neighbouring communities march to the pagodas in colourful procession.
- Buddha Purnima propagates attaining a pure soul and adopting what Buddhism stands for – peace, non-violence and harmony.