Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 30 Sep 2023

Green Ammonia Import through VOC Port

Recently, V.O. Chidambaranar Port inTamil Nadu imported Green Ammonia for the first time,as part of its 'Go Green' initiative.

Green Ammonia will be used to produce green soda ash on a trial basis, moving away from conventional Grey Ammonia usage.
The port has been a leader in 'Green Port' initiatives, promoting eco-friendly practices.
Green ammonia production is where the process of making ammonia is 100% renewable and carbon-free.
Green Ammonia is produced by using hydrogen from water electrolysis and nitrogen separated from the air. These are then fed into the Haber process (Also known as Haber-Bosch), all powered by sustainable electricity.
The V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, formerly known as the Tuticorin Port Trust, is one of the major ports in India. It is located in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The port was declared a major port in 1974.
- It is the second-largest port in Tamil Nadu and the fourth-largest container terminal in India. The port offers various facilities such as berthing, navigation, storage, and port security.

Sarna Code

Recently, Jharkhand Chief Minister wrote a letter to Prime Minister, requesting the recognition of the Sarna religious code for tribals.

Concerns have been raised regarding the neglect of Sarna Code, which could adversely affect tribal development policies under Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Sarna religion, followed by a significant tribal population in Jharkhand, is unique, based on nature worship, and distinct from mainstream religions.
There is need to protect the cultural and religious identity of tribals who worship nature.
- Fifth Schedule lays out provisions for the Administration and Control of Scheduled Areas and STs in states other than 6th Schedule States.
- Sixth Schedule deals with the administration of the tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Monoclonal Antibodies

In recent times, Monoclonal antibodies being considered for compassionate use in India amidst the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala's Kozhikode district.

This option is being explored due to the absence of effective treatments for Nipah, a virus with a high mortality rate and also far more severe than Covid-19.
The antibody binds to a part of the viral envelope, neutralizing the Nipah virus.
The monoclonal antibody has also been used against the Hendra virus, a related virus from the same family.
Antibodies are proteins produced naturally by the immune system that target a specific foreign object (antigen). They are called monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) when they are produced by clones derived from a single parent cell.
Monoclonal Antibodies are man-made proteins that act like a human antibody in the immune system. They are made by cloning a unique white blood cell.

FSSAI Prohibits Use of Newspapers for Food Storing

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 which strictly prohibits the use of newspapers or similar materials for storing and wrapping food.

The ink used in newspapers contains various bioactive materials with known negative health effects, which can contaminate food and lead to health issues when ingested.
Additionally, printing inks may contain chemicals including lead and heavy metal that can leach into the food, posing serious health risks over time.
FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.