Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 07 Oct 2023
- 5 min read
Sarakka Central Tribal University Approved for Telangana
Recently, The Union cabinet approved Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana which is named after Sammakka-Sarakka, revered tribal figure in Telangana State.
- Sammakka-Sarakka (also called Medaram Jatara) is the second-largest fair in India, after the Kumbh Mela, celebrated by the second-largest Tribal Community of Telangana- the Koya tribe for four days.
- It is a tribal festival honoring the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, with the reigning rulers against an unjust law.
- Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the region.
- It is celebrated once in two years in the month of “Magha” (February) on the full moon day.
- Koya tribe is the largest adivasi tribe of Telangana and listed as Scheduled Tribe in Telangana.
- The community is spread across Telugu speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Koyas popularly call themselves as Dorala Sattam (Lords group) and Putta Dora (original lords). Koyas call themselves “Koitur” in their dialect, like Gonds.
Read More: Kakatiya Dynasty, Tribal Dance Festivals
Enzyme Mimetic to Degrade Pollutants in Waste-Water
Recently, Scientists at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Materials Research Centre developed a sunlight-driven enzyme mimetic for wastewater treatment.
- The study introduced a platinum-containing nanozyme called NanoPtA.
- NanoPtA forms tape-like structures when in contact with wastewater and emits light to degrade pollutants.
- It can degrade common effluents in ten minutes under sunlight and remains stable for up to 75 days.
- Nanozyme may find applications in healthcare, particularly for neurological diseases.
- Natural enzymes face limitations like sensitivity, complex production, and storage issues.
- Nanozymes can overcome these challenges and mimic natural enzymes.
Read More: Sewage Treatment, Eutrophication
Using Gravity to Solve Power’s Problem
Gravity-based energy storage is emerging as a solution to renewable energy intermittency and interruption, with the help of Energy Vault, which is in talks with Indian companies like NTPC, Tata Power, and ReNew Power.
- Energy Vault offers the EVx platform using gravity and mechanical elevators to store and release energy with 25-tonne blocks.
- It also focuses on short-term storage, eco-friendly materials, and green hydrogen energy storage.
- India's push for renewable power makes energy storage crucial as its renewable energy growth presents challenges for grid managers.
- Most energy storage worldwide comes from pumped hydro, but alternative solutions are being explored.
- The Indian government is considering hydrogen and hybrid generation models for energy storage.
- Efforts are being made to identify pumped hydro sites, including potential use of opencast mines.
Read More: Battery Storage, Lithium-Ion Batteries
15-Minutes Cities and the Conspiracy Theories
Recently, Conspiracy theories have emerged online, falsely depicting 15-Minute Cities as a dystopian plot to restrict people's movement and conspiracy theorists have associated 15-minute cities with totalitarian agendas and international organizations like the World Economic Forum.
- The term "15-minute cities" was coined by Carlos Moreno in 2016 to reimagine urban planning for convenient access to essential services.
- The concept of 15-minute cities aims to ensure that essential services are within a short walk or bike ride from one's home.
- Low-traffic neighborhoods (LTNs) are often linked to 15-minute cities and are seen by conspiracy theorists as part of a broader "war on drivers."
Read More: Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Urban Planning
