Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 07 Oct 2023

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."