Daily News Analysis 23 June 2023

Table of Contents

GS-2

1. A doorway to an entrepreneurial university

Facts for Prelims

1. Ambubachi Mela
2. Biodegradable Supercapacitor
3. Gangotri national park (GNP)

A doorway to an entrepreneurial university

Introduction:

New knowledge is formed when different disciplines collaborate. Universities have evolved to foster interdisciplinary interactions and are now embracing entrepreneurship alongside education and research.

The Role of Academic-Industrial Collaborations in Creating Value

1. Academic and industrial collaborations have contributed to the growth of new disciplines and created economic and intellectual value for universities.
2. Innovations that combine academic and industrial research generate new products, services, platforms, and patents.

The Emergence of the Entrepreneurial University

1. Universities are entering a new phase where they embrace entrepreneurship alongside education and research.
2. The entrepreneurial university aims to strike a balance between education, enterprise, and research.
3. This concept is not without controversy, as some argue that universities should focus solely on knowledge and research.

The UGC\’s Initiative in India

1. The University Grants Commission (UGC) in India has introduced the concept of the \”Professor of Practice\” (PoP) to promote entrepreneurship in universities.
2. The UGC aims to bring industry professionals and practitioners into academic institutions through the PoP positions.
3. PoPs are individuals with practical experience in their industries, appointed to share their knowledge and skills with students.
4. They bring real-world insights, mentor students, develop industry-aligned courses, and collaborate on research projects.

The Impact of PoPs and the Shift towards Innovation

1. PoPs can serve as ambassadors for universities, fostering relationships with industry partners and facilitating student internships and job opportunities.
2. They contribute to a university\’s commercial thinking and help convert ideas into patents and commercial products.
3. Innovation is now considered a key pillar in universities, alongside teaching and research.
4. When an innovative culture is embraced, universities can generate start-up enterprises and create a convergence of research, industry work, and academia.

Conclusion:

The integration of education, enterprise, and research in universities can lead to groundbreaking ideas and successful commercial ventures, shaping the future of entrepreneurial universities and fostering innovation.

Ambubachi Mela

Context

Three temporary camps with adequate security arrangements were recently set up for devotees and tourists coming to the Kamakhya temple for the Ambubachi Mela.

About Ambubachi Mela:

Location:

1. The Ambubachi Mela is held at the Kamakhya Temple.
2. The temple is located on Nilachal Hill, near the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam.

When:

1. The festival takes place during the monsoon season, specifically in the Assamese month Ahaar, around the middle of June.

Occasion:

1. The Ambubachi Mela celebrates the annual menstruation course of goddess Maa Kamakhya.
2. Other names:
3. This fair is also known as Ameti or Tantric fertility festival.
4. It is associated with the Tantric Shakti cult, which is prevalent in eastern parts of India.

Key facts about Kamakhya Temple:

Location:

1. The Kamakhya Temple is situated on Nilachal Hill, near the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam.

Revered Center of Tantric Practices:

1. The temple is highly respected as a center for Tantric practices.

One of the Oldest Shakti Peethas:

1. It is considered one of the oldest among the 51 Shakti Peethas in India.

Temple Architecture:

1. The temple combines two different architectural styles: the traditional Nagara or North Indian style and the Saracenic or Mughal style.
2. This unique combination is known as the Nilachala Style of Architecture.

Fully Developed Ground Plan:

1. The Kamakhya Temple is the only temple in Assam with a fully developed ground plan.

Chambers in the Temple:

1. The temple consists of five chambers: garbhagriha or sanctuary, antarala or vestibule, Jagan Mohan or principal chamber, bhogmandir or ritual chamber, and natmandir or opera hall for traditional dance and music performances.

Different Architectural Features:

1. Each chamber of the temple has distinct architectural features.

The main temple has a modified Saracenic dome, the antarala has a two-roofed design, the bhogmandir has five domes similar to the main temple, and the natmandir has a shell-roof with an apsidal end resembling some prayer halls in Assam.

Biodegradable Supercapacitor

Context

Recently, scientists at Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) have developed the thinnest, lightweight and biodegradable paper-based supercapacitor.

About Biodegradable Supercapacitor:

Features:

1. The biodegradable supercapacitor is an electrochemical device that stores electrical energy.
2. It has a fast charging and discharging cycle, high power density, and a longer lifespan.
3. The supercapacitor can fully charge a device within 10 seconds.
4. It is made from seaweed, specifically marine macroalgae.
5. The device is not only strong and efficient but also cost-effective.
6. It has a wide range of applications, including electronics, memory backup systems, airbags, heavy machines, and electric vehicles.

What is Seaweed?

1. Seaweed refers to macroalgae that are attached to rocks or other surfaces in coastal areas.
2. They are categorized into three types based on their pigmentation: green (Chlorophyta), red (Rhodophyta), and brown (Phaeophyta).
3. Green seaweed, in particular, contains various valuable components such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and bioactive compounds.
4. It has a high amount of a specific type of cellulose in its cell wall.

Gangotri national park (GNP)

Context
Gangotri National Park (GNP) will give 50 hectares of land to the Army and ITBP for constructing new bunkers.

About Gangotri National Park (GNP)

1. Location: Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand
2. Gangotri National Park is situated in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand.
3. It spans the upper catchment area of the Bhagirathi River.
4. The northeastern part of the park forms the international border between India and Tibet (China).
5. It shares boundaries with Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Govind National Park.
6. The mountains in the park belong to the Gangotri Group of the Garhwal Himalayas.
7. Major peaks in the area include Chaukhamba I, Satopanth, Chaukhamba II, Chaukhamba III, and Kedarnath Main.
8. The famous Gangotri Glacier, a primary source of the Ganges, is located within the park.

Flora:

1. Lower-elevation areas are dominated by Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests.
2. These forests consist of fir trees mixed with deodar, oak, spruce, and rhododendron trees.
3. Higher elevations are home to Western Himalayan alpine shrubs.
4. Alpine meadows can be found beneath the large glaciers.

Fauna:

1. Gangotri National Park is home to various wildlife species, including the snow leopard, brown bear, blue sheep, musk deer, Asian black bear, and Himalayan tahr.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP):

1. The ITBP is a Central Armed Police Force operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
2. It was initially formed under the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Act in 1949.
3. In 1992, the ITBPF Act was enacted, and specific rules were framed.
4. The ITBP specializes in high-altitude operations and serves as a border-guarding police force.
5. It is deployed along the Indo-China Border, covering a distance of 3488 km from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.
6. The force is also involved in anti-Naxal operations and other internal security duties.