About Guruvayur Temple:

• Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, also known as the Dwarka of the South, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.
• It is located in the small town of Guruvayur, in the Thrissur District of Kerala.
• The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century, but other literary texts and legends indicate that the temple may be around 5000 years old.
• In 1716 AD, the Dutch plundered and set fire to the temple. It was rebuilt in 1747 AD.
• In terms of devotees every day, it is the fourth biggest shrine in India.
• Features:
  • Lord Krishna, or Guruvayoorappan, is the chief deity of this temple.
  • The temple is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style.
  • It is believed that the central shrine of the temple was reconstructed in the year 1638 C.E. 
  • Structures like the Nalambalam (temple structure surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), Balikkal (sacrificial stone), and Deepastambam (pillar of lights) are situated on the temple premises.
  • The wall of the sanctum sanctorum is decked with ancient 17th-century murals.
  • Another famous sight here is the Dwajasthamba. It is a flagstaff, around 70 feettall, fully covered with gold.
  • The Thulabharam is one of the most popular offerings at Guruvayur Temple. In this ritual, devotees are weighed against jaggery, coconuts, sugar, or bananas on a giant set of scales. This quantity is then given to the Lord as an offering.
  • The temple is also noted for being home to a large population of captive male Asian elephants.
  • The Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary, where 56 elephants live, is very close to the temple.

Q1: What is the Kerala architectural style?

The Architectural style of Kerala temples has a distinct style quite different from other states of India. It boasts an inherent simplicity and also by their lavish use of wood, stone and metals. Widely speaking, this architectural style is primarily based on the principles of Thachu Shastra, the science of carpentry, and Vastu Shastra, the science of architecture and construction.Temples in Tamil Nadu are famous for their incredible stone work while in Kerala it is the works done on wood. 

News: Supreme Court slams Guruvayur temple's decision to skip ancient ritual on Ekadasi

About Haemophilia A:

• Hemophilia A (classic hemophilia) is one of three types of hemophilia, a rare, inherited blood disorder.
• It happens when your blood doesn’t clot as it should, which is when bleeding stops or slows down.
• It is a sex-linked disorder. The gene for haemophilia is carried on the X chromosome.
• Causes:
  • When you bleed, a series of reactions take place in the body that helps blood clots form. This process is called the coagulation cascade.
  • It involves as many as 20 different special proteins called coagulation, or clotting, factors.
  • You may have a higher chance of excess bleeding if one or more of these factors are missing or are not functioning like they should.
  • Hemophilia A is caused by a lack of blood clotting factor VIII. Without enough factor VIII, the blood cannot clot properly to control bleeding.
• Symptoms:
  • The severity of symptoms varies. Prolonged bleeding is the main symptom.
  • Bleeds can occur internally,in joints and muscles, or externally, from minor cuts, dental procedures, or injuries.
• Treatment:
  • It is treated by boosting clotting factor levels or replacing missing clotting factors (replacement therapy).
  • Other treatments may include medications to promote clotting or surgery to repair damage caused by bleeding.

Q1: What is X chromosome?

It is one of the two sex chromosomes in humans (the other is the Y chromosome). There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human body. This includes 22 pairs of autosomal or somatic chromosomes that are common to both men and women and one chromosome that differs according to what gender a person is (sex chromosomes). Each person usually has one pair of sex chromosomes in each cell. Females typically have two X chromosomes, while males typically have one X and one Y chromosome.

News: Indian scientists develop novel gene therapy treatment for haemophilia

About Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024:

• All the provisions in the erstwhile colonial-era Indian Railway Board Act, 1905, are proposed to be incorporated in the Railways Act, 1989, through this Bill.
  • It is intended to simplify the legal framework and reduce the need to refer to two laws.
• The Bill also proposes to amend the Railways Act, 1989, to provide statutory backing to the Railway Board, which has functioned without such a sanction since it began functioning.
  • The statutory powers seek to enhance the functioning and independence of the Railway Board.
  • It also authorises the Union government to decide the composition of the Railway Board.
  • This includes the number of members, their terms of service, and their qualifications and experience.
• Independent regulator: The bill proposes to establish an independent regulator to oversee tariffs, safety, and the participation of the private sector in the Railways.
• The bill also proposes to improve operational efficiencies and decentralize powers, granting greater autonomy to railway zones.
• The amendment is expected to speed up the approval process for train services that will help meet pending demands from various regions.
• The bill will allow the government to fast-track infrastructure and superfast train operations.

Q1: How many Railway Zones are there in India?

There are 19 zones ((including Metro Railway, Kolkata) on the Indian Railways and 70 divisions in the Indian Railway system. Each division is directed by a DRM or Divisional Railway Manager, who reports to the GM or General Manager of the zone.

News: Amid din, Lok Sabha clears Railways Bill to enhance independence of Board

About Willow Chip:

• It is a new state-of-the-art quantum computing chip developed by Google.
• The components of the chip include single and two-qubit gates, qubit reset, and readout that have been engineered and integrated to ensure that there is no lag between any two components as that may adversely impact system performance.
• It was able to solve a complex mathematical problem in just five minutes — a task that would take classical computers longer than the history of the universe.
• It performed a standard benchmark computation in under five minutes that would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion (that is, 1025) years.
• It operates using superconducting transmon qubits—tiny electrical circuits exhibiting quantum behaviour at extremely low temperatures. These circuits are engineered to function like artificial atoms in a quantum state.

What is a quantum chip?

• A quantum chip is a special type of computer chip designed to use the principles of quantum mechanics, the science of very tiny particles like atoms.
• -While regular chips use 'bits' (0 or 1) to process information, quantum chips use 'qubits', which can be 0 or 1 or both at the same time.
• This unique ability allows quantum chips to handle complex calculations much faster than traditional computers.

Q1: What is Quantum computing?

It is an area of computer science that uses the principles of quantum theory at the atomic and subatomic levels. It uses subatomic particles, such as electrons or photons.

News: What is Willow? Google's quantum computing chip explained in 10 points

About Indian Rock Python:

• It is a large, nonvenomous python species.
• It is known by the common names Black-tailed python and Asian rock python.
• Appearance
  • Indian pythons are usually whitish or yellowish in color with the blotched patterns varying from tan to dark brown shades.
  • This varies with terrain and habitat. Specimens from the hill forests of the Western Ghats and Assam are darker, while those from the Deccan Plateau and the Eastern Ghats are usually lighter.
• Habitat: They live in a wide range of habitats, including grasslands and savannas, swamps, marshes, rocky foothills, woodlands, open forests, and river valleys
• Distribution: Indian pythons are found in India, southern Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and probably in the north of Myanmar.
• They are nocturnal and mainly terrestrial creatures. However, they are also very good climbers and can often be seen hanging on branches of trees. Indian pythons are excellent swimmers. 
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Near Threatened
  • CITES: Appendix II
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• Threats: Habitat destruction and illegal trade

Q1: What is a swamp?

It is an area of land permanently saturated, or filled, with water. Many swamps are even covered by water. There are two main types of swamps: freshwater swamps and saltwater swamps. Swamps are dominated by trees.

News: While Indian rock python population dwindles elsewhere across T.N., it thrives in Moyar Valley

About Yuva Sahakar Scheme:

• Yuva Sahakar – Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme” aims to encourage newly formed cooperative societies with new and/or innovative ideas.
• The scheme encourages young entrepreneur Cooperative Societies which are in operation for a minimum of 3 months.
• The loan provided under the scheme is a long-term loan (up to 5 years) and as an incentive, NCDC provides 2% interest subvention on its applicable rate of interest on term loan for the project activities.
• Further, the loan component under the scheme can also be dovetailed with subsidy, as applicable and available from other Government of India schemes. NCDC funding is project based.
• It is being implemented by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) across the country.
• Features
  • NCDC has produced a dedicated fund with liberal traits entitling youth to avail the scheme.
  • It is linked with Rs.1000 crores of the Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund that has been authorised by the NCDC.
  • It provides more incentives to the cooperatives working in the North-Eastern region and the aspirational districts.
  • Exclusive benefits are provided for women, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates.
  • Yuva Sahakar Scheme is a part of Sahakar 22, a Mission for Doubling Farmers' Income by 2022.

Q1: What is the National Cooperative Development Corporation?

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1963 as a statutory Corporation. It works under the Ministry of Cooperation.

News: Yuva Sahakar Scheme

About C. Rajagopalachari: 

• Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly referred to as Rajaji, was born on 10 December 1878 in Thorapalli, Tamil Nadu.

Role in India’s Independence Movement

• Rajaji’s personal interaction with Gandhi in 1919 led him to give up his legal profession to be fully involved in the nation’s independence struggle.
• He participated in agitations against the Rowlett Act, the Non-Cooperation movement, the Vaikom Satyagraha, and the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• For these activities, between 1912 and 1941, as a result of which he was jailed five times.
• Rajaji was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Madras on a Congress party ticket. In the Assembly, he intervened on the issues of religious freedom and citizenship.
• In 1954 he was conferred with the Bharat Ratna for his contribution to Indian politics and literature.

Key Writings

• Rajaji was a prolific writer. His most popular works include a retelling of the Mahabharata and Ramayana in English, and Ramayana – Chakravarti Thirumagan in Tamil.

Q1: What is Vaikom Satyagraha?

It was a social reform movement which originated and took its place at Vaikom, then part of the princely state of Travancore, in Kottayam district of Kerala, during the period of 1924-1925. It was the dawn of temple entry movements in India

News: LOK SABHA SPEAKER AND PARLIAMENTARIANS PAY FLORAL TRIBUTES TO SHRI C. RAJAGOPALACHARI

About Hyperloop Track:

• Hyperloop is a high-speed transportation system in which pods, functioning as pressurised vehicles, travel at incredible speeds through low-pressure tubes.
• The Hyperloop concept was originally popularised by Elon Musk in 2012.
• Working: These trains operate within vacuum-sealed tubes, significantly reducing friction and allowing for unparalleled travel speed and energy efficiency. 
• Hyperloop pods are designed to reach speeds of up to 1,100 kmph, with an operational cruising speed of around 360 kmph.
• Key components include:
  • Low-Pressure Tubes: Sealed to minimise air resistance.
  • Magnetic Levitation (Maglev): Pods "float" on magnets, eliminating friction.
  • Linear Electric Motors: Propels the pod smoothly and efficiently.
  • These features combine to deliver unparalleled speed and efficiency, with zero direct emissions—making Hyperloop the ultimate in green transit.
• India’s hyperloop project is a joint initiative of Indian Railways, IIT-Madras’ Avishkar Hyperloop team and TuTr (incubated startup).
• Significance to India: This innovative system is seen as a promising solution for addressing the growing demands for efficient and sustainable transportation.

Q1: What is Magnetism?

It is a phenomenon related to magnetic fields that form as electric charges move. This motion can take various forms, including an electric current in a conductor, charged particles moving through space, or electron mobility in an atomic orbital.

News: India's first Hyperloop train test track completed by IIT Madras. Key details