SNIPPETS 02 FEBRUARY 2026

Guru Ravidas ji: Saint and poet of the Bhakti Movement in North India+ Born in – 1377 CE+ On a Magh Purnima in Seer Gobardhanpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh+ Key Teachings – Caste and creed are man-made – He advocated that all can approach God irrespective of social status+ Contributions –Advocated equality, social justice, and spiritual freedom, opposing caste- and gender-based discrimination.

Photo-capacitor: It is an innovative sunlight-powered supercapacitor using a single device that integrates solar energy harvesting and energy storage+ Developed by – Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru+ Nodal Authority – Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology+ Working Principle – The device simultaneously absorbs sunlight and stores the generated electrical charge+ Key Features – Integrated Architecture – Combines sunlight harvesting and charge storage in a single device, eliminating the need for separate solar panels and storage units.

AI Smart Glasses for Police: Delhi Police deploying AI-powered smart glasses with integrated facial recognition for crowd monitoring during Republic Day 2026+ Technology: Glasses equipped with mini-CCTV cameras scan criminal databases+ System matches faces and uses thermal aging to update old photos+ AznaLens collaborates with Delhi Police on extended reality solutions.

Thermogenesis in Sacred Lotus: A study highlighted the unique ability of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) to generate heat during flowering, a rare phenomenon among plants+ Thermogenesis: During its flowering phase, the lotus exhibits thermogenesis, the ability to produce heat, a trait also observed in plants such as skunk cabbage and arum lilies, primarily as an adaptation to enhance pollination+ The warm receptacle releases fragrance that attracts pollinating beetles. The petals close partially to form a warm chamber, and during the subsequent male phase, insects carry pollen to other flowers, enabling cross-pollination