08 Dec 2023 Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “ Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023”. This topic has relevance in the History and Culture section of the UPSC CSE exam.
GS 1: History and Culture
Why in the news?
The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was brought before the Lok Sabha for deliberation and approval. The primary objective of the bill is to institute a Central Tribal University in Telangana, to be designated as the ‘Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University.’
Background:
- The bill stems from commitments outlined in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
- The 2014 Reorganisation Act resulted in the division of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and the residuary Andhra Pradesh state.
- Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were promised support for establishing a tribal university each.
Key Amendments:
- Amendments are made to the Central Universities Act, 2009.
- The Central Universities Act, 2009 was originally enacted to establish universities for teaching and research in different states.
Central Tribal University Name:
- The university is named after the renowned mother-daughter duo, Sammakka and Sarakka.
Regional Aspirations:
- The establishment of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University addresses regional aspirations.
- It serves as a long-term solution, providing higher education and research opportunities primarily for India’s tribal population.
The Legend of Sammakka and Sarakka:
- Sammakka, married to feudal chief Pagididda Raju of the Kakatiyas (a Deccan dynasty), ruled the Warangal area.
- She had three children: Sarakka/Saralamma, Nagulamma, and Jampanna.
- In the 13th century, Saralamma died in a battle against local rulers protesting tax imposition, while Sammakka disappeared into the hills.
- Local (Koya) tribals believed Sammakka transformed into a vermillion casket.
The Sammakka Saralamma Jatara:
- Held biennially in the Mulugu district of Telangana, it’s known as the Kumbh Mela of tribals.
- Commemorates the mother-daughter duo’s battle against tax imposition on the Koya people.
- Considered Asia’s largest tribal fair, celebrated over four days in Medaram village.
- Gained significance comparable to Kumbh Mela.
Political and Cultural Significance:
- Declared a state festival in 1996.
- Regular participation by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Telangana state government.
- Ministry of Tourism allocated Rs. 75.88 crore for tribal circuit development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
- Circuit includes Mulugu – Laknavaram – Medavaram – Tadvai – Damaravi – Mallur – Bogatha Waterfalls, where Sammakka-Sarakka temple is situated.
- Mulugu, a reserved Scheduled Tribes (ST) assembly seat, has a population of around 2.6 lakhs, with 75% ST population.
- The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ramappa Temple lies approximately 15 km from Mulugu.
Source: https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-central-universities-amendment-bill-2023
Download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 8th Dec 2023
Q.1 Sammakka Saralamma Jatara is related to which of the following states:
(a) Telangana
(b) Odisha
(c) Jharkhand
(d) Chhattisgarh
ANSWER: A
Q.2 Analyze the link between education, empowerment, and social justice for tribal groups, considering cultural sensitivity and community participation in policy formulation.
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