Prelims Focus- 14th December 2023
1.Amrit Technology
In News: IIT-Madras has developed a technology called “AMRIT” (Arsenic and Metal Removal by Indian Technology) to remove arsenic and metal ions from water.
- The technology uses nanoscale iron oxyhydroxide, which selectively removes arsenic when water passes through it.
- Significance: The technology will help achieve the Government of India’s goal of providing adequate safe water under Operation Jal Jeevan.
- Mission Jal Jeevan
- Goal: To create a water supply infrastructure so that every rural household has FHTC (Functional Han Connection) and sufficient quantity and quality of water by 2024.
- The mission was launched in 2019 under the ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Areas of Focus: The program also focuses on:
- Recharge and recycle through gray water management
- Saving water
- Rainwater harvesting
2.Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF)
In News: Representatives of the United States, India and Taiwan met in a joint workshop convened under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF).
- On June 1, 2015, Taiwan and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF).
- It is a forum where Taiwan’s strengths and expertise can be used to address global issues of mutual interest.
- Taiwan has world-class experts in many fields, including public health, law enforcement, disaster relief, energy cooperation, women’s empowerment, digital economy and cyber security, media literacy and good governance.
- The initiative will help Indo-Pacific countries build their capacity through training programs for civil servants and experts,
- The United States, Taiwan, the Australian Mission in Taipei, and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association jointly manage the GCTF.
Progress: Since its launch, the GCTF has organized 70 international workshops involving more than 120 countries to strengthen links between experts on topics such as public health, supply chains, humanitarian aid, digital health and other regional topics.
3.Anarcho-capitalism
In News: The term “anarcho-capitalism” recently gained popularity with the victory of self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist Javier Milei in the Argentine presidential election.
- The term was created by the American economist Murray Rothbard, while the Belgian economist Gustave de Molinari is considered the first anarcho-capitalist.
- Anarcho-capitalism is a political and economic philosophy that advocates government intervention in economic and social affairs.
- It combines elements of anarchism, which opposes state power, with capitalism, which supports private property and free markets.
- In an anarcho-capitalist society, private organizations would be responsible for the provision and regulation of all services, including security, law enforcement and dispute resolution.
- In other words, people would pay private police and courts to protect them from crime and settle disputes with others.
4.Lyfgenia
Details:
- Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two cell-based gene therapies, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD).
- Lyfgenia is a gene therapy that uses a lentiviral vector to modify a patient’s blood stem cells and produce a modified version of the HBB gene.
- It is approved for patients 12 years and older with SCD and a history of vaso-occlusive events.
5.Kazhuveli bird sanctuary
Details:
- The Kazhuveli Wetland Birds Sanctuary is located in the Villupuram district of Tamilnadu.
- It is one of the important wetlands on the Coromandel Coast, second only to Pulicat Lake.
- The wetland is connected to the Bay of Bengal and serves as a nesting spot for migratory birds from Central Asia.
- It is considered a significant wetland both nationally and internationally, with potential for being designated as a Ramsar site.
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