13-December-2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

ROAD ACCIDENTS, FATALITIES INCREASED LAST YEAR: POLICE

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The Delhi Traffic Police’s ‘Road Crash’ report for the year 2022 highlights a disturbing surge in road accidents, fatalities, and injuries. The data reveals alarming statistics, with an increase of 19.7% in accidents, 17.9% in fatalities, and 21.7% in injuries compared to the previous year. This surge is particularly concerning as it reflects a significant rise in hit-and-run cases and pedestrian casualties. The report also underscores the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021 on the reduced accident figures.

Major Findings:

• Fatalities and Injuries: On average, four individuals lost their lives daily on Delhi’s roads in 2022, resulting in a total of 629 pedestrian fatalities, including 77 minors.
• Hit-and-Run Cases: The number of hit-and-run cases increased to 668, constituting 47% of all fatal crashes. Mukarba Chowk and Khanpur emerged as major crash hotspots.
• Contributing Factors: Special Commissioner S.S. Yadav identified the lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including foot overbridges, subways, and proper road signage, as contributing factors. Drunk driving remains a significant issue, with efforts underway to address it through increased prosecution and awareness drives.

Efforts and Challenges:

• Pedestrian Safety: Commissioner Yadav emphasizes the importance of creating pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to reduce casualties, advocating for foot overbridges, subways, and zebra crossings.
• Drunk Driving: A substantial number of accidents involve drunk driving, with challenges such as faulty number plates and limited surveillance hindering effective law enforcement.
• Technology and Enforcement: Efforts are being made to address distracted driving, with 25,820 individuals prosecuted for using cell phones while driving. However, challenges persist in implementing comprehensive surveillance measures.

Conclusion:

The surge in road accidents demands urgent attention and multifaceted solutions. Enhancing pedestrian safety infrastructure, tackling drunk driving, and leveraging technology for enforcement are pivotal steps to curb the rising fatalities on Delhi’s roads. The report underscores the need for collaborative efforts from authorities, law enforcement, and the public to create safer road environments.

‘MORE SAFETY MEASURES AND GOOD HOSTELS CAN HELP WOMEN ENTER WORKFORCE’

GS 3 (SOCIETY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The discourse on women’s workforce in Tamil Nadu underscores the imperative for enhanced safety measures and improved working women’s hostels. Addressing a discussion on ‘Women Workforce: Why Tamil Nadu is ahead of the curve,’ industry experts emphasized the critical need for creating an environment where women feel safe and supported in their professional pursuits.

Key Recommendations:

• Safety and Hostel Quality: Gayathri Ramamurthy, Capegemini’s Learning-India head, stressed the urgency for 100% safety for women, emphasizing the necessity for better quality working women’s hostels and robust safety mechanisms.
• Equity for Equality: Saundarya Rajesh, AVATAR Group’s founder, lauded Tamil Nadu’s historical advantage in pioneering equity for women’s education. She advocated leveraging equity to achieve the broader goal of gender equality.
• Diversity in Management: The discussion highlighted the dearth of women in managerial positions, underscoring the need for organizations to view diversity as a compelling business case. The call for increased representation in managing boards was pronounced.
• Addressing Workforce Trends: Bharat Seeman, CEO of Veranda IAS, highlighted age-related trends in women’s workforce participation, emphasizing the importance of awareness campaigns to encourage women in the 26-29 age group to enter the workforce.
• Private Sector Engagement: Geetha Ramamoorthi, Managing Director of KBR India, emphasized the need for the private sector to adopt policies akin to the government sector, such as maternity leave, to further increase women’s workforce participation.

Conclusion:

The imperative for a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in the workforce in Tamil Nadu was underscored by the discussion. The recommendations center on enhancing safety, improving hostels, promoting equity, fostering diversity in management, addressing age-related workforce trends, and encouraging private sector engagement. A comprehensive approach involving families, organizations, and policymakers is crucial to realizing a more dynamic and inclusive women’s workforce in the state.

‘MORE DIRECT FLIGHTS NEEDED FROM PLACES SUCH AS THE MALDIVES’

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – THE HINDU

In a panel discussion during the Tamil Nadu Unlimited summit, Prithvi Mohandass, Managing Director of MIOT International, emphasized the critical need for more direct international flights to Tamil Nadu, specifically from destinations like the Maldives and Seychelles. The discussion, part of the summit organized by The Hindu and Guidance Tamil Nadu, highlighted key insights and recommendations for enhancing the tourism industry in the state.

Key Recommendations:

• Enhanced Connectivity: Dr. Mohandass stressed the importance of more direct flights to Tamil Nadu from tourist-friendly destinations like the Maldives and Seychelles, citing the positive impact experienced by cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.
• Improved Airport Arrivals: The panel urged the government to enhance airport facilities to make arrivals more comfortable, especially for patients and attenders. Learning from countries like South Korea was suggested to improve the experience for visitors.
• Building State’s Brand: Vikram Cotah, CEO of GRT Hotels, highlighted the importance of efforts to build the state’s brand over the next five years, emphasizing the potential of tourism as a major contributor to the government’s one trillion-dollar economy goal.
• Incorporating Tourism in Education: The Tourism Policy document’s recommendation to integrate tourism and hospitality into high school curricula was emphasized to create 25 lakh jobs. Talent acquisition, especially from rural areas, was identified as a challenge.
• Unlocking Potential in Smaller Towns: Sundar Singaram, Director of Operations, advocated for exploring the untapped potential of smaller towns, proposing better packaging of heritage sites like Yanaimalai in Madurai.
• Synergy Between Healthcare and Hospitality: Discussing the potential of tier II cities, the need for synergy between the hospital and hospitality industry was highlighted. Dr. Prithvi and Mr. Singaram emphasized the construction of quality hospitals in places like Tiruchi, Madurai, and Nagercoil.

Conclusion:

The discussion outlined key strategies for boosting Tamil Nadu’s tourism industry, including improved connectivity, enhanced airport facilities, brand building, educational integration, exploration of smaller towns, and fostering synergy between healthcare and hospitality. These recommendations aim to position tourism as a significant contributor to the state’s economic growth.

GENE THERAPY OFFERS NEW HOPE FOR THOSE WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Recent approvals by the UK and U.S. FDA for gene therapies, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, signify a groundbreaking development in the treatment of sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. These gene therapies, utilizing the CRISPR-Cas9 tool, offer new hope, especially for patients above 12 years old, without the necessity of bone marrow transplantation. This marks a significant shift in the landscape of medical interventions, unlocking the potential for treating hereditary disorders at the genetic level.

    

Key Developments:

• Casgevy and Lyfgenia Approvals: Less than a month after UK approval, the U.S. FDA has granted approval for two gene therapies, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, specifically for treating sickle cell disease in patients over 12.
• CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing: Casgevy employs the CRISPR-Cas9 tool to disable the BCL11A gene, enabling the production of fetal hemoglobin, which proves beneficial for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.
• Lyfgenia’s Approach: Lyfgenia utilizes a disabled lentivirus as a vector to introduce a new gene for hemoglobin into blood stem cells, mimicking the healthy version and addressing severe blocked blood flow.
• Clinical Trial Success: Casgevy showed positive results in sickle cell disease patients, relieving them of debilitating effects, while for beta thalassemia, a significant reduction in the need for blood transfusions was observed. Lyfgenia demonstrated reduced blocked blood flow events in sickle cell disease patients.
• Potential Benefits: Both therapies use the patient’s own blood cells, expanding the treatment potential without relying on bone marrow donors. However, concerns about affordability and limited hospital infrastructure for these advanced treatments exist.

Conclusion:

The recent FDA approvals for Casgevy and Lyfgenia mark a transformative phase in gene therapy, showcasing the promise of CRISPR-Cas9 for treating complex genetic disorders. While the potential benefits are substantial, challenges such as cost and specialized infrastructure must be addressed. Continuous monitoring for safety and efficacy is crucial, emphasizing the need for real-world data to navigate potential risks associated with genetic modifications through the CRISPR-Cas9 tool.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF RECENT ARGENTINE ELECTIONS?

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The recent Argentine elections, culminating in the election of Javier Milei as President, have stirred significant interest due to its potential implications on national and regional levels. As a far-right libertarian and radical economist, Milei’s victory over the left-leaning Sergio Massa signifies a departure from traditional politics.

Javier Milei: The Chainsaw Man:

• Javier Milei, a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist, gained popularity for his radical economic policies and anti-establishment rhetoric.
• Known as the “chainsaw man,” Milei’s campaign focused on dismantling the political elite and reconstructing Argentina’s economic landscape.

Policy Proposals:

• Milei advocates for drastic changes, including dollarizing the economy and implementing significant spending cuts.
• His vision encompasses limited government, respect for private property, reduction of federal ministries, and privatization of state-owned media.

Implications of Election Results:

• Milei’s victory marks a notable shift in Argentine politics, challenging the dominance of Peronism for the first time since 2015.
• The election signifies public discontent with traditional parties and a growing appetite for unconventional approaches, particularly among the youth.

Foreign Relations and Trade Concerns:

• Milei’s alignment with the U.S., Israel, and the free world is juxtaposed with criticism of working with China, Brazil, and Russia.
• Ending ties with China and Brazil could have potential negative implications for Argentina’s trade, impacting existing agreements.

Challenges and Uncertainties:

• Milei’s ability to implement radical policies is uncertain, given his party’s limited representation in the lower house.
• There are concerns about the potential impact of Milei’s divergence from the ‘pink tide’ of left-leaning governments in Latin America, with possible regional ramifications.

Conclusion:

Javier Milei’s presidency in Argentina introduces a paradigm shift in the country’s political and economic landscape. The implications of his radical policies, challenges in implementation, and the potential regional impact underscore the significance of Milei’s election in shaping the trajectory of Argentina’s future. The global community keenly observes how these developments unfold and influence Argentina’s role in the broader geopolitical context.

PM VISHWAKARMA SCHEME

GS 3 (SOCIETY): SOURCE – TIMES OF INDIA

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) reported receiving 21.15 lakh applications for the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, reflecting substantial interest and participation

• Launch Year: Launched in 2023, the scheme aims to elevate the accessibility and quality of products and services provided by traditional artisans, integrating them into both domestic and global value chains.
• Key Services: The scheme prioritizes skill upgradation for artisans and craftspeople while ensuring access to collateral-free credit. Interest subvention further reduces the cost of credit for beneficiaries.
• Scheme Type: Classified as a Central Sector Scheme, it focuses on 18 trades, encompassing diverse artisans such as carpenters, blacksmiths, potters, and masons, fostering comprehensive skill development and economic empowerment.

IIT MADRAS’ AMRIT TECHNOLOGY:

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

Indian Institute of Technology Madras has devised ‘AMRIT,’ a technology addressing the removal of Arsenic and Metal ions from water, showcasing a breakthrough in water purification.

• Nano-scale Iron Oxy-hydroxide: AMRIT employs nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide, demonstrating a selective removal of arsenic when water passes through it, ensuring effective and targeted purification.
• Wide Implementation: The technology has found widespread application as affordable point-of-use water purifiers, especially in regions severely affected by arsenic, iron, and fluoride contamination in India.
• Green and Sustainable: AMRIT reflects a commitment to environmentally friendly solutions, providing green and sustainable materials-based remedies.
• Versatile Application: Developed for both domestic and community levels, AMRIT emerges as a versatile solution contributing to accessible and safe water resources in various settings.