Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 05 May 2023
- 5 min read
Use of 3D Printing
Using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, a smart gel sheet can self-roll into a tube to form a nerve conduit during surgery, reducing the complexity of the surgery and ensuring rapid nerve healing.
In 3D printing, a virtual model of the part is created using design software, and the part is then fabricated using a 3D printer by layer-upon-layer deposition of the material. 3D printed parts can further undergo a shape change on demand upon activation after fabrication. Such technologies are now widely known as four-dimensional (4D) printing, where time is the extra dimension.
Such 4D-printed parts have not been used in the clinic as yet. But such emerging technologies could pave the way for a new generation of medical devices that surgeons can deploy during surgery to heal nerves and many other tissues in coming years. They can offer benefits such as reduced complexity of surgeries, deployment by minimally-invasive procedures, and faster healing.
Read More: 3D Printing
Ekatha Harbour
Recently, India and Maldives marked a major step in their growing defence cooperation by launching the construction of a harbour- ‘Ekatha Harbour’ for the Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) at Sifavaru in Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) atoll (a few miles northwest of Male).
The development of the coast guard is one of the biggest grant-in-aid projects of India. The UTF Harbour Project was announced in 2021.
Maldives is among India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and New Delhi has been seeking to expand ties with Male including in areas of defence and security amid China’s efforts to expand its influence in the IOR.
Read More: India Maldives Relations
World Press Freedom Prize
Three imprisoned women journalists- Niloofar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi and Narges Mohammadi from Iran have been awarded the UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize 2023 for their commitment to truth and accountability. World Press Freedom Day is observed on 3rd May, every year.
UNESCO has a mandate to ensure freedom of expression and the safety of journalists around the world. Globally, women journalists and media workers face increasing attacks, whether in real life or online, including stigmatization, sexist hate speech, trolling, physical assault, rape and even murder. The agency advocates for their safety and collaborates with partners to identify and implement good practices and share recommendations aimed at countering these attacks.
The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize was established in 1997. It is presented annually to a person, organization or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to press freedom, and especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger.
Read More: World Press Freedom Index 2023
ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2023
To expand India-ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) military cooperation, the maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) is being conducted. The harbour phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held in Singapore from 02 – 04 May 2023 and the Sea Phase will be conducted from 07 to 08 May 2023 in the South China Sea.
AIME 2023 will provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work together closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain.
INS Delhi, India's first indigenously built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate are a part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet will also participate in International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC), hosted by Singapore.
Read More: ASEAN
