Membrane-based Water Purification System
Why in news?
- The Union Environment Ministry has published a draft notification that effectively prohibits users from installing MWPS [Membrane-based Water Purification System], mainly reverse osmosis, in their homes if the water has been sourced from a supply that meets the BIS drinking water norms.
About:
- Installation or use of MWPS shall be prohibited, at the point of use or at the point of entry for purification of supplied water which is subjected to conventional flocculation, filtration and disinfection process or is from any sources which are in compliance with acceptable limit for drinking water prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standard 10500:2012.
- The proposed regulation is not the final word and the Ministry will await comments from the public for 30 days, after which it may incorporate the changes before it becomes a law.
Maitree and Bandhan Express
Why in news?
- The frequency of the Maitree Express and Bandhan Express trains connecting Bangladesh and India has been increased.
Key facts:
- Maitree Express running between Dhaka and Kolkata will now run 5 days a week.
- Bandhan Express running between Kolkata and Khulna will now be running twice a week.
- The increased frequency of these trains will enhance the connectivity between India and Bangladesh further.
Healing Christ
Why in news?
- A tri-metal sculpture of Jesus Christ, Healing Christ, on the central courtyard of the Believers Church Medical College Hospital in Thiruvalla has entered the Universal Records Forum’s (URF) book of world records.
About:
- A URF team adjudged that the 368-cm tall statue, weighing 2,400 kg, the largest one of its kind in the world. It took 18 months for sculpting the statue. It was unveiled on the BCMC courtyard on December 1, 2014.
- The statue was sculpted the statue with an alloy of zinc, copper, and velutheeyam (an alloy of tin and aluminium).
Purified Terephthalic Acid
Why in news?
- During her Budget speech on Saturday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government was abolishing in “public interest” an anti-dumping duty that was levied on imports of a chemical called PTA.
About:
- Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) is a crucial raw material used to make various products, including polyester fabrics.
- PTA makes up for around 70-80% of a polyester product and is, therefore, important to those involved in the manufacture of man-made fabrics or their components, according to industry executives.
- This includes products like polyester staple fibre and spun yarn. Our cushions and sofas may have polyester staple fibre fillings. Some sportswear, swimsuits, dresses, trousers, curtains, sofa covers, jackets, car seat covers and bed sheets have a certain proportion of polyester in them.
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