Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 11-12, 2024

Notes:
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aman Sehrawat from India won a bronze medal in the men’s 57kg wrestling category, marking a proud moment in India’s wrestling history. Born in Haryana on July 16, 2003, Sehrawat is known for his freestyle technique. He defeated Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz 13-5 in the bronze medal match. Aman first gained attention by winning a silver at the 2021 World Wrestling U23 Championships and gold at the 2022 Asian U23 Championships. His journey from local competitions to the Olympic podium highlights his dedication and talent.

Notes:
Three underwater structures in the Indian Ocean were recently named Ashoka, Chandragupt, and Kalpataru, highlighting India’s influence in marine science. The names were proposed by India and approved by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Ashoka Seamount, discovered in 2012, is oval-shaped and spans 180 sq km. Kalpataru Ridge, also discovered in 2012, covers 430 sq km and may support marine biodiversity. Chandragupt Ridge, identified in 2020, is an elongated structure covering 675 sq km.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the bilateral Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The exercise took place in Kuantan, Malaysia, from 6-9 August 2024. Both air forces deployed seven Sukhoi-30 fighter planes, which are purchased from Russia. India’s Sukhoi-30 planes, mostly produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), are the Su-30MKI variant, specifically modernized for India. Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 included Training Exercises and Subject Matter Expert Exchange concepts. Training Exercises focused on air combat involving Su-30 planes from both countries.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu received Timor Leste’s highest civilian award, the Grand Collar of Order of Timor Leste, on 10 August 2024 in Dili. She is the first Indian President to visit Timor Leste, as part of her three-nation tour to Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor Leste from 5-10 August 2024. President Murmu discussed IT infrastructure, medical, and capacity-building assistance with Timor Leste’s President José Ramos Horta. Three MoUs were signed between India and Timor Leste, including media cooperation, visa exemptions for officials, and cultural exchange programs.

Notes:
On August 9, 2024, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0 with an investment of Rs 10 lakh crores. This new scheme will replace the original PMAY-U, which runs until December 2024. PMAY-U 2.0 will last for five years and aims to build one crore houses for the urban poor and middle-class families. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will implement the scheme. It covers towns from the 2011 census and targets economically weaker sections, low-income groups, and middle-income groups families without pucca houses, with income limits of Rs 3 lakh, Rs 6 lakh, and Rs 9 lakh per year, respectively.