Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 18-19, 2024

Notes:
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, became Thailand’s youngest prime minister after Srettha Thavisin was dismissed. She is the third member of the Shinawatra family, after her father and aunt, to hold the position. Paetongtarn won 319 votes in the parliamentary vote, showing strong legislative support. Despite her family’s political influence, she faces challenges like a struggling economy and political competition. Her party, Pheu Thai, is also under pressure with a pending $14.25 billion cash handout program.

Notes:
Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, inaugurated the 17th Divya Kala Mela in Raipur on 17 August 2024. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also attended and agreed to allocate 5 acres of land for a Divyangjan park in Raipur. The Mela, organized by the Ministry’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, runs from 16-23 August 2024. Over 100 Divyang artisans from 20 states/UTs will showcase their products. The event also includes job fairs and loan melas to support the economic empowerment of Divyangjan.

Notes:
The Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. This scheme will provide ₹1500 monthly to over one crore women in Maharashtra. It is modeled after Madhya Pradesh’s ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’ but will be a permanent initiative. The scheme aims to protect and support women’s interests in the state, symbolically tied to the Raksha Bandhan festival.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit on August 17, 2024, held virtually with participation from many Global South leaders. The summit is rooted in the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, providing a platform for Global South countries to discuss vital issues. The theme is “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future,” focusing on conflicts, food and energy security, and climate change. The summit includes a Leader’s session hosted by Modi and 10 Ministerial sessions on various themes. Over 100 countries participated in the previous summit.

Notes:
The Union government launched Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS), a unique geospatial platform for Indian agriculture. It provides detailed data on fields, soil, weather, water levels, and crop conditions, accessible anytime, anywhere. Krishi-DSS offers real-time information on soil moisture, crop conditions, and drought monitoring. It includes a “One nation-one soil information system” with comprehensive soil data. The platform helps the government analyze cropping patterns and implement targeted interventions. It supports innovation by providing essential data to researchers and industries for developing farmer-centric solutions. Developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Space.