Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 15-16, 2024

Notes:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change held a dialogue ahead of the 30th World Ozone Day. The theme was “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action.” The Montreal Protocol is an international agreement to protect the ozone layer by reducing ozone-depleting substances. Environment Secretary Leena Nandan highlighted India’s success in meeting its Montreal Protocol commitments due to collaborative efforts. United Nations Development Programme India Resident Representative Angela Lusigi praised India’s leadership in reducing Hydrofluorocarbons. World Ozone Day will be observed on September 16.

Notes:
The 20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) in Goa concluded with key outcomes for India’s maritime sector. Over 80 critical issues were resolved between the Central Government, States, and Union Territories. Discussions focused on port modernization, connectivity, compliance, maritime tourism, navigation, sustainability, and port security. New challenges were addressed, such as creating Places of Refuge for distressed ships and installing Radioactive Detection Equipment at ports. Seafarers were recognized as essential workers with improved working conditions. A State and Port Ranking System was discussed to drive competition. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the MSDC’s role in policy alignment and the growth of non-major ports.

Notes:
Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the ‘Jan Sunwai Portal,’ an online platform by the Department of Commerce.
The portal aims to improve communication between stakeholders and authorities by providing a direct and transparent channel for addressing trade and industry issues. It allows people to file grievances online, removing the need for office visits. The portal will help boost the commerce and business sectors by simplifying issue resolution. It is accessible to several departments like the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Tea Board, Coffee Board, Spices Board, Rubber Board, and APEDA.

Notes:
Algeria has recently become a new member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), officially gaining membership status in September 2024. Before Algeria, countries like Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and Egypt also joined the NDB. The New Development Bank is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

Notes:
The Irula Snake Catchers’ Industrial Cooperative Society, run by Irula tribals near Chennai, faces an uncertain future.
Irulas are one of India’s oldest indigenous communities and are classified as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG). They live mainly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka and speak the Irula language, related to Tamil and Kannada.
Irulas are pantheists with a main deity, Kanniamma, associated with the cobra. Traditionally skilled in hunting, herbal medicine, and snake-catching, they are experts in snake rescue and venom extraction. Their cooperative supplies 80% of the venom used to produce anti-snake venom in India.