Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 25, 2024

Notes:
The Supreme Court of India recently emphasized the D.K. Basu Judgment (1996) against police abuse and custodial violence. The landmark case, D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal, addressed deaths in police custody. The petitioner, D.K. Basu, highlighted the issue, leading to the judgment that custodial violence violates the rule of law and human dignity. The ruling expanded the scope of fundamental rights, allowing compensation for their infringement. This case is pivotal in Indian human rights jurisprudence.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Desert Knight with the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force on January 23–24, 2024. The exercise took place over the Arabian Sea, with the IAF operating from its west coast bases and the UAE and France operating from Al Dhafra airbase. The exercise’s main focus was to improve synergy and interoperability between the three air forces. The IAF said that such exercises demonstrate the growing diplomatic and military interactions in the region, as well as the IAF’s capabilities.

Notes:
India has supported Afghanistan in combating the locust menace with 40,000 litres of Malathion, an effective and environmentally friendly pesticide. Sent through Iran’s Chabahar port, this collaborative effort addresses a pressing agricultural concern. Malathion proves crucial for locust control, being ideal for Afghanistan’s arid climate and addressing environmental concerns with minimal water usage. This timely provision safeguards Afghan crops and contributes significantly to regional food security.

Notes:
A 42-day Mahamandal festival commenced at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya following the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla. Starting on January 24, the festival, overseen by Ram Mandir trustee Jagadguru Vishvesh Prapann Tirtha, includes daily Kalash puja and worship with forty-eight urns in the sanctum sanctorum. Bhagwan Ram will be honored in the Vaishnav tradition, receiving a Rajbhog of assorted sweets. The festival involves a 42-day Havan with recitation of various mantras at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex.

Notes:
Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose or the Pink Lake, is located north of the Cap Vert peninsula in Senegal. Threatened by pollution and mining, its waters, primarily sourced from the sea, are home to halophilic green algae, Dunaliella salina. The algae’s red pigments give the lake its distinctive pink color. A popular tourist destination, the Pink Lake’s unique hue comes from the alga’s salt-resistant qualities, supported by carotenoid pigments rich in vitamins and trace elements.