Daily Current Affairs Quiz: March 29, 2024

Notes:
A recent study unveils the secrets behind the unique aroma of Mushk Budiji, a native rice variety from the Kashmir Himalaya. Initially threatened by extinction due to low yield and rice blast disease, a revival initiative by SKUAST scientists since 2007 has led to its slow resurgence. In August 2023, Mushk Budiji was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This niche crop thrives under specific climatic conditions, securing its place in Kashmir’s agricultural heritage.

Notes:
India recently applied to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) for rights to explore the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount) in the Indian Ocean. AN Seamount is a 400 km-long and 150 km-wide feature rich in cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper. It lies 3,000 km from India’s coast, rising 1200 m above the ocean floor. Seamounts, formed through volcanic activity near mid-ocean ridges, are hotspots for marine life, with potential for active resource extraction.

Notes:
The 2nd Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting, led by Brazil, convened in Brasilia with India’s participation. Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary of Labour & Employment, India, co-chairs alongside Brazil and South Africa. The meeting’s focus includes quality employment, just transition amidst digital transformations, technology’s role in enhancing life quality, and gender equity in workplaces. The Indian delegation emphasized inclusivity, advocating for equal representation and empowerment irrespective of demographics.

Notes:
Leaders from 34 countries convened in Brussels for the Nuclear Energy Summit on March 21. Organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Belgium, the summit aimed to explore strategies for leveraging nuclear power in achieving net-zero emissions and sustainable development goals. Following COP28, where over 20 countries pledged to increase nuclear energy use, the summit emphasized practical steps for deployment and financing. Technical panels delved into maximizing nuclear energy’s potential.

Notes:
A 900-year-old Kannada inscription from the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty was unearthed in Gangapuram, Telangana. The Chalukyas governed central India’s Deccan plateau from the 6th to 12th centuries, comprising three distinct dynasties: Badami, Kalyani, and Vengi. The Kalyani Chalukyas, primarily Kannadiga, ruled from their capital, Kalyani (modern-day Bidar district, Karnataka). Tailapa II founded the empire while ruling Tardavadi in Bijapur district, Karnataka, under the Rashtrakuta Empire’s suzerainty.