Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 11, 2024

Notes:
The 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It was co-hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The first conference took place in 2018 in Beijing, China. India had offered to host the second conference in 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This conference came at a time when India’s aviation industry was transforming. As the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, India aimed to become a hub for MRO services, cargo, and regional aviation.

Notes:
Researchers recently found a Myristica swamp forest in Kumbral, Maharashtra, protected by the local community. Myristica swamps are freshwater habitats dominated by evergreen trees from the Myristicaceae family. These swamps are called living fossils due to their ancient origin of 140 million years. They have large roots protruding from waterlogged soil, which stays flooded all year. Found mainly in the Western Ghats, they also exist in the Andaman, Nicobar Islands, and Meghalaya. These swamps depend on valley shape, heavy rainfall (3000 mm), and water availability. They retain water like a sponge and store more carbon than regular forests. They support diverse species, such as the Myristica Swamp Treefrog in Kerala sanctuaries.

Notes:
Indian Railways introduced a helmet camera system in North Bengal to improve safety and prevent train accidents. This live monitoring system allowed railway workers to detect mechanical issues in real-time, ensuring safer operations. Initially launched in the Maldah Division, the system aimed to expand to other regions. The helmet cameras captured detailed images and videos, enabling quick responses to potential hazards. This initiative demonstrated Indian Railways’ dedication to enhancing passenger safety through advanced technology.

Notes:
The SBI Foundation launched the third edition of its Asha Scholarship Program. It aimed to provide financial support to 10,000 talented students from underprivileged backgrounds. The scholarship offered amounts between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20 lakh. It helped students from Class 6 to postgraduate levels pursue their educational goals. This initiative showed SBI’s commitment to supporting educational opportunities for disadvantaged students across India.

Notes:
INS Malpe and INS Mulki, two anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft vessels, were launched by the Indian Navy at Cochin Shipyard. These are the fourth and fifth indigenously built vessels of this type. They belong to the Mahe Class and will replace the Navy’s Abhay Class ASW Corvettes. The vessels are designed for anti-submarine operations, mine-laying, sub-surface surveillance, and search and rescue in coastal waters. They are 78 meters long, can reach speeds of 25 knots, and have an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles. They feature state-of-the-art SONAR, torpedoes, and advanced weapon systems.