Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Swell waves inundated coastal areas in central and southern Kerala due to distant storm winds, termed ‘Kallakkadal’. The waves flooded beaches in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Thrissur districts, prompting district-level disaster management to alert. ‘Kallakkadal’ causes flash floods without noticeable wind changes. Authorities advise against beach visits and monitor the high-alert coastal areas. Swells, characterized by collective height, period, and direction, vary in size and quality based on local conditions.

Notes:
India’s Government e-Market (GeM) portal ranks as the world’s third-largest e-commerce platform for public procurement. GeM’s CEO PK Singh reported a gross merchandise value (GMV) exceeding Rs 4 lakh crore, doubling from the previous fiscal year. Launched in 2016, GeM facilitates transactions between government institutions and vendors, driving digital inclusion. The platform recorded Rs 2.01 lakh crore in orders for the last fiscal year, showcasing its significant growth trajectory.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu State Forest Department, with WWF-India, radio-collared a male Nilgiri Tahr in Mukurthi National Park, marking the first collar operation without tranquilization. Nilgiri Tahr, also called Varaiaadu, is Tamil Nadu’s state animal and the sole mountain ungulate in southern India. With an endangered status, its habitat spans the Western Ghats. Threatened by habitat loss and poaching, the species’ resilience underscores its ecological significance in high-stress environments.

Notes:
The World Bank revised India’s GDP growth projection for FY25 to 6.6%, up by 20 basis points. Despite a slowdown from the current year’s estimated 7.5% growth, robust public investment is anticipated to drive future growth. India’s statistics ministry estimated the current year’s GDP growth at 7.6%, higher than earlier projections. The projected slowdown in growth from 2023-24 to 2024-25 is attributed to decreased investment, though services and industry sectors are expected to remain strong.

Notes:
The Manohar International Airport, Mopa, joins 13 others in India adopting the Digi Yatra system, enhancing travel convenience. Launched by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, it utilizes facial recognition to streamline passenger verification, reducing wait times and simplifying procedures. Passengers download the DigiYatra app, link it to their Aadhaar number, and create a Digi Yatra ID for ticket purchase. At the airport, scanning the boarding pass initiates facial recognition for seamless entry.

Notes:
Indian NSA Ajit Doval led the delegation at the SCO Secretaries of Security Councils meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. He met Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev, advocating for a Cooperation Programme against terrorism, separatism, and extremism for 2025-2027. President Tokayev emphasized the need for a unified approach to counter “three evil forces” and transnational crimes like drug trafficking and cyber threats. The meeting aimed to enhance security cooperation among SCO member states.

Notes:
Romania has developed the world’s most powerful laser, which is part of the European Union’s Infrastructure ELI project. The laser, called the “Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics”- (ELI-NP) laser, is located in Magurele, Romania, near Bucharest. It uses Chirped-Pulse Amplification, which is a groundbreaking technology based on the inventions of Nobel Physics Prize winners Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland. The laser is operated by the French company Thales and is expected to have revolutionary applications in healthcare and space exploration.

Notes:
Nepal’s Lower House of Parliament endorsed the BIMSTEC Charter, fostering collaboration among member countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand). Established in 1997, BIMSTEC aims for regional development. The charter outlines principles, objectives, and cooperation framework, establishing legal basis, structure, functions. It promotes regional integration, covering economic development, trade, investment, technology transfer, connectivity. Endorsement and ratification by member states are crucial for effective implementation.

Notes:
Director General Rakesh Pal of the Indian Coast Guard opened the Indian Coast Guard Aquatic Centre in ICGS Mandapam near Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, on April 6, 2024. During his 4-day tour across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry, he assessed operational readiness and infrastructure development. Interacting with officers, he emphasized a collective vision for safe seas. Established in 1977 under the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Coast Guard aimed to combat smuggling and protect marine resources, formally inaugurated in 1978 by Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

Notes:
The Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) is a joint mission between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to explore the moon’s South Pole region. JAXA will provide the launch vehicle and rover, while ISRO will contribute the lander. Equipped with tools to measure water content in lunar sand and conduct drilling and sampling, the rover promises vital insights into the Moon’s Polar Regions.