Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Tropical cyclone Gamane struck Madagascar, claiming 18 lives and displacing thousands, reported by the country’s disaster management office. Madagascar, the world’s second-largest island, spans 592,800 sq. kilometers in the Indian Ocean. Its geography comprises three regions: eastern coastal strip, central plateau, and western low plateaus. The Tsaratanana Massif in the north hosts Maromokotro, Madagascar’s highest peak at 2,876 m.

Notes:
Traditional products from Tripura, Matabari Pera Prasad and Rignai Pachara textiles, have recently earned Geographical Indication (GI) tags, bringing the state’s total to 4 GI protected products. Matabari Pera Prasad, a sweet from Tripureswari temple, is made from milk and sugar. Rignai Pachara textiles, traditional hand-woven attire, symbolize Tripura’s cultural heritage. These products’ GI recognition highlights their significance and authenticity, attracting global attention and marketing opportunities.

Notes:
The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently released its 2023 Clean Energy Transitions Programme report. Established in 2017, the program aims to accelerate global progress towards a net-zero energy system, aligning with the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals. IEA, founded in 1974 amidst an oil crisis, operates within the OECD framework, collaborating with governments and industries worldwide. With 31 member countries and stringent criteria for candidacy, it focuses on shaping a secure, sustainable energy future.

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:
Natural gas is often termed a ‘bridge fuel’ aiding countries in transitioning from coal and oil to renewable energy. As society shifts towards cleaner energy, bridge fuels like natural gas aim to minimize environmental impact. Debates center on the duration and source of this transition. While natural gas emits less greenhouse gases, its role as a bridge fuel also hinges on factors like enhancing energy independence and reducing pollution costs.

Notes:
The 2nd INSA-NCGG LEADS program, held in New Delhi from April 1-7, 2024, is a collaborative effort between the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG). It aims to cultivate future leaders in science and technology, promoting visionary leadership and scientific excellence in India. Professors and scientists from various prestigious institutions participate, supported by NCGG’s governance training and INSA’s scientific excellence promotion.

Notes:
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) has partnered with Panasonic Energy to establish a joint venture for lithium-ion cell production in India, responding to rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage. This collaboration aims to support India’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070. With a focus on sustainable mobility, the venture plans to leverage IOC’s distribution network and Panasonic’s battery expertise, contributing to India’s renewable energy transition and reducing carbon emissions.

Notes:
National Maritime Day, observed annually on April 5th, honors the pivotal role of maritime transport in global trade. It commemorates the 1919 voyage of SS Loyalty from Mumbai to London. Additionally, ‘World Maritime Day’ is celebrated on the last Thursday of September, with the 2024 date set for September 26th. This year’s theme for India’s National Maritime Day, declared by the Union Shipping Ministry, is “Navigating the Future: Safety First.”

Notes:
The Sannati Buddhist site, discovered in the 1990s by ASI excavations, underwent neglect until a restoration project in 2022. Situated by the Bhima River near Kanaganahalli in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, it’s renowned for the Chandrala Parameshwari Temple. Notable findings include the Maha Stupa constructed over three phases from 3rd Century B.C. to 3rd Century A.D. and the Ranamandala area showcasing a chronological scale from prehistoric to early historic eras. An inscription in Prakrit using Brahmi script was also unearthed.

Notes:
The “Mother of Dragons” comet, officially Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is now visible in the Northern Hemisphere after dusk. A ‘Halley-type’ comet, it orbits roughly every 71 years with a 30 km wide nucleus. Composed of ice, dust, and rocky material, it transitions from solid to gas as it nears the Sun. Classified as a Jupiter-family comet, it reaches perihelion near Mars’ orbit and will approach Earth closely in June 2024.