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:
Russia’s Onyx supersonic cruise missile, known as the P-800 Onyx or Oniks, is set to become deadlier with a new target seeker. With speeds exceeding 3,000 km/h, it’s tough to intercept. Operating at low altitudes, it’s stealthy and versatile, targeting ships and ground objects. It boasts a range of up to 300 km and operates on a “shoot and forget” principle, needing minimal target data for successful strikes.

Notes:
The Konda Reddi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in the Godavari region, possess valuable indigenous knowledge. They reside along the Godavari river and in hilly forests of Andhra Pradesh. Their language, Telugu, has a distinct accent. Marriage customs include negotiations, elopement, and capture. The tribe practices Folk Hinduism, worshiping local deities. They have a patriarchal family structure allowing polygamy.

Notes:
Mr. Sita Ram Meena, a 2008 batch IFS officer, has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to the Republic of Niger. Previously serving as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, this appointment marks a significant career advancement. Mr. Meena’s diplomatic experience and expertise position him well for this new role, which underscores India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Niger on the international stage.

Notes:
Paradip Port Authority in Odisha surpassed Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla as India’s top cargo-handling major port in 2023-24. Handling 145.38 MMT of cargo, it registered a 7.4% growth from the previous year. It’s capable of handling 289 MMT. Notably, it excels in coastal shipping, handling 59.19 MMT of coastal traffic and achieving highest productivity among major ports. Established in 1962, it became India’s 8th major port in 1966, now under the Ministry of Ports.

Notes:
Recently, a destructive tornado hit Mainaguri, Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, leaving five dead and over a hundred injured within its 10-minute rampage. Tornadoes, though rare, afflict India’s eastern regions like West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, especially pre-monsoon. A 2016 study by India Meteorological Department noted increased tornado activity in Bengal, with fatalities. Rising occurrences in India are attributed to factors like warming Bay of Bengal and unusual wind patterns.

Notes:
The Odisha government initiated the Rice Fallow Management Project, pioneering sustainable crop practices nationally. Targeting eight crops, including green gram and mustard, it promotes regenerative agriculture through eco-friendly inputs like bio-fertilizers and integrated pest management. Utilizing residual soil moisture post-rice harvest, it cultivates short-duration crops, enhancing land productivity and addressing the challenge of uncropped land in eastern India. This initiative signifies a crucial step towards sustainable crop intensification and ecosystem health.

Notes:
International Conscience Day, observed annually on April 5th, urges individuals to reflect on their conscience and uphold moral values. The 2024 theme is ‘Promoting a Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience.’ Instituted by the UN in 2020, this day stresses the importance of discretion in preventing harm. It champions self-respect and peace for all. Scholars denounce anti-human acts to foster public condemnation and deterrence.

Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh government is taking measures to prevent forest fires in Papikonda National Park (PNP), receiving technical assistance. PNP, located in the Eastern Ghats, is crucial for high precipitation and hosts the River Godavari. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1978 and upgraded to a national park in 2008, it’s recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. The region also boasts a unique dwarf goat breed, the “kanchu mekha.”

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.