Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
IIT Madras hosts the 6th Shaastra Rapid FIDE Rated Chess Tournament from March 30 to 31, 2024, in Chennai. It’s the sole IIT in India to conduct an annual Open Rapid Rating Tournament. Over 35 players from IIT Madras join, alongside international players from countries like Australia, England, America, and Singapore. Notable participants include six grandmasters, sixteen International Masters, three female grandmasters, and a Woman International Master.

Notes:
South Korea’s KSTAR fusion reactor that is also called as Korean artificial sun, operating at the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, achieved a breakthrough by sustaining plasma at 100 million degrees Celsius for 48 seconds, setting a new world record. This surpasses its own previous record and marks progress toward clean, limitless energy through nuclear fusion. Despite challenges, fusion holds promise as a climate solution. Director Si-Woo Yoon highlights the significance of stable, high-temperature plasmas for future fusion reactors.

Notes:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently launched the myCGHS app for iOS devices. Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it aims to improve access to Electronic Health Records and resources for CGHS beneficiaries. The app offers services such as appointment booking, accessing lab reports, and checking medical reimbursement status. Security features like 2-factor authentication ensure user data confidentiality. It’s designed to enhance information and accessibility for CGHS beneficiaries.

Notes:
Forest authorities in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district recently harvested water from an Indian laurel tree (Terminalia elliptica). Also known as Asna or Indian laurel, it grows mainly in dry and moist deciduous forests. Its wood is prized for furniture and musical instruments, while its leaves sustain silkworms for Tussah silk production. Medically, the bark treats diarrhea, yielding oxalic acid. Additionally, its bark and fruit are sources of pyrogallol and catechol for dye and leather tanning.

Notes:
The Philippines, alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia, conducted joint naval drills in April, 2024, in the South China Sea, aimed at strengthening military cooperation amidst China’s regional influence. This exercise precedes a trilateral summit involving the Philippines, Japan, and the US, highlighting efforts to bolster security ties in the face of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific.

Notes:
On April 4, 2024, the Indian Army integrated the ‘Akashteer Command and Control System’ into its Air Defence Corps to bolster air defence security. Developed by BEL, this advanced system is part of India’s self-reliance initiative. The Army’s ‘Year of Technological Absorption’ in 2024 aims to expedite the integration of modern technologies, reinforcing India’s air defence capabilities. Akashteer signifies a leap in India’s military preparedness, enhancing its response to evolving threats.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu has sued the Centre at the Supreme Court, alleging withholding of national disaster relief funds post-Cyclone Michaung and floods in 2023. Disaster relief funds stem from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 after the 2004 tsunami. NDRF encompasses severe calamities like cyclones, droughts, and floods, necessitating additional funding beyond SDRF.

Notes:
The Pathimalai cave hosts ancient rock art, approximately 3,000 years old, depicting an elephant, a chariot (sometimes interpreted as a peacock), and early dwellers’ lives. Located near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, the site lacks protection, endangering the paintings. This artwork, drawn in white pigments, is significant in the Kongu region. Unlike other rock art sites, Pathimalai is easily accessible, situated at the base of a rocky hillock amidst farmland, drawing visitors’ attention.

Notes:
Indian Coast Guard’s swift operation rescued 27 Bangladeshi fishermen stranded on fishing boat Sagar II in Indian waters. Patrol ship ‘Amogh’ identified the distressed vessel drifting in the India-Bangladesh Maritime Boundary Line on April 4, 2024. Investigation found its steering gear malfunctioning for two days. Prompt action ensured safe retrieval of all crew members by the Indian Coast Guard, showcasing their commitment to maritime safety and cooperation.

Notes:
Mumbai, India, is the first city in India to install 210 artificial reefs, which are being built in the Arabian Sea near Worli Koliwada. The RPG Foundation (RPGF) has funded the initiative, which is part of its Project Nature marine conservation initiative. The reefs are made from recycled cement and cost Rs 62 lakh to install. The reefs are a significant milestone in marine conservation. They will provide a steady supply of commercial fish and benefit local fishermen.