Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’, the nation’s largest air military exercise, involving all Air Force stations. Held every five years, it will commence on April 1, 2024, at Pokhran’s field firing range. Approximately 10,000 airmen will participate, with maneuvers spanning the Western and Northern fronts. The Indian Army is aiding logistical support, ensuring synergy across sectors for operational rail mobilization.

Notes:
The Forest Department conducted the annual wildlife census at Point Calimere, located in Kodiakkarai, Tamil Nadu. Also known as Cape Calimere, it’s situated on the Coromandel Coast, about 9 km south of Vedaranyam. This area boasts historical significance with structures like the Kodi Kuzhagar temple from the Chola period and a Chola lighthouse, destroyed during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The forests here are remnants of the East Deccan dry evergreen forests ecoregion.

Notes:
India is adopting the J-slab ballastless track system for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, marking its debut in the country. This system, designed for high-speed trains, replaces traditional ballasted tracks with pre-cast concrete slabs. Benefits include enhanced stability, reduced maintenance, and a smoother ride for passengers due to its uniform surface. Notably, the absence of ballast minimizes wear and tear, promising efficiency and durability for India’s ambitious rail infrastructure.

Notes:
Documents obtained through an RTI application by Tamil Nadu’s BJP chief K. Annamalai reveal India’s inconsistent approach to the Katchatheevu island dispute with Sri Lanka. Katchatheevu, a small island in the Palk Strait, lacks a permanent settlement and freshwater source. Administered by both India and Sri Lanka historically, a 1974 agreement marked its boundary. Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, face challenges due to conflicting claims over the island.

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:
Spring has sprung in Goa, igniting the vibrant Shigmo Festival, celebrating Konkan tradition. Lasting from March 26 to April 8, 2024, it bids farewell to winter, welcoming spring’s warmth. A fusion of Holi’s energy and carnival’s flamboyance, Shigmo showcases grand parades with folk performances and mythological floats. Held annually in Panaji, it embodies the essence of springtime bliss for Goans, echoing through the streets with two weeks of arts and culture.

Notes:
An anti-dumping investigation has commenced on imports of ‘insoluble sulphur’ from China and Japan. Insoluble sulphur, an amorphous form of sulfur, doesn’t dissolve in carbon disulfide. Widely utilized as a rubber additive, especially in automobile parts like tires and shoes, it acts as a vulcanization accelerator, enhancing rubber quality and durability through cross-linking. This process, vital in the rubber industry, improves product wearability and overall quality.

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 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:
Archaeologists from Kerala University recently uncovered a 5,200-year-old Harappan settlement at Padta Bet near Juna Khatiya, Gujarat. The site is adjacent to an Early Harappan necropolis. Archaeobotanical samples were collected for plant identification and understanding agricultural practices. Previously, a mass burial site with 500 graves was discovered nearby. The recent excavation revealed skeletons, pottery, animal bones, semi-precious stones, terracotta spindle whorls, copper, and various tools.