Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
India has delivered two Dornier-228 aircraft to Guyana as part of a Line of Credit, marking a new phase in their partnership. The Indian Air Force dispatched a team to Guyana for the delivery. The High Commission of India in Guyana expressed enthusiasm, stating it marks the start of a significant chapter in their bilateral relations. This initiative underscores India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Guyana through strategic collaborations.

Notes:
Mirabai Chanu, Tokyo Olympics medallist, secures her spot at the Paris Olympics, making history as the sole Indian weightlifter to qualify. At the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, the 29-year-old Olympic silver medalist finished third in Group B of women’s 49kg, earning 11th place overall. After a six-month injury lay-off, Chanu lifted a total of 184kg at the event, solidifying her berth for the 2024 Paris Games.

Notes:
Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi was sworn in as Egypt’s president for a third term on April 2, 2024, extending his presidency until 2030. Winning the December 2023 election with 88.6% of votes, he faced minimal opposition. Formerly a military officer, Sisi became Egypt’s de facto leader in 2013 after Mohamed Morsi’s ousting. He first won presidency in 2014, securing a second term in 2018. Constitutional amendments in 2019 prolonged presidential terms to six years.

Notes:
The Bhojshala complex, located in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, is a historically contested site between Hindus and Muslims. Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, it holds significance as a temple for Hindus and a mosque for Muslims. An arrangement by ASI allows Hindus to conduct pujas on Tuesdays and Muslims to offer namaz on Fridays. Recently, the Supreme Court rejected a stay on ongoing scientific surveys, emphasizing no physical alterations to the structure

Notes:
The indigenous wheat variety Kathiya Gehu from Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, earns a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, marking a breakthrough for agricultural recognition. It’s the first farm produce from Uttar Pradesh to achieve this distinction, highlighting the region’s agricultural significance. The GI tag acknowledges the unique qualities and geographical origin of Kathiya Gehu, ensuring its protection and promoting its heritage. This recognition bolsters the cultural and economic value of Bundelkhand’s agricultural heritage.

Notes:
SJVN Limited has partnered with IIT Patna to enhance tunnelling projects using advanced geological models. The agreement, signed in New Delhi on April 2, 2024, aims to develop predictive analytics algorithms for early risk detection, reducing time and cost. The priority lies in integrating diverse geotechnical data sources and evaluating overburden-deformation relationships. This strategic collaboration underscores both entities’ commitment to sustainable development and technological innovation in infrastructure projects.

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:
OpenAI unveils Voice Engine, a groundbreaking AI capable of mimicking any voice in any language. Users upload short audio samples to generate speech in the same voice. It’s unreleased to the public but has diverse applications such as aiding reading, translating, and assisting patients’ voice recovery. However, concerns arise over potential misuse, including cloning voices of public figures, privacy risks, and the absence of regulations.

Notes:
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, leading the Monetary Policy Committee, has maintained the repo rate at 6.5% for the 7th consecutive time, as announced on April 5, 2024. Predicting a 7% growth for India’s economy in FY 25, with a 4.5% expected Consumer Price Index inflation, Das emphasized inflation control and pledged an accommodative policy for growth. The first MPC meeting for FY 2024-25 convened from April 3-5, with the next scheduled for June 5-7, 2024.

Notes:
The inaugural ‘Parivartan Chintan’ tri-service armed forces planning conference convened in New Delhi on April 8, 2024, organized by the Union Ministry of Defence. Led by the Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside the Department of Military Affairs, the conference aimed to establish a unified, integrated theatre command. Chaired by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, it sought to foster jointness, integration, and readiness for future conflicts through innovative reforms and initiatives.