Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Professor Meena Charanda, Principal of Kalindi College, Delhi University, received the ‘International Culture Award’ in 2024 for her exceptional contributions to education and social service. The honor was bestowed upon her at the India International Center on March 30, 2024.

Notes:
The INDRA app, launched during World Meteorological Day celebrations by School of Naval Oceanology & Meteorology and Indian Naval Meteorological Analysis Centre at Southern Naval Command, facilitates weather information dissemination. Developed by BISAG and Indian Navy, it aids quick decision-making. BISAG, an Autonomous Scientific Society under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, focuses on geo-spatial technology development, research, and capacity building. Its three main domains are Satellite Communication, Geo-informatics, and Geo-spatial technology.

Notes:
The International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT) is a EU-funded project granting researchers access to Arctic research stations across Europe, Russia, and North America. It facilitates work in remote areas, fostering cross-fertilization and enabling comparative measurements. Researchers contribute to new research directions while accessing otherwise inaccessible regions.

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:
Uttar Pradesh leads India with the most Geographical Indication (GI) certified products, now totaling 69 after the addition of 15 new items, surpassing Tamil Nadu’s 58. Sanjhi art, originating in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh in the 16th century, is renowned for intricate designs and spiritual significance. Associated with the mother goddess Sanjhi, the craft involves mud images crafted into cosmic forms. It originated around Krishna temples and is now practiced nationwide.

Notes:
Indian scientists have made significant strides in decoding the genetic structure of the lumpy skin disease virus, responsible for the deaths of around 100,000 cattle since May 2022. Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral infection affecting cattle, caused by the LSDV, a member of the capripoxvirus genus. Though endemic in Africa, Middle East, and parts of Asia, LSD doesn’t infect humans and spreads through blood-feeding insects or contaminated feeding and water sources.

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:
Nepal’s Lower House of Parliament endorsed the BIMSTEC Charter, fostering collaboration among member countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand). Established in 1997, BIMSTEC aims for regional development. The charter outlines principles, objectives, and cooperation framework, establishing legal basis, structure, functions. It promotes regional integration, covering economic development, trade, investment, technology transfer, connectivity. Endorsement and ratification by member states are crucial for effective implementation.

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 recent viral video featuring US Vice President Kamala Harris making irrational remarks underscores the threat of shallow fakes. Unlike deepfakes created with AI, shallow fakes are produced using basic editing tools, posing a significant risk to society. Deepfakes, on the other hand, employ AI-generated content to deceive. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2024 identifies AI-powered misinformation as a major concern for the next two years, emphasizing the need for vigilance against digital deception.