Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
INS Sagardhwani, an oceanographic research vessel of the Indian Navy, has embarked on the Sagar Maitri Mission-4 to Oman. The goal of the mission is to establish long-term scientific partnerships and collaboration with Indian Ocean Rim countries for ocean research and development. It will also showcase India’s capabilities in marine science and technology.

Notes:
The first Girls’ Military School in India was inaugurated in Vrindavan, Mathura. This inaugural event was jointly conducted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Samvid Gurukulam Girls Military School, located within the Vatsalya Gram campus and established by Sadhvi Ritambhara, aims to provide education and training to 870 female students. This initiative marks a significant step in extending military education traditionally reserved for male students in India to female students as well.

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The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched by the Health Ministry on 1st July 2023 at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh to screen people across India for sickle cell disease. It aims to screen 7 crore people over 3 years, focusing on tribal populations and other high prevalence areas across 17 states. The mission provides screening, prevention and management of sickle cell anemia. Its goal is to eliminate the disease in India through early detection and intervention.

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Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has commissioned the Asanur Pipeline Terminal in Tamil Nadu to cater to the growing energy demand in the state. Built at a cost of ₹456 crore, it will serve 8 districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by transporting petroleum products through a pipeline network. It will reduce pressure on existing terminals in Chennai.

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The Supreme Court of India issued the SOP for summoning government officials after observing that the constant summoning of officials instead of relying on government lawyers runs contrary to the constitutional scheme. The SOP aims to outline guidelines and restrain the overuse of summons power by courts which often pressurizes the government. It states that officials cannot be summoned just because their stance differs from the court’s view. This move brings much-needed reforms to strengthen executive-judiciary coordination by avoiding unnecessary harassment of government officials.

Notes:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced new rules for Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) regarding the allocation of symbols. These parties are now required to furnish audited accounts of the last three financial years, along with expenditure statements of the last two elections and the signature of an authorized office-bearer, as part of their application for election symbols. This move aims to enhance transparency and accountability among political parties, especially those that are newly registered or have not yet achieved a significant vote share in elections to be recognized as state parties. The new regulations will be effective from January 11.

Notes:
Eighteen-year-old Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa, one of India’s brightest young chess prospects, recently received significant support from the Adani Group for his participation in the upcoming Candidates chess tournament. This backing was announced following a meeting with Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, who expressed pride in supporting Praggnanandhaa’s chess career. Adani lauded Praggnanandhaa’s remarkable progress and efficiency in the sport, emphasizing the importance of representing the nation and winning laurels at high levels. The Candidates chess tournament, a crucial event in the chess calendar, is set to take place from April 2 to 25 in Toronto, and Praggnanandhaa’s participation is seen as a significant step in his promising chess career.

Notes:
Raghuram Iyer has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). His appointment follows a meticulous selection process conducted by the nomination committee of the IOA. Iyer’s extensive experience in sports management and administration, particularly his previous roles as CEO of Indian Premier League teams Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants, has been recognized as making him an ideal candidate for this position. The appointment comes after a significant delay and repeated reminders from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). As CEO, Iyer will play a crucial role in promoting and developing Olympic sports in India and will be an ex-officio member of the IOA’s Executive Council, although without voting rights.

Notes:
The Al Udeid Air Base, where the United States has extended its military presence for an additional 10 years, is located in Qatar. This base is significant as it hosts the largest US military facility in West Asia. The extension of the US military presence at Al Udeid Air Base underscores the strategic importance of Qatar in the region and the ongoing partnership between Qatar and the United States in military and defense matters. The base plays a crucial role in various US military operations in the region, making this extension a key development in international military and geopolitical dynamics.

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The Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, which was recently in the news due to issues related to encroachment, is located in the state of Chhattisgarh. The tiger reserve, situated in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, has faced challenges due to illegal encroachment in its buffer area. The Chhattisgarh high court ordered the removal of encroachers from the reserve, following a legal battle where the court rejected the petition filed by the encroachers. This action was based on evidence, including ISRO satellite imagery, which showed that the encroached region was once dense forest until 2012. The issue has highlighted the challenges faced by wildlife reserves in India in terms of illegal encroachment and the need for vigilant conservation efforts.