Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
India is aligning its state business readiness rankings with the new World Bank B-READY index. The B-READY (Business-Ready Index) replaces the discontinued Ease of Doing Business rankings. It assesses the business environment of global economies based on regulatory framework, public services, and efficiency. Key areas include digitalization, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. The index evaluates ten parameters across a business’s lifecycle, from starting to closing. It will expand from 54 economies initially to 180 countries by 2026. Global institutions and companies will use it to assess a country’s regulatory and policy environment.

Notes:
World Cotton Day is celebrated annually on 7th October to highlight cotton’s global significance. The day raises awareness about the challenges faced by cotton farmers and the cotton industry. Cotton is used not only in textiles but also for animal feed, medical supplies, and edible oil. India is the second-largest cotton producer globally, after China.

Notes:
Indian shooters dominated the ISSF Junior World Shooting Championship in Peru, winning 24 medals: 13 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze. Italy secured second place, while Norway came in third. On the final day, Deepak Dalal, Kamaljeet, and Raj Chandra won the men’s 50m pistol team gold medal. The next major event is the ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi, scheduled for October 13 to 18.

Notes:
Every year on October 8, India observes Indian Air Force Day to honor servicemen and pilots who sacrificed their lives for the nation. This year, the celebration marks the 92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force. The event takes place at Marina Beach in Chennai. Indian Air Force Day 2024 falls on a Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The theme for this year is “Bharatiya Vayusena: Saksham, Sashakt aur Aatmnirbhar,” which translates to “Potent, Powerful, and Self-Reliant.”

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘Sankalp’ initiative on 6 October 2024. The initiative aims to combat drug trafficking and aid the rehabilitation of drug addicts. It was announced at an event by Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan in Shimla. A model de-addiction and rehabilitation center will be established at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district. The center will help drug addicts recover and reintegrate into society.

Notes:
The Thirukurungudi Temples, including the Nambi Rayar Temple, Thirumalai Nambi Temple, and Aniliswarar Temple, are situated in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently documented inscriptions from these temples, dating back to the 9th Century during the Pandya period. These inscriptions reveal historical donations, including sheep for temple lamps and tax-free land for gardens, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage and religious practices during the Vijayanagara reign.

Notes:
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) suspended the membership of the National Zoological Park, or Delhi Zoo. The decision was due to concerns over the poor conditions of the lone African elephant at the zoo. WAZA is the global umbrella organization for zoos and aquariums, established in 1935. It represents the zoo and aquarium community worldwide. The organization’s mission focuses on animal care, environmental education, and global conservation. WAZA’s members include prominent zoos, aquariums, and regional associations, along with affiliate organizations like zoo veterinarians and educators.

Notes:
The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare launched the online platform ‘Anubhav’ on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direction. This platform allows retiring and retired government employees to share their work experiences. An Annual Awards Scheme was created in 2015 to encourage submissions, resulting in 10,886 published write-ups. So far, 78 outstanding write-ups have received 59 Anubhav Awards and 19 Jury Certificates. The National Anubhav Awards Scheme 2025 invites Central Government employees and pensioners to submit their write-ups for awards. For the first time, employees from Central Public Sector Undertakings will also be eligible to participate. The submission period for pensioners has been extended from one year to three years post-retirement.

Notes:
The population of Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur) in Gujarat increased from 6,082 in 2020 to 7,672 in 2024, a rise of 26.14%. The khur is a subspecies of the Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus), also known as the onager. It is primarily found in the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK), Gujarat. Little Rann of Kutch is both a wetland and desert, and the khur is a generalist herbivore. It is solitary and shy, classified as endangered by IUCN and listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Notes:
A recent clinical trial indicates that a diet high in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contributes to India being the world’s diabetic capital. AGEs, also known as glycotoxins, are harmful molecules created by glycation and oxidation of lipids and proteins. Glycation combines molecules with sugars, while oxidation combines them with oxygen. While AGEs are produced by the body’s metabolism, most come from food, particularly through high-temperature cooking methods like grilling and frying. Tobacco use also adds to AGE levels, and production increases with age.