Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Ceres was reclassified from an asteroid to a dwarf planet due to its mass, which allows it to maintain a round shape. Recent studies by Purdue University and NASA revealed that its crust is likely composed of 90% ice, suggesting a history as a watery world. The findings are based on data from NASA’s Dawn mission, which provided insights into Ceres’ cratered surface and icy composition, challenging previous assumptions about its geology.

Notes:
Pilgrims recently had the first-ever view of the sacred Kailash peak from the Old Lipulekh pass in Indian territory.
Lipulekh Pass is a high-altitude pass in Uttarakhand, near the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China, at 5,334 meters.
It links Uttarakhand with Tibet and serves as a gateway to the Himalayas. It is situated in Vyas Valley, Pithoragarh. It opened for trade with China in 1992. It has ancient trade significance and is part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, believed to be Lord Shiva’s abode.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, on 9 October 2024. This complex will be developed in two phases at the ancient Indus Valley site of Lothal. It aims to be an international tourist destination showcasing India’s maritime heritage from ancient to modern times. The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in collaboration with the Gujarat government, is overseeing the project under the Sagarmala scheme. Built on 400 acres, it will cost approximately Rs 4500 crore, with work beginning in March 2022.

Notes:
The Bihar government announced that the Centre approved a tiger reserve at Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is the largest in the Kaimur District, located in the Vindhyachal hill ranges. It plays a crucial role as a catchment area for the Kav, Sone, and Durgawati river systems and their tributaries. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary connects with the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. This connection links to the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve and the Panna landscape in Madhya Pradesh through forests and other wildlife sanctuaries.

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World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9 to highlight the importance of the postal system in daily life, global communication, and economic growth. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), established in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland, which transformed international mail exchange. The theme for this year, “150 Years of Enabling Communication and Empowering People Across Nations,” honors the UPU’s efforts to streamline international mail services and create a unified postal system for easier mail exchange between countries.

Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) homes bring joy to women of the Tharu tribe in Kheri district near the Indo-Nepal border. The Tharu tribe is an indigenous group living in the Terai plain on the Indo-Nepal border, found in both India and Nepal. In India, they are primarily in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, and were recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in 1967. They speak Tharu or Tharuhati, an Indo-Aryan language. Their economy is based on agriculture, cattle-raising, hunting, fishing, and forest products. Tharu homes are made from bamboo and mud.

Notes:
Gujarat has announced to establish a Caracal Breeding and Conservation Center in Kutch’s Chadva Rakhal region with a ₹10 crore budget. The center aims to protect and breed the critically endangered Caracal, found in Kutch. The announcement was made by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during Wildlife Week celebrations. Although listed as ‘least concern’ globally by the IUCN, Caracals are critically endangered in India. A study confirmed 19 Caracal sightings in Gujarat, all in Kutch, with 9 authenticated by photos. Caracals in India face habitat loss and are protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act.

Notes:
Two foreign climbers, Michelle Theresa Dvorak (USA) and Fay Jane Manners (UK), were rescued from 6,015 meters near Chaukhamba III peak in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Chaukhamba is part of the Gangotri Group in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. It is located west of Badrinath, near the head of the Gangotri Glacier.

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India launched the ‘Study in India’ campaign at the 20th International Education Show in Sharjah to attract international students to its universities. Organized by EdCIL, the campaign aims to position India as a global education hub, showcasing over 590 universities offering diverse courses and benefits like scholarships. The centralized Study in India portal simplifies admissions, helping students explore programs, apply, and manage visas in one place. India’s higher education sector is the second largest globally, with institutions like IITs and IIMs gaining recognition. The program has attracted over 69,000 students for the 2024-25 academic year, with 4,000 already in India.

Notes:
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi unveiled ‘Agniastra,’ a multi-target detonation device, at the Army Commanders Conference in Gangtok. It improves room interventions and bunker destruction, aiding counter-terrorism operations. The device, known as WEDC, enhances safety and reliability over the older Exploder Dynamo Capacitor, which had a limited range of 400 meters. The new microprocessor-based detonation system, developed by Major Rajprasad, operates in both wired and wireless modes with a range of 2.5 km. It allows selective and simultaneous firing of multiple targets, making it highly effective for safe demolition operations. This innovation significantly enhances counter-terrorism efforts and IED destruction, ensuring better safety for troops during critical missions.