Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister of India, has approved India’s membership in the Energy Efficiency Hub. This global platform, established in 2020, promotes energy efficiency worldwide. It succeeded the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), of which India was a member. The hub connects governments, international organizations, and private entities to share knowledge and solutions. Sixteen countries, including the U.S., U.K., and China, are members. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will represent India in the Hub. India’s participation will enhance its energy efficiency initiatives and contribute to climate change efforts. This aligns with India’s goals for sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP). The aim is to combat dengue and other Aedes-borne arboviruses like Zika and chikungunya through a coordinated global response. The SPRP will run for over a year, until September 2025. It focuses on five key components: emergency coordination, collaborative surveillance, community protection, safe and scalable care, and access to countermeasures. The SPRP aligns with other global initiatives, including the Global Vector Control Response 2017–2030 and the Global Arbovirus Initiative.

Notes:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is developing a National Agriculture Code (NAC) similar to the National Building and Electrical Codes. The NAC will cover the entire agriculture cycle, from crop selection to post-harvest operations. It will have two parts: general principles for all crops and crop-specific standards for paddy, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses. It aims to guide farmers, universities, and officials in agriculture. NAC will address input management, sustainability, natural farming, organic farming, and IoT in agriculture. It will support quality standards, decision-making, and capacity building in Indian agriculture.

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:
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 participatory forest management project in Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve is called “Vidiyal Vanapathukappu Sangam” which translates to “The Dawn Forest Protection Group” and primarily involves former poachers and sandalwood smugglers turned protectors of the reserve. This project actively engages former poachers, providing them with alternative livelihoods like tourist guiding and anti-poaching activities. The project has been credited with significantly reducing poaching in the Periyar Tiger Reserve and safeguarding the area’s sandalwood reserve.

Notes:
The Ustad Allauddin Khan Festival was recently organized in Madhya Pradesh. The festival is held in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, and is dedicated to the renowned musician Ustad Allauddin Khan. The three-day event features performances by many renowned personalities from across the country. It is organized by the Madhya Pradesh Culture Department, Ustad Allauddin Khan Music and Art Academy, and the Maihar District Administration, running until October 10. Ustad Allauddin Khan was a prominent figure in music, known for his efforts to promote Madhya Pradesh’s musical tradition and engage the younger generation.

Notes:
The MACE Observatory was recently inaugurated by the Secretary of DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission in Hanle, Ladakh. It is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the world’s highest, located at an altitude of about 4,300 meters. The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) aims to enhance international collaborations and strengthen India’s role in space research. Indigenously built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with help from ECIL and other Indian industry partners, it will advance studies in astrophysics and particle acceleration. MACE will observe high-energy gamma rays, aiding global research on phenomena like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts while supporting Ladakh’s socio-economic development.

Notes:
The Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya recently participated in a joint exercise with the Italian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, including the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour. This historic maritime engagement took place off the Goa coast from October 1 to 6, 2024, and involved various complex operations, showcasing interoperability between the two navies. The exercise highlighted the importance of collaboration in maintaining maritime security and addressing challenges such as piracy and threats to commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean region.

Notes:
Scientists at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Kolkata have found a new target for cancer treatment by activating a DNA repair enzyme called TDP1. TDP1, or Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1, is essential for DNA repair in humans as it removes damaged DNA bases. This discovery opens a promising path for precision medicine in cancer treatment, particularly for cancers that are resistant to existing therapies.