Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit are being hosted by Lao PDR, the current ASEAN Chair. India is celebrating a decade of its Act East Policy, with ASEAN relations as a key focus. The ASEAN-India Summit will assess the progress of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss future cooperation. The East Asia Summit fosters strategic trust and allows leaders to discuss important regional issues. Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings during the summits.

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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:
World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 and was first initiated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. The day aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and support mental health care globally. It has become a significant platform for collaboration among governments, organizations, and individuals to promote lasting change in mental health care. The 2024 theme, “Mental Health at Work,” highlights the importance of mental health in the workplace, where around 60% of the global population is employed. It stresses the need for safe and inclusive work environments to promote mental well-being and support those in need.

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The NASA’s Europa Clipper mission launched on October 10, 2024. It aims to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa, which is believed to harbor an ocean beneath its icy surface. Equipped with nine scientific instruments, the spacecraft will analyze the moon’s surface and subsurface for signs of life. Unlike Mars, Europa’s potential for life is linked to its liquid water beneath the ice, making this mission crucial for understanding extraterrestrial life possibilities.

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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:
INS Talwar arrived in South Africa for the eighth edition of exercise IBSAMAR. IBSAMAR is a joint maritime exercise involving India, Brazil, and South Africa. The exercise focuses on Blue Water Naval Warfare, covering Surface and Anti-Air Warfare. Activities include professional exchanges, firefighting drills, search-and-seizure operations, diving, aviation safety, and ocean governance seminars. The exercise strengthens naval interoperability, builds mutual trust, and fosters cooperation among like-minded nations for peaceful maritime environments.

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Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in India to fully digitalize document registration with its new e-registry system, Sampada 2.0. This advanced version of the software and mobile app allows document registration to be completed online, eliminating the need for physical visits to Sub-Registrar offices. The process is now completely digital, secure, and paperless, making it more convenient and hassle-free for users.

Notes:
According to recent reports, the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore) has developed a device utilizing photoacoustic technology for early detection of breast cancer at an affordable cost. The device uses Photoacoustic Spectral Response (PASR) technology, which combines optical and acoustic signals to detect abnormal tissue changes. t aims to enable early breast cancer detection, particularly in rural and remote areas, due to its affordability.

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The first phase of the Second Army Commanders’ Conference for 2024 was held in a hybrid mode in Gangtok, Sikkim.
This two-day conference served as a forum for senior commanders to review operational preparedness, discuss strategies, and outline future directives. The second phase of the conference will take place in Delhi on October 28-29.

Notes:
RBI proposed the Reserve Bank Climate Risk Information System (RB-CRIS) to bridge gaps in climate-related data. Current climate data is fragmented, from varied sources, formats, and frequencies. RB-CRIS will have two parts: a public web directory of data sources and a data portal with standardized datasets. RBI will launch RB-CRIS in phases, starting with the directory, followed by the portal for regulated entities. Regulated entities must assess climate risks to ensure financial stability. RBI’s draft guidelines require disclosures on governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics related to climate risks.