Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the GREEN Meghalaya Plus (GMP) Scheme to enhance and conserve forest cover. The scheme aims to expand forest conservation by offering monetary rewards for protecting forested areas. It follows the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) principle, supporting individuals and communities committed to conserving natural forests for at least 30 years. This initiative is part of the state’s PES program launched in 2022 and targets an additional 50,000 hectares for conservation. So far, over 3,000 individuals and communities have benefitted, conserving more than 54,000 hectares of natural forest.

Notes:
Russia recently claimed a Kinzhal missile strike on Ukraine. The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is a Russian hypersonic, air-launched ballistic missile, operational since December 2017. It can travel at speeds up to Mach 10 (12,350 km/h) and penetrate targets more effectively than slower missiles. The Kinzhal has a range of 1,500-2,000 km and carries a 480 kg nuclear or conventional payload. Launched from MiG-31 jets at 18 km altitude, it can also be deployed from other aircraft like Tu-160M and Su-34. The missile can maneuver during flight to evade air defenses and hit both static and mobile targets, including aircraft carriers.

Notes:
Recent research has confirmed the existence of the glymphatic system in humans, a network that clears waste from the brain, particularly during sleep. This system utilizes cerebrospinal fluid channels surrounding blood vessels to remove cellular waste, which is crucial for preventing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The study, conducted by Dr. Juan Piantino and his team, utilized advanced MRI techniques to visualize this system in living humans, building on earlier findings in mice. Understanding the glymphatic system may lead to improved treatments for sleep-related cognitive decline and dementia.

Notes:
India’s men’s team won the bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championships after losing 3-0 to Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals. This is India’s third consecutive bronze in the men’s team event, following 2021 and 2023. India has won a total of seven bronze medals at the Asian Table Tennis Championships. Indian players faced tough competition against higher-ranked opponents.

Notes:
The Ministry of Education launched the registration portal for the fifth phase of Yuva Sangam under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Yuva Sangam aims to strengthen connections between youth from different states and union territories. Participants aged 18 to 30 can register on the portal. The registration deadline is the 21st of this month. During the Yuva Sangam tours, participants will receive exposure in five areas: Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Tradition), Pragati (Progress), Paraspar Sampark (Interconnection), and Prodyogiki (Technology) over 5-7 days.

Notes:
Paleontologists discovered a new sauropod dinosaur species, Ardetosaurus viator, in northern Wyoming, USA. It lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. Ardetosaurus viator belonged to the Diplodocidae family, known for extremely long necks and tails. Sauropods were the largest land animals, existing for 135 million years across various continents except Antarctica. Their success came from unique adaptations like size, an air sac system, specialized feeding, and laying eggs. Diplodocids have been found in North and South America, Europe, and Africa.

Notes:
NABARD’s second All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) for 2021-22 surveyed 1 lakh rural households across India post-COVID. The average monthly income of households rose by 57.6% from Rs. 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs. 12,698 in 2021-22, with a 9.5% CAGR. Agricultural households earned Rs. 13,661, while non-agricultural households earned Rs. 11,438.
Salaried employment was the largest income source for all households (37%). For agricultural households, cultivation made up one-third of income, while government/private services contributed one-fourth. Non-agricultural households relied primarily on government/private services (57%) and wage labor (26%).

Notes:
A Brahmi inscription has been discovered in Dharanikota village, Amaravathi mandal, Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh. The inscription is in the Prakrit language and uses Brahmi characters dating back to the 2nd century CE. Brahmi is one of the oldest known Indian scripts, originating from the Mauryan Period. It is the foundation for most current Indian scripts, including Devanagari, Bengali, Tamil, and Malayalam.

Notes:
The ‘Prerna Sthal’ memorial in Sikkim, inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, honors 22 soldiers who lost their lives in the October 2023 glacial lake outburst at South Lhonak Lake. The memorial symbolizes their courage and sacrifice, aiming to inspire national pride. Similar to the National War Memorial in New Delhi, it serves as a tribute to fallen heroes, fostering unity and remembrance across generations.

Notes:
A silver crown, gifted by Prime Minister Modi in March 2021 to the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh, was stolen during Durga Puja. The Jeshoreshwari Temple is significant as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas located across India and neighboring countries. Despite being damaged in the 1971 conflict, its sacred pillars remain significant. The Goddess’ palm, in Abhaya mudra, is believed to hold immense spiritual power, attracting devotees seeking blessings.