Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The 26th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2024 started at the Dubai World Trade Centre with 29 leading Indian companies participating. Organized by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the event runs until October 3, showcasing innovations in renewable energy, water treatment, and environmental technologies. Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, emphasized the importance of Indian participation in supporting the green economy and Sustainable Development Goals. The UAE-India economic relationship has strengthened since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in May 2022, with trade volume reaching $84.5 billion and projections of $100 billion by 2027.

Notes:
India rejected a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on religious minority abuses.
USCIRF is an independent U.S. federal agency created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. It monitors global religious freedom violations and provides policy recommendations to the U.S. President, Secretary of State, and Congress.
USCIRF’s nine commissioners are appointed by the President or Congressional leaders, with support from a nonpartisan staff. It issues an annual report on religious freedom, highlighting “Countries of Particular Concern.” The report uses international standards, including Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to assess violations.

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 Union Cabinet of India, led by the Prime Minister, has approved Classical Language status for Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. The recognition is based on criteria set by a Linguistic Experts Committee. The language must also have knowledge texts, including prose, alongside poetry and inscriptional evidence. Other recognized classical languages are Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu (2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).

Notes:
SIPCOT, or the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu, was established in 1971 to foster industrial growth in Tamil Nadu. With 50 industrial parks, it has facilitated over 3,290 industrial units and generated millions of jobs. The initiative aims to enhance the state’s economy, targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2030. SIPCOT focuses on sector-specific parks, innovation centers, and sustainable housing for workers, playing a crucial role in Tamil Nadu’s industrial landscape.

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:
Odisha has reported the presence of rare melanistic leopards, known as black panthers, in three forest divisions based on the All Odisha Leopard Estimation-2024. This species is particularly vulnerable to poaching, and the state is taking measures to protect them. The survey revealed a total of 696 leopards in Odisha, an increase from previous estimates, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in the region, especially in the Similipal Tiger Reserve, which also houses unique Royal Bengal tigers.

Notes:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. India is the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone. Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis and affects the eyes. It spreads through contact with secretions from the eyes, eyelids, nose, or throat of infected individuals. If untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness. It primarily affects communities in poor environmental conditions, with 150 million people worldwide at risk, including 6 million who are blind.

Notes:
Uttarakhand will host the 38th Summer National Games from January 28 to February 14, 2025, and the next Winter Games.
The 37th National Games were held in Goa from September 25 to November 9, 2023. This will be the first time Winter Games are held outside Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The National Games, organized by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) , aim to identify talent for the Summer Olympics. The first National Games were held in 1924 in Lahore, originally called the All-India Olympic Games.

Notes:
South Korean author Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first Korean to receive this honor. Her work is known for its “intense poetic prose” that addresses historical traumas and the fragility of life. Notable works include The Vegetarian (Man Booker International Prize winner in 2016), The White Book, Human Acts, and Greek Lessons.