Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
National Wildlife Week 2024 in India was celebrated from October 2 to 8, with the theme “Safeguarding Our Natural Heritage.” The event was first commemorated in 1957, having evolved from Wildlife Day, which was observed in 1955. It was established by the Indian Board of Wildlife in 1952. It aimed to raise awareness about wildlife protection. Wildlife Week has since become an annual event focused on promoting conservation and highlighting India’s rich biodiversity.

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The Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine 2024 has been awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun. They were recognized for their discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. MicroRNA is crucial for regulating gene activity. The Nobel Assembly stated that their discovery is vital for understanding how organisms develop and function. The winners receive a prize of 11 million Swedish crowns, equivalent to about $1.1 million.

Notes:
The State of Global Water Resources report 2023 reveals that it was the driest year for global rivers in over three decades. This annual report has been published by the World Meteorological Organization since 2021. It provides a detailed overview of water resources, drawing from various national and international sources. The last five years have seen widespread below-normal river flows and reservoir inflows. All glacier regions reported ice loss in 2023, marking the largest mass loss in 50 years. Over 600 gigatons of water were lost globally, and 3.6 billion people lack adequate water access. This figure is projected to rise to over 5 billion by 2050, indicating a failure to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6.

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The Prime Minister of India recently launched an initiative named ‘Unified Genomic Chip’. It aims to assist farmers in identifying high-quality cattle early and improving dairy farming efficiency in India. The Unified Genomic Chip has two versions: the ‘Gau Chip’ for cattle and the ‘Mahish Chip’ for buffalo. Developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the chip helps farmers make informed decisions by identifying young, high-quality bulls early. It is designed specifically for Indian cattle breeds, enhancing the quality of livestock and the dairy sector.

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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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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.

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The “Steadfast Noon” exercise is a major NATO nuclear drill is scheduled to take place on October 13, 2024. It will involve 2,000 personnel and 60 aircraft from 13 nations, primarily conducted in the North Sea, approximately 900 kilometers from Russia. This exercise has been held annually for over a decade and aims to demonstrate NATO’s readiness to counter threats to its member countries, particularly in light of recent changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine.

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More than 550 Katkari tribe members received caste certificates in Pune. The Katkari tribe is found in Maharashtra (Pune, Raigad, and Thane) and parts of Gujarat. They classified as one of India’s 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Historically, they were forest dwellers, known for making katha from Acacia trees. They speak Katkari among themselves and Marathi with others; some also speak Hindi. Their occupations include agricultural labor, firewood selling, fishing, coal making, and brick manufacturing. Most Katkari families are landless, leading to high migration and seasonal livelihoods.

Notes:
The Union cabinet, led by PM Modi, approved the continuation of fortified rice distribution under all government schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), from July 2024 to December 2028. The initiative is fully funded by the Centre, providing a unified mechanism for implementation. India faces high malnutrition levels, especially among women and children, with widespread deficiencies in iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) shows high anaemia rates, with every second woman anaemic and every third child stunted. Rice, a staple food in India, is ideal for fortification to address malnutrition and improve health.

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The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare observed World Mental Health Day and celebrated two years of Tele MANAS. This year’s theme is “It is time to prioritize Mental Health at Workplace.” Tele MANAS aims to provide universal access to affordable mental health care through 24/7 tele-mental health services across India.