Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
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:
Russian and Chinese navy warships are conducting anti-submarine missions in the northwestern Pacific during a joint patrol after the Beibu/Interaction 2024 exercises. The operations involve complex training sessions and combat exercises, including anti-submarine defense and sea rescues. Key Russian vessels involved in the missions include Admiral Panteleyev and Admiral Tributs. China has deployed destroyers such as Xining and Wuxi, along with other ships for these exercises.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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:
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The group seeks to establish a global Islamic state and Caliphate through terrorism, posing a significant threat to India’s national security. HuT has been involved in radicalizing youth and promoting terrorism via social media, making it a serious concern for the Indian government.

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.

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:
The India Digital Agri Conference 2024, co-organized by ICFA and IIT Ropar, was held in New Delhi. The mission aims to empower farmers with real-time information for better decision-making and boost rural livelihoods. The event emphasized using technology and collaboration to innovate traditional farming, promote sustainability, and build climate-resilient systems.

Notes:
India ranks 105th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), with a score of 27.3, placing it in the ‘serious’ category. Despite its economic growth, India lags behind several South Asian neighbors in tackling hunger and malnutrition. The GHI measures and tracks hunger globally, regionally, and nationally, reflecting various dimensions of hunger. Created in 2006, it was initially published by IFPRI and Welthungerhilfe; now co-published by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. The GHI aims to raise awareness, compare hunger levels, and highlight areas in need of urgent intervention.

Notes:
A parliamentary delegation attended the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva. The assembly focused on harnessing science, technology, and innovation for a peaceful and sustainable future. The delegation participated in meetings of the IPU’s governing council, the highest decision-making body. They met counterparts from other parliaments during the assembly. The delegation also interacted with the Indian diaspora in Geneva. The IPU included 180 member parliaments and 15 associate members from both large and small countries.