Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand, famous for its centuries-old human skeletons, is shrinking due to climate change. The skeletons are believed to date back to the 9th century. Genetic studies show these individuals came from diverse groups, including a Mediterranean lineage. Theories suggest they were pilgrims or traders who died in a sudden hailstorm, with large hailstones as the possible cause of death.

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The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) hosted the ‘India Leadership Summit 2024’ in New Delhi. It focused on boosting bilateral trade, supply chains, semiconductor investment, AI, and next-gen technologies. The summit followed PM Modi’s recent US visit for the Quad Summit and UNGA. It aimed to strengthen defence ties, promote clean energy, and ensure a free Indo-Pacific. Key speakers included Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Jyotiraditya Scindia. The summit emphasized collaboration between the US and India to fortify India’s manufacturing economy and realign global supply chains.

Notes:
A Mumbai court ordered an ossification test to determine if a suspect in a political leader’s murder case is a minor. An ossification test analyzes bones to estimate age using x-rays of specific bones like the clavicle, sternum, and pelvis. These bones are chosen because they undergo significant changes as a person matures. For example, the clavicle fuses at certain growth stages, indicating age. The test is often used in forensic science and legal cases to establish age. It can also assess skeletal maturity in children with growth disorders.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th India Mobile Congress at Bharat Mandapam during the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024. The event was organized by the Department of Telecommunications, the Union Ministry of Communication, and the Cellular Operator Association of India. It highlighted India’s innovation in Quantum technology, Circular Economy, 6G, 5G use cases, IoT, cybersecurity, and more. Over 400 exhibitors and about 900 startups participated from over 120 countries. The congress featured over 900 technology sessions and discussions with over 600 speakers. India Mobile Congress is Asia’s largest digital technology forum, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and services.

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Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled Pavana Chitra, India’s first self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility at Thiruvananthapuram Airport. It is an off-grid monitor powered by indigenous indoor solar cells developed by CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) using local materials. The air quality monitor features multiple sensors that measure temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. It also calculates the air quality index, with all measurements displayed on a single screen. NIIST is developing an app that will allow users to view the readings on smartphones and public display screens at the airport.

Notes:
Archaeologists discovered a secret tomb in Petra, Jordan, with 2000-year-old skeletons and a chalice resembling the Holy Grail. Petra is an ancient city in southern Jordan, established around 312 A.C., making it about 2000 years old. It was the capital of the Nabateans, an Arab tribe mentioned in the Bible. Petra thrived as a spice trade center connecting China, Egypt, Greece, and India. The Romans conquered Petra in 106 A.C., turning it into a Roman province, before losing it to Islamic rule in the 7th century. Petra was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.

Notes:
On October 15, 2024, mysterious black, ball-shaped debris, likely tar balls, were discovered along Coogee Beach, Australia. Tar balls formed as a result of oil spills, mixing oil with seawater, sand, and debris into a hardened substance. Their size ranged from small pebbles to fist-sized, with surfaces that varied from smooth to rough. They posed environmental risks to marine life and human health due to toxic components like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Notes:
World Osteoporosis Day is observed on October 20 each year to raise awareness about osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases. Organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), the campaign engages communities in over 90 countries with local initiatives. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them fragile and prone to fractures, especially among postmenopausal women and the elderly. The day began in the UK in 1996, with the IOF taking over in 1997. The 2024 theme, “Say No to Fragile Bones,” emphasizes the need for proactive measures to protect bone health and reduce fracture risks.

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The first anniversary of Namo Bharat Trains was celebrated as Namo Bharat Diwas in New Delhi. Namo Bharat Trains are India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). The first 17-kilometer section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 20 October 2023. Two more sections became operational, including Duhai to Modinagar North (March 2024) and Meerut South (August 2024). The current 42-kilometer corridor covers nine stations, soon expanding to 54 kilometers with new additions. RRTS offers high-speed, efficient suburban connectivity, promoting sustainable urban transport solutions.

Notes:
Four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari won a silver medal in the women’s recurve event at the 2024 Archery World Cup Final in Tlaxcala, Mexico. She lost 6-0 to Chinese archer Li Jiaman in the final. Li Jiaman was part of the Chinese archery team that won silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 18th Archery World Cup Final was organized by World Archery and took place on 19-20 October 2024 in Tlaxcala, Mexico.