India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
Shompen, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, cast their first Lok Sabha Election vote. Residing in the dense tropical rainforests of Great Nicobar Island, they belong to the Mongoloid group. With an estimated population of 229 according to the 2011 Census, they are hunters and gatherers, living a semi-nomadic life. Despite not being colonized in defined reserve forests, they sustain their lifestyle by hunting wild pig, python, monitor lizard, and crocodile.

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The World Crafts Council International (WCCI) has identified Srinagar as a potential candidate for the World Craft City (WCC) designation from India this year. The WCCI is a Kuwait-based non-profit organization that promotes fellowship, economic development, and exchange programs. The WCCI has inspected several clusters where artisans are working on local crafts like Pashmina shawls, carpets, and papier mâché.

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IIT Guwahati collaborates with Kamrup Election District’s SVEEP to innovate a 3D printed dummy ballot unit, aiming to enhance voter awareness and engagement. Crafted to familiarize citizens, especially new and senior voters, with voting procedures, it aims to alleviate any apprehensions. Fabricated from eco-friendly PLA using advanced 3D printing, the unit features interactive elements like sound and light indicators, aiding users during voting. This pioneering initiative, developed within 48 hours, marks a first-of-its-kind effort in India to promote voter participation.

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The commissioner of food safety in Tamil Nadu has instructed officials to oversee the use of liquid nitrogen in food items and enforce the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Liquid nitrogen, an inert, colorless, extremely cold element with a boiling point of –320°F (–196°C), poses health risks including frostbite-like injuries, organ damage, and potential perforation. It’s utilized to rapidly cool and freeze food in various industrial processes.

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The Delhi High Court mandates action against oxytocin use in city dairies due to animal cruelty concerns. Weekly inspections and legal actions ordered by the Delhi government to combat oxytocin misuse, with police involvement. Oxytocin boosts milk production but harms cattle and humans, leading to health issues like uterine ruptures and milk contamination. Misuse violates the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Drugs and Cosmetics Act, posing risks to both animals and consumers.

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Manipur’s government introduced “School on Wheels” to educate students in relief camps due to ethnic strife. Governor Anusuiya Uikey inaugurated the initiative, featuring a mobile school bus with library, computers, and sports gear. It aims to reach affected students, acknowledging the impact on education due to the strife starting May 3 last year. The scheme intends to provide necessary teaching to students in relief camps.

Notes:
Responding to forest fires in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal sector, the IAF deployed Mi17 V5 helicopters for Bambi Bucket operations. This specialized firefighting technique involves suspending a container beneath a helicopter, filling it from a water source, and then releasing it over the fire zone. Bambi Buckets are vital for tackling wildfires in inaccessible areas. Globally, helicopters are often utilized in such firefighting efforts due to their versatility and effectiveness.

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A High Court-appointed panel in Meghalaya highlights stalled efforts in restoring environments damaged by rat-hole coal mining. This method, prevalent in the state’s Jaintia and Khasi Hills, involves narrow, manual pits for coal extraction. Classified into side-cutting and box-cutting, it lacks regulation and safety measures, leading to accidents and fatalities. Despite a 2014 ban by the NGT, rat-hole mining persists, posing environmental and human risks.

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The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched Swachhata Pakhwada from May 16 to 31, 2024, under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Initiated in April 2016, this initiative focuses on cleanliness and sustainability by engaging central government ministries and departments. Ministries, termed ‘Swachhata Ministries,’ follow a pre-circulated annual calendar and are monitored via Swachhata Samiksha to ensure significant improvements.

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Manipur government safeguards endangered ‘polo ponies’ by allocating 30 acres of grassland in Lamphelpat, Imphal West district. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh emphasized the move’s importance for preserving Manipuri Pony habitat, allowing them to roam and graze freely. This measure aims to protect the state’s unique heritage and biodiversity while ensuring the well-being of the endangered species.