Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme 2024, launched in Maharashtra, offers free education for girls and support for the unemployed. Eligible women aged 21-60 will receive Rs. 1500 monthly. Aimed at promoting financial independence and self-reliance, the scheme includes a budget of 46 thousand crores, providing various benefits to women, enhancing their development and overall well-being.

Notes:
The Indian men’s cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, won the 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa by 7 runs at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 29 June 2024. This is India’s second T20 World Cup win, following their 2007 victory. The final marked the T20 retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. It was also Rahul Dravid’s last assignment as coach.

Notes:
With the south-west monsoon setting in, Nouka Baich boat races will soon begin in rural West Bengal. These traditional races occur from September to November, with increasing female participation. Linked to the worship of the Hindu deity Manasa, goddess of snakes, these races use various traditional boats, including the 90 ft long Sorengi. The races celebrate agrarian culture and the swollen rivers of the monsoon season.

Notes:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) approved Rs 56 crore for the next phase of conserving the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican. This program, running since 2016, aims for the long-term recovery of these critically endangered species, with around 140 GIBs and fewer than 1,000 Lesser Floricans surviving. Key efforts include breeding centers, in-situ conservation, artificial insemination techniques, and addressing threats like hunting and power line collisions.

Notes:
International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3 to encourage avoiding single-use plastics and combat plastic pollution. Established by Bag Free World, the day saw its first observance in 2008, initiated by Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe. In 2015, the EU passed directives to reduce single-use plastic bags. Bangladesh was the first country to ban these bags in 2022, followed by India and others.

Notes:
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Spices Board of India have signed an MoU to develop AI tools for detecting and classifying large cardamom diseases in Sikkim. Led by NIC’s AI Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, the project analyzes images of cardamom leaves to identify diseases early. This initiative, following three months of discussions, is a significant step in leveraging AI for agricultural advancements in Sikkim.

Notes:
Several high-street banks have restricted opening accounts for firms less than a year old due to suspicions of money mule activities linked to laundering and digital fraud. A money mule transfers illegally acquired money for criminals, aiding in laundering proceeds from crimes like human trafficking and drug trafficking. Criminals use fake job adverts or social media posts to recruit money mules, who move funds via bank accounts, checks, virtual currency, or prepaid cards.

Notes:
The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, led by the Ministry of Defence and executed by DRDO under ‘Make in India’, promotes self-reliance in defence. It provides grants to Indian industries, MSMEs, start-ups, and academic institutions to develop defence and dual-use technologies not currently available domestically. The scheme fosters a culture of military technology design and development among private sectors, focusing on pioneering niche technologies and fostering collaboration among Armed Forces, research bodies, academia, and private entities.

Notes:
In 2023, the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, faced unprecedented fires due to severe water loss. The area covered by water was 61% below average, leaving only 2.6% of the Pantanal wet, leading to extreme dryness and wildfires. This crisis threatens its rich biodiversity, including jaguars and capybaras. Located in South America’s Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, the Pantanal spans 68,000 square miles and is a vital, productive habitat.

Notes:
The Karnataka state government formed a nine-member committee to investigate Kaveri River contamination. The Kaveri River, also known as the Cauvery, is sacred to Hindus and originates from Brahmagiri Hill in the Western Ghats at 1,341m elevation. It flows 800 km through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river basin covers 81,155 sq. km across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry. Major tributaries include the Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavati, Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, Noyil, and Amaravati. Key dams are Krishna Raja Sagara, Mettur, and Banasura Sagar.