Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 1, 2024

Notes:
SARAS stands for Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society. They are organized at several places across India to promote Rural artisans. Recently, ‘Didi Lakhpati Tripura Agragati’ (Progressive Tripura through Women Entrepreneurs) was the unique theme of the SARAS Mela 2023 launched by Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha. Aiming to showcase and economically empower small business owners and self-help group members, over 300 stalls have been set up for 15 days. Rural artisans, craftswomen and homemakers from remote parts of the state are participating to sell indigenous products like handicrafts, handloom items, delicacies etc.

Notes:
General Dong Jun has been appointed as China’s new defence minister, replacing General Li Shangfu who mysteriously disappeared from public view four months ago without any explanation. 62-year old Dong Jun has a Navy background and was previously the deputy commander of the Southern Military Command, overseeing the sensitive South China Sea region. His appointment is seen as a significant move by President Xi Jinping to place a loyalist in charge of the 2.3 million-strong People’s Liberation Army, particularly amidst rising tensions with the US and Taiwan.

Notes:
China has introduced a revolutionary new ocean drilling vessel called the ‘Mengxiang’, designed to penetrate the Earth’s crust and reach the mantle for the first time in human history. If successful, the Mengxiang’s planned drilling to breach the Mohorovicic discontinuity (Moho) over 7,000 metres beneath the ocean floor would open the door to unprecedented scientific exploration and discovery within the planet. Crafted through collaboration between China’s Geological Survey and over 150 institutes, the Mengxiang is an enormous, specially-equipped ship capable of withstanding extreme conditions.

Notes:
Telangana government has introduced a new common application form named ‘Praja Palana Guarantee Darakasthu’ to enable access to schemes under its flagship ‘six guarantees’ program to support disadvantaged sections. The one-page form is designed for basic details regarding identity, address, contacts etc., while the second page collects relevant information and documentation for specific welfare measures like financial aid, subsidized ration, electricity, housing etc. Applications under this standardized format will be open from Jan 1st across the state to extend direct benefit transfers under mass outreach initiatives.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh has retained top rank for the third straight year in ensuring extensive usage of the Supreme Court e-committee’s Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), a nationwide platform integrating courts, police, prisons and forensic labs. Over 1.56 crore entries have been logged by U.P. so far through the single window arrangement which enables seamless information exchange at every stage – from FIR registration to imprisonment. Madhya Pradesh and Bihar trail at second and third position respectively. The wide adoption by U.P. police aims to employ ICJS’s data analytics to predict crimes, manage law & order situations better and reduce pendency of cases.