Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has acquired a controlling 95% stake in Gopalpur Port, Odisha, solidifying its position in the ports and logistics sector. Valued at Rs 3,350 crore, the deal includes an equity value of Rs 1,349 crore and an enterprise value of Rs 3,080 crore. Previous majority stakeholders, Shapoorji Pallonji Group (SP Group) and Orissa Stevedores Ltd (OSL), held 56% and 44% stakes respectively. Gopalpur Port boasts a capacity of 20 MTPA and strategic location in Ganjam district.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu is India’s largest exporter of electronic goods, contributing 30% to the country’s total electronic goods exports in FY24. From April 2023 to January 2024, Tamil Nadu’s electronics exports were valued at $7.37 billion, which is 32.52% of India’s total export of electronic system design and manufacturing (ESDM) goods of $22.65 billion for the same period. Historically, Tamil Nadu lagged behind Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka in this sector until FY22. However, in recent years, Tamil Nadu has experienced consistent growth.

Notes:
The World Bank’s ‘South Asia Regional Update: Jobs for Resilience report’ highlights that the region, including India, isn’t leveraging its demographic dividend due to insufficient job creation. While projecting a robust 6.0-6.1% growth for 2024-25, South Asia’s output surpasses other emerging markets, largely driven by India. However, private investment remains weak, posing downside risks to growth. The report emphasizes the need for addressing underlying vulnerabilities to sustain growth in the region.

Notes:
The 2nd INSA-NCGG LEADS program, held in New Delhi from April 1-7, 2024, is a collaborative effort between the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG). It aims to cultivate future leaders in science and technology, promoting visionary leadership and scientific excellence in India. Professors and scientists from various prestigious institutions participate, supported by NCGG’s governance training and INSA’s scientific excellence promotion.

Notes:
Irish researchers at University College Dublin discovered that Criollo cattle excel in adapting to a warming world due to their long-established resilience to hot and humid climates. Through micro-evolutionary analysis, they identified advantageous coat traits for solar radiation tolerance. Utilizing whole-genome sequencing, they pinpointed genes associated with thermotolerance, reproduction, fertility, and disease immunity.

Notes:
In FY 2023-24, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, comprising Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex, handled a record-breaking 66.4 MMT of Cargo, up 1.11% from the previous year. Chairman Shri Rathendra Raman attributed this success to strategic initiatives boosting productivity and safety. Haldia Dock Complex reached its highest volume of 49.54 MMT, a 1.91% increase, while KDS managed 16.856 MMT. The port also achieved a remarkable 65% growth in net surplus, reaching Rs. 501.73 crores.

Notes:
The Uttarakhand government forms expert teams to assess five potentially hazardous glacial lakes at risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The National Disaster Management Authority identifies 188 such lakes in Himalayan states, including 13 in Uttarakhand. GLOFs result from sudden water discharge from glacial lakes, posing threats of floods, sediment, and debris downstream, endangering lives and infrastructure. Uttarakhand’s vulnerable lakes include Vasudhara Tal in Chamoli and four in Pithoragarh district- Maban Lake in Lassar Yangti Valley, Pyungru Lake in the Darma basin.

Notes:
Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), inaugurated an “Experimental Licence module for 100 5G Labs” during a workshop at IIT Madras, streamlining processes for 5G Labs in Indian academic institutions. The initiative aims to simplify licensing requirements, facilitating smoother operations and fostering innovation in the 5G domain. The Department of Telecommunications has awarded ‘100 5G Use Case Labs’ to educational institutions nationwide, encouraging engagement in 5G technologies among students and start-ups.

Notes:
India aims to halt urea imports by 2025 as local production surges with new fertilizer plants. Currently importing 30% of its 35 million tonnes annual requirement, the country saw urea production rise from 225.08 to 284.95 lakh tonnes between 2014-15 and 2022-23. The government’s strategy includes reviving closed plants and promoting alternative fertilizers like nano-liquid urea to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imports from Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Notes:
Peter Pellegrini, backed by Slovakia’s nationalist-left government, wins the presidential election, defeating liberal Ivan Korčok. With 53.85% of the vote, Pellegrini pledges to maintain Slovakia’s peace stance. He becomes the sixth president since independence in 1993, succeeding Zuzana Čaputová. As president, Pellegrini will appoint the prime minister, swear in the government, and influence judicial appointments. His victory signifies a shift towards state interventionism. The new government halts weapon exports to Ukraine.