Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

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.

Notes:
During his visit to Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed establishing a long-term cooperation framework for Chabahar port with Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash. Chabahar, Iran’s first deepwater port at the Gulf of Oman, is crucial for global trade. It’s part of the proposed International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), with two ports: Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari. India’s investment is focused on Shahid Beheshti port.

Notes:
The Union Health Ministry mandates a unique NOTTO-ID for all organ transplant cases to combat commercial organ dealing. The directive ensures accountability and compliance by appointing authorities to investigate and take action against violations. Regular inspections of registered hospitals are emphasized for quality assurance. Violating hospitals face suspension of registration under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act. The aim is to enforce ethical practices and prevent malpractices, especially with foreign nationals.

Notes:
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issued a recall of Indian Spice products due to ethylene oxide contamination. Ethylene oxide is a colorless, flammable gas with various industrial uses including as a pesticide and sterilizing agent. Prolonged exposure can cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system, and poses carcinogenic risks to humans.

Notes:
A musical dance program titled “Tagore on the Padma Boat” took place at Rabindra Kuthibari, Kushtia, Bangladesh. Directed by UK-based Tagore scholar Dr. Anand Gupta, the event featured performances by Bangladesh-trained artists in Rabindra Sangeet and Dance, many of whom are Vishwa Bharati alumni. Organized by the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Dhaka, in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh, it commemorated Rabindranath Tagore’s legacy on the Padma River.

Notes:
The Karnataka High Court upheld the state government’s ban on hookah and water-pipe smoking. The ban is supported by the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and Karnataka Poisons Rules. Article 47 of the Constitution mandates improving public health. The court deemed the ban a reasonable restriction on citizens’ rights, citing Article 19(1)(g). This decision underscores the balance between public health concerns and individual freedoms.

Notes:
Pavuluri Subba Rao, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Ananth Technologies, was honored with the prestigious ‘Aryabhatta Award’ by the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) for his outstanding contributions to astronautics in India. Additionally, Rao was named a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ by ASI, recognizing his remarkable impact on the aerospace and aviation sectors.

Notes:
NASA’s Voyager 1 probe, launched in 1977, is transmitting vital data after a period of malfunction, the agency announced. The spacecraft’s mission aims to explore the outer Solar System and beyond, conducting flybys of Jupiter and Saturn, discovering new moons and rings. It became the first human-made object to exit the Solar System in 2012, carrying a golden record depicting life on Earth. Voyager 1 is expected to remain operational until at least 2025, currently 13.8 billion miles away from the sun.

Notes:
The 6th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure held in New Delhi, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Emphasizing the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure for a better future, Modi underscored that disasters’ impact goes beyond monetary losses, affecting individuals and communities. He advocated for integrating resilience into new projects and post-disaster reconstruction, stressing the global need for collective resilience across borders.

Notes:
Prabowo Subianto, formerly Indonesia’s Defense Minister, has been appointed as country’s new President, succeeding Joko Widodo. Indonesia’s presidential term spans five years with the possibility of re-election. Subianto’s appointment marks a significant political transition, highlighting the democratic processes in Indonesia. His background in defense affairs signals potential shifts in national security policies under his leadership.