Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Mohammed Salem received the 2024 World Press Photo of the Year award for his poignant image capturing a Palestinian woman holding her five-year-old niece’s body in the Gaza Strip. Taken on Oct. 17, 2023, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis during Israeli bombings, the photograph reflects the human toll of conflict. Salem’s work highlights the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinians in Gaza, earning him international recognition for his powerful storytelling through photography.

Notes:
India’s top male squash player, Saurav Ghosal, retired from professional squash after a 21-year career. Ghosal, who began in 2003, claimed 10 PSA titles and reached 18 finals. His last victory was in 2021 at the Malaysian Open. Ghosal, ranked world No. 10 in 2019, held the highest Indian ranking. He was the first Indian to attain junior World No. 1 in 2004 and the only to reach the top 10 in men’s singles.

Notes:
Professor Naima Khatoon is appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the first woman to hold the position in its history. The appointment was made by the Ministry of Education and approved by President Droupadi Murmu. Khatoon, currently the Principal of AMU’s Women’s College, will serve for five years or until she turns 70. She becomes the third VC of a Central University and the second woman VC in India after Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.

Notes:
The United Kingdom has passed the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, permitting the deportation of some asylum-seekers to Rwanda to deter illegal entry via small boats. Proposed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022, the bill follows a treaty enhancing migrant protections. Flights deporting migrants for processing in Rwanda are set to commence in 10 to 12 weeks, marking a significant step in UK immigration policy.

Notes:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) received the Outstanding Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Year award at the All India Management Association (AIMA) Managing India Awards. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar presented the award in Delhi on April 23. HAL achieved record revenue of over ₹29,810 crore in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, marking an impressive 11% growth. AIMA, established in 1957, promotes management excellence across India, collaborating with various sectors to advance the profession.

Notes:
In April 2024, the Indian Historical Records Commission (IHRC) unveiled its new logo and motto, “Yatra Itihasam Bhavishyaam Prasakshantah”. Chosen from 436 entries in an online competition, Shaurya Pratap Singh’s submission won. Established in 1919, IHRC is a pivotal advisory body on archival matters in India, overseeing record management and historical research. It operates under the Union Minister of Culture, serving as a nationwide platform for record creators, custodians, and users.

Notes:
A Ministerial Round Table Conference convened on April 24, 2024, during the 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Discussions centered on the transformative impact of the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai. The Congress, themed ‘Redesigning Energy for People and Planet’, aimed to shape global energy transitions amidst unpredictability.

Notes:
Recently, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) launched Bima Vistaar at a CEO summit, priced at Rs 1,500 per policy. This comprehensive product combines life, health, personal accident, and property insurances, targeting rural areas. Sum assured for life, accident, and property is Rs 2 lakh each, with health cover offering Rs 500 for 10 days, max Rs 5,000 without documents. Agents earn 10% commission, facilitating wider distribution via Bima Vahak, aiming to increase insurance penetration.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force deployed MI 17 V5 helicopters equipped with Bambi Buckets to combat forest fires in Nainital. The Bambi Bucket, also known as a helicopter bucket, is a specialized firefighting tool used since the 1980s. It’s suspended under the chopper and filled from rivers or ponds, releasing water via a pilot-controlled valve. Its features include quick filling, storage within the helicopter, and precise water discharge, aiding in combating inaccessible wildfires.

Notes:
V Srinivas Prasad, a prominent BJP leader and former Union minister, passed away at 77 due to age-related ailments in Bengaluru. Originally a Congress member, he joined BJP before the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections. Prasad, a Dalit leader in Old Mysuru, extended support to Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. His political career spanned 50 years, winning 8 of 14 elections. Prasad served as a Union minister and Karnataka’s revenue minister.