Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
On 31 July 2024, President Droupadi Murmu appointed Preeti Sudan, a 1983 batch IAS officer and former Union Health Secretary, as the new Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), succeeding Dr. Manoj Soni. Sudan, the second woman to hold this position, has played key roles in government programs like Ayushman Bharat and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. The UPSC, established in 1950, is an independent constitutional body.

Notes:
Indian Army launched the E-SeHAT module, enabling tele-consultation for Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) beneficiaries from home. The pilot project started at 12 ECHS Polyclinics, including remote areas like Baramulla and Imphal. The initiative, aligned with Digital India’s vision, aims to provide safe video-based medical consultations and will expand nationwide in November 2024. Future phases include pre-consultation checks, medicine delivery, and hospital referrals.

Notes:
Singapore and the United States have signed a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation agreement, called the 123 Agreement. This deal will allow Singapore to access detailed information and expertise on U.S. nuclear energy technologies, which are typically under export control. The agreement aims to enhance Singapore’s capabilities in nuclear energy and strengthen ties between the two countries in this field.

Notes:
India hosts ‘Tarang Shakti,’ largest international air exercise, in two phases: August in Tamil Nadu and September in Rajasthan. The event aims to strengthen strategic relations, inviting 51 countries with 30 participating. Phase one in Tamil Nadu features France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. Phase two in Rajasthan includes Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, UAE, and the USA. This exercise enhances collaboration and operational skills.

Notes:
Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the ‘State Museum Conclave on the upcoming Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum’ in New Delhi. The event aims to gather insights from stakeholders to develop a world-class museum. Minister highlighted India’s growing global interest and the need to showcase its heritage. The Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum, part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, will be the world’s largest museum.

Notes:
World Lung Cancer Day, observed on August 1st, raises awareness about lung cancer, highlighting its impact and educating the public on risks, symptoms, and treatments. The day advocates for early detection, better treatment options, and more research funding. This year’s theme, “Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care,” emphasizes the need for equitable healthcare access for all cancer patients.

Notes:
The 4th Rashtriya Hindi Vigyan Sammelan took place in Bhopal on July 30-31, 2024. The conference aimed to promote science and technology research in Hindi and popularize these fields through the Hindi medium. It featured six sessions covering various topics, including Science, Technology, Ayurveda, Engineering, and Science Communication. Organized by CSIR-AMPRI Bhopal in collaboration with several institutions, including CSIR-NIScPR and local universities, the event provided a platform for researchers to present their work in Hindi.

Notes:
The World Bank’s 2024 report highlights the “Middle-Income Trap,” where countries stuck in middle-income status struggle to advance to high-income levels. This trap often occurs around $8,000 GDP per capita. Since 1990, only 34 of 108 middle-income countries have moved to high-income status. Key challenges include aging populations, rising protectionism, and the need for faster energy transitions. India, classified as a lower-middle-income country since 2007, has a GNI per capita of $2,540 and would need 75 years to reach one-quarter of U.S. income per capita at current trends.

Notes:
The Indian government plans to introduce the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. This bill aims to create a comprehensive disaster database and set up Urban Disaster Management Authorities in state capitals and major cities. It will empower the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to independently prepare disaster plans and appoint experts. The bill also seeks to grant statutory recognition to bodies like the National Crisis Management Committee and propose the establishment of State Disaster Response Forces by state governments. This amendment aligns with the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations.

Notes:
Kerala Police asked people to avoid dark tourism in Wayanad as it could disrupt rescue efforts. Dark tourism, also known as black tourism or grief tourism, involves visiting places associated with death, suffering, or tragedy, such as cemeteries, disaster zones, and battlefields. Defined by John Lennon and Malcolm Foley, it represents inhuman acts for visitors. Notable sites include Auschwitz, Chernobyl, Ground Zero, and Hiroshima. Dark tourism is controversial, with mixed views on its ethics.