Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has appointed Satya Prakash Sangwan as Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Sangwan, also PCI’s Vice-President, will lead India’s largest-ever contingent of 84 para-athletes in 12 sports. He is well-respected in the para-sports community for his experience and passion. PCI President Devendra Jhajharia praised Sangwan’s long-term contribution to the committee. The Chef de Mission role involves leadership, mentorship, and strategic planning.

Notes:
A large group of Dhangars recently demanded a grazing corridor for their sheep and goats in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district. The Dhangars are a shepherd community with a rich cultural heritage, living in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. They have historically followed specific grazing routes, which are integral to their way of life and cultural identity. The Dhangars are currently listed under Maharashtra’s Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) category but are seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Notes:
The World Bank has issued the world’s first carbon removal bond to support Amazon reforestation. The bond is worth $225 million and has a nine-year term. Investors’ returns are tied to the amount of carbon removed by new trees, not just emission reductions from preventing deforestation. This bond aims to protect the Amazon by financially incentivizing reforestation efforts.

Notes:
An international group has proposed a lunar time standard to address time discrepancies on the Moon due to its unique gravity. Atomic clocks, crucial for precision in GPS, telecom, and research, are the most accurate timekeeping devices. These clocks measure time using the stable resonant frequencies of atoms like cesium-133. One second is defined by the vibration of a cesium atom 9,192,631,770 times. Atomic clocks work by introducing a microwave signal to cesium atoms, detecting emitted radiation, and adjusting timekeeping for continuous precision.

Notes:
The 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base in South Korea is conducting a major military training exercise. This exercise is integrated with Ulchi Freedom Shield 24, an annual joint exercise between the U.S. and South Korea. The combined exercise began on August 19, 2024, and continue until August 23, 2024. The aim is to enhance military preparedness and readiness to respond to potential threats.

Notes:
Mettukurinji, or Topli karvy, is a plant endemic to the Western Ghats and belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It flowers every seven years, similar to Neelakurinji, which blooms every 12 years. India has the highest diversity of Strobilanthes, with over 160 species, 72 of which are endemic to the Sahyadris. Mettukurinji’s flowers, in shades of purple, lavender, and blue, are a tourist attraction. The plant faces threats from monocarpy, landslides, floods, and visitor disturbance, leading to its decline. Neelakurinji is listed as a ‘threatened’ species by the IUCN.

Notes:
Kerala government released the Justice Hema Committee report after nearly five years due to privacy concerns. The committee was established in July 2017 following the abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actress. The report aimed to investigate sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry. The case highlighted broader issues of discrimination against women in the industry.

Notes:
A 2,492-carat diamond, the second-largest ever found, was discovered in the Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana by Lucara Diamond. This diamond is second only to the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond found in South Africa over a century ago. Botswana is a major diamond producer, with the industry contributing 30% of its GDP and 80% of its exports. Advanced X-ray transmission technology was used to unearth the diamond, preserving its size and quality. The diamond still needs to be fully assessed to determine its quality and potential for high-value gems.

Notes:
Diana Pundole, a teacher and mother from Pune won the national championship in the saloon category at the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024 in Chennai. Her victory is an inspiration for aspiring female racers. She balanced numerous challenges, including family life, to achieve this success. Her win highlights her determination and breaks barriers in the male-dominated motorsport industry.

Notes:
The Tribal Health Resource Centre in BR Hills, Karnataka, launched Kaanu, a South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre, on August 25. “Kaanu” means “evergreen forest” in Kannada and Soliga. Kaanu aims to be the first knowledge center dedicated to the past, present, and culture of South Indian Adivasi communities. It will have three branches: a library, an annotated bibliography, and a co-written book. The Kaanu Library will be inaugurated, and the bibliography will be available online in September. This initiative was started by Adivasi leaders, scholars, and researchers with long-term connections to these communities.