Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
India and the US have signed two key defence agreements: the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Liaison Officers to boost defence cooperation. SOSA aims to enhance industry collaboration by ensuring priority support for defence goods and services between the two nations. Under SOSA, both countries can request faster delivery for defence contracts from each other’s companies, helping manage supply-chain issues. The US will offer India assurances through its Defense Priorities and Allocations System, while India will set up a code of conduct for prioritizing US defence needs. India is now the 18th country to sign SOSA with the US, joining nations like Australia, Israel, Japan, and the UK.

Notes:
The Ministry of Education defined ‘literacy’ and ‘full literacy’ under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). NILP aims to promote literacy among people aged 15 and above across India. It is a centrally sponsored scheme with a budget of Rs. 1037.90 crore for 2022-2027. The goal is to onboard one crore learners annually. NILP has five components: foundational literacy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills, and continuing education. Beneficiaries are identified through door-to-door surveys and mobile app registration. The scheme relies on volunteers for teaching and uses online resources on the DIKSHA platform.

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The Ministry of Environment now requires exotic pets listed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Act to be registered with state wildlife departments using the PARIVESH 2.0 portal within six months. Exotic species are animals or plants moved from their natural habitat to a new location, often by human actions. The Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024, mandate registration for those possessing Schedule IV species. PARIVESH 2.0 is an online system developed for submitting and monitoring proposals related to environmental, forest, wildlife, and coastal clearances. It is developed by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It provides a single-window solution for managing green clearances and ensuring compliance.

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Nangarni Spardha took place in Dervan village, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. This traditional oxen race, held annually during the rainy season, is a centuries-old event organized by village committees. The soft, muddy ground helps prevent serious injuries as drivers compete barefoot and without protective gear. Oxen, no longer used for ploughing, are specifically kept for this race, with their horns painted and bodies dusted with colored powder. The race occurs on a horseshoe-shaped track where drivers control the oxen by holding the reins and twisting their tails. Dropping the reins results in disqualification.

Notes:
Recent tensions between Japan and China have increased due to a Chinese military aircraft violating Japanese airspace. A Chinese Y-9 surveillance plane breached Japanese airspace near the Danjo Islands for about two minutes. This is the first confirmed airspace incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into Japanese airspace. The Danjo Islands, situated in the East China Sea off Japan’s southern Nagasaki prefecture, are strategically important with potential resources. The incident adds to ongoing maritime provocations by Chinese vessels near these disputed islands.

Notes:
Gwalior hosted the third Regional Industry Conclave on August 28, 2024, to attract investments to Madhya Pradesh. The city’s strategic location at the intersection of three major national corridors—the North-South Corridor, the Agra-Mumbai Highway, and the East-West Corridor—made it an ideal venue. This positioning aimed to enhance the conclave’s success and positively impact the region’s industrial growth.

Notes:
England batter Dawid Malan, aged 37, has announced his retirement from international cricket. Malan is one of only two English players to score centuries in Test, ODI, and T20I formats. His international career includes 22 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 62 T20Is. He last played for England during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Malan decided to retire after not being selected for the upcoming Australia ODI series. He was particularly effective in T20Is, being part of the 2019 T20 World Cup-winning team. In September 2020, he was ranked No.1 in the ICC T20 rankings and became the fastest player to reach 1000 T20 runs in March 2023. He played only one match for the Punjab Kings in the IPL.

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The annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) started on August 26 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. It was established in 1971. PIF is an intergovernmental organization with 18 member states in the Pacific region. Member countries include Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The forum aims to boost economic growth, improve political governance, and enhance regional cooperation. Its vision is for a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Pacific region where all people can lead healthy lives. Decisions are made by consensus and implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. PIF members are working to raise funds for climate action, with the Pacific Resilience Facility currently $380 million short of its $500 million goal.

Notes:
The Jharkhand government has decided to waive Rs 3,584 crore in power dues for about 39.44 lakh consumers. This decision benefits those enrolled in the 200-unit free electricity scheme. The move is intended to ease financial burdens on domestic consumers under the Mukhyamantri Urja Khushali Yojana.

Notes:
A boy from the Bonda tribe in Odisha has become the first from his community to pass the NEET exam and pursue an MBBS program. The Bonda tribe, also known as the Remo people, lives in the isolated Malkangiri district near the Machkund River, Odisha. They are known for their geographical isolation and strong cultural traditions, which include their distinctive spirit of independence. Bonda men are recognized for their bravery and traditionally carry bows and arrows.
The Bonda language is part of the Austro-Asiatic language family. The tribe practices a dormitory system where men and women have separate living areas for socializing, rituals, and discussions.