Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
India and Japan signed their first project offtake agreement for exporting green ammonia from India to Japan. The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. This marks a key step in India’s goal to become a global leader in green hydrogen and ammonia production. The Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement involves Sembcorp Industries, Sojitz Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power, and NYK Line. It highlights India’s growing role in the global green energy sector and represents the first such collaboration between India and Japan.

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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.

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A Tamil Nadu-based start-up launched India’s first reusable hybrid rocket, “RHUMI 1”. The launch took place from a mobile platform in Thiruvidandhai, Chennai. The rocket aims to advance research on global warming and climate change. RHUMI 1 is powered by a hybrid motor and has an electrically triggered parachute deployer. It carried three CUBE satellites to monitor cosmic radiation, UV radiation, and air quality. It also deployed 50 Pico satellites to study accelerometer readings, altitude, and ozone levels to understand environmental dynamics better.

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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the ‘National Medical Register Portal’ in New Delhi for the registration of all MBBS doctors eligible for registration in India. This portal will be a comprehensive and dynamic database for all registered allopathic doctors. The initiative aligns with the vision of making India’s health ecosystem digitally robust. The National Medical Register aims to strengthen the digital healthcare ecosystem and ensure quality healthcare. A similar register will be launched for paramedics and other healthcare professionals. The National Medical Commission will maintain the register electronically, including details like name, address, and qualifications of licensed doctors.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh. The new districts are Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang. This decision aims to improve governance and bring benefits closer to the people.
Ladakh, previously with two districts (Leh and Kargil), is large and sparsely populated. The new districts will help implement public welfare schemes more effectively. The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the Ladakh administration to form a committee to plan the new districts, including details like headquarters and boundaries, and submit a report within three months.

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The 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) took place in Singapore on August 26, 2024, to strengthen strategic ties. The first ISMR was held in New Delhi in September 2022. ISMR is a high-level platform to discuss bilateral relationships and set future agendas. Four Indian ministers, including Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, and six Singaporean ministers attended the meeting. The 2nd ISMR reviewed progress since the first meeting and focused on enhancing cooperation in various sectors. Discussions included digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity.

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Assam has permitted oil and gas exploration in the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary in Jorhat, Assam, is unique for housing India’s only gibbons and North-eastern India’s only nocturnal primate, the Bengal slow loris. It is the only sanctuary in India named after gibbons due to its high gibbon population density. The western hoolock gibbon, found in all northeastern states and parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, is listed as endangered by the IUCN and is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The eastern hoolock gibbon is found in specific areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, with a vulnerable IUCN status.

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National Sports Day is celebrated every year on August 29 in India to honor the spirit of sports and physical fitness. The day marks the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary hockey player who greatly contributed to India’s success in hockey. National Sports Day aims to inspire youth participation in sports and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. The day is a reminder of how sports enrich lives and strengthen community bonds. Various sports events and ceremonies are held nationwide, honoring athletes and their achievements. The theme for 2024 has not been announced yet; last year’s theme was “Sports are an enabler to an inclusive and fit society.”

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The Department of Higher Education selected 16 teachers from higher education institutions and polytechnics for the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2024. The National Teachers’ Award celebrates the outstanding contributions of the best teachers in India. It recognizes teachers who have significantly improved the quality of education and positively impacted their students’ lives. The award is given to exemplary teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics. These awards honor teachers for their dedication and commitment to enhancing education.

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The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched the Voluntary Vehicle Modernization Program, also known as the Vehicle Scrapping Policy. The policy focuses on the voluntary scrapping of commercial and passenger vehicles that are deemed unfit based on their condition, regardless of their age. It aims to phase out polluting vehicles through Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities and Automated Testing Stations. For two years, commercial vehicle manufacturers will offer discounts, and for one year, passenger vehicle manufacturers will also provide discounts, given a Scrappage Certificate.