Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

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.

Notes:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has supervised tests of new suicide drones developed domestically. These drones, capable of targeting ground and sea objectives, have varying striking ranges. Kim Jong-un has encouraged further development of diverse suicide drones for infantry, special operations, and strategic reconnaissance. He also emphasized integrating artificial intelligence into unmanned aerial vehicles. This move comes amid rising tensions with the US and South Korea.

Notes:
The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) held a consultation meeting on the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for Tilaiya Dam, as part of the Dam Safety Act of 2021. The meeting, chaired by DVC Chairman S Suresh Kumar, included government officials, DVC representatives, and local community members. Tilaiya Dam, built on the Barakar River in Jharkhand, India, was constructed in 1953 as the first of four dams in DVC’s initial phase. The dam is 1,200 feet long and 99 feet high, with a reservoir covering 36 square kilometers. It has a hydroelectric plant with two 2 MW units, and a third unit may be added in the future.

Notes:
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) organizes World Water Week annually, and has been doing so since 1991. The 2024 event will take place from August 25–29, both online and in-person at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre. The theme for 2024 is “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future”. World Water Week is a leading conference that focuses on global water issues, and brings together a diverse group of people from around the world, including decision-makers, business leaders, city planners, activists, and researchers.

Notes:
Biologist Johannes Fritz and the Waldrappteam helped increase the northern bald ibis population in Central Europe from zero to nearly 300 since 2002. The species moved from being “critically endangered” to “endangered.” The Northern Bald Ibis, or Geronticus eremita, was native to Central Europe until the 17th century but became extinct there due to excessive hunting. This bird has black plumage with a green sheen, a bald red head with black markings, and a long, curved red beak. They feed mainly on insect larvae and earthworms in open areas like meadows and sports fields. Northern Bald Ibises are social and form large colonies, engaging in ritual greetings involving crest-spreading and bowing.

Notes:
Solar Paraboloid technology is a promising advancement for improving solar energy efficiency. It is a type of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) that uses a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC). Parabolic mirrors focus sunlight onto a receiver tube at the focal line. This technology offers advantages over traditional photovoltaic (PV) systems, including higher operating temperatures, greater thermal efficiency, and reduced heat losses. However, it faces challenges like high upfront costs and significant infrastructure needs.

Notes:
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.”

Notes:
Shannon Gabriel, a West Indies fast bowler, announced his retirement from international cricket. Gabriel began his international career in 2012. He played in 59 Test matches, 25 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and two T20 Internationals, taking a total of 202 wickets. He found more success in Test cricket and became a regular in the West Indies team by 2017. In 2019, Gabriel was banned for four ODIs due to a homophobic remark against Joe Root. His last appearance for West Indies was in a Test match against India in July 2023. He plays for Trinidad and Tobago in domestic cricket.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Namibian cheetah Pawan was found dead in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Pawan was the only free-ranging cheetah to have survived in Kuno. After Pawan’s death, Kuno National Park now has 24 cheetahs, including 12 adults and 12 cubs.
Project Cheetah, started in 2022, aims to reintroduce the cheetah, which was extinct in India. The cheetahs were brought from South Africa and Namibia. The project also focuses on conserving prey species and protecting other endangered species in grasslands and open forests.