Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Every year January 4 is observed as World Braille Day to raise the importance of Braille, which serves as a communication medium for blind and partially sighted people. The day was first initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 and January is observed as Braille Literacy month. French Educator, who innovated the Braille system Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809.

Notes:
Unveiled on Navy Day 2023, the Indian Navy’s new shoulder rank insignias (epaulettes) for senior leadership draw design elements from the Naval Ensign and legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Features like the golden button and octagon shape reflect indigenization efforts and long-term strategic vision respectively. The insignia artfully integrates symbols of the sword, telescope, and ‘Rajmudra’ seal used by Shivaji in special decrees, blending India’s rich maritime heritage with its glorious history. The creative vision signifies the Navy’s cultural shift towards ‘swadeshi’ under the current government.

Notes:
Australian opener David Warner has retired from one-day international (ODI) and Test cricket to spend more time with his family. He plans to play his 112th and final Test against Pakistan but will not participate in ODIs. However, he has left the door open for a potential return for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Warner has had a successful ODI career, scoring 22 centuries and 6,932 runs at an average of 45.30 in 161 matches. He was a key part of the Australian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in India last year. While he is retiring from ODIs, he remains available for T20 cricket and hopes to play in the T20 World Cup in June. Warner has played 111 Tests for Australia, accumulating 8,695 runs at an average of 44.58, with 26 centuries and 36 half-centuries.

Notes:
On January 1, 1948, the town of Kharsawan in present-day Jharkhand witnessed a massacre of Adivasis by the police. This happened during a protest against the merger of the princely state of Kharsawan into Odisha state. The protesters and locals had gathered there in thousands to hear a speech by Jai Prakash Singh Munda. However, he could not make it to the venue and the restive crowd was fired upon by the police, killing hundreds. The massacre is seen as reminiscent of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. The exact death toll remains disputed, with estimates ranging from 35 officially to a few thousand unofficially.

Notes:
Dharavi Redevelopment Project, spearheaded by the Adani Group, aims to transform Asia’s largest slum into a model of urban renewal, revitalizing its infrastructure and elevating the quality of life of its residents. The project, which involves global experts like architect Hafeez Contractor, design firm Sasaki, and consultancy firm Buro Happold, as well as experts from Singapore, is not just focused on physical redevelopment but also on nurturing the vibrant culture of Dharavi. The project’s goal is to create a sustainable, integrated live-work-play environment that respects and enhances the local community’s life, setting a global benchmark in equitable urban housing and redevelopment.

Notes:
Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize along with Grameen Bank he founded, for contributions to alleviating poverty through pioneering microfinance services. Providing small loans to entrepreneurs lacking access to traditional banking, his microcredit model aided millions. Recently, Yunus faced legal troubles in Bangladesh over alleged violations of labor laws by Grameen Telecom, critics calling it political retribution for his opposition to government policies earlier.

Notes:
As India pursues food self-sufficiency, an analysis shows reliance on importing vegetable oils, pulses and dried fruits persist due to domestic supply limitations. For 2023, these three categories dominate agriculture imports, contributing 72.1% of the total import bill as per commerce ministry data. Palm oils alone account for 51.9 percent due to poor oilseed yields constraining India’s progress in edible oil security.

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State-owned ONGC won seven out of the ten areas awarded for exploration and production in the latest 8th round of Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) bidding. A Reliance-BP joint venture managed to win one block out of the total ten.

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The West Bengal government plans to develop a tea park spread over 10-12 acres along the banks of the Hooghly River near Kolkata. It aims to establish an export-oriented tea processing and packaging facility inspired by Dubai’s models that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee observed during her Middle East visit. The initiative seeks to boost Darjeeling tea exports by value-addition leveraging Kolkata port’s connectivity. The tea industry stakeholders have welcomed the proposal to enable large scale investment in upgrading technology for the terrace tea gardens.

Notes:
China is pushing to expedite the construction of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state. This initiative aims to ensure smoother access to the Bay of Bengal and is being developed by the Kyaukphyu SEZ Deep Seaport Co. Ltd, a joint venture between the CITIC Myanmar Port Investment Ltd and the Myanmar government-backed Kyaukphyu SEZ Management Committee. The project involves the construction of the Kyaukphyu SEZ and deep sea port. China’s involvement in this project has strategic implications, potentially impacting India’s traditional role as a net security provider in the region and Beijing’s growing influence in Myanmar and the surrounding areas. The development of this SEZ is part of China’s broader efforts to expand its economic and strategic footprint in Southeast Asia.