Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
General Dong Jun has been appointed as China’s new defence minister, replacing General Li Shangfu who mysteriously disappeared from public view four months ago without any explanation. 62-year old Dong Jun has a Navy background and was previously the deputy commander of the Southern Military Command, overseeing the sensitive South China Sea region. His appointment is seen as a significant move by President Xi Jinping to place a loyalist in charge of the 2.3 million-strong People’s Liberation Army, particularly amidst rising tensions with the US and Taiwan.

Notes:
The West Bengal government has declared Rabindranath Tagore’s song “Banglar Mati Banglar Jal” as the State Song. The song has an approximate playing time of 1 minute and 59 seconds. The notification mandates that the State Song must be played with due respect at the beginning of all state government functions, and the National Anthem must be played at the conclusion of these functions.

Notes:
The Free Movement Regime (FMR) is a mutually agreed arrangement between India and Myanmar that allows tribes living along the border to travel up to 16 km inside each other’s territory without a visa. It was implemented in 2018 to improve ties between communities on both sides. However, India plans to end it soon and install fencing across the entire 1,643 km Indo-Myanmar border to stop infiltration and illegal activities.

Notes:
The Supreme Court of India issued the SOP for summoning government officials after observing that the constant summoning of officials instead of relying on government lawyers runs contrary to the constitutional scheme. The SOP aims to outline guidelines and restrain the overuse of summons power by courts which often pressurizes the government. It states that officials cannot be summoned just because their stance differs from the court’s view. This move brings much-needed reforms to strengthen executive-judiciary coordination by avoiding unnecessary harassment of government officials.

Notes:
ArcelorMittal has partnered with IIT-Madras to construct Asia’s first testing facility for Hyperloop pods and systems which enable magnetic levitation of pods through vacuum tubes for high-speed transportation of goods and people.

Notes:
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) launched ‘SMART 2.0’ to promote clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda through mutual collaboration with Ayurveda institutions across India. The objective is to generate evidence on efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions using interdisciplinary research methods.

Notes:
Uttarakhand will feature India’s first Personal Rapid Transit or PRT corridor as part of its metro rail infrastructure being built to link key cities. The PRT network will serve as a customized mass transit option wherein pod-like driverless vehicles will transport commuters directly to destinations without stops. The innovative mode will connect passengers from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Dehradun airport as part of the state’s Prepaid Autos may replace digital meters wider integrated rail strategy. Besides the PRT line, the metro project also envisages conventional Mass Rapid Transit System routes across 30km.

Notes:
The Hattee community, which has been at the center of recent legal discussions regarding its inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, is primarily found in Himachal Pradesh. This issue gained prominence following the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s decision to stay the inclusion of the Hattee community in the state’s ST list. The High Court intervened after the state government issued directions for this inclusion, which was contested by other communities through legal petitions. The Hattees are specifically from the Trans-Giri Area of Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh, and their potential inclusion in the ST list has been a subject of debate and legal scrutiny.

Notes:
Shirshendhu Mukyopadhyaya, a Bengali writer, was awarded the 2023 Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar. He is recognized for his contribution to Indian literature through his works in the Bengali language. Mukyopadhyaya has authored over 90 books, including travelogues and children’s fiction. The Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar is a prestigious national literary award, named after the late Kannada poet Kuvempu, and honors writers who have significantly contributed to Indian languages.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed India’s man-portable air defense missile system, known as the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS). This system is designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats at ranges up to 6 kilometers. The VSHORADS, which represents a significant advancement in India’s defense technology, is notable for its state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker, making it technically superior to existing man-portable air defense systems in the Indian armed forces. The system is undergoing user trials and, upon successful completion, is expected to enter bulk production.