Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
The Central government is extending basic facilities to the endangered Kolam tribe through the Jan Jati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan, focusing on health and education. Kolam tribes, concentrated in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, are designated as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. Historically, they served as priests for the Gond tribe. Primarily farmers, they’ve transitioned from shifting cultivation to settled farming. They speak Kolami and other languages, using Devnagari script for writing.

Notes:
INOX Air Products, an industrial and medical gases manufacturer, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the government of Maharashtra for the establishment of a green ammonia plant. The planned investment for the project is $3 billion, and the plant is expected to be commissioned within the next 3 to 5 years. The primary objective of the facility is to produce 500,000 metric tons per annum (MTPA) of liquid ammonia. INOX Air Products, a privately-held company, currently operates in about 45 locations across India.

Notes:
According to the Global Firepower (GFP) 2024 annual report, India ranks fourth among the world’s most powerful militaries. The United States, Russia, and China rank first, second, and third, respectively. The GFP rankings consider various factors to provide a comprehensive perspective on global military strength. In 2024, the GFP review considered 145 world powers. According to the GFP, India has a Power Index (PwrIndx) score of 0.1023. A perfect PwrIndx score is 0.0000, but this is not realistically attainable. A smaller PwrIndx value indicates a more powerful conventional fighting capability.

Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the EcoMark green accreditation framework for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on January 17, 2024. The EcoMark certification is based on ISO standards and is digitally enabled. The Ecomark scheme provides accreditation and labeling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of the Government of India introduced the Eco mark Certification Rules, 2023 to promote sustainability and environment friendly consumption patterns.

Notes:
Indian Prime Minister recently honored poet and philosopher Saint Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day, originally celebrated on May 17-18, 1935. Now observed on January 15-16 in Tamil Nadu during Pongal festivities, the day pays tribute to Thiruvalluvar, a revered cultural icon. Known as Valluvar, his masterpiece, Thirukkural, consists of 1330 couplets covering ethics, politics, economy, and love. Divided into sections on virtue, wealth, and love, Thirukkural offers concise and poetic guidance on various aspects of life.

Notes:
Japan recently inked a deal with the US for the purchase of 400 Tomahawk missiles, versatile long-range cruise missiles. Manufactured in the US, these missiles can be launched from ships or submarines, targeting fixed locations like communication and air-defense sites. Flying at low altitudes, Tomahawks use satellite navigation and TERCOM radar for precise guidance. Propelled initially by solid propellant and later by a heat-efficient turbofan engine, they offer strategic advantages in high-risk scenarios, enhancing Japan’s defense capabilities.

Notes:
India launched the “Global Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality” during the 54th annual World Economic Forum in Davos. This initiative aims to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality globally. Focused on education, health, and enterprise, the alliance facilitates knowledge sharing, investment opportunities, and best practices to address Sustainable Development Goals, such as Good Health, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Global Partnership for Development.

Notes:
The Third South Summit is a meeting of the Group of 77 (G-77) that took place in Kampala, Uganda on January 21–22, 2024. The theme of the summit was “Leaving No One Behind”. The summit also included the G77+China Conference. The G-77 is a group of 134 countries, including China, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The G-77 was established as a reaction to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which were designed to meet the needs of developed countries. The G-77’s policies include strengthening multilateralism, developing friendly relations, and promoting peaceful settlement of disputes.

Notes:
The Supreme Court has declared that the State of Rajasthan can prohibit mining in the environmentally sensitive Aravalli Range. Stretching 670 km in northwestern India, the Aravalli is one of the world’s oldest fold mountains, hosting diverse ecosystems. Guru Shikhar, its highest peak at 5,650 feet, overlooks Mount Abu, a popular hill station. The range serves as a geological boundary, separating the Thar desert from eastern Rajasthan. Rich in minerals, it also houses national parks like Sariska and wildlife sanctuaries.

Notes:
The Jagannath Temple in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir hosts the “Gole Mela” festival twice a year. The festival is a cultural and religious celebration that brings together devotees from the Udhampur district and beyond. The festival venue features stalls and is a place for families to enjoy the festivities. The festival is a spiritual gathering that fosters a sense of community among devotees. The festival venue is adorned with diversity and echoes with devotion and cultural exchange.