Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Indian Prime Minister extends Parakram Diwas greetings on January 23, commemorating Subhash Chandra Bose’s 127th birth anniversary. Bose, a freedom fighter, played a key role in India’s independence movement against British colonial rule. Parakram Diwas aims to inspire fearlessness and patriotism, especially in the youth. Bose, born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa, joined the Indian National Congress, served as its president, but resigned due to ideological conflicts with Mahatma Gandhi. In 1939, he formed the Forward Bloc, uniting anti-British forces in India.

Notes:
YES BANK became the first Indian bank to conduct an export finance transaction on the International Trade Financing Services Platform (ITFS) of RXIL Global IFSC Limited. This collaboration is a significant step for YES BANK in digitization and cross-border business. The partnership allows for the arrangement of credit for exporters and importers from Indian and global institutions through Factoring, Forfaiting, and other trade financing services.

Notes:
The first meeting of the Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB) was held on January 18, 2024 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Saurabh Garg, the Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. A social audit is a formal evaluation of a company’s procedures and efforts related to corporate social responsibility and societal impact. It assesses how well a company is meeting its CSR objectives and provides an opportunity to identify areas for improvement.

Notes:
India has supported Afghanistan in combating the locust menace with 40,000 litres of Malathion, an effective and environmentally friendly pesticide. Sent through Iran’s Chabahar port, this collaborative effort addresses a pressing agricultural concern. Malathion proves crucial for locust control, being ideal for Afghanistan’s arid climate and addressing environmental concerns with minimal water usage. This timely provision safeguards Afghan crops and contributes significantly to regional food security.

Notes:
The Election Commission of India marks its 75th year on January 25, 2024, coinciding with the 14th National Voters’ Day (NVD). Since 2011, NVD is observed annually on January 25 to raise electoral awareness and encourage citizens to participate. The event, celebrated at various levels across the country, aims to facilitate voter enrolment, particularly among young voters. The theme for NVD 2024 is ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For sure,’ emphasizing the significance of electoral participation.

Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati hosted Phase 3 of the Yuva Sangam program. The program is an initiative under the Ministry of Education’s “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”. The Yuva Sangam program aims to strengthen connections between the country’s youth. During the program, youth are exposed to five areas: Paryatan (Tourism) Parampara (Traditions) Pragati (Development) Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect) & Prodyogik (Technology).

Notes:
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is set to inaugurate the Samalei project in Sambalpur on January 27, following the success of the Parikrama Project in Puri. The state government invested over Rs 200 crore in the project, which spans 40 acres and focuses on the beautification and development of the Maa Samaleswari temple in western Odisha. The initiative includes a heritage corridor, amenities for pilgrims, improved temple access, and Mahanadi riverfront development.

Notes:
The recent Supreme Court ruling clarified that prosecuting someone under Section 420 of the IPC for cheating requires examining if deceitful acts were coupled with inducement leading to property transfer. IPC 420 addresses cheating, inducing individuals to surrender property, alter valuable securities, or destroy signed/sealed items. This serious offence entails imprisonment up to seven years and fines. It is cognizable and non-bailable, emphasizing dishonest acts to gain advantages. The ruling sheds light on the crucial role of inducement in such cases.

Notes:
The Central government has approved a new leprosy treatment regimen, targeting transmission halt at the sub-national level by 2027. The WHO recommended the three-drug regimen (dapsone, rifampicin, clofazimine) in 2015, known as multi-drug therapy (MDT). Termed ‘Uniform MDT,’ a single three-pack kit is administered to all leprosy patients for convenience. Treatment lasts six months for PB and 12 months for MB cases. Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affects skin and nerves, spreading through close contact, leading to potential disabilities if untreated.

Notes:
India recently overtook Hong Kong as the world’s fourth-largest equity market, boasting a total market value of $4.33 trillion, surpassing Hong Kong’s $4.29 trillion. The leading global stock markets are currently the U.S., China, and Japan. This milestone underscores India’s rising prominence in the global financial arena, propelled by a robust GDP, political stability, foreign investments, and its appeal as an alternative to China. Meanwhile, Hong Kong grapples with challenges like COVID-19 restrictions, regulatory crackdowns, a property crisis, and geopolitical tensions, affecting its attractiveness to investors.