Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
Recently, five Army personnel, including a JCO and four jawans, died when their T-72 tank got stuck in the Shyok River near Nyoma-Chushul, Eastern Ladakh, due to a sudden water level rise. Despite rescue efforts, strong currents prevented their rescue. The T-72 tanks, initially designed by the Soviet Union and later modernized as T-72 Ajeya, were deployed in Ladakh post-2020 Galwan clash.

Notes:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched two initiatives: Virtual NQAS Assessment for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) and Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL), ensuring compliance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). The Spot Food License Initiative uses the Food safety and compliance system (FoSCoS) platform for instant licensing and registration across India, aiming to streamline processes. These initiatives support “Healthcare for All” by enhancing real-time monitoring of health facilities and simplifying food safety compliance.

Notes:
Central Railway has inaugurated India’s first floating solar plant, a 10 MWp installation on Igatpuri lake in the Western Ghats. This initiative marks a milestone in Indian Railways’ clean energy efforts, aimed at achieving zero carbon emissions by 2030. Additional rooftop solar plants totaling 12.05 MWp have saved Rs. 4.62 crores and reduced carbon footprints by 6594.81 MT in 2023-24. Plans include installing 7 MWp more this year, reinforcing the commitment to renewable energy transition.

Notes:
National Statistics Day, celebrated annually on June 29 in India, honors Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis for his contributions to statistics and economic planning. Initiated in 2007, its goal is to raise awareness, particularly among youth, about the pivotal role of statistics in shaping socio-economic policies. The theme for 2024, “Use of data for decision-making,” underscores the importance of informed decision-making through statistical insights in fostering national development.

Notes:
Researchers discovered 230 million metric tons of minerals essential for electric car batteries on the seabed off Minami-Torishima Island, also known as Marcus Island. This isolated Japanese atoll in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, southeast of Tokyo, has a triangular shape formed by a raised coral reef. The island has a flat terrain with a maximum altitude of 9 meters and an oceanic climate, with an average annual temperature of 25.6°C.

Notes:
International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3 to encourage avoiding single-use plastics and combat plastic pollution. Established by Bag Free World, the day saw its first observance in 2008, initiated by Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe. In 2015, the EU passed directives to reduce single-use plastic bags. Bangladesh was the first country to ban these bags in 2022, followed by India and others.

Notes:
Meta has introduced the Meta 3D Gen AI System, an AI tool that generates or retextures 3D objects in under a minute. It uses two sub-systems, Meta 3D AssetGen and Meta 3D TextureGen, to create high-quality 3D assets with high-resolution textures and material maps from user text prompts. Users can also input existing 3D meshes for retexturing. The system employs Physically-Based Rendering (PBR) techniques, producing results in about 30 seconds.

Notes:
Kerala’s Chief Minister emphasized the Pachathuruthu initiative’s importance in achieving the state’s Net Zero Carbon target. The project aims to create man-made mini-forests by planting indigenous plants on barren lands, enhancing forest biodiversity. It will aid in carbon sequestration and mitigate urban heat island effects. The initiative relies on mass participation through campaigns and coordination by Local Self-Government Institutions.

Notes:
Kerala has developed an inclusive sports manual to nurture the talents of differently abled children in sports. The programme encourages participation from individuals with various disabilities alongside those without. It marks a pioneering effort in India, aiming to support parents in facilitating sports activities for their children, fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports participation.

Notes:
The ‘Jaiva Gramam’ campaign launched in Karumalloor, Kerala, aims to promote organic farming. Supported by the local panchayat and Lions Club, it encourages households to grow vegetables for Onam. Participants receive subsidies for saplings, fertilizers, and tools, and learn from experienced farmers. The initiative aims for sustainable agricultural growth, self-sufficiency in vegetable production, and preserving Kerala’s farming heritage to boost farmers’ economic prospects.