Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The Kerala government announced Rs 5 lakh financial assistance for families of state residents who died in the Kuwait fire tragedy, which claimed 49 lives and injured 50. This decision was made during an emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Additionally, the government will provide Rs 1 lakh to those injured in the incident, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s office.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force deployed an MI17 helicopter to battle a wildfire in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Uttarakhand, India. This sanctuary spans 47 square kilometers in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, known for its biodiversity and scenic views of peaks like Nanda Devi. Binsar holds historical significance as the former summer capital of the Chand Dynasty. The sanctuary is cherished for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, including the Bineshwar Mahadev temple.

Notes:
Punjab Police, in collaboration with the BSF and VDCs, conducted a one-week anti-drug campaign, “Mission Nishchay,” in Fazilka district from June 15 to 21. They will engage residents of 42 villages along the India-Pakistan border to gather intelligence on drug demand and supply. The initiative aims to foster community participation, with a special focus on youth and women, in curbing the drug menace.

Notes:
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), with World Bank assistance, aims to enhance trash management by 2026-2027, focusing on stopping waste disposal at the Kodungaiyur dump. In a recent meeting with state officials, GCC discussed making solid waste management strategic, setting a Zero Waste goal, and eventually closing the Perungudi dumpsite following Kodungaiyur’s success.

Notes:
Scientists at Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea are pioneering “meaty rice,” injecting beef cells into rice grains coated with fish gelatine. This innovative food technology aims to offer a sustainable protein source without animal agriculture’s ethical concerns. The rice’s porous structure facilitates cell growth over 11 days in a Petri dish. Meaty rice promises a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional beef production, potentially revolutionizing global food sustainability practices.

Notes:
Former Odisha Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, aged 95, passed away on June 15. He was a senior Congress leader from Maharashtra, served three terms in the Rajya Sabha, and practiced as a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court. Bhandare’s tenure as Governor of Odisha spanned from August 2007 to March 2013. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and former CM Naveen Patnaik expressed deep sorrow at his demise.

Notes:
Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India’s Gopalpur centre discovered a new snake eel species, ‘Ophichthus Suryai,’ in Odisha. This species differs from its congeners by the dorsal fin origin near the gill opening, unique vertebral count, and multiple rows of teeth on both jaws. Snake eels, marine fishes of the Ophichthidae family, inhabit warm, tropical waters, often hiding at the sea bottom, and can grow up to 10 feet.

Notes:
Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra won the Gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games 2024 in Finland with a throw of 85.97m on June 18. This was his third event of the season, after missing the Ostrava Golden Spike meet due to injury. Chopra’s performance reaffirms his top form as he prepares for the Paris Olympics next month.

Notes:
World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on June 20 to raise awareness about refugees’ plight and promote their inclusion. The 2024 theme is “For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed.” Established in 2001 to mark the 1951 Refugee Convention’s 50th anniversary, it underscores international cooperation. Refugees flee due to conflict, persecution, and violence, highlighting the need for global solidarity and lasting solutions to the refugee crisis.

Notes:
At the 112th International Labour Conference in Geneva, India’s delegation, led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, highlighted the e-Shram portal. Launched in 2021, the portal registers unorganized workers across 400 occupations, providing a comprehensive national database. Fully Aadhaar-verified, it aims to facilitate access to social security schemes. The e-Shram portal integrates with the National Career Service, Skill India Digital Hub, myScheme portal, and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhaan scheme.