Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Nalanda University campus near the ancient ruins in Rajgir, Bihar. Founded by Kumargupta in the 5th century, Nalanda was a renowned monastic university for 600 years, flourishing under Harshavardhan and the Pala monarchs. It attracted students from across Asia, teaching subjects like Buddhism, medicine, and astronomy. Destroyed in 1193 by Bakhtiyar Khilji, it was rediscovered in 1812 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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A hidden chamber was recently discovered beneath the inner layers of Ghodbunder Fort during restoration work. Ghodbunder Fort, located in Thane, Maharashtra, on the Ulhas River, was built by the Portuguese and completed in 1730. Initially used for horse trading, it was later occupied by the Marathas and the British. The fort features a Portuguese church from the early 16th century and various historical structures.

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Recently, a rare “double sun halo” was observed over Ladakh. This optical phenomenon features two concentric rings around the sun, caused by sunlight refracting through ice crystals in cirrus clouds. The inner halo has a 22-degree radius, while the outer halo spans 46 degrees. The unique alignment of hexagonal ice crystals in the clouds creates this dazzling effect, making it an uncommon sight, especially in ideal conditions like those in Ladakh.

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Scientists have discovered how to control the Casimir Effect to enhance tiny machines. The Casimir Effect, predicted by Hendrik Casimir in 1948, involves an attractive force between two closely placed uncharged conducting plates due to quantum vacuum fluctuations. This phenomenon, filled with virtual particles, has been experimentally verified and is crucial in nanotechnology and condensed matter physics, significantly impacting micromachined devices and our understanding of vacuum energy.

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In Khunti district, Jharkhand, individuals with sickle cell anemia will receive a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 under the Swami Vivekananda Nishakt Swawlamban Protsahan Scheme. The district administration has initially identified nine beneficiaries from various blocks, ensuring ongoing coverage for new cases. Sickle cell screening has been extensive, identifying 46 cases of sickle cell anemia-thalassemia among over 99,000 people tested. Pension eligibility is based on disability certificates, benefiting those severely affected by the condition.

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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an MoU with Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT Delhi) to enhance road safety using AI-based solutions to improve road sign availability on national highways. The project will cover approximately 25,000 km. IIIT Delhi will conduct surveys to collect imagery and data on road sign conditions along selected highway stretches.

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The Hemis Festival, celebrating Tibetan Buddhism, occurs annually in Ladakh, India. In 2024, it celebrated on June 16th and 17th. Known as Hemis Tsechu, it commemorates Guru Padmasambhava’s birth anniversary. The two-day event fills Hemis Monastery, Ladakh’s largest Buddhist monastery, with vibrant colors, music, and spiritual energy, making it a significant cultural celebration.

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Anthropic has launched its latest AI model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, part of the upcoming Claude 3.5 series. This large language model excels in visual reasoning, outperforming previous models like Claude 3 Opus. Claude 3.5 Sonnet is noted for its speed, visual data analysis, and accurate transcription of imperfect images. It sets new benchmarks in coding proficiency, reasoning, and knowledge, and excels in writing high-quality, relatable content.

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Odisha government over unpaid compensation for a custodial death. From 2017 to 2022, India reported over 660 custodial deaths, with Gujarat having the highest at 80. Constitutional safeguards include Articles 14 and 21, while legal safeguards encompass Sections 330, 331 IPC, and 176 Cr.P.C. NHRC guidelines and Supreme Court rulings further protect detainees, ensuring prompt reporting and proper arrest procedures.

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The NSO released the “Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2011-12 to 2022-23).” Key highlights include agriculture’s 18.2% share of GVA in 2022-23. Sub-sector contributions are Crop (54.3%), Livestock (30.9%), Forestry (7.9%), and Fishing (6.9%). From 2011-12 to 2022-23, Crop’s share declined from 62.4% to 54.3%, while Livestock, Forestry, and Fishing output increased significantly.