Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
New research reveals Australia’s pink garnet sand originated from Antarctic mountains. Garnet, a deep red mineral formed in high-temperature conditions, is rare in beach sand due to wave erosion. Found in metamorphic and igneous rocks, garnets are often opaque to translucent. Australia produces nearly half of the world’s garnets, used in abrasives, grinding wheels, and decorative applications. Garnet-rich sand typically also contains epidote and magnetite.

Notes:
For the first time, 11 candidates from the 2024 Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections requested verification of the “burnt memory” of EVMs and VVPATs. This option, provided by the Supreme Court in April, requires candidates to cover verification costs, refundable if tampering is found. “Burnt memory” refers to the permanent storage in these devices, containing votes, machine configuration, and printed vote records for integrity verification.

Notes:
Union Health Minister and Family Welfare JP Nadda launched the National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024, aiming for zero child deaths from diarrhoea. The two-month drive involves distributing ORS packets and zinc to children under five. Initiatives like the National Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have reduced childhood diarrhoea deaths. Emphasis is on sensitizing health workers and enhancing diarrhoea management. Officials are urged to focus on cleanliness and prevention targets.

Notes:
Child Rights and You (CRY) launched “Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai” to enhance girls’ school attendance nationwide. In India, female literacy rates lag behind males, with significant dropout rates in rural areas before fifth grade. However, rural women’s literacy has risen by 26% in the last decade. Girls’ gross enrolment ratios at elementary, secondary, and higher secondary levels surpass boys’. The initiative aims to bridge educational disparities and empower more girls through increased participation in schools.

Notes:
Russia has approved a draft logistics agreement with India, advancing military cooperation under the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS). This agreement aims to streamline logistics support for joint military operations, providing facilities for troops, warships, and aircraft during peacetime and wartime missions. It enhances India’s maritime influence, supports Arctic research collaboration, and helps balance logistics agreements with Quad countries, countering regional influences from the US and China.

Notes:
Om Birla has been re-elected as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, defeating opposition candidate K Suresh in the first test of strength for the new Modi government. This marks Birla’s second term as Speaker, making him the sixth person to hold the position twice.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has proposed to acquire 10 TAPAS drones, officially known as Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance Beyond Horizon-201, or Tapas BH-201. Developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, these medium-altitude, long-endurance drones, previously called Rustom-II, fulfill the tri-services’ Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Tracking & Reconnaissance (ISTAR) needs. Capable of operating day and night at 30,000 feet with a 24-hour endurance, they feature a 250 km range, carry up to 350 kg payloads, and include advanced surveillance and radar technologies.

Notes:
Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, known as the “City of Knives,” has crafted the renowned Rampuri chaku since the 18th century. These blades, symbols of artisanship and royal patronage, are made from high-quality steel, paired with handles of bone, horn, or ivory, intricately carved into pieces of art. Despite a 1990s ban on longer blades to reduce violence, Rampur artisans adapt legally, preserving their craft’s legacy. This resilience highlights Rampur’s cultural heritage and commitment to craftsmanship.

Notes:
NASA recently observed gigantic jets over the Himalayan Mountains. These rare and powerful lightning phenomena extend from the top of a cloud to the edge of space, differing from regular cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning. Documented only in the 21st century, the bottoms of gigantic jets resemble blue jets, while the tops look like red sprites. This discovery adds to our understanding of atmospheric phenomena.

Notes:
India, the largest remittance recipient globally, is expected to receive 124 billion in inward remittances in 2024 and 129 billion in 2025. In 2023, India received $120 billion, marking a 7.5% growth rate, projected to be 3.7% in 2024. The World Bank’s June 2024 Migration and Development Brief highlights these trends, noting India as the leading emigrant origin country with 18.7 million emigrants.