Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Scientists discovered the world’s oldest inhabited termite mounds in Namaqualand, South Africa. Known as ‘heuweltjies’ in Afrikaans, these mounds host the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator. Radiocarbon dating reveals organic carbon dating back 13,000 to 19,000 years, and carbonate dating up to 34,000 years. These mounds are the oldest with both organic and inorganic carbon, formed during a wetter climate that allowed minerals like calcite and gypsum to dissolve, enriching groundwater.

Notes:
Indian botanists discovered two new plant species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. Dendrophthoe longensis, an aerial stem-parasitic plant, was found on mango trees in the evergreen forests of the Andamans. Petrocosmea arunachalense, a small, white, and hairy herb with purple blotches, was discovered in a cave in Arunachal Pradesh. It is only the second known Petrocosmea species in India.

Notes:
Indian wrestlers secured 11 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze) at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championship 2024 in Amman, Jordan, held from June 22-24. They competed in men’s and women’s freestyle and men’s Greco-Roman categories across 10 weight divisions per format. The event precedes the ongoing U-23 championship. The 2023 championship took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Notes:
In Ladakh, the Indian Army opened the Khalubar War Memorial to tourists as a tribute to Kargil War heroes, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26. Located in Aryan Valley, Ladakh the memorial honors the bravery of soldiers like Captain Manoj Pandey. Local residents also played a crucial role in the war. Pre-Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations included a “Trek to Battle Site” led by Brig OP Yadav (Retd).

Notes:
Flood-affected children in Assam will receive a ‘school in a box’ in 167 relief camps to continue their education. The initiative, aimed at children aged 6 to 18, helps them cope with trauma from losing homes or family members. Each camp will get a UNICEF-designed child-friendly space (CFS) kit with notebooks and learning materials. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority is training officials to maximize the kits’ utility and reduce children’s mental stress.

Notes:
Since 2017, June 27 has been observed as Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) Day, recognizing the sector’s role in economic development and employment. MSMEs account for 90% of businesses, 60-70% of employment, and 50% of GDP globally. The United Nations General Assembly established MSME Day on April 6, 2017. The 2024 theme is “MSMEs and the SDG,” focusing on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Notes:
UNODC released its Annual World Drug Report (2024) on World Drug Day, June 26th, aiming to combat drug abuse and trafficking globally. The report highlights a rise in illicit drug use, with 292 million users worldwide by 2022. Cannabis remains the most abused drug, followed by opioids and others. Regions like the Triple Frontier and Golden Triangle face significant criminal activity. Legalization efforts in Canada, Uruguay, and parts of the US are noted, alongside environmental impacts of drug-related activities.

Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has launched the AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard, ranking 174 countries on their readiness to adopt AI technologies. Categories include Low-Income Countries (LIC), Emerging Market Economies (EM), and Advanced Economies (AE). Singapore, Denmark, and the United States lead the AE category, while India, an EM, ranks 72nd with a score of 0.49. China ranks 31st with a score of 0.63, reflecting its higher readiness compared to neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a new school curriculum chapter on the Emergency of 1975-77, highlighting the “excesses and repression” during that period. This aims to educate the younger generation about the struggle against the Emergency. Additional benefits for ‘Loktantra Senanis’ include air ambulances for serious health issues, fare discounts, state honors for funerals, and increased funeral financial support from ₹8,000 to ₹10,000. Employment training will also be provided to their families.