Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
Former Indian cricketer David Jude Johnson tragically passed away after falling from his fourth-floor apartment balcony in Kothanur, Bengaluru. A respected figure in domestic cricket, Johnson, originally from Arsikere, Hassan, had made his Test debut for India against Australia in 1996. His untimely demise has left a void in the cricketing community, mourning the loss of a talented player and beloved individual.

Notes:
A Pakistani delegation recently arrived in Jammu to discuss the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with India. Signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ayub Khan, and brokered by the World Bank, the treaty regulates the distribution of the Indus River system’s waters. India received waters from the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, while Pakistan received waters from the Chenab, Indus, and Jhelum rivers. The Permanent Indus Commission oversees the treaty’s implementation.

Notes:
Srinagar, the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir, has been designated as a “World Craft City” by the World Crafts Council. This recognition, shared by the Office of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, highlights the city’s skilled and dedicated artisans. The award honors and aims to protect Srinagar’s unique traditional crafts, showcasing their global admiration and cultural richness.

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:
Historians and enthusiasts are restoring Srikakulam’s ancient history in Andhra Pradesh. Known for its prominent Buddhist sites like Dantapuri and Salihundam, Neolithic-era caves, and ancient temples, Srikakulam was once part of the Kalinga Dynasty and later ruled by the Gajapati Kingdom, Eastern Chalukyas, Kakatiya, and Vijayanagara empires. Key sites include the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli and the Srimukhalingam Temple by the Vamsadhara River.

Notes:
Jaipur Military Station is now the second in India to have a road made of plastic waste, inaugurated on June 26, 2024, by Major General R. S. Godara. The 100-meter road, built under GE (South) and CE Jaipur Zone with Deep Constructions Pvt Ltd, follows the first plastic road at Narangi Military Station, Assam. These roads are more durable, with less wear and tear, reduced water induction, and increased sustainability.

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:
Recently, the Australian government signed an $18 million MoU with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, as part of the Space MAITRI mission. This initiative strengthens bilateral ties in space exploration, focusing on debris management and sustainability. NSIL will launch Australia’s Space Machines Company’s Optimus spacecraft in 2026 on ISRO’s SSLV, marking a significant collaboration in space technology and fostering responsible space operations between India and Australia.

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.