Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the “One Week One Theme” (OWOT) campaign to highlight India’s recent successes in science and technology. Aimed at integrating CSIR lab efforts, the initiative promotes innovation and benefits citizens by creating employment opportunities and empowering MSMEs, startups, and researchers. The launch saw 24 technology transfers and product launches. The campaign aligns with PM Modi’s vision to extend scientific benefits beyond labs to improve living standards.

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:
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:
Paraguay has become the 100th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by officially handing over its Instrument of Ratification in New Delhi. The ISA, co-founded by India and France during the 2015 COP21, promotes global solar energy deployment. The alliance now has 119 signatories, with 100 ratified members. The ISA aims to implement the Paris Climate Agreement through extensive solar energy adoption.

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:
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:
Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy has been awarded the 2024 PEN Pinter Literary Prize for her courageous writing. This honor comes shortly after the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi sanctioned her prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The award ceremony will be held in October in London. Previous winners include Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood. The PEN Pinter Award, established in 2009, recognizes exceptional English-language writers from the UK, Ireland, or the Commonwealth.

Notes:
India participated in the CLGF Annual Board meeting in Sri Lanka, focusing on “Reinforcing Social Resilience through Women’s Political Representation.” CLGF, headquartered in London since 1995, unites local governments and ministries across 56 Commonwealth nations, including India. It advocates for gender equality in local governance to support women’s active participation in public life, aligning with SDG 5 goals.

Notes:
South Korea, the US, and Japan launched their inaugural trilateral multi-domain exercise, Freedom Edge, on South Korea’s Jeju Island. The three-day exercise aims to enhance security cooperation amid North Korea’s strengthened ties with Russia. Activities include ballistic missile defense, air defense, antisubmarine warfare, search and rescue, maritime interdiction, and defensive cyber training. This follows a recent summit where North Korea and Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty, including military support clauses.