Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
Mudgal Fort in Karnataka showcases India’s rich historical and cultural heritage, reflecting its architectural, cultural, and historical significance. The fort has a 1,000-year history, linked to the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Bahmani Sultans, and Vijayanagara Empire. It became a strategic battleground between the Vijayanagara Empire and Adil Shahi Sultanate, witnessing 11 battles due to its pivotal location in the fertile, mineral-rich Raichur Doab between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers.

Notes:
Food safety authorities in Denmark recalled three types of South Korean spicy instant noodles due to high capsaicin levels posing “acute poisoning” risks. Capsaicin, found in chili peppers’ placenta, binds to TRPV1 receptors in humans, which detect heat and pain. This triggers a false sensation of burning, causing sweating, a red face, runny nose, teary eyes, and gut cramps as the body attempts to expel the perceived heat.

Notes:
In 2024, Chad became the first country and the 51st globally to eliminate a neglected tropical disease, the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness. HAT is caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by tsetse flies and is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. The gambiense form, found in 24 West and Central African countries, causes chronic illness, while the rhodesiense form, found in 13 East and Southern African countries, causes acute disease.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
According to the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report, gas flaring reached 148 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023, the highest since 2019. Gas flaring, the burning of natural gas during oil extraction, persists due to market constraints, regulatory issues, and political factors. Although flaring safely disposes of gas, it wastes a valuable resource that could be used for power generation or conservation.

Notes:
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that a significant portion of methane gas released from ruptured Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea last September did not reach the atmosphere. Methane, a primary component of natural gas, contributes significantly to global warming. The Baltic Sea, a semi-enclosed sea in Northern Europe, connects several countries and plays a vital role in regional and international maritime trade and transportation.

Notes:
India’s Ministry of Coal launched the country’s inaugural Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) pilot project at the Kasta coal block in Jharkhand’s Jamtara District. Led by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), the initiative seeks to transform coal into methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and dioxide through in-situ gasification. These gases have broad industrial uses, including synthetic natural gas production, fuel and fertilizer synthesis, and explosives manufacturing, aiming to revolutionize India’s coal industry with sustainable applications.

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:
The Tamil Nadu government plans to build a high-level bridge to protect the Pallikaranai Marshland, a freshwater and saline wetland 20 km south of Chennai. As one of Chennai’s last natural wetlands, it serves as an aquatic buffer, draining 250 sq.km through Okkiyam Madavu and Kovalam Creek into the Bay of Bengal. A Ramsar site, it supports diverse species including 115 bird species, Russell’s viper, and the glossy ibis.