Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh has established the world’s first conservation and breeding center for Asian king vultures in Maharajganj district. Named Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre, it aims to revive the critically endangered species, listed since 2007. The vultures face threats from habitat loss and diclofenac poisoning. Currently housing a male-female pair with plans to pair more females, the center monitors them round-the-clock. Once ready, pairs will be released into the wild to bolster their population and ensure their survival.

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World Hydrography Day, observed on June 21, is led by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) since 1921. The IHO coordinates global efforts to survey and chart seas, oceans, and navigable waters. With 100 member states, it promotes uniformity in nautical charts and best practices. India, a member since 1955, operates the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department in Kolkata, central to hydrographic surveys with a modern fleet. The 2024 theme focuses on enhancing marine safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

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The Union Minister of Agriculture urged state governments to encourage farmers to register on the e-Samridhi portal for assured pulse procurement at Minimum Support Prices (MSP). Launched by NAFED and NCCF, the portal allows direct registration or through PACS and FPO. Payments are made directly to farmers’ bank accounts by NAFED. NAFED, an apex marketing cooperative founded in 1958, promotes agricultural trade and is headquartered in New Delhi.

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Sreeja Akula of Hyderabad made history as the first Indian table tennis player to clinch a WTT Contender singles title and also secured the doubles title at WTT Contender Lagos 2024. The event, held in Lagos, Nigeria, from June 19 to 23, offered a prize of USD 80,000. Sreeja defeated China’s Yijie Ding 4-1 in the singles final, showcasing her prowess ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics where she has already qualified.

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Local residents in Dehradun rallied to save 2,000 Sal trees in Khalanga Reserve Forest, prompting the state government to relocate a planned drinking water plant due to public outcry. Environmental activists and locals protested against the felling of trees for the Song Dam drinking water project. Social media campaigns and symbolic acts like tying Raksha-Sutras to trees were employed. The project aims to supply drinking water to 60 wards in Dehradun, costing an estimated Rs. 3,000 crores.

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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.

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Recently, the 350th contract under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) was signed with SpacePixxel Technologies Pvt Ltd for a miniaturized satellite. iDEX, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence, promotes self-reliance and innovation in Defence and Aerospace by engaging MSMEs, start-ups, and R&D institutes. Managed by the Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), it supports innovators through financial aid and technical guidance. iDEX has launched 11 Defence India Start-up Challenges and the ADITI scheme.

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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.

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After 164 years, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India opened its first museum at Chadwick House in Shimla. Inaugurated by CAG GC Murmu, the museum highlights India’s federal audit heritage. Chadwick House, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during the 1946 Cabinet Mission, also housed the first training school for Indian Audit and Accounts Service probationers in 1950. Exhibits include Chanakya writing the Arthashastra.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over the Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR) to the Indian Navy in New Delhi. Developed by DRDO’s Defence Laboratory in Jodhpur, this technology obscures radar signals and creates a microwave shield to reduce radar detection. The chaff rocket uses special fibers with unique microwave obscuration properties, assembled to enhance radar evasion capabilities.