Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

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:
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:
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:
A five-member Pakistan delegation and World Bank experts toured the Ratle power project, a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2006, Pakistan has raised technical objections, seeking international arbitration, which India rejected. Under the Indus Water Treaty, India has rights over the run-of-the-river waters in Jammu and Kashmir and full rights over Punjab’s rivers. India asserts its compliance with the treaty.

Notes:
India’s largest leopard safari has opened at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Karnataka. Covering 20 hectares, the safari houses eight leopards, with plans to increase this number. The area is secured with railway barricades and enclosed with 4.5-meter-tall chain-link mesh and mild steel sheets to ensure the leopards remain within the boundaries.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The Russian Black Sea Fleet recently launched Kalibr cruise missiles, targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. Kalibr missiles, developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey, can be launched from various platforms and serve anti-ship, anti-submarine, and land attack roles. They vary in size, ranging from 1,300 kg to 2,300 kg, with ranges spanning 200 km to 2500 km. Featuring advanced guidance systems and high explosive warheads, Kalibr missiles can accelerate to supersonic speeds to evade defenses in the terminal phase.

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.

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.