Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) recently sanctioned a study on the impact evaluation of Geographical Indication (GI) products to Symbiosis School of Economics. A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. The protection of intellectual property through laws will help to reap benefits in terms of economic growth, employment and income generation.

Notes:
Vinay Vir, the esteemed journalist, publisher, and editor of Daily Hindi Milap, known for championing Hindi in the South, passed away at 72. His impactful management and editing elevated Hindi’s presence. Born into a family of freedom fighters, Vinay Vir was a dedicated advocate for Hindi’s growth. Secretary of the Yudhvir Foundation, he honored achievers. His legacy remains intertwined with the advancement of Hindi and the recognition of talent.

Notes:
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approves renovation of Kankesanthurai Port, funded entirely by India. The port, located in the Northern Province, spans about 16 acres and is 104 km from Karaikal Port in Puducherry, India. The decision underscores efforts to enhance connectivity and infrastructure in the region. Additionally, a direct passenger ship service links Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai, covering 111 km in around three and a half hours.

Notes:
Kundan Green Energy secures approval for a 42 MW hydropower venture in Okhali, Uttarakhand, as part of an 80 MW agreement with the state government with an investment of Rs 1,000 Crore. It targets completion by 2028, boosting the company’s hydropower capacity to 270 MW from 104 MW. A subsidiary of Kundan Group, it’s committed to India’s renewable energy goal of 500 GW by 2030, employing sustainable practices for a greener future.

Notes:
Invest India projects India’s e-commerce to reach $325 billion by 2030, driven by 500 million consumers and widespread internet access. It anticipates India becoming the 3rd largest online retail market by 2030. The agency, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, revealed in 2022, e-commerce was worth $70 billion, constituting 7% of retail.

Notes:
Dubai is developing the world’s largest airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, under Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s leadership. With a capacity for 260 million passengers annually, it will feature 400 terminal gates and five parallel runways. Beyond transportation, it aims to integrate into urban life, commerce, and global trade, positioning itself as the “world’s airport” within Dubai South. This ambitious project underscores Dubai’s dedication to innovation and global connectivity.

Notes:
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu, signed an MoU with Nepal’s Auditor General, Toyam Raya, in Kathmandu. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the auditing institutions of both countries, facilitating the exchange of expertise and professional capacity-building in public sector auditing. During his visit, Murmu met Nepal’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, along with discussions on mutual cooperation in public sector audit with the Chairman of Nepal’s Public Accounts Committee.

Notes:
India and the Netherlands held the 12th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in The Hague on May 2, 2024. The consultations were led by Shri Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The meeting was a chance to evaluate progress since the last FOC in New Delhi in December 2022. During the meeting, India and the Netherlands agreed to strengthen their bilateral ties by focusing on new technologies like green hydrogen and semiconductors.

Notes:
India will acquire MQ-9B Predator drones from the US, deploying them in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, it’s a high-altitude, long-endurance armed UAV. Used by the US for surveillance and airstrikes, it has two variants: SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian. The latter has been utilized by the Indian Navy since 2020.

Notes:
Catatumbo lightning, a natural phenomenon over Venezuela’s Catatumbo River, occurs due to warm Caribbean air meeting cooler Andean air, creating towering cumulonimbus clouds charged with electricity. Lake Maracaibo’s proximity to the Andes and the Caribbean enhances this phenomenon. With up to 160 nights of lightning annually and 28 strikes per minute at its peak, the region earns the title “the lightning capital of the world.” Lake Maracaibo is Latin America’s largest and one of the oldest lakes.