Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
Indonesia’s Ibu volcano, located on Halmahera island in the Maluku Islands, erupted, sending ash 5 km high. The country’s volcanology agency issued a warning. Ibu is a stratovolcano known for its steep slopes and explosive eruptions. It stands approximately 1,325 meters tall with a base diameter of 10 kilometers. Situated in Indonesia’s eastern region, Halmahera is the largest island in the Maluku archipelago.

Notes:
The 4th Joint Committee meeting for AITIGA review convened in Putrajaya, Malaysia from 7-9 May 2024. AITIGA, signed in 2009, is a trade pact between ASEAN and India, effective since 2010, commonly known as the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement. Focused on physical goods, it excludes services, with a separate ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement established in 2014 during the 7th ASEAN Economic Ministers-India Consultations in Bangkok, Thailand.

Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) partnered with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd for two Pilot Projects under the Drone Didi Yojana. Launched to empower women in agriculture, it aims to train 15,000 women in drone operation for tasks like crop monitoring and seeding. The projects will run at Noida and Hyderabad Centers, training 500 rural women in drone flying, data analysis, and maintenance.

Notes:
The Giant Shrike, Lanius giganteus, was sighted near Bum La pass and Sangetsar Lake in Arunachal Pradesh, marking its first sighting in India. Endemic to the Indian sub-continent, it frequents high elevations with stunted shrubs like rhododendron. During winter, it descends to lower elevations. This large, long-tailed shrike exhibits dark gray upperparts, white underparts, a black mask, and striking white patches in the wings and tail.

Notes:
Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi died at 72 recently. He disclosed his battle with cancer in April, opting out of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections due to health concerns. Born on January 5, 1952, he commenced his political career as a student activist at Patna University, holding the position of general secretary of the Students’ Union in 1973.

Notes:
In 2023, global internal displacement rose to 75.9 million from 71.1 million the year before, as per the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024) by the Geneva-based IDMC. The report cites 7.7 million displaced by disasters, a quarter due to earthquakes, and 68.3 million by conflict. Sudan, Syria, DRC, Colombia, and Yemen house nearly half of IDPs. Sudan alone records 9.1 million IDPs, with new displacements concentrated in Sudan, Palestinian territories, and DRC.

Notes:
Tele MANAS, an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, offers free tele-mental health services nationwide, with 23 centers of excellence. Calls from ages 15–30 have surged, citing sleep issues, stress, low mood, fear of failure, and parental concerns. Nodal center: National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), supported by International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB).

Notes:
Marble mined in Ambaji, Gujarat, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Central Government. Known as Ambaji White Marble, it is renowned for its pristine white color with unique gray or beige veining. This marble is durable, long-lasting, and has a smooth, polished surface, making it popular for luxury architectural projects, sculptures, and monuments.

Notes:
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched Swachhata Pakhwada from May 16 to 31, 2024, under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Initiated in April 2016, this initiative focuses on cleanliness and sustainability by engaging central government ministries and departments. Ministries, termed ‘Swachhata Ministries,’ follow a pre-circulated annual calendar and are monitored via Swachhata Samiksha to ensure significant improvements.

Notes:
The UAE introduces the 10-year Blue Residency Visa for environmental champions, aiming to attract global leaders in sustainability. Successful applicants include researchers, activists, and members of environmental organizations. This initiative aligns with the Year of Sustainability and COP28’s goals, showcasing the UAE’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The visa complements existing programs like the Golden and Green Visas, extending long-term residency to investors and skilled professionals. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber lauds the initiative, strengthening the UAE’s global sustainability leadership.