Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
Next month, on June 3, six planets—Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will align in the sky. This alignment, an optical illusion of perspective, will be visible from Earth. Mars and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye, though dimly, while Uranus and Neptune will require telescopes or binoculars. Mercury and Jupiter will be hard to see due to their proximity to the Sun. Planetary alignment refers to the illusion of planets forming a line in space when viewed from a specific vantage point, rather than being perfectly aligned. This optical phenomenon offers a unique celestial spectacle, highlighting the dynamic interactions within our solar system.

Notes:
Mount Ibu, an active stratovolcano on Halmahera Island, Indonesia, recently erupted, ejecting ash 4 km high with purple lightning around its crater. Indonesia, part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” with 127 active volcanoes, often experiences such events. Stratovolcanoes, like Ibu, are characterized by conical shapes formed by layers of volcanic material. They rise sharply near the summit and are common in subduction zones, such as the Andes Mountains.

Notes:
Arti, an 18-year-old E-rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, received the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award from King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. She arrived in her Pink E-rickshaw, provided under UP’s Mission Shakti scheme. Sponsored by Prince Trust International, the award recognizes young women’s achievements despite challenges. Named after barrister Amal Clooney, it honors Arti’s work inspiring girls in her community through the Pink E-rickshaw initiative.

Notes:
Haryana government faces backlash over e-initiatives, turning into an election issue. Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) and Meri Fasal Mera Byora draw criticism. PPP suffers privacy concerns and discrepancies, causing inconvenience. Meri Fasal Mera Byora, though beneficial, suffers from poor implementation and loopholes, leading to fraud and corruption. PPP aims for ‘paperless’ and ‘faceless’ delivery of state benefits, providing unique family IDs. Meri Fasal Mera Byora, launched in 2022, aims to facilitate farmer grievances under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

Notes:
Twelve nations signed the Zero Debris Charter at the ESA/EU Space Council, committing to sustainable human activities in Earth orbit. The European Space Agency (ESA) initiated the Charter in November 2023. It aims to eliminate space debris by 2030 through ambitious technical targets and global cooperation. Although non-binding, it sets key goals like a debris generation probability below 1 in 1,000 per object and 99% post-mission disposal success.

Notes:
Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East announced the Green Airports Recognition (GAR) 2024 results, honoring 12 airports for sustainability achievements. The 2024 theme, Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions, encouraged airports to implement best practices. Efforts included planting trees for carbon reduction, marine life conservation, wetland and ecological restoration, in-house horticulture, and wildlife management strategies to ensure safe operations while preserving biodiversity.

Notes:
The Indian Embassy in Muscat and the National Archives of India (NAI) completed a groundbreaking project archiving historical documents of the Indian diaspora in Oman. Titled “The Oman Collection – Archival Heritage of the Indian Community in Oman,” the project digitized over 7,000 documents from 32 prominent Indian families in Gujarat. Spanning from 1838 to the early 20th century, the collection includes diaries, letters, and photographs, now accessible on NAI’s “Abhilekh Patal” portal.

Notes:
(Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education inaugurated the “Summer Fiesta 2024” at National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi. The month-long camp, from May 29 to June 28, offers over 30 activities for children aged 5-16. Emphasizing the importance of extracurricular activities, Kumar encouraged curiosity and exploration. Workshops include Odissi dance, Yoga, Calligraphy, and Music, providing diverse opportunities for skill development.

Notes:
Japanese researchers have developed the world’s first wooden satellite, Lignosat, in collaboration with NASA and JAXA. This tiny cuboid craft, made from resilient magnolia wood, will be launched by a SpaceX rocket. Lignosat aims to reduce space clutter and promote environmentally friendly space activities. Unlike traditional aluminium satellites, Lignosat will burn harmlessly upon re-entry, preventing harmful particle release and allowing electromagnetic waves to pass through easily.

Notes:
Indian mountaineer Satyadeep Gupta achieved a historic feat by becoming the first person to climb Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse twice in one season. He also set the record for the fastest traverse from Mount Everest to Mount Lhotse, completing it in 11 hours and 15 minutes. Accompanied by guides, Gupta summited Mount Everest on May 21, followed by Mount Lhotse on May 22, marking the first Double Dual Ascent in a single season.