Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
The Chinese Pond Heron, usually in northeastern states, Rajasthan, and Bhutan, was recently spotted for the first time in Uttarakhand. Experts noted no prior records of its presence there. It chose the Kotdwar area of Lansdowne forest for breeding, suggesting favorable environmental conditions. Known for its distinctive appearance, the heron is fairly common in East Asia’s wetlands. This sighting expands its known range, emphasizing the significance of preserving diverse habitats for migratory species.

Notes:
Kabak Yano, a mountaineer and cricketer, made history as the first Nyishi tribe woman and fifth woman from Arunachal Pradesh to scale Mt. Everest. The Nyishi, the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh, primarily reside in eight districts and parts of Assam. With a population of around 300,000, they practice slash-and-burn agriculture and excel in various handicrafts. Religiously, they follow Christianity, Hinduism, and the indigenous Donyi Polo.

Notes:
The Ministry of Ayush and the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) hosted a program in New Delhi to enhance collaborations between the insurance sector and Ayush healthcare providers. The event, attended by CEOs and CMDs of insurance companies and Ayush hospital owners, aims to improve the accessibility and affordability of Ayush treatments. Key figures emphasized the commitment to making healthcare affordable, accessible, and high-quality.

Notes:
A new dispute has emerged between Russia and Estonia over the removal of navigation markers on the Narva River, part of their shared border. The Narva River basin, located in the Baltic Sea basin, spans eastern Estonia and northwest Russia. Key transboundary water bodies include Lake Peipsi and the Narva reservoir, with the river connecting Lake Peipsi to the Gulf of Finland.

Notes:
The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER) signed an MoU on MRI and Linear Accelerator technology transfer with industry. The Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is used for cancer treatment through external beam radiation. It accelerates electrons using microwave technology to produce high-energy x-rays that target and destroy cancer cells. SAMEER is an autonomous R&D lab in Mumbai under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Notes:
The Prime Minister meditate for 48 hours at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, marking the end of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The memorial, built in 1970 to honor Swami Vivekananda, is on a small island off Kanyakumari where the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea meet. It features the ‘Shripada Mandapam,’ ‘Vivekananda Mandapam,’ and a life-sized bronze statue of Vivekananda.

Notes:
Recently, a Himalayan serow was spotted in Nameri National Park, resembling a blend of goat, donkey, cow, and pig. Serows are herbivores, typically inhabiting altitudes between 2,000 to 4,000 meters in the Himalayas. The Himalayan serow, a subspecies of the mainland serow, is vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List. Nameri Tiger Reserve, situated in Assam’s Sonitpur district, encompasses the park and is contiguous with Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.

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:
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.