Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
India has become the world’s third largest producer and consumer of ethanol, primarily derived from sugarcane. The Food and Public Distribution Minister, Pralhad Joshi, highlighted that sugarcane cultivation increased by 18% over the last decade, contributing to a 40% rise in sugar production. The government’s support through Minimum Support Price has improved farmers’ income, positioning them as vital contributors to the renewable energy landscape, alongside initiatives like the national green hydrogen mission aimed at boosting India’s energy independence.

Notes:
Gulveer Singh, a 26-year-old Indian athlete, won gold in the 5,000m race at the World Athletics Continental Tour in Japan. He set a new national record of 13 minutes and 11.82 seconds, breaking his earlier record of 13 minutes and 18.92 seconds. Earlier in March, he set the 10,000m national record in California with a time of 27 minutes and 41.81 seconds.
His effort broke Surender Singh’s 16-year-old record. Despite his achievements, Gulveer missed the Paris Olympic qualification time by over 41 seconds.

Notes:
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann was recently diagnosed with leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease affecting humans and animals, transmitted through contact with infected animal urine or contaminated environments. It can enter the body through cuts or mucous membranes. The World Health Organization recognizes it as a significant public health concern, especially in tropical regions. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and in severe cases, liver damage.

Notes:
The Indian government launched the NAMASTE programme to support sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) and mechanize sewer cleaning. Over 38,000 workers have been profiled, with 68.9% from Scheduled Castes, 14.7% from Other Backward Classes, and 8.3% from Scheduled Tribes. The programme aims to prevent deaths caused by hazardous manual cleaning, with 377 deaths recorded between 2019 and 2023. Profiling has been completed in 12 states and Union Territories, with approximately 100,000 SSWs across India. Rs 2.26 crore in capital subsidies has been disbursed to 191 beneficiaries for self-employment projects.

Notes:
The Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 is an Indian-origin vehicle undergoing final assembly in Casablanca, Morocco, as part of a strategic partnership between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces. This light armoured vehicle can transport troops and perform various roles, including medical evacuation and surveillance. The Moroccan facility marks a significant step in local defence manufacturing and aims to enhance Morocco’s self-reliance while also creating local employment opportunities.

Notes:
Tsetse flies, genus Glossina, are found in 34 African countries, according to a new atlas by FAO. These blood-sucking insects give birth to larvae that pupate in the soil. Tsetse flies are classified into three groups: fusca (forest), morsitans (savanna), and palpalis (riverine). They inhabit areas along rivers, lakes, and dense forests, including rainforests. They transmit Trypanosoma parasites, causing sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in livestock. Nagana leads to billions of dollars in agricultural losses annually. Tsetse flies range from Northern Senegal to South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal province.

Notes:
NASA cancelled the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission due to delays and high costs. VIPER was fully assembled and partially tested before cancellation. It was a NASA mission to explore the Moon’s south pole for water ice and other resources. VIPER was part of the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, involving India. India missed an opportunity by approving Chandrayaan-4’s sample-return mission after VIPER’s cancellation.

Notes:
A peak in Arunachal Pradesh was named ‘Tsangyang Gyatso Peak’ after the 6th Dalai Lama, causing China to object. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet” and calls the region “Zangnan.” Tsangyang Gyatso was born in Tawang and lived in the 17th-18th century. India views the naming as a tribute to his wisdom and contributions to the Monpa community.
The National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) scaled the 6,383-metre peak, navigating steep ice walls and crevasses. The peak is located in the Gorichen range of the Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas.

Notes:
Pfizer announced it will withdraw its sickle cell disease therapy, Oxbryta, from global markets due to new clinical data linking it to fatal events. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder caused by flawed hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin carries oxygen in red blood cells (RBCs). In SCD, hemoglobin S distorts RBCs into a sickle shape, making them rigid and unable to move easily through blood vessels. This blockage disrupts blood flow and interferes with oxygen delivery to body tissues, leading to various health complications.

Notes:
The Conference on Maritime Decarbonization in India, co-hosted by the Ministry of Ports and the Asian Development Bank, concluded in New Delhi. It emphasized the importance of green shipping and sustainable port operations. It aimed to align India’s maritime sector with global climate goals, discussing initiatives like the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines and the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. This reflects India’s commitment to transforming its maritime industry for a sustainable future.