Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Researchers discovered two new fish species in Nagaland: Garra zubzaensis and Psilorhynchus kosygini. These are torrent minnows, small freshwater fish found in fast-flowing streams. Garra zubzaensis was found in the Zubza River, a Brahmaputra tributary in Kohima, with its habitat being fast-flowing, rocky streams. Psilorhynchus kosygini was discovered in the Tepuiki River, a Barak River tributary in Peren, thriving in fast-flowing, shaded waters. Both species are adapted to strong currents, using sucker-like structures to cling to surfaces and forage in rocky habitats

Notes:
ESA will launch a satellite called DRACO (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object) mission in 2027 to study satellite disintegration during reentry. DRACO aims to help reduce space debris by collecting data on how satellites break apart. The mission will also study the environmental impact of reentry, including material interactions with the atmosphere.Deimos, a European company, will build the 200-kilogram satellite. DRACO will carry a 40-centimetre capsule with cameras and sensors to record data during reentry. The capsule will parachute down after reentry, sending crucial information before being lost at sea.

Notes:
Kerala has achieved the top rank in the Urban Governance Index (UGI), a study by the Praja Foundation assessing cities in India. Scoring 59.31 out of 100, it excelled in fiscal empowerment and local governance. The state’s commitment to decentralized planning has been acknowledged, despite challenges in city administration empowerment. Odisha followed in second place with a score of 55.10, highlighting the competitive nature of urban governance across India.

Notes:
Mount Erebus, Antarctica’s second-largest volcano, is unexpectedly spewing gold dust, surprising scientists. Typically, the volcano releases steam, gases, and rocks, but now tiny crystallized gold particles are also emerging. These particles have been found 621 miles from the volcano, valued at around $6,000 (Rs 5 lakh). NASA scientists suggest molten rock brought the gold particles to the surface, crystallizing in Antarctica’s sub-zero temperatures. While other volcanoes produce gold in gas or liquid form, Mount Erebus uniquely releases solid gold particles carried by the wind.

Notes:
BharatGen was inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi as a generative AI aimed at improving public service delivery and citizen engagement. It is the world’s first government-funded multimodal large language model, focusing on developing efficient and inclusive AI in Indian languages. The project will take two years to complete and will benefit government, private, educational, and research institutions. BharatGen will support both text and speech, ensuring representation of India’s diverse languages and cultures. Its roadmap includes milestones up to July 2026 and aims to scale AI adoption across various sectors.

Notes:
INSV Tarini sailed for the Navika Sagar Parikrama II, flagged off by Chief of Naval Staff Adm Dinesh K Tripathi on October 2, 2024. This is the first global circumnavigation by Indian women in double-handed mode, showcasing India’s maritime strength and commitment to women empowerment. INSV Tarini, inducted in 2017, has covered over 66,000 nautical miles and participated in several key expeditions. The vessel is equipped with advanced navigation, safety, and communication systems. The officers trained for over three years, with guidance from Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd), preparing for this challenging voyage.

Notes:
The INS Tir, along with INS Shardul and ICGS Veera, visited Bandar Abbas, Iran, as part of India’s First Training Squadron. This deployment aims to enhance maritime security and cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Iranian Navy. Activities include professional exchanges and Maritime Partnership Exercises (MPX). The visit reflects India’s commitment to its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, fostering stronger ties with regional partners. Previous interactions included Iranian naval ships visiting Mumbai, emphasizing ongoing naval diplomacy and training collaboration in the Persian Gulf region.

Notes:
Swiss police arrested four people linked to the death of a 64-year-old American woman who used a “suicide pod” called Sarco on September 23, 2024. Euthanasia involves a doctor administering a lethal drug, while assisted dying allows individuals to self-administer a lethal substance with medical support. The Sarco Pod, euthanasia device, created by Dr. Philip Nitschke, is designed for peaceful and controlled assisted suicide. It promotes “death with dignity,” but its legal status varies by location. The pod is portable, enabling individuals to end their lives autonomously without medical help.

Notes:
The Meghalaya government signed an MoU with The/Nudge Institute to support 50,000 vulnerable households, focusing on single mothers. The partnership aims at social inclusion, financial inclusion, livelihood promotion, and social protection. They will provide livelihood coaching and support through a dedicated community cadre for the poorest households. The initiative will use technology-based tools for efficient implementation and create social protection frameworks. The partnership was announced during the North-East Conclave in Shillong, which highlighted collaborative efforts to address the needs of vulnerable communities, with presentations from other states.

Notes:
The Prime Minister launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in Jharkhand with an outlay of about Rs 80,000 crore. It aims to develop 63,843 tribal villages, benefiting over 5 crore people across 30 states/UTs. The scheme addresses gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions by 17 ministries. The total outlay is Rs. 79,156 crore, with Rs. 56,333 crore from the central government. It builds on the success of PM-JANMAN, launched in 2023, which focuses on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).