Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Jordan has become the first country globally to eliminate leprosy, with the World Health Organisation confirming this milestone. This success is attributed to extensive public health campaigns, early detection initiatives, and free treatment programs. Community education played a crucial role in raising awareness and preventing the spread of this historically significant disease. Despite this achievement, Jordanian health officials emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring to avert potential future outbreaks of leprosy.

Notes:
Two people died due to a boundary wall collapse near Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, following heavy rainfall.
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and located on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and dates back to at least the 6th century BC, though it was reconstructed in the 18th century.
The five-storied temple features architecture influenced by Chalukya, Maratha, and Bhumija styles. The temple houses sculptures of Lord Shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, and Karttikeya and includes a tank built in sarvatobhadra style.

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:
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:
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:
The World Bank’s latest World Development Report focuses on the middle-income (MI) trap, highlighting that it may take nearly 75 years for economies currently in this trap to progress. Since 1987, the World Bank has classified economies into four categories: high income, upper middle income, lower middle income, and low income. While high-income countries have doubled from 41 to 86, low-income countries have reduced from 49 to 26. Currently, there are 108 middle-income countries, making up 75% of the global population and contributing about 38% of global GDP.

Notes:
Food Corporation of India (FCI) selected Coforge Limited as the system integrator for its digital transformation project, Anna DARPAN. The project aims to streamline and improve supply chain management with an interactive, user-friendly design. It will use data analytics to support strategic and operational decisions. The system will integrate with internal and external systems, prioritizing mobile access.

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:
The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, launched in 2021, targets the remediation of all legacy landfills in India by 2025-2026. As of now, 474 out of 2,421 legacy landfills have been cleared, reclaiming over 2,617 acres of land for alternate uses such as parks and integrated waste management projects. Cities like Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Pune, and Lucknow are transforming these sites, showcasing the mission’s impact on urban development and environmental sustainability.

Notes:
Maharashtra government granted indigenous cow breeds the title of ‘Rajyamata-Gomata’ for their cultural and agricultural significance. The decision was made by the Cabinet led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ahead of the state elections. The statement highlighted the cow’s importance in Indian culture since the Vedic period. Native cows’ milk, cow dung, and urine are valued in Ayurveda, Panchgavya treatment, and organic farming. The move officially recognizes the significant role of indigenous cows in these areas.