Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
A female elephant recently died from electrocution near a tribal colony close to Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala’s Thrissur district. Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1958, covers 125 sq. km in Thrissur. It is located in the catchment area of Peechi and Vazhani Dams and is part of the Palapilli-Nelliampathy forests. The terrain varies in altitude from 100 to 914 meters, with Ponmudi as the highest peak. The sanctuary has tropical forests, 50+ orchid species, rare medicinal plants, and valuable trees like teak.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the National Legal Services Authority launched SARTHIE 1.0 to empower disadvantaged communities like Scheduled Castes, Transgenders, and Nomadic Tribes. The initiative aims to raise awareness and provide legal support to promote effective access to social welfare schemes. It facilitates collaboration between the executive and judiciary to advance social justice. NALSA, established under the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, provides free legal services to eligible individuals and organizes Lok Adalats.

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NITI Aayog launched the first State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in Telangana. It was done in collaboration with WE Hub and the state government. The platform supports women entrepreneurs by tackling issues like lack of finance and mentorship. It focuses on digital skills, financial services, and market connections. Over 30,000 women entrepreneurs and 400 mentors are part of the platform. WE Hub will lead WEP-related activities in the state.

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Dhananjaya M.V., a principal scientist at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, received the Kalaiah Krishnamurthy National Award for his significant contributions to developing gummy stem blight-resistant varieties of bottle gourd. This recognition highlights the importance of agricultural research in enhancing crop resilience and productivity, crucial for India’s agricultural development. The award was presented during the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore’s foundation day celebrations, emphasizing the need for scientific advancements in agriculture.

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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.

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Nine captive-bred pygmy hogs were recently released in Manas National Park, Assam. Pygmy hogs are the smallest and rarest wild pig species globally. They build their own nests, which have a roof, making them unique among mammals. As an indicator species, their presence shows the health of tall, wet grassland habitats. They thrive in undisturbed grasslands with dense grass, herbs, and young trees. The viable wild population is currently in the Manas Tiger Reserve. Pygmy hogs are critically endangered according to the IUCN and are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Manas National Park is located in Assam and is contiguous with Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park.