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.

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The Dasra Philanthropy Forum-2024 highlighted the adoption of climate-aligned agricultural practices by tribal communities in southern Rajasthan. Indigenous knowledge and community governance were emphasized, showcasing how these practices prioritize local food production over market-driven economies. The forum featured discussions on strategies for climate-resilient farming systems, which help communities adapt to regional climate changes. Jayesh Joshi from Vaagdhara underscored the importance of tribal initiatives in enhancing sustainability and resilience, while a collection of stories titled “Echoes of Swaraj” was released to showcase transformative practices of these communities.

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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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The 8th edition of Exercise KAZIND takes place from 30th September to 13th October 2024 in Auli, Uttarakhand. It is an annual joint military exercise between India and Kazakhstan. The Indian side will be represented by 120 personnel from the KUMAON Regiment and the Indian Air Force. Kazakhstan’s contingent includes personnel from Land Forces and Airborne Assault Troopers. The exercise aims to enhance joint military capabilities for counterterrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. It focuses on interoperability, tactical drills, and sharing best practices to strengthen defence cooperation and bilateral relations.

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Legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty receives the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022, India’s highest cinema honor. Presented annually at the National Film Awards by the Directorate of Film Festivals, it recognizes outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. The award includes a golden lotus, a ₹10 lakh cash prize, and a shawl. Established by the Government of India to honor Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, the award was first given in 1969 to actress Devika Rani. Dadasaheb Phalke, born in 1870, directed India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913 and made 95 more films in 19 years.

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The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai granted GI tags to eight products from Assam, including ‘Bodo Jou Gwran’, a rice beer variant with about 16.11% alcohol, and ‘Bodo Napham’, a fermented fish dish. The Bodo community has a rich tradition of brewing and consuming rice beer, believing it originated from Lord Shiva.

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NITI Aayog released an Expert Group report titled ‘Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response —A Framework for Action’. The report offers a blueprint for rapid response to future public health emergencies. COVID-19 is not the last pandemic; 75% of future threats could be zoonotic. The report offers a 100-day response plan for pandemics, focusing on governance, data management, and partnerships. India’s efforts during COVID-19, like digital tools and R&D, were highlighted. The report recommends strengthening legislation, surveillance, and capacity-building. It involved consultations with over 60 experts and stakeholders. The framework aims to better prepare and manage future outbreaks effectively.

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Experts report that 430 of the 450 hectares of Albania’s Little Prespa Lake have become swamps or dried up. It is one of Europe’s oldest and highest tectonic lakes, located at the junction of three geological masses: granite, karstic, and Suva Gora. The area contains rocks from the Paleozoic era to the Neogene era. The lake system includes Great Prespa Lake (shared by Albania, Greece, and Macedonia) and Little Prespa Lake, mostly in Greece. Climate change, rising temperatures, and lack of snowfall and rain have significantly impacted the lake.

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A recent herpetofauna survey in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, now called the MTR Masinagudi Division, found rich biodiversity, including species likely new to science. The survey covered habitats at altitudes of 300 to 2,000 meters above sea level. It identified 33 reptile species and 36 amphibian species, many endemic to the Western Ghats. The survey discovered four potential new species: two geckos, a skink, and a frog, which need further taxonomic and molecular studies before formal identification.

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Nagaland signed Wales as a Country Partner for the 25th Hornbill Festival. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, during his visit to Wales, announced the agreement with the Welsh Government, British Council, and Wales Arts International. The partnership concludes the “Wales in India 2024” celebration and aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance people-to-people contact, and create opportunities for youth.