Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Recently, six people have died in Rwanda due to a Marburg virus outbreak. Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates. MVD is caused by the Marburg virus, similar to the Ebola virus, both from the Filoviridae family. The virus was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, linked to infected green monkeys. The African fruit bat is the reservoir host, and transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids.

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:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh will establish three new medical colleges in Baghpat, Hathras, and Kasganj, adding 300 MBBS seats through a public-private partnership (PPP) and the Central government’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme. This expansion is part of a broader effort to enhance medical infrastructure in the state, increasing the total number of medical colleges from 39 in 2017 to 78. Since 2017, Uttar Pradesh has experienced a 108% rise in MBBS seats and a 181% increase in postgraduate medical seats.

Notes:
The first-ever honey badger (Mellivora capensis), also known as the Ratel, was recorded on camera in Uttarakhand’s Terai East Forest Division on January 7, 2024. This rare sighting was published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa on September 26, 2024. The honey badger, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, was spotted near the Sharda River Canal. Despite being listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, it’s rarely seen in India.

Notes:
The RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) scheme is extended for domestic tariff area (DTA) units until September 30, 2025. Launched in January 2021 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, RoDTEP refunds un-reimbursed taxes, duties, and levies to exporters. It replaced the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), which was challenged at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for non-compliance with global trade rules. RoDTEP ensures that exporters receive compensation for costs incurred during production and distribution.

Notes:
Researchers at IIT Madras have discovered a new method to treat retinal tears and diabetic retinopathy using mild laser-induced convection to improve drug delivery into the retina. They conducted simulations to study different treatment types, focusing on heat and mass transfer. This innovative approach could benefit around 11 million people in India with retinal disorders. Currently, laser-based techniques are employed to treat conditions like retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion.