Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Recent studies indicate that the Rocahepevirus ratti strain, commonly known as “rat HEV,” primarily resides in rats and has been found to infect humans. Since its first human case in 2018, at least 20 cases have been reported, often linked to the consumption of raw pork. Researchers discovered that rat HEV could infect pigs and spread among them, highlighting concerns for the pork industry as a potential pathway for human infection. Hepatitis E remains a significant global health issue, particularly in developing regions.

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:
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:
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.

Notes:
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated India’s first supercapacitor manufacturing facility at Keltron, Kannur, Kerala. The plant was developed with ISRO’s collaboration and an initial investment of Rs 42 crore. It will boost Kerala’s electronics industry, supporting sectors like defence and electric vehicles. The facility aims to produce 2,000 supercapacitors daily, meeting global standards. CM Vijayan announced an additional Rs 1,000 crore investment to modernize Keltron and other electronics units, with a Rs 395 crore master plan in place. The goal is to make Kerala a hub for electronics manufacturing.

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:
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:
NATO will set up a new land command in Finland near the Russian border in 2025 to oversee land operations in northern Europe during conflicts. This move follows Finland’s recent NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new command will work alongside Finland’s existing land force command in Mikkeli.

Notes:
The 2024 Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD), an annual Indian Navy conference, held in New Delhi. The conference’s theme is “Resource Geopolitics and Security in the Indo-Pacific.” IPRD is the Indian Navy’s key platform for international strategic engagement, discussing maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s conference highlights the impact of traditional and new marine resources on geopolitics, with a focus on offshore energy resources like hydrocarbons shaping future geopolitics.

Notes:
Silicosis is an incurable occupational disease resulting from inhaling silica dust, often found in mining environments. This dust causes lung hardening, leading to severe respiratory issues. In regions like Panna district, many miners have been misdiagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) due to similar symptoms. The disease has gained attention as health workers advocate for better recognition and compensation for affected individuals, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis and the dangers of working in silica-rich mines.