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:
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 Ayush Medical Value Travel Summit 2024 was inaugurated in Mumbai with the theme ‘Global Synergy in Ayush: Transforming Health and Wellness through Medical Value Travel.’ The event aims to make India a leading global hub for holistic healthcare based on Ayush systems. Organized by the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Maharashtra Government, and key partners. The summit focuses on integrating Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (Ayush) with modern healthcare. Officials from Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan participated in the event.

Notes:
The 34th International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1 October 2024. The day highlights the challenges and opportunities of population ageing and promotes a society for all ages. It recognizes the contributions and wisdom of older persons. The UN defines older persons as 65 years or older; in India, it’s 60 years or older. The day was first observed on 1 October 1991, after a 1990 UN resolution. The 2024 theme is “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.”

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:
A National Level Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation under the NMEO-OP was recently held. The workshop focused on enhancing oil palm cultivation and production of crude palm oil in India. It involved various stakeholders to discuss sustainable practices and strategies for implementing the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). NMEO-OP was launched by India in August 2021 to boost oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production. It focuses on the Northeast region and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The scheme has a financial outlay of Rs 11,040 crore, with Rs 8,844 crore from the central government. It aims to increase oil palm cultivation from 3.5 lakh hectares to 10 lakh hectares by 2025-26 and crude palm oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes.

Notes:
The bigfin squid (Magnapinna) was recently filmed at a depth of 10,800 feet in the Tonga Trench. Known for its long tentacles that can stretch up to 90% of its body length, sightings of this elusive species are extremely rare, with only 20 documented cases. Scientists believe it uses its long appendages to capture prey. This deep-sea creature highlights the mysteries of ocean life and the importance of deep-sea research.

Notes:
The Conference on Maritime Decarbonization in India, co-hosted by the Ministry of Ports and the Asian Development Bank, concluded in New Delhi. It emphasized the importance of green shipping and sustainable port operations. It aimed to align India’s maritime sector with global climate goals, discussing initiatives like the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines and the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. This reflects India’s commitment to transforming its maritime industry for a sustainable future.

Notes:
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has delivered 100 Control Centres for the Air Defence Control and Reporting system (Akashteer) to the Indian Army. These control centres will play a crucial role in protecting the country from aerial threats like missile and rocket attacks. The successful delivery highlights India’s commitment to strengthening its military self-reliance. It also emphasizes the modernization of India’s defense infrastructure, enhancing overall security capabilities.

Notes:
Switzerland and Italy have redrawn their national boundary due to melting Alpine glaciers. Many parts of the Swiss-Italian border are determined by glacier ridgelines, which are shifting as glaciers melt. The redrawn section lies beneath the Matterhorn, one of Europe’s highest peaks. Switzerland’s glaciers lost 10% of their ice volume in 2022-2023, a record high. More than half of Switzerland’s electricity comes from hydroelectric facilities, which are also at risk due to accelerated glacier melting.