Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign to promote international cooperation for the conservation of migratory birds. In 2024, it is celebrated on 11 May and 12 October, reflecting bird migrations in different hemispheres.
The 2024 theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds.” The theme emphasizes the importance of insects for migratory birds and the need to protect both. The day raises awareness about the role insects play in supporting bird survival and urges action for their protection.

Notes:
The Union cabinet, led by PM Modi, approved the continuation of fortified rice distribution under all government schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), from July 2024 to December 2028. The initiative is fully funded by the Centre, providing a unified mechanism for implementation. India faces high malnutrition levels, especially among women and children, with widespread deficiencies in iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) shows high anaemia rates, with every second woman anaemic and every third child stunted. Rice, a staple food in India, is ideal for fortification to address malnutrition and improve health.

Notes:
India recently hosted the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 in New Delhi, marking the first time this pivotal event is held in India and the Asia-Pacific region. The WTSA brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and tech experts from over 190 countries to discuss and establish future standards for technologies like 6G, Artificial Intelligence, and cybersecurity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s role as a dynamic player in digital technology, highlighting its advancements in telecom and digital infrastructure, including a significant increase in mobile manufacturing and connectivity initiatives.

Notes:
The Samarth Scheme is a government initiative aimed at enhancing skill development in the textile sector, with a budget of Rs. 495 Crore for FY 2024-25 and 2025-26. It aims to train 3 lakh individuals, focusing on job creation in organized textile industries while excluding spinning and weaving. The program also emphasizes upskilling existing workers and supports traditional textile sectors such as handloom and handicraft, with a significant focus on women’s employment, training 2.89 lakh women to date.

Notes:
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) Standing Committee cleared key road stretches passing through the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS). KWS is located in the easternmost part of the Karakoram range, in the Leh district, Ladakh.
It is part of the Northwestern Himalayas. The sanctuary is bordered by the international boundaries of China to the north and Pakistan to the west.

Notes:
The First ASEAN-India Track 1 Cyber Policy Dialogue was held in Singapore, co-chaired by Amit A. Shukla from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Both sides discussed the cyber threat landscape, national cyber policies, threat assessments, and recent ICT developments at the UN. The Dialogue focused on cooperation in capacity building and training. It aimed to identify specific areas for joint activities in cybersecurity. This Dialogue strengthened the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, supporting the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation from the ASEAN-India Summit on October 10.

Notes:
Archaeologists discovered a secret tomb in Petra, Jordan, with 2000-year-old skeletons and a chalice resembling the Holy Grail. Petra is an ancient city in southern Jordan, established around 312 A.C., making it about 2000 years old. It was the capital of the Nabateans, an Arab tribe mentioned in the Bible. Petra thrived as a spice trade center connecting China, Egypt, Greece, and India. The Romans conquered Petra in 106 A.C., turning it into a Roman province, before losing it to Islamic rule in the 7th century. Petra was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.

Notes:
A study by researchers from South Africa and the UK found that artificial nests improve African penguins’ breeding success. African penguins have a black stripe, unique black chest spots, and pink glands above their eyes that turn pinker as they heat up. Males are larger than females and have bigger beaks. Penguins live near the shore and breed, molt, and rest in coastal habitats from Namibia to South Africa. They naturally breed in guano burrows, which shield them from heat. They feed on sardines and anchovies. Their average lifespan is 20 years. IUCN lists them as endangered due to habitat threats from global warming.

Notes:
The carcass of a nearly nine-year-old tigress, RVTR-2, was found in the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Bundi, Rajasthan. The reserve is located in southeastern Rajasthan and covers 1,501.89 sq. km, including a core area of 481.91 sq. km and a buffer area of 1,019.98 sq. km. It connects to Ranthambore and Mukundara Hills tiger reserves. Ramgarh Vishdhari was designated as a tiger reserve on May 16, 2022. The Mez River, a tributary of the Chambal, flows through it. The vegetation mainly consists of dry deciduous forests, with dominant flora including Dhok and Khair trees. The reserve is home to leopards, sloth bears, jungle cats, and various other wildlife.

Notes:
Haryana government has announced free dialysis services for chronic kidney patients in all government hospitals. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on patients, who usually spend ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month on dialysis.
The Haryana government will cover these expenses, showing its commitment to supporting marginalized communities and enhancing healthcare.