Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Agni and Vaayu, two South African cheetahs, will be moved from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. They won’t be released into fully free-ranging conditions. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) plans to release the remaining cheetahs in phases. Kuno National Park exceeded its capacity to host cheetahs, leading to the relocation. 20 cheetahs were brought to India from Namibia and South Africa between September 2022 and February 2023. A Namibian male cheetah, Pawan, tragically drowned in September 2024.

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The 5th National Water Awards 2023 were announced in New Delhi. Odisha won the first prize for Best State, followed by Uttar Pradesh in second place. Gujarat and Puducherry jointly secured third place. The event, led by Union Minister C.R. Patil, aimed to recognize efforts in water conservation and management. A total of 38 winners were honored in various categories, promoting awareness of sustainable water practices. The awards underscore the importance of effective water management in addressing challenges related to water scarcity and sustainability.

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Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari and Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari river-linking projects. These projects aim to address water scarcity in North Maharashtra and Marathwada regions. The total cost of the projects is ₹15,710 crore. The Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari project received ₹13,497 crore in funding, providing 160.97 MLD of water and irrigating 33,110 hectares. The Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari project was approved with ₹2,213 crore, supplying 100 MLD of water and irrigating 12,998 hectares. These initiatives aim to significantly improve irrigation and water availability, especially in Sinnar taluka, Nashik district.

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Maharashtra launched India’s first integrated Cyber Command and Control Center in Navi Mumbai. It was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The center uses cutting-edge global technologies and skilled experts to combat cybercrimes. It handles grievances through a helpline, web portal, and mobile app, supporting 50 district cyber police stations. The center integrates over 50 forensic technologies, 17 threat intelligence tools, and 13 cybersecurity tools, including AI and blockchain. More than 150 experts in cybercrime forensics and investigation work at the center.

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India has acquired 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US for surveillance and reconnaissance. These drones, made by General Atomics, can be used for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. They can fly over 40,000 feet and stay airborne for up to 40 hours, providing real-time information. The deal includes a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility in India, boosting the capabilities of the Indian Navy and Air Force.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th India Mobile Congress at Bharat Mandapam during the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024. The event was organized by the Department of Telecommunications, the Union Ministry of Communication, and the Cellular Operator Association of India. It highlighted India’s innovation in Quantum technology, Circular Economy, 6G, 5G use cases, IoT, cybersecurity, and more. Over 400 exhibitors and about 900 startups participated from over 120 countries. The congress featured over 900 technology sessions and discussions with over 600 speakers. India Mobile Congress is Asia’s largest digital technology forum, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and services.

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The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) inaugurated the 2024 Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum. The Hand-in-Hand Initiative, launched in 2019, focuses on partnerships and investments to improve food security, reduce poverty, and promote economic growth in low- and middle-income countries. The initiative aims to achieve three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): eradicating poverty (SDG 1), ending hunger (SDG 2), and reducing inequalities (SDG 10). India has not joined the Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

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South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, inaugurated India’s 216th AMRIT Pharmacy in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. SECL is now the first coal company to operate four AMRIT pharmacies. AMRIT Pharmacies provide generic and life-saving branded drugs, implants, and surgical consumables at subsidized rates. Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2015, AMRIT supports universal healthcare goals. It complements schemes like Ayushman Bharat to ensure affordable healthcare access.

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The Five Eye Alliance has supported Canada, urging India to cooperate with its legal process. The alliance is a multilateral intelligence-sharing network among five English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. It was formed after World War II, based on the UK-USA Agreement of 1946. The alliance is known for global surveillance using satellites, telephone networks, and fiber optic cables.

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The National Board for Wildlife has postponed approval for oil exploration in Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to the Hoolock Gibbon, the only apes found in India. There are two types of Hoolock Gibbons: the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) and the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys). The western hoolock gibbon has a wider range, found in all northeastern states. The eastern hoolock gibbon is located in specific areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The western hoolock is classified as Endangered, while the eastern hoolock is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.