Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
The Union government has decided to establish foot-and-mouth disease-free zones in eight states: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral illness affecting livestock such as cattle, swine, sheep, and goats, but not horses, dogs, or cats. It impacts livestock production and disrupts trade but poses no human health or food safety risk. FMD is caused by an aphthovirus and has seven strains. Immunity to one strain does not protect against others. The disease spreads through excretions and secretions, with high transmission rates in young animals but low fatality in adults.

Notes:
The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah began from 1 September at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, focusing on nutrition awareness and well-being. Union Minister Annpurna Devi, Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, and other officials attended the event. The day started with a nationwide tree-planting drive called “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” promoting nutrition and environmental sustainability. Union Minister Annpurna Devi outlined Poshan 2.0’s pillars: good governance, convergence, capacity building, and community participation. Nutri-baskets were distributed to mothers, and schemes like Vahli Dikri Yojna were highlighted. The campaign will focus on issues like anemia, growth monitoring, and complementary feeding, supporting the vision of a ‘Suposhit Bharat.’

Notes:
Indian shooter Dhanush Srikanth won three gold medals at the 2024 World Deaf Shooting Championship. World Deaf Shooting Championship 2024 being held at Hanover in Germany. The championship, organized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf, is being held from August 29 to September 8, 2024.

Notes:
The impact of El Niño and La Niña on the Indian monsoon is under study. The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) is crucial for understanding the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) dynamics. ONI is the primary indicator used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a U.S. agency, to monitor ENSO. ONI measures the rolling 3-month average temperature difference in the surface waters of the east-central tropical Pacific near the International Dateline. An ONI value of +0.5 or higher indicates El Niño, while -0.5 or lower indicates La Niña.

Notes:
The third Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Kenya was held in New Delhi. Discussions covered military cooperation, training, defence industries, and research and development. The Kenyan delegation met Indian defence industry representatives in Delhi and will visit Pune to explore their capabilities. India and Kenya share a longstanding, friendly relationship, strengthened by a 2016 MoU on Defence Cooperation. JDCC serves as a key platform to discuss and enhance defence ties. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, and the Kenyan side was led by Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government announced a Vedic-3D museum at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi. The museum will focus on Indian astrology, astronomy, and Vedic literature, showcasing the evolution of Vedic traditions like the 16 Sanskars, 64 arts, and 18 Vidya Sthans. It will display rare manuscripts preserved in Saraswati Bhawan, including “Raas Panchadhyayi,” Shrimad Bhagwat Gita, and Durgasaptashati, adorned with gold artistry. The museum aims to revive ‘Shastrartha’ (spiritual discourse) and deepen knowledge in Vedic literature.

Notes:
Valley Fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection caused by the Coccidioides fungus. It is found in the soil of the southwestern U.S., south-central Washington, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. People and animals can get infected by inhaling spores from dust or disturbed soil in these regions. Most people do not get sick, but some develop mild to severe symptoms. The disease rarely spreads from person to person or animals, except in rare cases like organ transplants or wound contact. Recently, California has seen a significant rise in Valley Fever cases, raising health concerns.

Notes:
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) announced a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system in India. The system was developed by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) to reduce congestion at toll plazas. It provides real-time traffic data, enabling officials to manage traffic flow efficiently. Alerts are sent when congestion exceeds limits, suggesting lane adjustments. The system analyzes traffic trends over time and factors in weather and local events to predict disruptions. Toll plazas are mapped using GIS technology for better traffic management.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu celebrated the Supreme Court’s 75-year legacy at the National Conference of the District Judiciary. She unveiled the court’s new flag and insignia and praised its role as a guardian of justice in India.
President Murmu emphasized the court’s commitment to truth and justice, highlighting its motto from the Mahabharata: “Where there is Dharma, there is victory.” The term “Black Coat Syndrome” was discussed, referring to the anxiety people feel when dealing with the legal system, due to complex procedures, delays, and high costs, especially affecting marginalized communities seeking justice.

Notes:
The central government has designated the international trans-shipment hub at Galathea Bay in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a ‘Major Port.’ It is located on Great Nicobar Island and is being developed as an International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP). The project will receive central funding and be developed under a public-private partnership model. Phase 1 is set to begin in 2028 with a handling capacity of 4 million TEUs, growing to 16 million TEUs by 2058. The port’s strategic location near international trade routes and its deep water depth make it significant for capturing transshipment cargo from other ports.