Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
The event is organized jointly by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC). The GFF is considered one of the world’s largest gatherings of fintech startups, investors, experts, bankers, and regulators from around the globe.

Notes:
Poba Reserve Forest in Assam’s Dhemaji district will soon become a wildlife sanctuary. It is a rainforest in northeastern Assam, created in 1924, covering 10,221 hectares. It is located near the Himalayan foothills. The forest is bordered by the Siang, Dibang, and Lohit rivers, Brahmaputra, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, and Jonai villages. Ethnic groups like Mising, Bodo, Sonowal Kachari, and Hajong inhabit the area. Rich in flora and fauna, including slow loris, capped langur, and wild boar. Home to 45 species of birds and reptiles, and diverse fish species. Important migratory route for elephants, connecting other wildlife areas.

Notes:
TV Somanathan has been appointed as the 33rd Cabinet Secretary of India. He succeeded Rajiv Gauba, the longest-serving Cabinet Secretary since August 2019. Rajiv Gauba, a 1982 batch IAS officer, got three one-year extensions until August 2024. The government amended retirement rules to extend Gauba’s term. Before Gauba, Pradeep Kumar Sinha held the longest term as Cabinet Secretary for over four years. Somanathan, a 1987 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer, was previously Finance Secretary and Expenditure Secretary. He has a PhD in Economics, is a Chartered Accountant, and has held significant roles in Tamil Nadu and the World Bank.

Notes:
Recently, five people fell unconscious and were hospitalized in Visakhapatnam while shifting acetanilide bags between containers. Acetanilide is a synthetic organic compound with the formula C8H9NO, also known as N-phenylacetamide or acetanil. It is a white, odorless solid related to acetic acid and was first used as a fever-reducing drug in 1886.
Acetanilide was used for pain relief, including headaches and cramps, but has been largely replaced by acetaminophen (paracetamol) due to toxic side effects that affect hemoglobin function. It is still used as an intermediate in producing dyes, rubber, and other chemicals.

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:
Researchers explored mitochondrial dynamics to treat Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by brain cell death. Environmental toxins and toxic proteins, like those in Manganese-induced Parkinsonism, cause mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction. The study found that inhibiting Dynamin-related protein (Drp1) activity could restore mitochondrial function, offering a potential treatment. Drp1 is a protein that aids in mitochondrial division for better mobility and quality control. However, excessive Drp1 activity leads to too much division, resulting in fragmented and impaired mitochondria.

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:
The Prime Minister of India expressed a desire for stronger ties with Brunei, focusing on enhancing commercial and cultural connections during his visit to Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei is located on the northern coast of Borneo Island in Southeast Asia and sits in both the Northern and Eastern hemispheres. It is bordered by the South China Sea to the north and surrounded by Malaysia, with two non-contiguous parts divided by Sarawak. The capital and largest city is Bandar Seri Begawan, and the highest point is Bukit Pagon, reaching 6,069 feet along the border with Malaysia. Brunei has several rivers, including Belait, Pandaruan, and Tutong, and is a significant oil producer in Southeast Asia.

Notes:
The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar published the first fully mapped genome of the Chandipura Vesiculovirus (CHPV). CHPV causes encephalitis, leading to brain swelling, and was responsible for several cases during the July-August outbreak in Gujarat. Genome mapping identifies the locations of genes and key sequences on a genome. It helps understand a virus’s origin, mutations, and potential changes in transmissibility or severity. There are two types of genome maps: genetic maps, showing relative gene positions, and physical maps, showing absolute positions based on DNA base pairs.

Notes:
The Rajasthan government approved 33% reservation for women in the police force. A 5% additional allowance was approved for pensioners aged 70 to 75. Amendments were made to the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Services Rules, 1989. Rules 67 and 87 of the Rajasthan Civil Services Pension Rules, 1996, were amended under central pension rules. Specially-abled children, dependent parents, and siblings can now be permanently added to the Pension Payment Order (PPO). Gratuity and death gratuity for state employees were increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh.