Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Kerala Tourism won the PATA Gold Award 2024 for its ‘Holiday Heist’ online contest in the Digital Marketing Campaign category. The campaign, launched in July 2023, used a bidding game on the WhatsApp ChatBot ‘Maya’ to attract tourists. Over 80,000 bids were made by travellers across India to visit Kerala’s prime destinations at low prices. The campaign generated more than 45 million impressions and over 13 million video views. Some participants won tour packages worth ₹30,000 for just ₹5. Kerala Tourism received the award in Bangkok on August 28, 2024.

Notes:
Mona Agarwal became a well-known figure in para shooting, winning a Bronze medal in the R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event at the 2024 Paralympics. Born on November 8, 1987, in Sikar, Rajasthan, she faced early challenges, contracting polio at nine months, affecting her lower limbs. Despite this, she pursued her education, earning a degree in arts and pursuing a master’s in psychology via distance learning. At 23, Mona chose to live independently, excelling in HR and marketing roles. In 2016, she turned to para-athletics, winning gold in State debut throw events and earning medals in para powerlifting.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the Vadhvan Port project in Palghar, Maharashtra, worth around ₹76,000 crore. Vadhvan Port is set to become one of the top 10 ports globally, with a handling capacity of 23.2 million TEUs. The port, near Dahanu town, Maharashtra, will be one of India’s largest deep-water ports, offering direct connectivity to international shipping routes. Equipped with modern technology and infrastructure, it will feature deep berths and efficient cargo handling. The project will create significant employment, boost local businesses, and support regional economic growth. It emphasizes sustainable development, minimizing environmental impact. Once operational, the port will enhance India’s maritime connectivity and strengthen its global trade position.

Notes:
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AgriSURE Fund and Krishi Nivesh Portal in New Delhi. He conferred the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Excellence Awards to top-performing banks and states. The awards recognized and appreciated outstanding efforts in agricultural infrastructure. Ministers of State and representatives from various states and banks attended the event. The Ministry believed the award ceremony would inspire other banks to improve their performance. The AIF was launched in 2022 to develop post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.

Notes:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs announced that 90% of the Smart Cities Mission projects are completed. The remaining 10% are delayed due to legal issues, department clearances, land acquisition, construction in hilly areas, and resource availability in smaller cities. Out of 100 smart cities, 17 cities have finished all their projects, and 34 cities have completed over 90%. The Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015, aims to develop cities with good infrastructure, a sustainable environment, and better quality of life. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, selecting 100 cities through a two-stage competition.

Notes:
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $51 billion to African countries at the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. China will support 30 infrastructure projects, offering 360 billion yuan in financial assistance. This year’s theme is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” FOCAC was established in 2000 to strengthen China-Africa relations. The forum is held every three years, alternating between China and an African nation. FOCAC includes 53 African countries, except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan, opposing China’s “One China” policy.

Notes:
Two new ginger species, Globba tyrnaensis and Globba janakiae, were discovered in Meghalaya’s Double Decker Living Root Bridge area. These plants, called “dancing girls” for their flower movement, belong to the Globba genus of ornamental plants in the ginger family. Globba tyrnaensis was found in Tyrna village at 731 meters elevation and also near Thangkharang Park. It has orange flowers, large anthers, and produces bulbils for propagation. Globba janakiae, with fewer than 10 individuals, has unique heart-shaped labellum and is critically endangered. It honors botanist EK Janaki Ammal.

Notes:
Surat, previously ranked 13th, secured 1st place in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2024 among 131 cities across India.
The city scored 194 out of 200 marks and reduced PM10 levels by 12.71% in 2023-24. Surat was honored as a ‘National Clean Air City’ with ₹1.5 crore, a trophy, and a certificate at a ceremony in Jaipur. The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, initiated by the government, aims for a 30% reduction in air particulates and evaluates cities based on waste management, dust, emissions, and public awareness.

Notes:
The 17th Paris Paralympics concluded on 8 September 2024 with a ceremony at Stade de France, Paris. It was held from 28 August to 8 September 2024, organized by the International Paralympics Committee. The 18th Summer Paralympics will take place in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028. India won a record 29 medals, surpassing the 19-medal haul from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. China topped the medal tally with 220 medals, while India ranked 18th. Harvinder Singh and Preeti Pal were India’s flag bearers at the closing ceremony.

Notes:
India’s first study on “teal carbon” was conducted at Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, highlighting the importance of wetland conservation for climate adaptation and resilience. Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands, including vegetation, microbial biomass, and organic matter. These wetlands are more effective at capturing and storing carbon than forests, sequestering more carbon than any terrestrial ecosystem. The term “teal carbon” reflects organic carbon’s functions and location rather than physical properties. Globally, wetlands store an estimated 21 petagrams of teal carbon, making them crucial for carbon management.