Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
International Whale Shark Day is celebrated annually on August 30. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a filter-feeding shark species. They are found in temperate and tropical oceans globally, except the Mediterranean Sea.
Whale sharks have a dark gray top with light spots and stripes, providing camouflage, and a mouth at the front of the head. They are filter feeders, processing over 6,000 liters of water per hour through their gills. Their diet includes plankton, small fish, and mollusks like sardines, anchovies, and squid. The IUCN classifies whale sharks as endangered.

Notes:
Cyclone Asna formed from a deep depression over Gujarat’s Kutch region and is set to become a tropical cyclone over the Arabian Sea. Unlike typical cyclones that form over warm ocean waters, Asna developed over land in Gujarat. Historically, cyclones have originated over mainland India only three times in August (1976, 1964, and 1944) and strengthened as they moved into the Arabian Sea. Possible causes include unusual monsoon winds, moisture from the Arabian Sea, soil moisture, and warming of the Indian Ocean.

Notes:
Dhulikhel, Nepal, is the first city in the country to be recognized as a “healthy city” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dhulikhel is located in the Kavrepalanchok district, about 18 miles from Kathmandu. The WHO monitored Dhulikhel for two years before making the announcement in August 2024. The WHO’s decision was based on factors like environmental improvements, progress in primary health care, and access to health for poor citizens. Dhulikhel was also named the second healthiest city in Asia.

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 Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has postponed granting Environmental Clearance (EC) for Stage-II of the Uri-I Hydroelectric Project. The Uri-I Hydroelectric Project is located on the Jhelum River in Uri town, Baramulla district, Jammu & Kashmir. It is close to the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. Commissioned in 1997, the project has an installed capacity of 480 MW. The plant is owned by the Central Government and operated by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC). It has four units, each with a capacity of 120 MW.

Notes:
The WHO’s “South-East Asia Regional Status Report on Road Safety” was released at the 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion. The South-East Asia Region accounts for 28% of global road traffic deaths, with an estimated 330,222 fatalities. In India, there were about 216,618 estimated road traffic deaths in 2021, with reported deaths at 153,972. Two- and three-wheeler drivers/riders make up 45.1% of these deaths. India’s road traffic death rate is 15.4 per 100,000 people, higher than the global rate of 15.

Notes:
Researchers have discovered that an antidepressant drug has potential for cancer management through drug repurposing. Drug repurposing involves using existing drugs for new treatments or conditions not originally intended. This process, also known as drug repositioning or reprofiling, identifies new uses for drugs initially developed for different medical conditions. It is often an unexpected discovery with the goal of finding compounds with established safety profiles that could be effective for other diseases. Pharmaceutical companies use drug repurposing to address rare diseases, cancer, infections, autoimmune diseases, and more. This approach can significantly reduce the time and cost compared to developing new drugs from scratch.

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The Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, launched the ‘Brindavan Gram’ scheme to develop model villages focused on cow protection and rural development. One gram panchayat from each of the state’s 313 blocks will be selected and renamed ‘Brindavan Gram.’ Each chosen village will establish a gaushala (cow shed) to promote cow welfare and protection. The scheme aims to increase rural milk production, boosting farmers’ incomes. Roof-top solar policies will be implemented to promote clean energy in these villages. The Panchayat and Rural Development Department will oversee the scheme, with detailed guidelines to be issued soon. In a parallel initiative, ‘Gita Bhavan’ centers will be established in every urban area of Madhya Pradesh to spread spiritual knowledge, focusing on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Lord Krishna, along with other spiritual texts.

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The government recently celebrated Uttarakhand’s rich folk culture at the Jagar Lok Sanskriti Utsav. A book titled Uttarakhand ka Lok Putra Pritam Bharatwan by Sachidanand Semwal was released, honoring Pritam Bharatwan as the brand ambassador of the state’s folk culture. Jagar Lok Sanskriti Utsav highlights Uttarakhand’s folk traditions. Jagar, a Hindu form of Shamanism practiced in Uttarakhand, involves rituals where gods and deities are awakened for favors or remedies. Pritam Bharatwan is recognized for promoting Uttarakhand’s traditional culture and folk arts.

Notes:
The Indian Navy and South African Navy signed an agreement to enhance naval cooperation, ensuring the safety of the South African Navy’s submarine crew during emergencies. Under this agreement, the Indian Navy will assist by deploying its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) when needed. This strengthens the maritime relationship between India and South Africa. The agreement follows a 2023 incident where three South African Navy personnel died off Cape Town’s coast. South Africa, with a few submarines, will benefit from India’s DSRV, which is used for submarine rescues and covert operations.