Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
The International Buddhist Confederation and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara hosted a two-day conference in Nalanda, Bihar, on Guru Padmasambhava’s life and legacy. Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, lived in the 8th century in India and is a highly respected figure in Buddhism. He is recognized as a founding father of Tibetan Buddhism and arrived in Tibet in 749 A.D. He spread Buddha’s teachings across the Himalayan regions including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Tibet. A Tantrist and Yogācāra sect member, he taught at Nalanda and is associated with a blend of Yogic, Tantric practices, and cultural elements such as art, music, and folklore.

Notes:
Himanshi Tokas won a silver medal at the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championships. The event took place in Mungyeong, South Korea. Himanshi competed in the women’s 63-kilogram weight category. She is 19 years old and part of the Khelo Bharat program. 12 members from India participated in the competition. The event is concluded at the Mungyeong Gymnasium.

Notes:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and IIM Amritsar conducted a five-day Management Development Programme. The program ran from 2nd to 6th September 2024. It included Elected Representatives and Functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions from ten states. Participants came from Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The aim was to strengthen leadership, management, and governance skills. The initiative focused on improving local governance and enhancing Panchayat services. The program supported the vision of a developed India.

Notes:
Bengaluru’s Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, launched the ‘Nambike Nakshe’ scheme to streamline building approvals. The scheme simplifies the process for properties up to 4,000 square feet within Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) areas. It allows property owners to obtain provisional approval for building plans from certified architects or engineers. This change lets owners start planning their buildings sooner, bypassing initial approval complexities. It benefits landowners in areas developed by the Bangalore Development Authority and Karnataka Housing Board, often with plots around 50×80 feet.

Notes:
A rare meteorite fragment was found in the Eastern Cape province. The fragment is known as the Nqweba Meteorite and is a small, black, shiny object with a light grey inside. When the meteorite entered Earth’s atmosphere, it experienced strong friction, creating a fireball. This friction caused the meteorite to break apart while still in flight. A meteorite is a solid piece of space debris that manages to pass through Earth’s atmosphere and reach the ground safely.

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:
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.

Notes:
The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board hosted the 5th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on 7 September 2024 in Jaipur. This day is also known as Swach Vayu Diwas in India. Along with this, the 4th meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) took place, chaired by Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The United Nations declared 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in 2019. The theme for 2024 is “Invest in clean air now.”

Notes:
The government introduced new rules for the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), effective from 1 October 2024. SSY, launched in 2015 under the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” campaign, is a small-deposit savings scheme for girl children. Guardians can open an SSY account for their girl child, who must be under 10 years old and an Indian resident. The scheme allows a minimum deposit of ₹250 and a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh annually, with deposits for 15 years and maturity at 21 years. Partial withdrawal up to 50% is allowed for education after age 18. SSY offers tax benefits under Sections 80C and 10 of the Income Tax Act. New rules require the transfer of guardianship from grandparents to legal guardians or parents, else the account will be permanently closed.

Notes:
The 20th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024 began at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 9th to 22nd September 2024. Yudh Abhyas is an annual joint military exercise between India and the USA, ongoing since 2004. The exercise fosters cooperation between the two militaries, focusing on training, cultural exchanges, and developing joint operational skills. The previous edition took place at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA.