Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
A Russian missile strike on Poltava, Ukraine, killed 51 people and injured 271 others. Poltava is a city in east-central Ukraine, located 300 km east of Kyiv, along the Vorskla River. Archaeological evidence traces its origins to the 8th-9th centuries; it was first referenced in 1174. The city was destroyed by Tatars in the 13th century and became a Cossack regiment center by the 17th century. In 1709, Peter the Great defeated Sweden’s Charles XII at Poltava, marking Russia’s rise as a power. Modern Poltava was rebuilt after World War II and is a key agricultural hub.

Notes:
The Jharkhand cabinet recently approved lowering the minimum age limit for the Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana (MMSY) from 21 to 18 years. This change aims to benefit an additional 800,000 women. Launched on August 3, 2024, MMSY provides Rs 1,000 each month to eligible women from families below the poverty line. Annually, Rs 12,000 will be deposited into the bank accounts of all qualified women through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme.

Notes:
The Second International Buddhist Media Conclave organized on 11th September in New Delhi. The theme is “Mindful Communication for Conflict Avoidance and Sustainable Development.” The conclave will explore how Buddhist teachings can be integrated into modern media practices to address global issues and build trust in media. It aims to promote ethical journalism and mindful communication. The event will also work on creating a network of Buddhist media professionals across Asia. Media representatives from 18 countries will participate in this event.

Notes:
The Minister of State for Tourism in Kerala has pledged to replace a statue of Sakthan Thampuran that was damaged by a state transport bus. Sakthan Thampuran, also known as Raja Rama Varma Kunjipillai or Rama Varma IX, ruled the Cochin kingdom from 1790 to 1805. Born in 1751 to the Cochin royal family, he was raised by an aunt who named him Sakthan, meaning ‘powerful.’ The term ‘thampuran’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘samrat,’ meaning emperor. The Cochin kingdom was part of the Late Chera Empire and included regions in present-day Kerala.

Notes:
A new snake species, Ahaetulla Longirostris, was discovered in India with a unique long snout. This snake, called the long-snouted vine snake, was found in Bihar and Meghalaya. It has a slender, elongated body and can grow up to 4 feet long. Its color ranges from bright green to orange-brown, with an orange belly. The head is triangular, and the snout is 18% of the head’s length. The species can live in both forests and urban areas, showing adaptability to different environments.

Notes:
WHO released its first-ever guidance to address antibiotic pollution from manufacturing processes, a major factor in the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) crisis. Wastewater from antibiotic manufacturing contains residues that pollute water bodies and land, contributing to AMR. Currently, antibiotic pollution from manufacturing is mostly unregulated, and quality standards do not address environmental emissions. AMR occurs when pathogens no longer respond to medicines, a natural process accelerated by overuse of antimicrobials. The rise of “superbugs” worsens healthcare, particularly for patients with multiple diseases.

Notes:
Nagaland has approved the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Chumoukedima, Niuland, and Dimapur districts.
ILP is an official travel document issued by the government, allowing Indian citizens to enter protected areas for a limited time. It regulates movement near India’s international borders and protects tribal cultures in northeastern states. ILP originates from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations of 1873. There are ILP types for tourists and longer stays, like employment. States under ILP include Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved the PM E-DRIVE Scheme to promote electric mobility, replacing the FAME programme. It has a budget of Rs 10,900 crore over two years, proposed by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The scheme aims to boost electric vehicle adoption by offering upfront incentives for EV purchases. It focuses on building the required charging infrastructure to support EV use. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of transportation and improve air quality. The scheme promotes EVs, mass public transport, and advanced EV technologies to enhance sustainability.

Notes:
The Indian Navy and DRDO successfully tested the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on 12 September 2024 at Chandipur Island, Odisha. This is DRDO’s second missile test, following the Agni-4 trial on 6 September 2024. The missile was launched from a vertical launcher and intercepted a high-speed target at low altitude using an advanced seeker. VL-SRSAM will replace Israel’s Barak-1 missile and be produced by Bharat Dynamic Limited. The missile defends against supersonic sea-skimming threats and has a range of 50 km with advanced countermeasure systems.

Notes:
The union government approved transferring 256 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), drawing criticism from opposition leaders. Salt pans are low-lying lands where seawater leaves behind salt and minerals, vital for flood protection. According to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 2011, salt pans are ecologically sensitive and fall under CRZ-1B, allowing only salt extraction and gas exploration. Nationally, 60,000 acres of salt pan land exist, with Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra having the largest areas. Salt pans also host various bird and insect species, contributing to ecological balance.