Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
A study showed that tartrazine, a yellow food dye, temporarily made the skin of living mice transparent. Tartrazine is a synthetic food colorant, lemon yellow in color, and water-soluble. It is used in dairy products, beverages, desserts, and confectionaries. The dye strongly absorbs blue light, creating its orange-to-red color when dissolved in water. Normally, biological tissues scatter light due to proteins, fats, and liquids. A concentrated tartrazine solution reduced light scattering by matching the refractive indices of tissue components. This allowed researchers to see blood vessels, internal organs, and muscle movements in real time.

Notes:
The second summit on Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM) started in Seoul on September 9. It is co-hosted by Kenya, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The first REAIM summit was held in February 2023 in The Hague, hosted by the Netherlands. The summit expands the discussion from just autonomous weapons to broader issues of AI in warfare. The Seoul summit aims to understand AI’s impact on global peace and security, implement new norms for military AI use, and develop ideas for long-term global governance of AI in the military.

Notes:
Indian and Omani military forces are conducting bilateral exercises in September 2024 to strengthen defence ties. The Indian Air Force is participating in Exercise Eastern Bridge VII, held at Air Force Base Masirah, Oman, from 11-22 September 2024. The Indian contingent includes MiG-29s, Jaguar fighter planes, and C-17 Globemaster III transport planes. This exercise, first held in 2009, enhances interoperability and operational readiness. The Indian Army is also participating in Exercise AL NAJAH-V from 13-26 September 2024 in Salalah, Oman, focusing on counterterrorism operations and desert warfare. These exercises are held biennially, alternating between India and Oman.

Notes:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change held a dialogue ahead of the 30th World Ozone Day. The theme was “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action.” The Montreal Protocol is an international agreement to protect the ozone layer by reducing ozone-depleting substances. Environment Secretary Leena Nandan highlighted India’s success in meeting its Montreal Protocol commitments due to collaborative efforts. United Nations Development Programme India Resident Representative Angela Lusigi praised India’s leadership in reducing Hydrofluorocarbons. World Ozone Day will be observed on September 16.

Notes:
Union Home Minister announced that Port Blair will be renamed ‘Sri Vijaya Puram.’ Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was named after naval officer Archibald Blair. It is located on the east coast of South Andaman Island and hosted the first Tiranga unfurling by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Historically, the Andaman Islands were used by Chola emperor Rajendra I for a naval base to attack Srivijaya (present-day Indonesia). The Cholas called the islands “Ma-Nakkavaram,” which may have led to the name Nicobar. The Chola invasion of Srivijaya marked a significant event in India-Southeast Asia relations.

Notes:
The 4th Global Bio-India 2024 event concluded on 14 September 2024 in New Delhi. It was a three-day event showcasing India’s potential in biotech research, development, and manufacturing. The event has been held annually since 2021.
It was organized by the Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. South Korea was the partner country. Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the event on 12 September 2024. The theme was ‘Biotech Innovation’ and ‘Bio-manufacturing,’ promoting India as a global hub

Notes:
Karnataka marked ‘International Day of Democracy’ with a 2,500-km human chain promoting equality, unity, and governance.
International Day of Democracy is observed annually on 15 September. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2007, it highlights democracy’s global importance. The day emphasizes that democracy is a continuous pursuit requiring active participation. It was first observed in 2008, following a UNGA resolution supporting efforts to strengthen democracies.
The date commemorates the 1997 Universal Declaration on Democracy by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, promoting free and fair elections and people’s right to choose their political systems.

Notes:
The state tourism department reported that around 33 crore tourists visited the state in the first half of the year.
Ayodhya emerged as the top tourist destination, attracting 10.99 crore visitors, including 2,851 foreigners.
Ayodhya surpassed Varanasi, with 11 crore tourists compared to Varanasi’s 4.61 crore in the first six months of 2024.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) Scheme.
It aims to leverage bio-innovation to address challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
The scheme is managed by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology. It seeks to make India a global leader in biomanufacturing and achieve a US$300 billion Bioeconomy by 2030. Bio-RIDE has three components: Biotechnology R&D, Industrial and Entrepreneurship Development, and a new Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry component for promoting a Circular Bioeconomy. The scheme has a funding of Rs. 9,197 crore for 2021-26.

Notes:
India hosts the second Global Food Regulators Summit from September 19-21, 2024, in New Delhi. It is organized by FSSAI under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Delegates from over 70 countries are expected, with 5,000 attending in person and 1.5 lakh joining virtually. The summit aims to enhance global collaboration on food safety, risk assessment, and regulatory strategies. FSSAI will launch new initiatives like the Food Import Rejection Alert Portal, Food Import Clearance System 2.0, and update the State Food Safety Index 2024.