Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

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 United Kingdom has allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles against Russian targets. Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile with low observability. It was jointly developed by the UK and France, known as SCALP-EG in France. The missile is designed to hit high-value stationary targets like airbases, radar stations, communications hubs, and ports. It is used by the air forces of countries including Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

Notes:
The Madhya Pradesh government has added Pittu to its 2024-25 sports calendar for colleges. The aim is to revive Pittu, a traditional game linked to Lord Krishna, mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. Pittu is played on a 26m x 14m field with two teams of six players, with four substitutes per team. The striker team knocks over and reassembles seven colored tiles, while the defending team tries to stop them. Reviving Pittu connects students with their heritage and gained attention after the Prime Minister’s mention in 2021. It was demonstrated during the National Games and had a Lagori World Cup in 2015-16.

Notes:
India has advanced to Tier 1 in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This achievement reflects India’s strong commitment to cybersecurity and its positive impact. The Global Cybersecurity Index measures how countries commit to cybersecurity on a global level, raising awareness about its importance. Cybersecurity is important because it affects many industries and sectors across the world. India’s role-modeling in cybersecurity demonstrates its leadership and efforts in ensuring safer digital spaces globally.

Notes:
India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, affected by Typhoon Yagi.
These countries faced massive floods due to Asia’s most powerful storm this year. India sent 10 tonnes of aid to Myanmar via INS Satpura, including dry rations, clothing, and medicines. A military aircraft delivered 35 tonnes of aid to Vietnam and 10 tonnes to Laos, including gensets, water purifiers, hygiene items, mosquito nets, blankets, and sleeping bags. India’s quick response aligns with its ‘Act East Policy’ and its broader effort in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) within ASEAN.

Notes:
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched a digital platform called ‘Bhaskar’ to boost India’s startup ecosystem. The platform is part of the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) initiative under the Startup India program. It is designed to centralize and enhance collaboration among startups, service providers, investors, mentors, and government bodies. The initiative aligns with India’s goal to become a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. India has over 1,46,000 DPIIT-recognized startups, and BHASKAR aims to provide a one-stop digital solution for challenges faced by entrepreneurs and investors.

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:
President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the 8th India Water Week on 17 September 2024 in New Delhi. The event runs from 17 to 20 September 2024 and is held at Bharat Mandapam. The Union Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, was present at the inauguration. India Water Week is based on Stockholm Water Week, focusing on water management and cooperation. The International Wash Conference 2024 is also taking place alongside the event. The theme is “Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management.”

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department recently fitted a tracking device on a Nilgiri tahr in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve for research purposes. The reserve is located in the Anamalai Hills in Tamil Nadu, south of the Palakkad gap in the Southern Western Ghats. It is bordered by Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Eravikulum National Park.
The area has diverse habitats, including evergreen, deciduous, thorn forests, and grasslands. It has around 2,500 species of plants, including wild relatives of mango, jackfruit, turmeric, and pepper.

Notes:
The 127th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi was celebrated on September 12, marking one of the greatest last stands in military history. The battle took place on September 12, 1897, in the North-West Frontier Province of British India, at Saragarhi post. 21 soldiers from the 36th Sikh regiment, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, fought against over 8,000 tribal militants. Punjab declared September 12 as Saragarhi Day in 2017. The British built an obelisk for the martyrs, and the Pakistani Khyber Scouts still honor the memorial. Saragarhi post was crucial for linking two British forts, Lockhart and Gulistan, to monitor Afghan movements.