Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh’s first semiconductor park will be set up in Greater Noida, near the upcoming Noida International Airport.
The state government has allocated 225 acres of land for this purpose. The land is situated in Sector 10 and Sector 28.
Three companies will be involved in semiconductor manufacturing projects at this location.

Notes:
The 19th Divya Kala Mela was inaugurated in Visakhapatnam by Andhra Pradesh Governor Shri S. Abdul Nazeer. Rs 40 lakh in concessional loans were provided to 10 Divyang beneficiaries under NDFDC schemes. Assistive devices were distributed with support from CSR partners HPCL, GAIL India, and IOCL. The fair showcased products from 100 Divyang artisans across 20 states/UTs, promoting “Vocal for Local” and financial independence. The event runs from September 19 to 29, featuring cultural performances and food stalls. Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar praised the platform for empowering Divyangjan and the Ministry’s commitment to inclusion. Dignitaries took a Swachhata Pledge for hygiene and community responsibility.

Notes:
A leopard was recently found dead in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran, Bihar. The reserve is located at the India-Nepal border and covers about 880 sq. km, making it Bihar’s only tiger reserve. It includes the Valmiki National Park and Valmiki Wild Sanctuary. The reserve marks the easternmost edge of the Himalayan Terai forests in India and lies in the Gangetic Plains bio-geographic zone. It is bordered by the Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal to the north and the Gandak River to the west. Major rivers like Gandak, Pandai, and others flow through the reserve.

Notes:
The Gingee Fort, situated in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district, has been nominated for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The fort is part of the Maratha Military Landscapes nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2024-25. The nomination includes 12 components, with 11 sites in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort as the only site from Tamil Nadu. Known as the ‘Troy of the East’, Gingee Fort located atop three hillocks- Rajagiri, Krishnagiri and Chandragiri. It was built by Ananta Kon of the Konar Dynasty in 1,200 CE. It has seen rule by the Vijayanagar Nayaks, Marathas, Mughals, Nawabs, French, and British.

Notes:
The joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas, initiated in 2004, focuses on enhancing military cooperation between India and the US. The latest edition, Yudh Abhyas 2024, took place at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan from September 9 to 22. This exercise aims to improve interoperability and conduct counter-terrorism operations. Both nations have emphasized the importance of joint training and sharing best practices to strengthen their military capabilities in a sub conventional context under the UN Charter’s Chapter VII.

Notes:
The Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA) portal was launched at the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 by FSSAI. This online portal notifies about food import rejections at Indian borders. It aims to inform the public and food safety authorities about these rejections. The portal facilitates quick information exchange on food safety and health risks globally. It enables authorities to take immediate action to prevent risks. FIRA also serves as a database for tracking rejected food products, improving risk management.

Notes:
Farmers in Rajasthan have been uprooting fig plants after a company, Krishi Marketing Company, failed to honor contracts promising support and purchase of figs. Initially, the company encouraged farmers to cultivate figs with lucrative prospects, but after a few years, it ceased communication and stopped buying the produce. Many farmers are now pursuing legal action against the company for breach of contract, leading to significant financial losses and frustration among the agricultural community.

Notes:
The Finance Ministry urged banks to implement better monitoring for pending cases in Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs).
DRTs are specialized bodies established under the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993. They help enforce creditor rights and speed up debt recovery in India. DRTs handle disputes related to loans over Rs 20 lakh from banks and financial institutions.

Notes:
The National Green Tribunal’s eastern bench in Kolkata has ordered a halt to road construction in the Barak Bhuban wildlife sanctuary in Assam’s Cachar district. The sanctuary is located in Barak Valley, which also includes the Borail Wildlife Sanctuary. Barak Bhuban is situated between the Barak and Sonai rivers. The area is named after the Barak River, the second-largest river in Northeast India. Barak Valley spans three districts: Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj.

Notes:
The Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition features the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini, which will navigate 21,600 nautical miles around the globe. This mission, led by Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K, emphasizes India’s maritime heritage and commitment to empowerment and innovation. The expedition will challenge the crew with treacherous waters, including passages around Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and the Cape of Good Hope, showcasing their resilience and spirit.