Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Bellatrix Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based space startup, launched Project 200 at the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024. Project 200 is an innovative satellite designed for Ultra-Low Earth Orbit (180 km-250 km). This mission will demonstrate a new in-house propulsion system that allows satellites to maintain 200 km orbits for years. At this altitude, communication latency is halved, image resolution triples, and costs are lower than higher orbits.

Notes:
Mizoram launched the Bana Kaih initiative to support small entrepreneurs and farmers. The scheme offers financial assistance to farmers growing ginger, turmeric, Mizo chilli, and broomsticks. Farmer societies in villages will purchase these crops, with minimum prices set by the government. Farmers will receive support prices if they sell below these rates; no government intervention if prices are higher.

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.

Notes:
World Maritime Day, organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is celebrated annually on the last Thursday of September. In 2024, it falls on September 26. The theme for this year is “Navigating the future: safety first!” This day emphasizes the significance of maritime activities and the industry’s contributions to global development, raising awareness about safety measures and innovations in the maritime sector.

Notes:
Israel is requiring control of the Philadelphi corridor as a condition in ceasefire talks with Hamas. The Philadelphi corridor is a narrow strip of land about nine miles long and 100 meters wide along the Gaza-Egypt border, including the Rafah crossing. It was designated as a demilitarized zone after Israel withdrew its settlements and troops from Gaza in 2005. The corridor stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. After the Israeli withdrawal, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority were responsible for the area.

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The Kurgan hypothesis suggests that humans began domesticating horses around 3500 BCE, particularly by the Yamnaya people near the Black Sea. This domestication is believed to have facilitated transportation across Eurasia and influenced the spread of Indo-European languages. Recent studies, however, have raised doubts about the definitive link between skeletal changes and horseback riding, suggesting that similar alterations could arise from other activities, such as riding carts. This ongoing debate highlights the complexities of understanding ancient human behaviors.

Notes:
Hurricane Helene hit Florida, US as a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph (209 kph). Officials urged residents in the storm’s path to follow mandatory evacuation orders due to life-threatening conditions. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone that forms over warm ocean waters and has sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour. Hurricanes can cause substantial destruction.

Notes:
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 21st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zone III Conference in Aizawl, Mizoram, on September 27-28, 2024. The theme was “Democratic Sanctity, Transparency, Accountability, and Results from Democracy.” It aims to enhance democratic governance and parliamentary systems, providing a platform for collaboration among over 180 legislatures from 54 member countries. It facilitates discussions on legislative issues and best practices, promoting commitments to democracy. The CPA India Region, formed in 2004, focuses on regional conferences, reflecting the importance of democratic institutions, especially in diverse areas like Northeast India, where socio-economic development is a priority.

Notes:
Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav announced the theme for the 9th Ayurveda Day as “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health.” Ayurveda Day will be celebrated on October 29. The theme highlights Ayurveda’s potential contributions to global health through innovative practices. Ayurveda Day is observed annually on Dhanwantari Jayanti, also known as Dhanteras. Since 2016, this celebration emphasizes India’s commitment to promoting Ayurveda as part of its holistic healthcare system and traditional medicine culture.

Notes:
In May 2021, the Madhya Pradesh government promised Rs. 5,000 per month and free education for children who lost their family’s sole earner to Covid-19. Two schemes, Sponsorship Scheme and Mukhyamantri Bal Ashirwad Yojana, were introduced for this purpose. Despite these promises, many children have not received financial aid since January 2023. Ayushman Bharat cards for healthcare support were also promised but remain inactive for many. These unfulfilled commitments have left many children in distress, without the promised financial and medical support.