Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
India establishes its first national security semiconductor fabrication plant named ‘Shakti’ through a collaboration with the U.S. This initiative marks the first technology partnership involving the US Space Force and Indian businesses, with an emphasis on manufacturing infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors. The project aims to enhance capabilities in advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics, addressing critical needs in both military and civilian applications, while reducing India’s reliance on semiconductor imports.

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Researchers discovered that the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas Islands, once had a lush rainforest up to 30 million years ago. This discovery was made after scientists found preserved tree remains and pollen at a construction site in Port Stanley. The findings reveal that the South Atlantic archipelago had a climate suitable for diverse ecosystems, similar to present-day rainforests in Tierra del Fuego. The islands are an overseas territory of the UK, located about 500 km from South America in the South Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago includes two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, along with several smaller ones.

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The Ministry of Rural Development hosted the National Conclave on Gender Mainstreaming in New Delhi. This event was held under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission. It focused on strengthening gender-responsive community institutions and strategies for gender integration.

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The Union Minister of Power inaugurated the CSIRT-POWER facility in New Delhi. It was launched by the Ministry of Power following the National Cyber Security Policy, in collaboration with CERT-In. CSIRT-POWER is equipped with advanced infrastructure and cybersecurity tools to address emerging threats. Its goal is to strengthen cybersecurity resilience in India’s power sector through a coordinated approach. It is set up under the Central Electricity Authority, with CERT-In leading efforts to manage incidents and cybersecurity activities in the power sector.

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The Mankidia community in Odisha is now the 6th Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) to gain habitat rights over forests. They are a semi-nomadic group, part of the Birhor tribe, living primarily off the forest. Mankidias are hunters and gatherers, known for their wandering lifestyle and temporary settlements called Kumbhas. They speak a form of the Munda language and some also speak Odia. Their beliefs center around spirits and ancestors, with Logobir and Budhimai as their supreme deities. The community is found in Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.

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Scientists found over 300 new Nazca Lines in Peru, nearly doubling the known geoglyphs. The new lines feature humanoid figures, animals, fish, birds, cats, and even a “killer whale holding a knife.” The Nazca Lines are large geoglyphs carved by an ancient pre-Incan civilization between 200 B.C. and A.D. 500. These geoglyphs were made by removing desert surface pebbles to reveal lighter soil underneath. Around 430 Nazca Lines were already found, most in the last 20 years with satellite technology. The discovery rate is slowing, as remaining shapes are too faint for easy detection. The Nazca Lines were first rediscovered by airplane passengers in the 1920s.

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The 200-year-old Paigah Tombs in Hyderabad are currently being restored. Also known as Maqhbara Shams al-Umara, they are the burial sites of the Paigah nobility. The tombs showcase Indo-Saracenic architecture, combining Asaf Jah and Rajputani styles. Made of white marble, the tombs feature intricately designed interiors and stunning stucco work. This stucco represents various styles, including Mughal, Greek, Persian, Asaf Jahi, Rajasthani, and Deccani. The unique ‘Jali’ work adds to their charm, with each tomb having a distinct design.

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NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope shared a video of the spiral galaxy Caldwell 45 (NGC 5248). Spiral galaxies are collections of stars and gas, featuring spiral arms extending from their center. These galaxies contain young, hot stars and are known for their beautiful shapes. Around 60% of discovered galaxies are spiral, including the Milky Way. Spiral galaxies have a central bulge surrounded by a flat, rotating disk of stars. They are distinct from elliptical and irregular galaxies.

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Borra Caves, located in the Eastern Ghats in Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh, are among the deepest and largest caves in India. They were discovered by William King George of the Geological Survey of India. Formed millions of years ago by the Gosthani River, the caves are made of karstic limestone and extend to a depth of 80 meters. A naturally formed Shivling inside the caves is worshipped by local tribal communities. Stone tools from the Paleolithic age (30,000-50,000 years ago) were found, indicating early human habitation. The caves will get a facelift under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.

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The Nanjangud rasabale banana, once scarce due to a fungal disease, is thriving again in Karnataka’s Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts. It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2006 for its unique taste and thick pulp.
This banana has a distinct aroma and flavor not found in other varieties. It grows best in black clay alluvial saline soil, contributing to its unique qualities. The fruit has medicinal properties, believed to cure neurological ailments. Farmers face threats from Panama Wilt disease, caused by the Fuserium Wilt pathogen.