Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) received the 2024 @UN Inter-Agency Task Force Award for its significant contributions to preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and enhancing mental health. This recognition highlights ICMR’s contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to health. This recognition highlights ICMR’s initiatives, such as establishing national centres for Assistive Health Technology and conducting extensive surveys.

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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.

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The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry approved the Sustainability in spice sector through progressive, innovative and collaborative interventions for export development (SPICED) scheme to boost spice exports. It aims to enhance the export of spices and value-added spice products, improve cardamom productivity, and upgrade spice quality for export. The scheme will be implemented until 2025-26, covering the remaining 15th Finance Commission term. It focuses on value addition, innovation, and sustainability in the spice sector.

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The International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated on September 23 every year. This day raises awareness about the importance of sign languages and supports the rights of the deaf community worldwide. The theme for 2024 is “Sign up for Sign Language Rights.” This theme stresses the need to recognize sign languages as official languages. It aims to ensure equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and social services for deaf individuals.

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The Maharashtra government approved renaming Pune airport as Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Pune International Airport.
Sant Tukaram Maharaj was a 17th-century Marathi poet and Hindu saint. He is widely known as Tuka, Tukobaraya, or Tukoba in Maharashtra.

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The Kangan assembly constituency is part of the larger Jammu & Kashmir region, which has been undergoing elections amid significant political interest. The area is known for its high voter turnout, particularly among the Gujjar community. Voter concerns include local governance issues and the impact of central rule since 2019, emphasizing the need for elected representation.

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Assam Chief Minister initiated the implementation of 52 recommendations from the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee related to Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. 15 key recommendations that require Constitutional amendments will not be implemented immediately and will be discussed with the Centre later. In July 2019, the Union Home Ministry formed a 14-member committee, chaired by Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma, to provide recommendations on Clause 6. The committee’s report was finalized in February 2020. A key focus of the committee was defining “the Assamese people” eligible for safeguards under Clause 6.

Notes:
World Rabies Day is observed on 28 September. The theme for 2024 is “Breaking Rabies Boundaries,” emphasizing that One Health is for everyone. Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system and is preventable through vaccination. In 99% of human rabies cases, transmission occurs through dog bites. Rabies is caused by an RNA virus from the rhabdovirus family. The virus can enter the nervous system directly or replicate in muscle tissue before moving to the brain. Once it reaches the nervous system, it causes acute brain inflammation.

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NASA scientists suggest China’s Three Gorges Dam may affect Earth’s rotation due to shifting massive amounts of water.
Located on the Yangtze River in Hubei Province, it’s the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. The dam, completed in 2012, is 2,335 meters long and 185 meters high. Its reservoir holds 40 cubic kilometers of water, generating up to 22,500 megawatts of electricity. It uses water from the Qutangxia, Wuxia, and Xilingxia gorges to spin turbines. The dam also boosts shipping capacity and helps reduce flood risks downstream.

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Ratapani Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is aiming to gain the status of a tiger reserve, with government support. It is located in Raisen and Sehore districts, covering 825.90 sq km. The sanctuary features rocky forests and an aquatic environment in the Vindhya Hills, parallel to the Narmada River. Kolar River forms its western boundary. It includes Bhimbetika, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for rock shelters and paintings. The sanctuary also has historical and religious sites like Ginnourgarh Fort, POW camp, and Ratapani Dam.