Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
Researchers from JNCASR and ICAR-NBAIR have created a sustainable pheromone dispenser that ensures a controlled release rate of pheromones, significantly reducing pest control costs. This innovation utilizes a mesoporous silica matrix, allowing for stable pheromone release and improved efficiency in pest management. The technology aims to benefit farmers by transitioning from laboratory research to large-scale industrial production, thus enhancing agricultural practices while promoting environmentally friendly methods in pest control.

Notes:
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has launched a ‘Dust-free Delhi’ drive to reduce air pollution before winter. This 10-day campaign involves multiple agencies like the MCD and PWD, focusing on cleaning roads and drains to prevent dust accumulation. Dried mud and silt from recent dry weather contribute significantly to pollution. The initiative aligns with the Delhi government’s Winter Action Plan to tackle pollution levels during winter months

Notes:
The dominant male tiger, T9, of the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) has died. NNTR covers 653.67 sq.km. in the Gondia and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra. It lies in the central Indian Tiger Landscape, which holds about one-sixth of India’s tiger population. It was declared a tiger reserve in 2013. It is Maharashtra’s fifth tiger reserve. NNTR includes Nawegaon National Park, Nawegaon, Nagzira, New Nagzira, and Koka Wildlife Sanctuaries. It has connections with Kanha, Pench, and Tadoba Tiger Reserves.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, Girish Chandra Murmu, has taken over as the chair of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) for the period 2024-2027. ASOSAI consists of 48 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from various countries and focuses on enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance in public auditing. The recent assembly included significant discussions on strategic plans and the establishment of new working groups aimed at improving auditing practices across the region.

Notes:
At least 46 people, including 37 children, drowned during the Jivitputrika festival in Bihar while taking a holy dip.
Jivitputrika, or Jitiya Vrat, is a Hindu festival mainly observed in northern and eastern part of India especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal. Mothers fast for three days for the well-being and long life of their children, with a strict ‘nirjala’ fast on the second day. The festival is linked to the mythological story of King Jimutavahana. It starts with a purifying bath (Nahai-Khai) and ends with breaking the fast (Paaran).

Notes:
The World Telecom Standardization Assembly (WTSA2024) will take place in India from 14th-24th October 2024, marking a historic first for the country in the ITU’s 150-year history. This significant event will gather telecom leaders and experts from over 190 nations, focusing on the critical role of telecom standards in enhancing global connectivity and innovation. Outreach sessions in major Indian cities aim to engage students and foster knowledge exchange about future technologies like 5G and 6G.

Notes:
Researchers recently studied the diversity of the Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia) across different regions using proteomic and biochemical methods. This venomous species is found widely in South and Southeast Asia and includes populations known as the “Indian spitting cobra” due to their ability to spit venom. Monocled cobras prefer wet habitats like paddy fields and mangroves but can also live in grasslands and human settlements. They are found in eastern and northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and other countries. They help maintain ecological balance by controlling pests like rats and mice. Their conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 8 day long Bhartiya Kala Mahotsav on 28 September 2024 in Secunderabad, Telangana, focusing on the North-Eastern states. The festival runs from 29 September to 6 October 2024, showcasing the art, culture, crafts, and culinary diversity of the North-East. Over 300 artists and artisans from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura are participating. The event promotes the region’s contribution to India’s cultural heritage, fostering social harmony and inclusive development. It is organized by the Ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region and the Ministry of Culture.

Notes:
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.