Current Affairs Quiz 15th September 2024 Quiz

Exp. Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches ‘Rangeen Machhli’ App.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lalan Singh, launched the “Rangeen Machhli” mobile app at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar.

Developed by ICAR-CIFA with support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the app is designed to meet the growing needs of the ornamental fisheries sector, providing crucial knowledge resources for hobbyists, aquarium shop owners, and fish farmers.

The “Rangeen Machhli” app provides multilingual information on popular ornamental fish species in eight Indian languages, making it accessible to a wide audience. Whether hobbyists are seeking guidance on fish care or farmers looking to diversify their breeds, the app offers comprehensive details on care, breeding, and maintenance practices.

One of its key features is the “Find Aquarium Shops” tool, which allows users to locate nearby aquarium shops through a dynamic directory updated by shop owners, promoting local businesses and connecting users with reliable sources for ornamental fish and aquarium-related products.

Exp. Dr. Jitendra Singh launch dedicated web-portal for Special Campaign 4.0

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has launched a dedicated web portal to monitor the progress of Special Swachhata Campaign 4.0. via video conferencing.

The Special Campaign aims to institutionalize Swachhata in all central government offices using a saturation approach.

The government has decided to observe special campaigns every year from October 2nd to 31st to institutionalize Swachhata and reduce pendency.  

Exp. Adani Airports launches ‘aviio’ to give passengers real-time access data

Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, the Adani group firm that operates seven airports in the country, has launched ‘aviio’ digital platform to provide passengers with real-time data on a variety of airport accesses – from wait times to gate change and bags on belts.

Aviio aspires to bring the aviation community together to collaborate and serve passengers better.

By enabling airport stakeholders to access real-time data, passengers can expect easier access to airport information in the form of updates related to security checks, wait times, gate change, and bags on belts, among other aspects.

AAHL’s vision for aviio’ encompasses the development of a cutting-edge Smart Airport Operations System, conceived as a replicable model of an ‘Airport-in-a-Box’. This next-generation Airport Planning and Operation Centre (APOC) has 10x more features that help in arriving at data-driven decisions.

Exp. Star Health Insurance & Policybazaar join hands to launch SUPER STAR

Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited (Star Health Insurance) has joined hands with Policybazaar to launch ‘SUPER STAR’, a personalized long-term health insurance plan designed to provide more client value.

This game-changing product is designed to satisfy policyholders’ evolving needs while providing unrivaled flexibility and customisation.

The 5-year policy period applies to both individuals and families. The Super Star Insurance plan represents a paradigm shift in the health insurance landscape by providing modular coverage that adjusts to consumers’ changing life phases.

The Super Star plan offers numerous sum insured options ranging from ₹5 lakhs to ₹1 crore, as well as an unlimited SI option, allowing consumers to select the best plan for their needs. The SUPER STAR plan offers a huge step forward in India’s health insurance system, bridging the gap between cost and comprehensive coverage.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• Blostem Partners with Suryoday SFB to Revamp Digital Fixed Deposits
• AU Small Finance inks pact with United India Insurance Co for distribution of insurance products
• Max Life Insurance Company Ltd partnered with CSB bank to boost insurance reach and market growth, aligning with their strategic goals
• Suryoday Small Finance Bank partnered with Tarrakki to offer digital fixed deposits
• Mastercard collaborates with Gramophone to Boost Credit Access for 2 mn Farmers in India

Exp. Tayyab Ikram to continue as FIH chief for second consecutive term

Incumbent International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Tayyab Ikram is set to be elected unopposed as the head of the world body at its 49th Congress in Muscat, Oman.

The nominations for FIH elections were received by the August 31 deadline for the positions to be elected by the National Associations that are members of the FIH at its Statutory Congress.

The former Pakistan and China hockey coach is a member of the IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission and has been an Executive Board member of the FIH since 2016. On 5 November 2022, he was elected as the 13th President of FIH.

Recent Appointment

• Chairperson of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) – RS Sharma
• Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Official Language -Amit Shah
• Chairperson of Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR – Rajesh Verma
• State Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM) – Vinay Goyal (replace K. Jeevan Babu)
• Chairman of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) for 2024-25 – Partha Sinha

Exp. Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft reaches Australia’s Darwin to participate in Exercise Kakadu

The Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft, led by Commanding Officer Captain Ajay Kanwar, has reached Australia’s Darwin to participate in the 16th edition of Exercise Kakadu 2024.

The Indian Navy will participate in the exercise alongside more than 30 nations with the theme of ‘Regional Cooperation through Trusted and Proven Partnerships.’

Australia’s biggest warfare exercise- Kakadu, incorporates warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft from attending countries.

Kakadu is an important exercise hosted by RAN as it deepens relationships and interoperability between participating armed forces. Australia is a maritime nation that like its neighbours, derives prosperity from access to the sea-backed.

Exp. Port Blair to be renamed as ‘Sri Vijaya Puram

Union home minister Amit Shah has announced that Andaman and Nicobar Island’s capital Port Blair has been renamed as “Sri Vijaya Puram.”

The government decided to free the nation from the colonial imprints. He said, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in the country’s freedom struggle.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in the country’s freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations.

It is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of the Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and also the cellular jail in which Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation.

Exp. Mexico became the first country in the world to allow voters to elect judges at all levels

Mexico became the world’s first country to allow voters to elect judges at all levels after protesters invaded the upper house and suspended debate on the issue.

The reform was approved with 86 votes in favor and 41 against, garnering the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution, in an upper chamber dominated by the ruling Morena party and its allies.

A two-thirds majority was required to amend the constitution, and the reform achieved this threshold.

About Mexico

• Capital- Mexico City
• Currency – Peso
• President- Andrés Manuel López Obrador
• Continent- North America

Exp. Telangana government has decided to celebrate September 17 as Praja Palan Day

The Telangana State government has decided to celebrate September 17th, the day on which Hyderabad State was integrated into the Indian Union in 1948, as the Telangana Praja Palana Day, the Day of People’s Governance.

On that day in 1948, the then-Hyderabad state merged with the Indian Union.

In 2023, the then-BRS government decided to celebrate September 17 as National Integration Day. The Union government, on the other hand, decided to celebrate it as Hyderabad Liberation Day, and the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification to this effect.

Hyderabad merged with the Indian Union on September 17, 1948, following a “police action” under Operation Polo. While some describe it as liberation from Nizam rule, others call it a merger with the Indian Union.

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – Revanth Reddy (replace K. Chandrashekar Rao)
• Deputy CM – Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
• Governor – P. Radhakrishnan

Exp. India’s retail inflation at 3.65 per cent in August 2024

India’s retail inflation rose to 3.65 percent in August, slightly higher than the 3.6 percent reported in July this year.

According to data released today, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) highlighted that this is the second-lowest retail inflation in the past five years.

The inflation rate was within the Reserve Bank of India’s tolerance band of 2-6 percent. Meanwhile, the food inflation rate for August 2024, based on the All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), is provisionally reported at 5.66 percent, making it the second-lowest since June 2023.

Several subgroups, including spices, meat and fish, and pulses and products, have experienced a decrease in inflation.

Previous Months CPI-based Retail inflation

• January 2024 – 10%
• February 2024 – 09%
• March 2024 –85%
• April 2024 – 4.83%
• May 2024 –75%
• June 2024 –08%
• July 2024 –54%

Exp. IBM & L&T Partner to Develop Advanced Processors

IBM and L&T Semiconductor Technologies (SiLT) have signed an agreement to co-develop advanced processors for edge devices, hybrid cloud systems and areas like mobility, industrial, energy, and servers.

This partnership will boost India’s semiconductor capabilities by creating competitive products for global markets.

Recent MoU

• Indian Army and Indian Air Force signed an MoU with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara will enable the two Services to acquire higher expertise in logistics
• Ministry of Panchayati Raj and UNICEF signed Letter of Intent to strengthen Systems for Social Change
• Visa and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council inked a 3-year partnership of up to $1 million USD
• ICAR-CIFE and VAMNICOM Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperative Management in Fisheries
• Petronet LNG (PLL) has entered into an MoU with LTL Holdings of Sri Lanka, for supply of LNG to LTL’s dual fuelled power plants in Kerawalapitiya, Colombo.
• JNCASR partners with HZL to scale up indigenous Zn-ion battery technologies

Exp. 14 September – Hindi Diwas

Hindi Diwas is observed every year on 14 September.

In 2024, the country is celebrating the 75th year (diamond jubilee) of the adoption of Hindi as India’s official language.

On 14 September 1946, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi in Devnagari script as the official language (Raj Bhasha) of the Indian government, based on the K, M Munshi-N.G Iyenger formula.

However, the first Hindi Diwas was observed on 14 September 1953 by the government of India. Since then, every year, 14 September has been observed as Hindi Diwas.

On this occasion, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs organised the 4th Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasha Sammelan and launched Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag to promote the Hindi language.

World Hindi Diwas is observed on 10 January every year to promote the Hindi language in the world. The first World Hindi Diwas was observed on 10 January 2006.  

Exp. 12 September – International Day of South-South Cooperation

The United Nations International Day of South-South Cooperation is celebrated every year on 12 September.

Theme 2024 – A better tomorrow through South-South Cooperation

The South-South cooperation is a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, their national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Exp. VL-SRSAM missile successfully test-fired by DRDO & Indian Navy

The Indian Navy, in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully tested the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM).

The test was carried out at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur island off the coast of Odisha.

This is the second successful missile test by the DRDO in the past week. On 6 September 2024, the DRDO successfully conducted the user trial of its nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM Agni-4).

During the test, the missile equipped with an advanced radio frequency seeker was launched from a land-based vertical launcher, which successfully intercepted a high-speed aerial target flying at a low altitude.

DRDO is developing the VL-SRAM, which will be manufactured by the central government-owned Bharat Dynamic Limited.

The DRDO-developed missile is likely to replace the Israeli Barak-1 missile currently deployed by the Indian Navy.

Exp. Oman hosts Indo-Oman Eastern Bridge VII & Al Najah V Exercise

The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force contingent have arrived in Oman to participate in the AL NAJAH -V and Exercise Eastern Bridge -VII, respectively.

Exercise Eastern Bridge VII

• The seventh edition of the bilateral military exercise Exercise Eastern Bridge between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Oman Air Force commenced at the Air Force Base Masirah, Oman.
• The Indian Air Force has sent a contingent of MiG-29s, Jaguar fighter planes, and C-17 Globemaster III transport planes.

Exercise AL NAJAH 2024

• The 5th edition of the bilateral military exercise Al NAJAH between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman will be held at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman.
• The 60-member Indian Army contingent consists of a Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
• The military exercise will focus on executing counterterrorism operations as per the United Nations Charter. It will be undertaken in desert conditions, which is expected to increase the desert warfare capabilities of both armies.a

Recent Exercise

• Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield between South Korea and USA
• Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 between Indian Air Force and Malaysia Air Force – Kuantan, Malaysia
• Ex Pitch Black 2024 between India and Australia – Darwin, Australia
• 28th edition of Malabar Exercise between India, USA, Japan, Australia – Bay of Bengal (October 2024)
• 16th edition of Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant between India and Mongolia – Umroi, Meghalaya

• 13^th edition of Joint military Exercise MAITREE between India and Thailand – Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.