Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 02, 2024

ANSWER : D

Current Context : India will host its first multinational air exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti 2024’, in two phases starting on August 6th in Sular, Tamil Nadu.

• Aim : to showcase India’s defence capabilities and enhance cooperation among the participating militaries.
• 30 countries will participate, with ten countries bringing their fighter aircraft.
• The ten countries bringing their aircraft include Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the USA, and Singapore.
• Eighteen other countries will attend as observers.

ANSWER : A

Current Context : Due to heavy rainfall, a landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district, 167 bodies have been recovered while 200 persons have sustained injuries.

ABOUT LANDSLIDE:

• A landslide is a geological event where a large amount of earth material, such as rock, soil, and debris, moves down a slope under the force of gravity.
• Types : Including falls, slides, flows, and topples.
• Causes: Natural factors like geology, weathering,Heavy Rainfall , and tectonic activity, and human factors such as deforestation, construction, and mining.

ABOUT WAYANAD:

• Location : in the northern part of Kerala, India. Known for its lush greenery, rolling hills, and abundant wildlife.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tourist Attractions : Edakkal Caves, Pookode Lake, Soochipara Falls, Banasura Sagar Dam

ANSWER : C

 Current Context : The National Housing Bank appointed Sanjay Shukla  as the managing director (MD).

• He began his career in 1991 as an officer at LIC Housing Finance Limited, the National Housing Bank (NHB)
• Shukla was the founding managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Centrum Housing Finance Limited (CHFL) from October 2016.

ABOUT NATIONAL HOUSING BANK

• The National Housing Bank (NHB) is a statutory institution.
• Established in 1988 under the National Housing Bank Act.
• Objective : To promote and develop the housing finance market in India, with a focus on improving the accessibility and affordability of housing finance.

ANSWER : A

Current Context : Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair, assumed the office of Director General Medical Services (Army), becoming the first woman to be appointed to this prestigious position.

• She was the first woman to hold the post of DG Hospital Services (Armed Forces) on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal.
• Lt Gen Nair was nominated as an expert member of Dr Kasturirangan Committee for drafting part of the medical education component of the National Education Policy.
• For her meritorious service, she has been awarded the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command and Chief of the Air Staff Commendations as well as Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India.

ANSWER : D

Current Context : Goa CM launches ‘Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan’ to boost solar rooftop installation in state.

• It is an initiative aligned with the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
• Aim : to enhance solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households in Goa to generate their own electricity.

ANSWER : B

Current Context : The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) of Indian Army has launched the Electronic Services e-Health Assistance and Tele-consultation (E-SeHAT).

ABOUT E-SEHAT TELE-CONSULTANCY :

• It would enable ECHS beneficiaries in obtaining online Tele-consultation for medical treatment from their homes without visiting the ECHS Polyclinic.
• Aim : to provide health care services through safe and structured video based clinical consultations.
• The pilot project has been launched at 12 ECHS Polyclinics including remote locations of Baramulla, Imphal, Churachandpur, Dimapur and Aizawal.
• The E-SeHAT initiative aligns with the Digital India vision of the Government of India aimed at promoting digital inclusivity and efficiency in public services.

ANSWER : C

Current Context : Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady has installed a wind turbine to generate power for real-time monitoring cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity within its forests.

ABOUT PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE :

• It is a prominent protected area in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, known for its biodiversity and conservation efforts.
• Location : Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala
• Area : 925 square kilometers
• Establishment : The area was initially designated as a sanctuary in 1950. It was upgraded to a tiger reserve in 1978 under Project Tiger and later declared a national park in 1982.
• Biodiversity: including the Bengal tiger, Indian elephants, gaur (Indian bison), and a diverse range of bird species.
• Habitat : tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, and grasslands, providing crucial habitats for its flora and fauna.

ANSWER : D

Current Context : The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) unveiled the Women Entrepreneurship Program.

• Aim : to tackle the challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship by offering crucial skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities.
• In partnership with Britannia Industries Limited, the initiative will also offer financial grants and feature their products and services on the Skill India Digital Hub.

OBJECTIVE :

• Empower Women: to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to start and grow successful businesses.
• Promote Entrepreneurship: It focuses on increasing the number of women entrepreneurs in India, thereby contributing to economic growth and gender equality.

VARIOUS INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED TO FOSTER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDIA :

• Stand Up India Scheme: Provides financial support to women entrepreneurs, particularly from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), to set up greenfield enterprises.
• Mudra Yojana : Provides micro-financing to small and micro enterprises, with no collateral required by women for upto 10 lakh loans.
• Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) : Launched by NITI Aayog, to support women entrepreneurs through mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities.
• Mahila Udyam Nidhi: Provides financial assistance to women entrepreneurs for setting up and expanding small-scale industries.

ANSWER : B

Current Context : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and India signed a USD 200 million loan agreement to improve solid waste management and sanitation in 100 cities across eight states in India.

• Named as the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0-Comprehensive Municipal Waste Management in Indian Cities Program.
• Aim : upgrade and establish solid waste processing and management facilities such as bio-methanation plants, composting plants, managed landfills, material recovery facilities, and plastic waste processing facilities.

ABOUT ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

• It is a regional development bank established in 1966 to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• Headquartered in Manila, Philippines,
• Objective : provides loans, technical assistance, and grants to member countries for projects to reduce poverty and support sustainable development.
• Members: 68 member countries, including both Asian and non-Asian nations (India is a founding member of ADB and its fourth largest shareholder)

ABOUT SWATCH BHARAT MISSION

• Launched on October 2, 2014, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, with the goal of achieving a Clean India by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Aim : to eliminate open defecation, improve solid waste management, and promote cleanliness and hygiene.
• Components:
  • Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin): aiming to provide access to sanitation facilities and improve overall hygiene practices in villages.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) : aiming to improve waste management systems, ensure sanitation facilities, and promote cleanliness in cities and towns.
• Implementation Agencies: Ministry of Jal Shakti (rural) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (urban).

ANSWER : A

Current Context : Due to increased water flow in the Parvati river caused by heavy rains,  a building collapsed and washes away in Kullu’s Parvati River.

About River

• Origin: The Parvati River originates from the Parvati Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Course: It flows through the Parvati Valley and merges with the Beas River near Kullu.
• Tributaries: Tirthan and Sainj rivers.
• Hydropower: The river is central to several hydroelectric projects, including the proposed Malana Dam, which aim to harness its water for energy production.
• Importance : Provides water for irrigation in the valley, supporting local agriculture.