Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 23, 2024

Answer: A

Current Context : Senior IAS officer Amardeep Singh Bhatia has assumed the charge of Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

ABOUT DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE (DPIIT)

• It is a central government department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India.
• It is responsible for formulation and implementation of promotional and developmental measures for growth of the industrial sector, keeping in view the national priorities and socio-economic objectives.
• Established in 1995, and was reconstituted in the year 2000 with the merger of Department of Industrial Development.
• It was earlier known as the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP).
• The department was renamed as DPIIT in January 2019.

Answer: C

Current Context : Indian brand Amul has been ranked as the world’s strongest food brand and the strongest dairy brand, according to Brand Finance, UK annual report titled ‘Food & Drink 2024’.

• According to the report, Amul has risen from the second rank in 2023 to become the world’s strongest food brand in 2024, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 0 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating.

ABOUT AMUL

• It is the world’s largest milk cooperative company in the world.
• Products including milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, and more.
• Established in 1946
• Headquartered in Anand, Gujarat,
• Managed by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF).

Answer: B

Current Context : India and Japan reviewed bilateral cooperation during the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi.

• Ministers explored new initiatives to further strengthen the engagements between the two countries.
• They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

ABOUT “2+2” DIALOGUE

• It was initiated to further deepen bilateral security and defence cooperation and bring greater depth to the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries.
• The “2+2” format involves two ministers from each country—typically the foreign and defense ministers—discussing strategic, security, and bilateral issues.
• India has the “2+2” Ministerial format of dialogue with very few countries, including the United States, Australia, Japan and Russia.

Answer: D

Current Context : The Dhangar community, a pastoral and nomadic tribal group in Maharashtra, demanding a “grazing corridor” for their sheep and goats.

ABOUT DHANGAR COMMUNITY

• The Dhangar community, a pastoral and nomadic tribal group in Maharashtra.
• The Dhangars are renowned for their migratory shepherding practices and traditionally traverse vast distances to ensure the sustenance of their flocks.
• They are recognized as Scheduled Tribes (ST) or Other Backward Classes (OBC) in various states,
• Community is concentrated in Buldhana, Latur, Amravati, and Yavatmal, Vidarbha in Maharashtra.
• Besides Maharashtra, they live in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, as well, and are known by other names such as Golla and Kuruba

Answer: B

Current Context : At least one man died and six people are missing after a luxury yacht sank was hit by a violent storm off the coast of Sicily, Italy.

ABOUT WATER SPROUT

• A waterspout is a rotating column of air that occurs over a body of water, usually appearing as a funnel-shaped cloud in contact with the water and a cumuliform cloud.
• Mostly forms in tropical and subtropical areas.

TWO TYPES OF WATER SPOUT

• “Fair weather” or “non-tornadic” waterspout : usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds.
• Classic tornado “tornadic”, “supercellular”, or “mesocyclonic” waterspout : form over water, or move from land to water.

Answer: A

Current Context : Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde inaugurated the first ‘Solar Village’ in the state.

• The Manyachiwadi village in the Patan Taluka of Satara district has become the first ‘Solar Village’ in Maharashtra.
• It is an initiative aimed at providing 100 per cent solar-powered electricity to 100 villages
• With 102 rooftop solar connections, every household in the village—which has a population of 420—will now have zero-amount electricity bills.

Answer: C

Current Context : U.S. and South Korean troops have begun a large-scale exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 24.

• Aimed at strengthening their combined defense capabilities against nuclear-armed North Korea.
• Exercise include both computer-simulated war games and more than 40 kinds of field exercises, including live-fire drills.

Answer: C

Current Context : Recently, the Public Works Department (PWD) decided to install a bailey bridge on the Swan river in Rampur village of Una district.

• It connects Una district headquarters to Santoshgarh.

About Swan River

• District Una is situated on the bank of Swan River.
• It flows from North to West direction.
• It is a tributary of the Sutlej river.
• During monsoon period Swan river creates devastating floods in District Una.
• The width of the river had increased, and fertile land situated on both banks was turning barren due to silt deposits.

Answer: B 

Current Context : Three-day Ladarcha festival, started at the scenic Kaza in Lahaul and Spiti district.

• This festival has provided a platform for self-help groups (SHGs) to showcase natural products crafted under the JICA Forestry Project.

ABOUT LADARCHA FESTIVAL

• The La Darcha Fair held every year in Lahaul and Spiti district.
• It offers a glimpse into the undiscovered and unspoiled culture, artifacts, handicrafts and a myriad of other exquisite goods produced in these regions.
• Traders from Ladakh, Rampur Busher and Spiti meet in this fair to barter  their produce.
• The fair features three stalls dedicated to traditional and natural goods, including Spiti’s clothing, Sherma tea and juice, carpets, dried apples and other local products.

Answer: C

Current Context : Residents of the Gunehad panchayat of Kangra opposed the implementation of Special Area Development Authority (SADA) in the village.

ABOUT SPECIAL AREA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (SADA)

• It is an Indian government body tasked with the development and planning of specific regions, often to address unique local needs or challenges.
• Objectives : enhancing infrastructure, promoting economic growth, and improving living conditions of a specific area.