Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 13 2024

Ans (D)

Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 took place from August 6-9, 2024.

It was hosted by the Royal Malaysian Air Force at Kuantan, Malaysia.

The Indian Air Force participated with seven Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft.

The Indian contingent returned to India on August 10, 2024.

Group Captain Ajay Rathi led the Indian team.

Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, Ms Subhashini Narayanan, attended the opening ceremony.

Both Indian and Malaysian Air Forces used Sukhoi-30 fighter planes, purchased from Russia.

Most Indian Sukhoi-30 planes were produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under license from Russia.

Ans (A)

President Droupadi Murmu was honored with the Grand Collar of Order of Timor Leste by President Jose Ramos Horta on August 10, 2024, in Dili.

She was on a three-nation tour from August 5-10, 2024, visiting Fiji (August 5-7), New Zealand (August 8-9), and Timor Leste (arriving August 10).

Accompanied by Union Minister George Kurien and Lok Sabha MPs Saumitra Khan and Jugal Kishore.

India and Timor Leste currently have no diplomatic missions in each other’s countries.

President Murmu is the first Indian President to visit Timor Leste.

She met Timor Leste President José Ramos Horta and discussed IT infrastructure, medical and pharmaceutical sectors, and capacity-building.

She also met Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.

Three agreements signed:

Prasar Bharati to cooperate with Radio Televisaun Timor Leste.

No visa requirements for official and diplomatic passport holders.

Enhanced cooperation on cultural exchange programs.

Ans (B)

The Union Cabinet approved Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0 on August 9, 2024.

The new scheme envisions an investment of Rs 10 lakh crores.

PMAY-U 2.0 will replace the existing PMAY-U, which was launched on June 25, 2015, and will end on December 31, 2024.

PMAY-U is part of the Housing for All policy, aimed at providing all-weather pucca houses to eligible urban beneficiaries.

The duration of PMAY-U 2.0 is five years.

The scheme aims to facilitate the construction of one crore houses in urban areas for the urban poor and middle-class families.

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will be the nodal body for implementing PMAY-U 2.0.

Ans (C)

India and Saint Kitts and Nevis signed an agreement on digitalisation with India Stack.

Dr Denzil Douglas, the first foreign minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis to visit India, was on an official visit from August 4-9, 2024.

India Stack includes digital infrastructure components like Aadhaar, e-auth, e-KYC, Digilocker, and UPI.

During the visit, Dr Douglas met Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, and discussed cooperation in defence, agriculture, digital infrastructure, health, renewable energy, and development.

He also met Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports), Jagat Prakash Nadda (Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare), and Jitin Prasada (Minister of State for Commerce & Industry).

Agreements included:

Cooperation in digitalisation through India Stack.

Cooperation in sports, particularly sports medicine and athlete training.

An MoU for regular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of both countries.

Ans (A)

Aman Sehrawat became the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze in men’s freestyle 57 kg wrestling at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He achieved this at the age of 21 years and 24 days, surpassing PV Sindhu’s record.

PV Sindhu previously held the record, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics at the age of 21 years, 1 month, and 14 days.

India sent a six-member wrestling team to the 2024 Paris Olympics; Vinesh Phogat was disqualified before the final match.

Aman Sehrawat won the only wrestling medal for India by defeating Darian Cruz of Puerto Rico.

The oldest Indian to win a Summer Olympics medal is Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who won silver in double trap shooting at the 2004 Athens Olympics at the age of 34 years, 6 months, and 19 days.

The oldest Indian woman to win a Summer Olympics medal is boxer Mary Kom, who won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics at the age of 29 years, 8 months, and 15 days.

Ans (D)

Cabinet Approves 8 New Railway Projects Worth ₹24,657 Crore.

The Cabinet approved eight new railway projects costing ₹24,657 crore, covering 14 districts across seven states.

Projects include new lines such as Gunupur-Therubali and Junagarh-Nabrangpur, aimed at improving connectivity and mobility.

The initiative will build 64 new stations, connect UNESCO site Ajanta Caves, and boost economic development and employment in the regions.

Ans (C)

Maharashtra Approves Logistics Policy to Boost Jobs and Revenue.

Maharashtra’s Logistics Policy 2024 aims to create 500,000 jobs and generate ₹30,573 crore in revenue over ten years.

Focus on developing over 10,000 acres of logistics infrastructure, including a mega logistics hub in Navi Mumbai-Pune.

The policy emphasizes optimal use of logistics networks, infrastructure enhancement, and multi-modal connectivity.

Ans (A)

Chhattisgarh has approved the creation of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve.

It will be the third largest tiger reserve in India, covering 2,829 sq km.

The reserve integrates Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary.

This decision addresses the decline in Chhattisgarh’s tiger population, which dropped from 46 in 2014 to 17 in 2022.

The reserve spans four districts: Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur, and Balrampur.

India’s largest tiger reserve is Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (3,296.31 sq km) and the second largest is Manas Tiger Reserve (2,837.1 sq km).

Ans (B)

US Releases $3.5 Billion for Israel’s Military Purchases.

The U.S. State Department approved the release of $3.5 billion to Israel for purchasing U.S. weapons and military equipment.

This funding is part of a $14 billion supplemental package appropriated by Congress during Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The decision comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, raising concerns of a broader regional conflict.

Ans (B)

India ended their Paris 2024 campaign with six medals.

Manu Bhaker bagged two bronze medals; one in individual shooting and the other with Sarabjot in mixed team.

Swapnil Kusale also won a shooting bronze.

Neeraj Chopra clinched silver in men’s javelin throw and the men’s hockey team defeated Spain to claim bronze.

Aman Sehrawat also grabbed a bronze in wrestling.

If the CAS verdict goes to Vinesh’s side, then we will see India’s medal tally increase to seven.

The Paris Olympics 2024 Closing Ceremony will take place on 12 August at the Stade de France.

For India, the flag bearers will be PR Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker.

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her gold medal bout for being 100 grams overweight.

If Vinesh Phogat’s appeal is successful, India’s medal tally will increase to seven.