Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 24 2024

Ans (B)

The country has celebrated its first National Space Day on 23 August 2024 to mark its remarkable capability and achievements in space.

The Indian space programme, which has started with the launching of a sounding rocket from Thumba in Kerala on 21 November 1963, has reached a stage where it has developed the capability to land rovers on moons and send rockets to explore other planets like Mars (Mangalyaan Mission) and Sun (Aditya mission).

The government of India has announced 23 August as National Space Day to mark the landing of the Vikram lander of the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the moon’s south pole.

India has become the fourth country after the Soviet Union, the United States of America, and China to land a rover on the moon and the first country to land on the moon’s south pole.

The Vikram lander has landed on the 23rd of August, 2023, at 18.04 Indian time at the 69.37-degree South latitude and 32.35-degree East longitude of the moon’s surface.

The government of India has later renamed the place where the Vikram lander has landed as Shiv Shakti Point.

Theme – Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,

Ans (A)

The Ministry of Health and Family Affairs, Government of India, has issued an office order on the constitution of the 14-member National Task Force formed by the Supreme Court on 20 August 2024 for the safety of medical professionals.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Task Force by the office order issued on 21 August 2024.

On 9 August 2024, a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, leading to nationwide protests by doctors.

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud, has suo motto started hearing the case and ordered the formation of the National Task Force to suggest safety measures for medical professionals.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will bear all expenses of the National Task Force.

The 14-member task force includes 9 eminent doctors suggested by the Supreme Court.

The task force is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes the Home Secretary, Health Secretary, Chairperson of the National Medical Commission, and the president of the National Board of Examinations.

Ans (C)

Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian men’s cricket team, has received the 26th CEAT International Cricketer of the Year Award at a ceremony in Mumbai.

The CEAT Cricket Awards are prestigious awards that recognize exceptional performances by cricketers worldwide.

The awards, which started in 1995-96, are sponsored by CEAT Tyres, a company of the RP Goenka Group. The 26th CEAT Award considers performances from the 2023-24 cricketing season.

Former Indian cricket captain and coach Rahul Dravid was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rahul Dravid, also known as the Wall, was the coach of the Indian team that won the 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Barbados, defeating South Africa in the final.

Ans (A)

Rajesh Nambiar has been appointed as the President-Designate of NASSCOM.

He succeeds Debjani Ghosh, whose term ends in November 2024.

Nambiar previously served as Chairman and Managing Director of Cognizant India.

He has extensive experience with TCS, IBM, Ciena, and Cognizant.

Nambiar was a member of the NASSCOM Executive Council and served as Chairperson in 2023.

His appointment comes during a challenging period for the IT services industry, facing a rapidly changing tech landscape and declining global tech spending.

Ans (C)

India signed a USD 500 million loan package with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The loan is for improving tertiary health care and medical education in Maharashtra.

Juhi Mukherjee (Government of India) and Mio Oka (ADB) were the signatories to the agreement.

Dinesh Waghmare signed on behalf of the Maharashtra state government.

The program includes establishing four medical colleges with modern features in under-served districts.

The initiative aims to strengthen health care and education, expand facilities, and improve services in under-served areas.

Ans (B)

Karnataka tops India with 5,765 public EV charging stations, 85% of which are located in the Bengaluru Urban district.

Supported by the FAME scheme, Bescom investments, and PPP, Karnataka pioneer in EV infrastructure.

The state aims to further EV adoption with 2,500 new stations and ₹35 crore investment for 100 stations with electricity companies.

Ans (D)

A new study reveals liquid water in Mars’ mid-crust, discovered through data from NASA’s Mars Insight Lander.

The water is located 10-20 km deep, suggesting ancient infiltration when Mars had rivers and lakes.

This discovery could provide insights into Mars’ water cycle, climate evolution, and potential for life.

Ans (D)

India’s 700 MW KAPS-4 reactor in Gujarat, part of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, reached full power on August 21, 2024.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) plans to build 14 more reactors of the same design, operational by 2031-32.

India aims to boost nuclear capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031-32 with ongoing and future projects.

Ans (B)

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad has been named the Best Airport at the India Travel Awards for the third consecutive year.

Earlier this year, RGIA won the Skytrax award for ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024’.

This recognition enhances Hyderabad’s status as a major metropolitan city.

The award helps attract investments, boost business opportunities, and increase tourism.

It strengthens Hyderabad’s economy and reputation as a leading destination.

Ans (A)

Ronak Dahiya secured a bronze medal in the 110 kg Greco-Roman event at the U-17 World Wrestling Championship in Jordan.

Dahiya defeated Turkey’s Emrullah Capkan 6-1 in the medal match.

India concluded the Men’s Greco-Roman category with two bronze medals, including one by Sainath Pardhi in the 51 kg event.