Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 17 2024

Ans (B)

Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission conducted paperless voting for the first time during a panchayat by-election in Bhopal.

The paperless voting occurred at polling booth 295 in Ratua Ratanpur gram panchayat in the Berasia development block.

This initiative marks the first instance of paperless voting in India.

Paperless booths aim to make voting easier, smoother, and more transparent by eliminating the need for 26 forms typically filled out at polling stations.

After polling, ballot paper accounts were emailed directly to candidates and polling agents.

Previously, an e-voting experiment was conducted in Kerala in October 2021, focusing on convenience and efficiency.

A mock e-voting trial in Khammam Municipality had 2,128 participants, with 58.6% of votes cast smoothly.

Ans (A)

The capital city of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been renamed from Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram.

Sri Vijaya Puram is located on South Andaman Island.

Port Blair was named after British colonial Navy official Captain Archibald Blair.

Captain Blair surveyed the Andaman Islands in 1788 and arrived in 1789.

The new name, Sri Vijaya Puram, is inspired by the Sri Vijaya Empire, a Buddhist maritime empire in Southeast Asia (present-day Indonesia) from the 7th to 13th centuries AD.

In June 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed Ross Islands to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island to Shaheed Dweep, and Havelock Island to Swaraj Dweep.

On January 23, 2023, 21 unnamed islands in Andaman & Nicobar were renamed after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees.

Ans (D)

Swati Vijay Kulkarni has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Algeria.

The announcement was made on September 14, 2024.

Swati Vijay Kulkarni is an Indian Foreign Service Officer of the 1995 batch.

She is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

India and Algeria have maintained strong diplomatic ties since 1962.

The relationship between India and Algeria is supported by high-level exchanges and cooperation on bilateral and multilateral issues.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria was re-elected with 94.65% of the valid votes.

The 2024 presidential election in Algeria was held in September 2024.

Ans (B)

Nehal Vora has been reappointed as the MD and CEO of Central Depository Services India (CDSL).

Vora has been heading the country’s only listed depository since September 24, 2019.

His second five-year term will be from September 18, 2024, to September 17, 2029.

His appointment follows a regulatory nod from Sebi in a letter dated August 29.

CDSL handles over 130 million demat accounts.

Ans (D)

The WHO has approved its first Mpox vaccine for adults.

The vaccine was developed by Bavarian Nordic A/S.

The approval marks a crucial step in Africa.

The vaccine is pre-qualified for purchase by donors like GAVI and UNICEF.

Supplies of the vaccine are limited due to a single manufacturer.

The vaccine is approved for adults in a two-dose regimen.

The vaccine may also be used in children in outbreak settings where the benefits outweigh the risks.

Ans (C)

The BRICS Literature Forum 2024 took place in Kazan, Russia.

The forum focused on global literary dialogue.

Discussions included national values and traditions.

Indian delegates Madhav Kaushik and Dr. K. Sreenivasarao participated.

They emphasized literature’s role in promoting unity, cooperation, and multiculturalism.

The session titled “Volga to Ganga” celebrated traditional literature and multicultural heritage.

Ans (C)

Delhi Airport ranks 24th globally for megahubs and 5th for low-cost carrier (LCC) operations.

Mumbai Airport ranks 44th in megahub rankings and 11th for LCC operations.

Global Top 5 Megahubs: London Heathrow, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo-Haneda, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Seoul Incheon.

LCC Megahub Leaders: Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Incheon, and Singapore Changi.

Ans (C)

The 9th Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2024 began in the village of Sani.

9th edition of the Ladakh Zanskar Festival has celebrated on September 13-14, 2024 in Sani, Zanskar.

The festival was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra.

This is the first festival since Zanskar was officially declared a district.

The festival features cultural performances from various regional groups.

Participating groups include the Purgi tribes, the Shina community, the Dard-Aryans, and the Changpa nomads.

Cultural teams from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also participating.

Various stalls showcased handicrafts, local products, cuisines, and services.

Ans (A)

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organized a dialogue on the Montreal Protocol.

The theme of the dialogue was “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action.”

The Montreal Protocol aims to protect the ozone layer by reducing ozone-depleting substances.

Environment Secretary Leena Nandan praised India’s success with the Montreal Protocol.

Angela Lusigi of the United Nations Development Programme commended India’s efforts to reduce Hydrofluorocarbons.

World Ozone Day was observed on the 16th of September.

Ans (B)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has observed the ongoing Tarang Shakti exercise at Jodhpur Air Force Station.

He has also inaugurated the Defence Aviation Expo (IDAX) at Jodhpur Air Force Station.

IDAX, which has been scheduled from 12-14 September 2024, has featured a range of products and technologies.

The expo has allowed interaction with participants from the Indian Aviation Industry, including DPSUs, DRDO, private industries, and startups.

The Defence Minister has also observed the Tarang Shakti exercise during his visit.

The air show has featured Suryakiran, Sarang, Tejas, and Sukhoi-30 aircraft.

Exercise Tarang Shakti has been one of the largest multinational air exercises conducted by the Indian Air Force.

Air forces from seven major countries and 16 observer countries have participated in the exercise.

Air Force Chiefs from some participating countries have joined the event.