Current Affairs One - Liner : 23rd April 2024

• National:
• Mukesh Dalal, the BJP candidate, won the Surat Lok Sabha seat unopposed in the 2024 elections. This happened because the Congress candidate’s nomination was cancelled, and the other eight candidates withdrew their nominations. As a result, Dalal was the only candidate left, leading to his victory without a vote being cast. This is a rare occurrence in Lok Sabha elections. The last unopposed victory was three decades ago.

• On April 19, 2024, seven members of the Shompen tribe in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands voted for the first time. They cast their votes at a polling station named ‘Shompen Hut’. An interpreter assisted them, and they were trained on how to use EVMs and VVPATs.
• Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (Chaitra Purnima) to honor the birth of the deity Hanuman. In 2024, it falls on Tuesday, April 23. Devotees visit temples to worship Hanuman and offer him various offerings. Hanuman is revered for his strength and unwavering devotion to Lord Rama.
• International:
• In the 2024 Maldives Parliamentary Elections, the People’s National Congress (PNC), led by President Mohamed Muizzu, won a supermajority with 66 out of the first 86 declared seats. The main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), won only 15 seats. This victory supports President Muizzu’s policy of maintaining close ties with China.
• The European Union adopted new Schengen visa rules for Indian nationals on 18th April 2024. These rules, known as the “Cascade” regime, allow Indians to obtain long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas with extended validity. After obtaining and lawfully using two visas within the previous three years, Indians can get a two-year visa, followed by a five-year visa, provided the passport remains valid.
• Banking:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed restrictions on Maharashtra’s Konark Urban Co-operative Bank due to its deteriorating financial health. These restrictions, effective from April 23, 2024, prevent the bank from granting or renewing loans, making investments, incurring liabilities, and transferring or disposing of properties without RBI’s permission.
• Economy:
• The escalating tensions in the Middle East have put the Indian government in a difficult situation regarding oil import options. They are strategizing oil imports and considering alternatives like increasing purchases from Russia. The government is prepared to take necessary measures to ensure the country’s energy security. India’s dependence on imported crude touched a new high of 87.7 per cent in FY2023-24.
• Mous:
• The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 19, 2024, in Hyderabad. The partnership aims to develop a technology to capture and convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into Dimethyl Ether (DME), a clean fuel. This initiative supports India’s net-zero emissions goal.
• On April 19, 2024, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TUMAS India Private Limited in New Delhi. The collaboration aims to undertake a range of infrastructure projects including Metro, Rail, High-Speed Rail, Tunnels, Bridges, Highway & Expressway Projects on a global scale.
• Sports:
• Balraj Panwar, a 25-year-old Indian rower, made history on April 21, 2024, by securing India’s first ever rowing quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics. He achieved this remarkable feat at the Asian and Oceanian Rowing Olympic Qualification Regatta held in Chungju, Republic of Korea, at the Tangeum Lake International Rowing Regatta course.
• The Bengaluru Badshahs won the 5th Deaf Indian Premier League title on April 21, 2024. The final was against the Hyderabad Eagles, and the Badshahs were declared winners based on a coin toss. The event was held at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu.
• On April 21, 2024, Casper Ruud won the Barcelona Open in Spain, and Elena Rybakina clinched the Stuttgart Open in Germany. Ruud defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Rybakina dominated against Marta Kostyuk. These victories marked significant achievements in their respective tennis careers.
• Reports:
• The “State of the Climate in Asia 2023” report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), released on March 19, 2024, identified India among the Asian countries most affected by extreme heat and floods in 2023. The report highlighted a prolonged heatwave in South-East Asia, including Bangladesh and Eastern India, and noted that Asia was the region most affected by weather, climate, and water-related disasters in 2023.
• Important Days:
• World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated every year on April 21 to encourage creative multidisciplinary thinking. In 2024, the theme for this day is “Inspire”. This theme encourages everyone to use their creativity and innovation to inspire others. It’s a great opportunity to start a new project, learn a new skill, or brainstorm solutions to a problem you care about.
• World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated annually on 23rd April to promote reading, publishing, and copyright protection. The theme for the year 2024 is ‘Read Your Way’, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a passion for reading and encouraging individuals to engage with books that resonate with them.
• Awards & Honours:
• Mohammed Salem, a Reuters photographer, won the 2024 World Press Photo of the Year award. His winning image, taken on October 17, 2023, depicts a Palestinian woman, Inas Abu Maamar, holding her 5-year-old niece, Saly, who was killed in an Israeli strike.
• Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group, was conferred with the KISS Humanitarian Award 2021 on 22nd April, 2024. The award was presented by Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS. The ceremony took place at Ratan Tata’s residence in Mumbai.
• Books:
• The book “Heavenly Islands of Goa” was authored by the Governor of Goa, Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai. It was released on April 20, 2024. The book provides an overview of Goa’s biodiversity and heritage, and includes images from the Governor’s visits to these islands. The book was launched by Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam.

Questions:

Q.1 Who is the author of the book “Heavenly Islands of Goa”?
a. Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam
b. Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
c. Narendra Modi
d. Amit Shah
Q.2 Who was conferred with the KISS Humanitarian Award 2021 on 22nd April, 2024?
a. Ratan Tata
b. Achyuta Samanta
c. Mukesh Ambani
d. Anand Mahindra