Current Affairs One - Liner : 6th April 2024

• National:
• NTPC, India’s state-owned power giant, permanently discontinued operations of its Barauni Thermal Power Station Stage-I in Bihar from 31st March 2024. This stage had two units, each of 110 MW, contributing to a total of 220 MW.

• On April 6, 2024, India approved the highest-ever export quotas for essential commodities to the Maldives. This decision is part of a bilateral agreement between the two countries and is a reflection of India’s commitment to its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policies. The move is expected to benefit the Maldives, particularly its construction sector significantly.
• The “Experimental Licence Module for 100 5G Labs” was launched by the Telecom Secretary, Dr. Neeraj Mittal, on April 5, 2024, at a 5G workshop at IIT Madras. This initiative simplifies the license requirements for 100 5G Labs across India, fostering innovation in the 5G domain. The license can now be obtained instantaneously through a “Self-declaration Mode” on the NSWS Portal.
• On April 5, 2024, the Supreme Court stayed the Allahabad High Court’s judgment that had declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act as unconstitutional. This decision allows madrasas in Uttar Pradesh to continue operating under the state minority welfare department. The stay remains in effect until further notice.
• International:
• In 2021, COVID-19 emerged as the second-leading cause of death worldwide, according to a study in The Lancet. It caused 94 deaths per one lakh population, reducing global life expectancy by 1.6 years. This marked a significant disruption in health trends, reversing over three decades of improvements. Ischaemic heart disease remained the leading cause of death.
• On April 5, 2024, India abstained from voting on a UNHRC resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called for an arms embargo on Israel. The resolution was adopted with 28 votes in favor, 6 against, and 13 abstentions. Despite abstaining from this resolution, India voted in favor of three other resolutions criticizing Israel for human rights violations
• On April 4, 2024, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved the reopening of the Erez crossing into Gaza. This decision was made to facilitate the flow of more humanitarian aid into the region, which had been restricted following the Hamas attacks in October. The move was in response to demands from the U.S. to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Banking:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is developing a mobile application for the Retail Direct portal. This app will improve access for retail investors to the government securities market. The exact release date has not been specified, but it’s expected to be available shortly.
• J&K Bank and Paymart India announced a partnership on April 4, 2024, to launch a Virtual ATM facility. This service allows J&K Bank’s customers to withdraw cash without a card through local merchants. The withdrawal limit is Rs 2,000 per transaction and Rs 10,000 per month.
• The Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) crossed the ₹5-lakh crore mark in total business for the first time on March 31, 2024. This achievement was reported on April 05, 2024. This is a significant milestone in IOB’s post-turnaround phase. The bank had achieved a business mix of over ₹5-lakh crore (unaudited), marking a new era of financial growth.
• Science & Technology:
• The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), or Korea’s ‘Artificial Sun’, set a record by maintaining plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius for 48 seconds. This is a significant step towards achieving sustainable nuclear fusion, a potential source of near-limitless clean energy. The team aims to sustain these temperatures for 300 seconds by 2026.
• The Southern Ocean, known for having the cleanest air on Earth, owes this to a combination of factors. Its remote location, cold temperatures, and strong winds minimize human-induced air pollution and promote efficient dispersion of any pollutants. The absence of large surrounding landmasses limits the input of continental aerosols.
• Reports:
• On April 4, 2024, the World Economic Forum (WEF) recognized seven Indians in their “Young Global Leaders Community: The Class of 2024”. The Indians recognized are Shashwat Goenka, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Bhumi Pednekar, Adwaita Nayar, Richa Bajpai, Arjun Bhartia, and Sharad Vivek Sagar. They are acknowledged for their significant contributions in their respective fields.
• The UNESCAP report, “Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2024”, predicts a loss of 5.8% of daily working hours in India by 2030 due to heat stress. This could lead to decreased productivity and lower fiscal revenue. The report also warns of increased disease spread due to climate change and suggests enhancing youth skills through better education as a mitigation strategy.
• Military Exercise:
• The Sagar Kavach 01/24 was a two-day Coastal Security Exercise conducted in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep from April 1 to April 2, 2024. It involved maritime security agencies like the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs, and other security agencies. The exercise aimed to validate the effectiveness of coastal security mechanisms and provided an opportunity for the participating agencies to refine their operational procedures.
• Defence:
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently received its first indigenously designed and developed Crash Fire Tender (CFT) from a Noida-based Indian MSME firm. Despite global supply chain disruptions, the firm delivered the CFT within 14 months of contract signing. This acquisition reflects the IAF’s commitment to supporting domestic defense production and promoting self-reliance.
• The Indian Army began the induction of the Akashteer Control & Reporting Systems, developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), on April 4, 2024. This system is designed to monitor low-level airspace over battle areas and control ground-based air defence weapon systems.
• Important Days:
• National Handmade Day 2024, celebrated on April 6th, has the theme ‘Buy a Handmade Product’. It encourages people to support local artisans and small businesses by purchasing handmade items. This not only appreciates the craftsmanship but also promotes sustainable living by reducing waste.
• Appointments:
• Ms. Astrid Schomaker, who has extensive experience in international relations and negotiations, was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on April 2, 2024. She is the first person from Germany to hold this position.
• Dr. Meenesh Shah, the Chairman and Managing Director of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), was elected as the Chairman of the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Ltd. (NCDFI) on April 5, 2024. The election was conducted by Praveen Chaudhary, IAS, District Collector of Anand.
• On April 4, 2024, the Delhi High Court appointed its former judge, Justice Najmi Waziri, as the chairperson of a committee for the protection of forests in Delhi. Known as the “green judge”, Justice Waziri is expected to lead efforts for the protection, preservation, reclamation, and enhancement of both protected and deemed forests.
• Bilquis Mir, from Jammu and Kashmir, became the first Indian woman to be appointed as a jury member at the 33rd Summer Olympics in Paris, 2024. She was officially appointed on April 5, 2024. This is a significant achievement for her and a proud moment for India.

Questions:

Q.1 Where was the “Experimental Licence Module for 100 5G Labs” launched?
a. IIT Delhi
b. IIT Bombay
c. IIT Madras
d. IIT Kanpur
Q.2 Who is the first Indian woman to be appointed as a jury member at the 33rd Summer Olympics in Paris, 2024?
a. Mary Kom
b. Bilquis Mir
c. P. V. Sindhu
d. Saina Nehwal