Current Affairs One - Liner : 19th & 20th May 2024

The “ONDC Startup Mahotsav” was an event organised by DPIIT, ONDC, and Startup India to foster partnerships within the ONDC ecosystem. It was attended by around 5,000 startups, with over 125 stakeholders signing a Letter of Intent to collaborate with ONDC. The ONDC network has more than 5 lakh sellers, majority being small or medium-sized.

The Disaster Reporting and Incident Management System (DRIMS) was launched in Assam on 16th May 2024. Developed by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in collaboration with Unicef, DRIMS aims to expedite the process of reporting and assessing damages caused by disasters, thereby speeding up the disbursement of aid to affected individuals.
The 250th birth anniversary of Fakir Lalon Shah, a mystic saint and humanist bard, was celebrated with a nine-day long Indo-Bangla Baul music festival. The event began in Dhaka on May 17, 2024. It was organized by Lalon Biswasangha, supported by the High Commission of India and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh
A study found that over 5 million large farmland trees in India disappeared between 2018 and 2022 due to changes in cultivation practices. Traditional agroforestry systems are being replaced with paddy rice fields, leading to the removal of large, mature trees.
The Sikkim transport department is launching an AI-driven traffic management system on May 25, 2024. This system aims to modernize traffic management in Sikkim. It will automatically verify vehicle documents, detect traffic violations, and notify vehicle owners.

On May 16, 2024, during a state visit to China, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and China’s President Xi Jinping signed a joint statement to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership. They emphasized their commitment to non-alliance, non-confrontation, and the “no limits” relationship they agreed upon in 2022.
Pakistan has successfully conducted a training launch of the ‘Fatah-II’, a guided multi-launch rocket system. The ‘Fatah-II’ has a range of up to 400 kilometers and is equipped with an advanced navigation system. It’s capable of engaging targets with high precision and can defeat any missile defence system.

The SBI Automotive Opportunities Fund is an open-ended equity scheme launched by SBI Mutual Fund on May 17, 2024. The fund aims to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in companies engaged in automotive & allied business activities.

India Ratings and Research predicts India’s GDP growth rate for the March quarter of 2024 to be 6.7%. The overall GDP growth for FY24 is expected to be around 6.9-7%. The services sector is expected to lead the growth, while mining and industrial output may lag.

The first evidence of rock art in Mangaluru city was discovered on May 17, 2024 near the Boloor Panne Koteda Babbu Swamy shrine. The rock art is in the form of a pair of human footprints found on a natural stone boulder. The discovery was made by T. Murugeshi, a retired Associate Professor of Ancient History and Archaeology.

Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen won a gold medal in the women’s 52 kg category at the Elorda Cup 2024 in Kazakhstan. Another Indian boxer, Minakshi, also won gold in the women’s 48 kg category. The Indian team won a total of 12 medals, including two gold, two silver, and eight bronze.

The Indian Army is set to receive the Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) from Russia. This system enhances the Army’s Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) capabilities. The procurement includes domestic production in India.

World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20th to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators. The day honors Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture. The theme for World Bee Day 2024 is “Bee engaged with Youth”, emphasizing the role of young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) is observed annually on May 17. The 2024 theme is “No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all”. It’s a day to raise awareness about the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community and promote their rights.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Pradeep Natarajan as the Whole Time Director on the Board of IDFC FIRST Bank on May 16, 2024. The appointment is for three years.
William Lai Ching-te has become the 8th President of Taiwan on May 20, 2024. He is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party and is known for his pro-democracy stance. Before his presidency, he served as the Vice President, the Mayor of Tainan, and the Premier of the Republic of China.

Narayanan Vaghul, the former Chairman of ICICI Bank and a Padma Bhushan awardee, passed away on 18th May 2024. He was instrumental in transforming ICICI into a leading financial conglomerate and was revered for his integrity.
On May 20, 2024, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash. The crash occurred due to technical failure in heavy fog in the north of Iran.

Ques.1 Who won the gold medal in the women’s 52 kg category at the Elorda Cup 2024?

Answer: a) Nikhat Zareen

Ques.2 What is the predicted GDP growth rate for India for the March quarter of 2024 according to India Ratings and Research?

Answer: b) 6.7%