Current Affairs 09 July 2024

Current Affairs 09 July 2024

01. In which city did the United States host the 2024 NATO Summit?
(a) New York City
(b) California
(c) Florida
(d) Washington D.C.

Ans : D

• The 2024 Washington summit is an upcoming meeting of the heads of state and heads of government of the thirty-two members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), their partner countries and the European Union (EU), which will be held in Washington, DC, United States, on 9–11 July 2024
• The summit will commemorate the landmark 75th anniversary of NATO, which was founded on 4 April 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, DC.
• The summit is the fourth NATO summit to be held in the United States following the 1978 Washington summit, 1999 Washington summit and 2012 Chicago summit.
• It also marks the first summit since Sweden acceded to NATO and the last for Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General.
• The official title of the 2024 Washington summit is “Ukraine and transatlantic security.”
• It is meant to highlight the focus on NATO’s response to escalating global threats to peace and democracies, with particular attention to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and North Korea’s involvement on the side of Russia through weapon supply and troop deployment to the Ukrainian front lines.
• The summit will also focus on boosting defence production and reaffirming allies’ commitment to military readiness and the defence of all of NATO’s territory.

02. Who has been chosen as the female flag-bearer for India in the opening ceremony of Paris Olympics 2024?
(a) Mary Kom
(b) PV Sindhu
(c) Saina Nehwal
(d) A Sharath Kamal

Ans : B

• PV Sindhu is a two-time Olympic medallist and 2019 World Champion in badminton.
• Sindhu won a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making her the first and only female Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals.
• She was announced as India’s female flag-bearer for the Paris Olympics 2024 by IOA president PT Usha.
• Sindhu has been the face of Indian badminton for years and has a significant record in international competitions, including the World Championships.

03. Who has been appointed as the Chief Electoral Officer of Haryana? (July 2024)
(a) Anurag Agarwal
(b) Pankaj Agarwal
(c) Suresh Kumar
(d) Rajesh Sharma

Ans : B

• Pankaj Agarwal has been appointed as the new Chief Electoral Officer of Haryana.
• He is a senior IAS officer from the 2000 batch.
• He replaces Anurag Agarwal, who has been transferred to the ACS Irrigation and Water Resources Department.
• The Haryana government issued the posting orders as part of a recent reshuffle of 12 IAS officers.
• Anurag Agarwal was the previous Chief Electoral Officer of Haryana and has been transferred to the ACS Irrigation and Water Resources Department.
• Pankaj Agarwal will also serve as Commissioner and Secretary to the Government, Elections Department.
• This reshuffle was part of a larger transfer of 12 IAS officers in Haryana.

04. At which village in Odisha did President Droupadi Murmu inaugurate the Divine Retreat Centre of Brahma Kumaris?
(a) Haridamada
(b) Kalahandi
(c) Keloposi
(d) Karadapal

Ans : A

• The Divine Retreat Centre was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu.
• The location of the inauguration is Haridamada village.
• The event took place on July 8, 2024.
• Alongside the inauguration, the President launched the national campaign ‘Lifestyle for Sustainability’ of Brahma Kumaris.
• Haridamada village is located near Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha.
• The Divine Retreat Centre is part of the Brahma Kumaris’ initiatives for spiritual and environmental awareness.
• ‘Lifestyle for Sustainability’ is a national campaign aimed at promoting eco-friendly living practices.
• The President emphasized the need for harmony with nature and a nature-friendly lifestyle during her speech at the event.
• Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual movement dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal.
• Founded in India in 1937, Brahma  Kumaris has spread to over 110 countries.

05. Who has been appointed as the Chef-de-Mission of the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024?
(a) Neeraj Chopra
(b) Mary Kom
(c) Abhinav Bindra
(d) Gagan Narang

Ans : D

• Gagan Narang has been appointed as the Chef-de-Mission of the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024.
• Narang is a four-time Olympian and won a bronze medal in the men’s 10m Air Rifle event at the 2012 Olympic Games.
• He replaces Mary Kom, who resigned from the position.
• Narang’s appointment was announced by Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, citing his experience and suitability for the role.

06. Who was named the ‘ICC Men’s Player of the Month’ for June 2024?
(a) Virat Kohli
(b) Jasprit Bumrah
(c) Rohit Sharma
(d) Hardik Pandya

Ans : B

• Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana have both been awarded the ICC Player of the Month for June 2024, marking the first instance where both the men’s and women’s awards were won by players from the same country in the same month.
• Bumrah clinched the ICC Men’s Player of the Month following his outstanding display in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. He played a pivotal role in India’s victory, securing 15 wickets with an impressive average of 8.26 and a remarkable economy rate of 4.17.
• Bumrah’s standout moments included crucial wickets against Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and England, where he consistently delivered under pressure, culminating in India’s tournament win after 13 years.
• Smriti Mandhana earned her first ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for her exceptional batting performances against South Africa. She scored 343 runs at an average of 114.33 and a strike rate exceeding 100 across the ODI series.
• Mandhana’s centuries in consecutive matches were instrumental in India’s series victory over South Africa, demonstrating her consistency and ability to perform under pressure.

07. Which Indian state has been honored with the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Punjab
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Uttar Pradesh

Ans : C

•  Maharashtra was awarded Best Agriculture State Award 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.
• Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to receive the honor in New Delhi on July 10.
• Recognized for sustainable development policies focused on environmental protection and food security.
• Initiatives include bamboo cultivation, Shri Anna Abhiyan for cereals, and biomass utilization in power generation.
• Award ceremony to be held during the 15th Agriculture Leadership Conference with notable dignitaries.
• Maharashtra committed to extensive tree planting and reducing coal use by promoting biomass.
• Initiatives like the largest bamboo mission covering 21 lakh hectares and irrigation enhancement projects highlighted.

08. _____________ Slashes Road Tax On Strong Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Cars.
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Telangana

Ans : A

• UP Slashes Road Tax On Strong Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Cars.
• In a significant move towards promoting eco-friendly transportation, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a waiver of road tax on hybrid cars.
• This policy aims to encourage the adoption of greener vehicles and reduce the environmental impact of traditional gasoline and diesel-powered cars.
• The exact quantum of reduction in the taxes is not revealed in the notification.
• However, reports have that a 100 per cent rebate is being offered.
• As this is an amendment to the state’s existing EV policy, the relaxation in registration cost will be valid till October 2025.
• Also, the overall demand for hybrid vehicles isn’t very high across the country. 

09. Which former Chief Justice of India was appointed as the head of the committee by the Supreme Court to oversee the appointment of Vice Chancellors in West Bengal?
(a) Justice Ranjan Gogoi
(b) Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde
(c) Justice Uday Umesh Lalit
(d) Justice Dipak Misra

Ans : C

• Justice Uday Umesh Lalit is a former Chief Justice of India.
• The Supreme Court appointed him as the chairperson of the search-cum-selection committee for all universities in West Bengal.
• The committee aims to ensure transparency, independence, fairness, and impartiality in the selection of Vice Chancellors.
• The recommendations made by the committee will be considered by the Chief Minister of West Bengal and approved by the Chancellor of the University.

10. What is the purpose of Project PARI initiated by the Ministry of Culture?
(a) To promote traditional dance forms in Delhi
(b) To create new educational institutions in Delhi
(c) To enhance the aesthetic and cultural outlook of Delhi
(d) To improve public transportation in Delhi

Ans : C

• Project PARI was initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• The main aim is to enhance the aesthetic and cultural outlook of Delhi.
• It involves more than 150 visual artists from across India.
• The project focuses on beautifying public spaces and making art accessible to the public.
• Project PARI is part of the preparations for the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting in New Delhi.
• The project aims to uplift the visual quality of public areas, enhancing community pride and belonging.
• It includes traditional and contemporary art forms, creating murals, sculptures, and installations.
• The initiative democratizes art by integrating it into public spaces, making it accessible to all citizens.