September - 2024 Current Affairs

Correct Answer :   Cambodia

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B Vanlalvawna has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Thursday (26th Sep 2024).

The 1998 batch Indian Foreign Service officer is presently the Joint Secretary in the Ministry.

According to MEA, "B. Vanlalvawna (IFS: 1998), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia,"

He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Prior to this appointment, Devyani Uttam Khobragade was serving as the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia.

Source : ANI

Correct Answer :   Jyotiraditya M. Scindia

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Minister of Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia visited (26th Sep 2024) Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) Bengaluru Campus and inaugurated 5G O-RAN  testing lab. He later inaugurated the “Tejas Centre of Excellence for Wireless Communications” at their Bengaluru Headquarters.

He also launched the company’s indigenously designed 32T32R Massive MIMO radio capable of delivering 1+ Gbps download speeds using 5G mid-band spectrum.

Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated 5G  O-RAN  testing lab that will benefit the Startups, Academia  and the industry to test various components of 5G open RAN system developed by them. He also witnessed a 5G call using open RAN based 5G radio developed by C-DOT in Bengaluru Campus. The Lab will facilitate development of a complete Indian end-end 5G ecosystem in the areas of core, access, transport, cloud, orchestration and security.

The Minister started the visit by planting a  tree in the campus of C-DOT. He visited 4G, 5G and Server labs  at C-DOT Bengaluru and lauded the efforts of C-DOT’s scientists in developing low-cost novel indigenous telecom products and solutions. He encouraged the young engineers to continue their zeal and passion to innovate for realising the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister  towards "Atmanirbhar Bharat"  and  progressing to  “Viksit Bharat 2047”.

During his visit, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia also had a fruitful and motivating interaction with many prominent Bengaluru-based startups and domestic industry partners who are actively engaged in collaborative development of cutting-edge indigenous technologies and solutions, like, Astrome, Astromeda Space, Chipspirit Technologies, Cimware, DeepVisionTech.AI, Elena Geo systems, Fasal Agri Tech, Lekha Wireless, LivNsense Technologies, Tejocell, Nimble Vision, Niral Networks, Niqo Robotics, OptimusLogic, QPIAI, Resonous, Signaltron, SuperQ Technologies, Vacus Tech, Xten Networks, Xoviam Aerospace, etc.  Startups demonstrated their innovations and products to the Minister.

The Minister lauded C-DOT’s collaborative research initiatives including BharatRAN-1 and BharatRAN-2 for the development of O-RAN compliant disaggregated 5G RAN solution capable of operation in the FR1 and FR2 bands for public & private 5G networks. He assured full policy  support for facilitating research and innovation in Bengaluru, the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched three Param Rudra Super Computing Systems and a High Performance Computing (HPC) system for weather and climate research on Thursday (26th Sep 2024).

"India takes significant step towards self-reliance in computing and driving innovation in science and tech," he remarked at the event.

“At around 5.30 pm this evening, via video conferencing, I will be inaugurating three Param Rudra Super Computing Systems and a High Performance Computing System for weather and climate. Will especially urge my young friends to join…,” PM Modi had said earlier in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

All features of the Param Rudra supercomputers explained :

1) The supercomputers will be dedicated to the nation as part of the Centre’s efforts to make India self-reliant in the field of Supercomputing technology, according to an official press release.
2) These three supercomputers will cost around Rs 130 crore and will be developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
3) They have been deployed at three key locations: Delhi, Pune and Kolkata. The Ministry of Science & Technology highlighted the project’s key objective to boost India’s scientific research capabilities.
4) In Pune, the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) will leverage the supercomputer to explore Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena.
5) In Delhi, Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) will enhance research in fields like material science and atomic physics.
6) In Kolkata, S N Bose Centre will use supercomputing technology to drive advanced research in areas such as physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.

The project is part of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), which aims to boost India’s supercomputing infrastructure amid increasing demand in sectors such as academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups. Under the mission, the first indigenously assembled supercomputer, named PARAM Shivay, was installed at IIT (BHU) in 2019.

The launch of Param Rudra supercomputers was part of a program where PM Modi was scheduled to dedicate projects worth Rs 22,600 crore for various sectors. However, the event was postponed due to the heavy rainfall situation in Mumbai and Pune...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Wabtec

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Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited, a joint venture between Indian Railways and Wabtec, is set to begin exporting Evolution Series locomotives from its Marhowra plant in Bihar to Africa by 2025.

This plant, established in 2018, has already manufactured approximately 650 locomotives and will produce ES43ACmi locomotives featuring a 4,500 HP engine.

The joint venture underscores Wabtec's significant presence in India's locomotive manufacturing sector and its expansion into international markets.

This development highlights the growing collaboration between Indian Railways and global industry leaders like Wabtec.

Correct Answer :   Madhya Pradesh

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Madhya Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone by conducting India's first entirely paperless election for the post of sarpanch in Ratua Ratanpur.

This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by the state election commission, aims to eliminate paper usage in the electoral process, enhancing both efficiency and transparency.

By embracing digital methods, the state is paving the way for modern electoral practices, making voting more accessible and straightforward for panchayats and urban bodies.

This innovation reflects a commitment to leveraging technology in governance and improving the electoral experience for citizens.

Correct Answer :   September 26

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World Maritime Day 2024 will be celebrated on September 26, 2024, with the theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First!” This theme highlights the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) efforts to enhance maritime safety and security, protect the marine environment, and address the impact of technological advancements on the shipping industry.

The celebration emphasizes the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships while maintaining safety standards, and it promotes regulatory developments that align with the fast-evolving maritime sector.

Correct Answer :   Air Marshal SP Dharkar

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Ace fighter pilot Air Marshal SP Dharkar has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of Air Staff.

He would be succeeding incumbent Air Marshal AP Singh, who has been designated as the next Chief of Air Staff.

SP Dharkar would be assuming his new appointment after the new Chief takes over.

SP Dharkar-- an experienced fighter pilot with over 3600 hours of flying. He is an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College Dehradun, National Defence Academy Pune, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Air War College, USA. Commissioned in June 1985, he is a Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader, and Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner and has also been an Air Force Examiner.

During his illustrious career, he has commanded a frontline fighter squadron and a Fighter Flying Training Establishment.

He has instructional experience in conducting Professional Military Education for medium and senior level officers at the Defence Services Staff College and at the College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad.

He has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training) at Air Headquarters and Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Eastern Air Command.

He has the distinction of being the first Director General of Defence Space Agency. He has been the head of Eastern Air Command for the last two years now..

Souce : NDTV

Correct Answer :   IIT Delhi

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The ABHED lightweight bulletproof jackets were developed through a collaboration between the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and IIT Delhi.

This innovative project utilizes advanced materials such as polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramics to enhance ballistic protection.

The development of these jackets represents a significant advancement in personal protective equipment for defence personnel, reflecting a commitment to leveraging indigenous technology and research capabilities.

This partnership underscores the vital role of academic institutions in supporting defence initiatives and improving soldier safety.

Correct Answer :   September 26

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The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared September 26 as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons through Resolution 68/32 in 2013.

This day, also called Nuclear Abolition Day, aims to raise awareness about the threat posed by nuclear weapons and the need for their complete elimination.

The date was chosen to mark the incident on September 26, 1983, when a malfunction in the Soviet early warning system almost led to nuclear war, highlighting the grave dangers of these weapons.

Correct Answer :   Dassault Aviation

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Dassault Aviation, renowned for its Rafale fighter planes, has expanded its presence in India by establishing Dassault Aviation MRO India (DAMROI), a wholly-owned subsidiary focused on customized MRO services for the Indian Air Force's Rafale and Mirage 2000 fleets.

This move aligns with India's strategic objectives, including promoting indigenous capabilities, supporting the "Make in India" initiative, and contributing to the "Skill India" scheme.

DAMROI will leverage Dassault's technological expertise and foster local collaboration, enhancing India's aerospace and defence capabilities.