Home > Practice > Current Affairs > July - 2024 > July 17, 2024
1. What is the Asian Development Bank's GDP growth forecast for India for FY25?
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained India's GDP growth forecast at 7% for the financial year FY25. This forecast is based on expectations of a rebound in agriculture due to above-normal monsoon projections and continued robust growth in services and industry sectors.
2. Which company launched the high-speed car racing fuel STORM-X?
IndianOil has introduced STORM-X, a high-octane gasoline designed specifically for racing cars. Developed at IndianOil's R&D Centre in Faridabad and produced at Paradip Refinery, STORM-X includes advanced components like 2G Ethanol and meets FIA 2024 specifications. IndianOil has partnered with Madras Motor Sports Club to supply this fuel for the Indian National Racing Championship.
3. In what year did Hans Berger achieve the first human EEG?
Electroencephalography (EEG) gained significant recognition due to the centenary of Hans Berger's pioneering work in 1924 when he recorded the first human EEG. This breakthrough marked a major advancement in neurological research. While earlier, in 1912, Vladimir Pravdich-Neminsky had achieved the first mammalian EEG using a dog, Berger's work with humans opened new possibilities for diagnosing and understanding brain functions and disorders.
4. Which state is Justice N Kotiswar Singh, the first judge from North-East India to be elevated to the Supreme Court, originally from?
Justice N Kotiswar Singh, currently the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, has become the first judge from Manipur to be elevated to the Supreme Court of India. His appointment, along with that of Justice R Mahadevan, was recently cleared by President Droupadi Murmu. Justice Singh's elevation marks a significant milestone for Manipur, highlighting his distinguished career, including his roles as Manipur's Advocate General and his tenure in Gauhati High Court and Manipur High Court. The Supreme Court now operates at its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
5. Which country in Africa has started administering the new high-efficacy malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, developed by the Serum Institute of India and the University of Oxford?
Cote d’Ivoire has become the first country in West Africa to start administering the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, developed by the Serum Institute of India and the University of Oxford. This new vaccine, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), promises to be highly effective and affordable, offering a significant breakthrough in malaria prevention. The initial roll-out in Côte d’Ivoire aims to vaccinate 250,000 children in 16 regions, marking a crucial step in combating malaria in the region. Other African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic have also authorized the vaccine.
6. Who was re-elected for a fourth term as Rwandan President in 2024?
Paul Kagame has secured his fourth consecutive term as Rwanda's President, winning the 2024 election with an overwhelming 99.15% of the vote. Since first taking office in 2000, Kagame has been a pivotal figure in Rwandan politics, credited with significant socio-economic development while also facing criticism for his authoritarian approach and suppression of opposition. This election highlights his continued dominance in the country's political landscape.
7. Which Indian state set a new Guinness World Record by planting more than 11 lakh trees in a single day?
Madhya Pradesh set a new Guinness World Record on July 14 by planting more than 11 lakh saplings in a single day. This initiative, part of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, took place in Indore, which is already recognized as India's cleanest city. The campaign aims to plant approximately 140 crore trees across the country, with 5.5 crore trees in Madhya Pradesh alone. The record-breaking event involved various participants, including BSF jawans, NRIs, NCC cadets, and local citizens.
8. Who was the founder of the iconic brand Camlin?
Subhash Dandekar was the founder of Camlin, a prominent brand in the stationery industry in India. Under his leadership, Camlin transformed from a modest venture into a leading name in stationery, art supplies, office supplies, and educational materials. His vision and innovative approach significantly impacted the industry, making Camlin a household name. Dandekar also contributed to industrial development in Maharashtra through his role as President of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industries from 1990 to 1992. His passing at the age of 86 marks the loss of a key figure in India's industrial and social landscape.
9. Which state's government has integrated its eSwasthya Dham portal with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?
The Uttarakhand government has successfully integrated its eSwasthya Dham portal with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). This integration is a significant step towards enhancing the digital healthcare infrastructure, particularly benefiting the pilgrims of the Char Dham Yatra by monitoring and managing their health parameters. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to create a unified digital health infrastructure across India, improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency through technology.
10. In which city was Asia's first "Pre-Clinical Network Facility" inaugurated?
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated Asia’s first "Pre-Clinical Network Facility" at the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI) in Faridabad. This facility is recognized for its capacity to handle BSL3 pathogens and is equipped with one of India’s largest small animal housing capacities for research purposes. This milestone marks a significant advancement in health research infrastructure in Asia and aims to promote collaborations in microbial research and healthcare innovations.
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