1. Indian Railways has partnered with which organisation to promote the ‘One India-One Ticket’ initiative? – National Capital Region Transport Corporation
Climbers from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling recently scaled Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain and the world’s largest free-standing mountain.
It is located in northeastern Tanzania near the Kenya border. Kilimanjaro has three volcanic cones: Kibo (dormant), Mawenzi, and Shira (both extinct).
Uhuru Peak is on Kibo and is Africa’s highest free-standing peak.
The mountain is famous for its snow-capped summit and has five vegetation zones.
It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Science & Technology
4. Which institute recently issued an advisory to farmers to control ‘Fruit Rot Disease’ (Kole Roga) in arecanut plantations? – Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod
The ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) in Kasaragod recently issued an advisory to help farmers control the spread of fruit rot disease, also known as koleroga, in arecanut plantations.
Fruit rot disease harms crops, leading to major losses for farmers and making produce unsellable.
It can sometimes even kill the plant. The disease is caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses, making it hard to prevent and treat.
Heavy rainfall, low temperatures, high humidity, and alternating sunshine and rain favor the spread of the disease.
Environment
5. What is the ‘Nankai Trough’, recently seen in news? – A subduction zone between two tectonic plates in the Pacific Ocean
Japan’s meteorological agency warns of a higher chance of strong earthquakes and tsunamis on the Nankai Trough.
The Nankai Trough is a subduction zone in the Pacific Ocean where two tectonic plates meet. It stretches about 900 km from Shizuoka, near Tokyo, to the southern tip of Kyushu Island.
Massive earthquakes, called “megathrust quakes,” occur here every century or two, often in pairs.
These quakes can trigger dangerous tsunamis along Japan’s southern coast.
Sports
6. Big Cricket League (BCL) has signed a long-term broadcasting deal with which national broadcaster? – Prasar Bharati
Neelakurinji, a purplish flowering shrub that blooms once every 12 years, is now on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
It is found in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
The flowers are most concentrated in the high ranges around Munnar, Kerala, especially in Eravikulam National Park, which is 12 kilometers from Munnar.
Nilgiri Hills are named after its blue flowers, and the Paliyan tribes use its blooming cycle to calculate age.
Neelakurinji is threatened by habitat loss due to tea plantations, softwood plantations, and urbanization.
The global assessment confirms its status as Vulnerable.
Appointments
8. Sandeep Poundrik recently took charge as the Secretary of which ministry? – Ministry of Steel
Sandeep Poundrik recently took charge as Secretary, Ministry of Steel at Udyog Bhawan.
He is a 1993 batch IAS officer from Bihar cadre.
Paundrik was holding the charge of Additional Chief Secretary in the Industries Department and was also holding additional charge of several other posts in the Bihar government.
9. Who among the following has been appointed as the Cabinet Secretary? – TV Somanathan
The 10th edition of the joint military exercise ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti’ between the armies of India and Sri Lanka is being organised from 12-25 August at the Training School, Maduru Oya.
Joint Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ is an annual training event held alternately in India and Sri Lanka. Its last edition was held in Pune in November 2023.
Important Days & Weeks
12. International Youth Day is observed every year on which day? – 12 August
International Youth Day is celebrated every year on 12 August.
Theme – 2024 – ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.’
History-In 1999, the United Nations declared every year on 12 August
Decided to celebrate International Youth Day, after which International Youth Day was celebrated for the first time in 2000.
Objective – To identify the challenges faced by the youth around the world, solve them, empower them and ensure their role in the progress of the country.
Miscellaneous
13. What is the theme of ‘International Youth Day 2024’? – From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development
International Youth Day is observed on August 12th each year since 2010 to celebrate youth potential and address their challenges globally.
In India, National Youth Day is celebrated on January 12th since 1985, marking Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.
The idea for International Youth Day was proposed at the 1991 World Youth Forum in Vienna.
The first International Youth Day was observed on August 12, 2010, following a 2009 UN resolution.
The 2024 theme is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” emphasizing youth’s role in using digital solutions for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
