This is the current affairs of 18 & 19 June 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. In which district of West Bengal did the horrific accident between Kanchenjunga Express and goods train take place in June 2024?
a. Howrah
b. Cooch Behar
c. Darjeeling
d. Kolkata
Answer: c. Darjeeling
– On the morning of June 17, 2024, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, a freight train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express from behind.
– Due to this, at least 9 people died.
– The safety shield system was not installed on this track. As a result, the accident could not be prevented.
This route is the Chicken Neck Corridor
– Kanchanjunga Express is a daily train. It connects Bengal with the northeastern cities of Silchar and Agartala.
– This route is in the Chicken Neck Corridor, which connects the northeast to the rest of the country.
– Many trains have been affected due to the accident. Tourists often use the Kanchanjunga Express to travel to Darjeeling.
How the Severe Accident Happened
– It is reported that the automatic signaling system between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat junction in West Bengal was malfunctioning.
– The Kanchanjunga Express had departed from Rangapani station and was halted between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat due to the signaling system malfunction.
– During this time, the freight train collided from behind.
– The freight train was permitted to pass all red signals because the automatic signaling had “failed.”
– When there is a signaling system failure, the station master issues TA 912 written authority. This gives the driver the right to pass all red signals due to the malfunction.
Technology to Prevent Accidents – Kavach
– The first field trial of Kavach started in February 2016, and by July 2020, this system was adopted as the national ATP system.
– This system was tested by the Railway Minister on March 4, 2022.
– During the test, the Railway Minister and the Chairman of the Railway Board were on the train.
– Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was on the engine of one train, and Board Chairman Vinay Kumar Tripathi was on the engine of the other train.
– Both trains were running on the same track head-on at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour.
– Both trains automatically stopped 380 meters before they would have collided.
What is the Kavach Safety System?
– Speed Control: It controls over-speeding.
– Automatic Braking: If there is any danger detected, the train automatically applies brakes.
– Collision Prevention: The goal is to prevent train collisions, regardless of their speed, thanks to Kavach.
– Assistance to Loco Pilots: Kavach assists loco pilots in maintaining the prescribed speed limits, and if the pilot fails to do so, it automatically applies the brakes.
– Automatic Whistle: When the train approaches a crossing, it will automatically whistle.
– Collision Avoidance: This technology prevents collisions between two engines.
– Emergency SOS: During emergencies, it sends an SOS message from the train.
Kavach System Not Present
– Statement from Railway Board: Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha stated that the Kavach system was not installed on the route where the accident occurred. Work will soon start to install it on this route. – Currently, the Kavach system is active on 1500 kilometers of railway track. It will be extended to 3000 kilometers by the end of this year.
Major Train Accidents in the Last 15 Years
– June 2, 2023: A severe accident involving two express trains and a freight train in Balasore, Odisha.
– August 18, 2017: The Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar. (23 deaths)
– November 20, 2016: The Indore-Patna Express 19321 derailed near Pukhrayan in Kanpur. (150 deaths)
– May 26, 2014: In the Sant Kabir Nagar area of UP, the Gorakhdham Express collided with a stationary freight train near Khalilabad station. (25 deaths)
– May 22, 2012: An accident involving a freight train and the Hubli-Bangalore Hampi Express near Andhra Pradesh. (25 deaths)
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2. In which state, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary will be the second home of cheetahs in India?
a. Maharashtra
b. Madhya Pradesh
c. Karnataka
d. Uttarakhand
Answer: b. Madhya Pradesh
– Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in western Madhya Pradesh is set to become the second home for cheetahs in India, after Kuno National Park.
– It has been described as a “perfect” habitat for cheetahs.
– The Madhya Pradesh government announced this during a Wildlife Board meeting on June 11, 2024. The final decision on when to bring cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa will be made after the monsoon.
Cheetah Reintroduction Project
– Under the ‘Cheetah Reintroduction Project,’ on September 17, 2022, eight Namibian cheetahs—five females and three males—were released into enclosures at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh.
– Subsequently, in February 2023, twelve more cheetahs were brought from South Africa.
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
– Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary spans 368.62 square kilometers across Mandsaur (187.12 sq km) and Neemuch (181.5 sq km) districts of western Madhya Pradesh, along the Rajasthan border.
– It is part of the area surrounding the Gandhi Sagar Dam on the Chambal River, constructed in 1960, and includes parts of its reservoir, which covers an area of 726 square kilometers.
– To increase the cheetah population in the area, chital (spotted deer) have been reintroduced from Kanha and other places. Additionally, 50 gaurs (Indian bison) have been relocated from Kanha and Satpura Tiger Reserves to Sanjay Tiger Reserve in Sidhi district.
Capital: Bhopal
Chief Minister: Mohan Yadav
Governor: Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Language: Hindi
Population: 70 million (7 crores)
Neighboring States: Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
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3. India’s stance on the joint statement at the peace conference regarding Ukraine?
a. Signed the joint statement
b. Did not sign the joint statement
c. Partially agreed
d. None of the above
Answer: b. Did not sign the joint statement
– A peace summit regarding Ukraine was held in Switzerland from June 15 to 16, 2024.
– The host of the summit was Swiss President Viola Amherd.
– More than 90 countries participated in this summit, including India.
– India was represented by Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs.
– Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was invited, but Russia, which started the war, was not invited to the meeting.
– Russia’s chief strategic partner and the world’s second-largest economy, China, also abstained from the summit.
Switzerland
– Capital: Zurich
– President: Viola Amherd
– Currency: Swiss Franc
– Population: 8.9 million
Joint Statement
– At the conclusion of the summit held in Switzerland regarding Ukraine, discussions emphasized the protection of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
– More than 80 countries endorsed this statement.
– The Swiss summit did not achieve common consensus, but Western supporters of Ukraine utilized it to express solidarity and unity with Kyiv.
India’s Stance
– India was among the seven countries that did not give their consent to the joint statement issued at the peace summit in Switzerland.
– Alongside India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and the UAE declined to sign the final documents of the peace summit.
– Brazil had the role of observer in this summit, while China chose not to participate.
– Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, defended India’s stance, stating, “In the matter of Ukraine, India will continue to work with all parties towards a sustainable solution. The effective resolution in this case will be one accepted by both sides, which is key to lasting peace.”
– According to experts, “India has said that issuing a statement without Russia’s consent is not logical. India still considers Russia a good friend.”
Note: Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, and the war is ongoing.
Putin’s Proposal
– Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that they are prepared for a ceasefire, but only if Ukraine recalls all its soldiers from the four occupied regions by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
– Putin mentioned that the goal of his proposal is not to stabilize the conflict in Ukraine but to achieve a “final solution,” emphasizing that the Kremlin is “ready to start negotiations without delay.”
– However, Ukraine promptly rejected Putin’s proposal.
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4. According to the Central Government, India will be which country to launch its own deep sea mission in September 2024?
a. Third
b. Fifth
c. Sixth
d. Seventh
Answer: c. Sixth
– The information was provided by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh during a meeting convened in June 2024 to discuss the 100-day action plan of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
– He expressed pride and satisfaction over the progress of the Deep Sea Mission and remarked that India is among the few countries to achieve this milestone.
What is Deep Sea Mission?
– Deep Sea Mission is an ambitious program aimed at exploring the depths of the ocean and using its resources.
– This mission comes under the Ministry of Science and Technology of India.
– In this, various aspects like marine biology, marine minerals, climate change and marine biodiversity are studied.
Plan for the First Phase until When
– According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, a plan for the first phase of the Deep Sea Mission’s Harbor Trail (40-50 meters) has been formulated by September 2024. – Directions have been given to complete subsequent tests by the year 2026.
– This mission is not limited only to mineral exploration but also includes the development of marine science, exploration of plants and animals, and conservation of marine biodiversity.
Vehicle Capable of Reaching Depths of 6000 Meters in the Ocean
– Minister Jitendra Singh praised the efforts of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) for the development of the Matsya Yan 6000.
– This vehicle can reach depths of up to 6000 meters in the ocean.
Appreciation for the Titanium Vehicle
– Minister Jitendra Singh also appreciated ISRO’s collaboration in developing a titanium vehicle.
– This vehicle is adept at withstanding the pressures at the depths of the ocean.
Countries Initiating the Deep Sea Mission:
– United States
– China
– Japan
– Russia
– France
– India
Ministries Held by Dr. Jitendra Singh:
– Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Earth Sciences
– Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office
– Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
– Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy
– Minister of State in the Department of Space
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5. When is the International Day for Countering Hate Speech observed?
a. 21 June
b. 20 June
c. 19 June
d. 18 June
Answer: d. 18 June
– This day is proclaimed by the United Nations.
– According to the United Nations (UN), hate speech is any speech or writing that attacks a person or group based on attributes such as religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, caste, gender, or any other identity factor.
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6. When is National Reading Day celebrated?
a. 21 June
b. 20 June
c. 19 June
d. 18 June
Answer: c. 19 June
Why is this day celebrated?
– This day is celebrated to honor the father of the library movement and renowned educator Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (PN Panicker) in Kerala.
– He passed away on June 19, 1995.
– In 1996, Kerala began celebrating Kerala Reading Day on his death anniversary.
– In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared June 19 as National Reading Day.
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7. Former Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare passed away on 15 June 2024, he had been the Governor of which state?
a. Jharkhand
b. West Bengal
c. Odisha
d. Chhattisgarh
Answer: c. Odisha
– He was 95 years old. He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress from Maharashtra.
– He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha three times.
– He also worked as a senior advocate in the Supreme Court.
– From August 2007 to March 2013, he served as the Governor of Odisha.
Odisha:
– Capital: Bhubaneswar
– Chief Minister: Mohar Chandra Majhi
– Language: Odia
– Population: 4.37 crore (2014)
– National Bird: Indian Roller
– Neighboring States: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh
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8. Which Indian farmer was recognized as Land Hero by the UNCCD?
a. Sahajanand
b. Ram Saran Verma
c. Ramesh Chaudhary
d. Siddhesh Sakore
Answer: d. Siddhesh Sakore
UNCCD: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
– On the occasion of World Desertification and Drought Day, UNCCD announced the names of the world’s 10 Land Heroes at an event held in Bonn, Germany on June 16, 2024.
– Siddhesh Sakore from India was named as one of the Land Heroes.
– He is a farmer and the founder of Agro Rangers in Maharashtra.
– He was honored as a Land Hero for his innovations in organic farming and waste management.
– Siddhesh holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has created several mechanical devices to convert organic waste into compost.
– United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, “This year’s focus on World Day reminds us of the need to be ‘United for Land’.”
Note – The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has issued a report stating that approximately half (50%) of the world’s rangelands have been degraded and require policy interventions.
UNCCD:
– Adopted in Paris, France on June 17, 1994, and entered into force in December 1996.
– The UNCCD is a convention aimed at combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought, particularly in countries facing severe drought and/or desertification, notably in Africa. It involves a conference that includes long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.
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9. Indian Railways completed the first trial run on the world’s highest railway bridge, it is on which river?
a. Chenab
b. Sutlej
c. Indus
d. Jhelum
Answer: a. Chenab
– On June 16, 2024, the Ministry of Railways completed the first trial run of the Sangaldan-Riasi train.
– It marks a significant milestone in crossing the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge.
– Located in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chenab Bridge is taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
– Constructed over the Chenab River, the bridge stands approximately 359 meters (about 109 feet) above the riverbed, towering around 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.
– The Chenab Bridge is part of the USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) project, situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in a valley.
– This bridge has been constructed at a cost of ₹14.86 billion and can withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kilometers per hour.
– The USBRL project is expected to be completed by December 2024, with its inauguration conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 20, 2024.
Jammu and Kashmir:
– Capital: Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
– Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha
– Language: Kashmiri (Koshur)
– Population: 12,267,013 (2011)
– Neighboring States: Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab
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10. Which batsman broke the record of West Indies’ Chris Gayle by scoring the fastest century in T20 cricket?
a. Rohit Sharma
b. Rachin Ravindra
c. David Warner
d. Sahil Chauhan
Answer: d. Sahil Chauhan (32 years old)
– On June 17, 2024, Sahil Chauhan, a batsman for the Estonia team, scored a century against Cyprus in just 27 balls. He reached 144 runs off 41 balls.
– With this achievement, he broke Chris Gayle’s record.
– Chris Gayle held the record for the fastest century in 30 balls.
Top Batsmen with the Fastest Centuries:
– Player – Balls – Team – Year
– Sahil Chauhan – 27 – Estonia – 2024
– Chris Gayle – 30 – Royal Challengers Bangalore – 2013
– Rishabh Pant – 32 – Delhi – 2018
– Vihan Lubbe – 33 – North West – 2018
– Nicol Loftie-Eaton – 33 – Namibia – 2024
Note: Estonia is a country in Northern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.
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11. Name the mission director of India’s first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 who passed away on 14 June 2024?
a. P Veeramuthuvel
b. Srinivas Hegde
c. Rajendra Kumar
d. Anil Sharma
Answer: b. Srinivas Hegde (71 years old)
– Shrinivas Hegde passed away on June 14, 2024, at a hospital in Bengaluru.
– He is survived by his wife and two sons.
He was associated with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for more than three decades.
– He contributed to several historic missions of the space agency.
– Notably, he was involved in the launch of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008.
About Chandrayaan-1:
– Launch Date: October 22, 2008
– Rocket Name: PSLV-C11
– Launch Site: Sriharikota, India
– Objective: Mapping the lunar surface, studying minerals, and searching for water on the moon
– Achievement: Chandrayaan-1 discovered water molecules on the moon’s surface, marking its biggest success.
– Conclusion: Contact with Chandrayaan-1 was lost in August 2009, concluding the mission.
Key Points about Chandrayaan-3:
– Launch: July 14, 2023
– Rocket: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3)
– Soft Landing: Evening of August 23
– Location: South Pole of the Moon (Lunar South Pole)
– Mission Director for Chandrayaan-3 is M. Srikant.
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