This is the current affairs of 3 & 4 April 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. How many maximum number of products has provided the GI tag at one time in March 2024?
a. more than 20
b. more than 40
c. under 50
d. more than 60
Answer: d. more than 60
– In March 2024, more than 60 products in India were awarded the GI tag.
– According to The Hindu newspaper, a senior officer of the geographical indication (GI) registry said that such a large number of GI tags have been issued for the first time.
– More states are applying for GI tags for some of their traditional and historical products.
Note: According to most news reports, only the names of some products have been released.
#Some Important GI Tagged Names#
Traditional Crafts of Assam:
– Bihu Dhol
– Asharikandi terracotta craft
– Pani Meteka craft
– Sarthebari metal craft
– Jaapi (bamboo headgear of rural Assam)
– Mishing handloom products
– Along with these, 13 other products from Assam have also been awarded the GI tag.
– Including Bodo Dokhona (Traditional attire of Bodo women)
– Bodo Eri silk (Ahimsa Silk)
– Bodo Jwmgra (A traditional shawl)
– Bodo Gamsa (Traditional attire of Bodo men)
– Bodo Thorkha (A musical instrument)
– Bodo Sifung (A long flute), etc.
– Famous Banarasi Thandai has also been awarded the GI tag.
Tripura’s Products with GI tag:
– Pachra-Rignai (A traditional attire worn on special occasions)
– Matabari Peda (Sweet)
Meghalaya’s Products with GI tag:
– Garo Textile Weaving
– Meghalaya Lyrnai Pottery
– Meghalaya Chubitchi
How many products have been given the GI tag in India?
– So far, approximately 635 products have been awarded the GI tag in India.
– The first GI tag in the country was given to the famous Darjeeling Tea two decades ago.
Who grants the GI tag?
– The GI tag is granted by the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce.
– To obtain a GI tag for a product, one needs to apply in the Chennai-based GI database.
– This falls under the realm of Intellectual Property Rights, which is centralized in Chennai for the entire country.
What is the GI tag?
– GI stands for Geographical Indication.
The GI tag is a symbol primarily given to associate a product with its place of origin.
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2. The most powerful earthquake in the last 25 years occurred in Taiwan on April 3, 2024. Explain its intensity?
a. 5.5 intensity
b. 6.5 intensity
c. 7.5 intensity
d. 8.5 intensity
Answer: c. 7.5 intensity
– On April 3rd, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan.
– Within 24 hours of this intensity earthquake, 201 aftershocks were recorded, all with a magnitude of more than 5.
– The earthquake caused damage to over 100 buildings, several roads, bridges, and tunnels.
– The death toll has risen to over 9 people.
– More than 50 people are reported missing, including two Indians.
– The tremors of the earthquake in Taiwan were also felt in Japan and the Philippines.
The Fastest Earthquake in 25 Years in Taiwan
– According to the Taiwanese Central Weather Bureau, the earthquake that occurred on April 3, 2024, was the fastest-magnitude earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years.
– Previously, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred in 1999, resulting in the death of more than 2,000 people.
– The earthquake on April 3, 2024, struck in the city of Hualien in East Taiwan. Its epicenter was 34 kilometers below the surface of the earth. The tremors of the earthquake were felt at around 5:30 am Indian time.
Taiwan
Capital – Taipei
President – Tsai Ing-wen
Currency – New Taiwan Dollar
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3. After a powerful earthquake in Taiwan, there was a discussion about ‘Ring of Fire’, what is it?
a. A series of volcanoes and seismically active locations in the Pacific Ocean
b. Earthquake crater in Taiwan
c. Circle of fire in Taiwan after earthquake
d. none of these
Answer: a. A series of volcanoes and seismically active locations in the Pacific Ocean
Taiwan is in the Ring of Fire range
– The Ring of Fire is primarily a chain of hundreds of volcanoes and seismic sites that accompany the Pacific Ocean.
– It is shaped like an arc or a horse’s bridle and spans approximately 40,250 kilometers.
– The Ring of Fire is an area where the convergence points of many tectonic plates are identified, including the Eurasian, North American, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Caribbean, Nazca, Antarctic, Indian, Australian, Philippine, and other smaller plates, all of which surround the major Pacific Plate.
– When these plates collide, earthquakes occur.
– These collisions also lead to tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.
– This area experiences the most significant geological and seismic activities.
– 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur in this Ring of Fire.
– This region spans 40,000 kilometers.
– Of all the active volcanoes in the world, 75% are in this area.
– 15 countries, including Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Antarctica, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia, are located in the Ring of Fire.
– Taiwan is very close to the Ring of Fire.
Every year, 20,000 earthquakes occur worldwide.
– While several earthquakes occur worldwide each year, their intensity tends to be lower.
– The National Earthquake Information Center records approximately 20,000 earthquakes annually.
– Out of these, around 100 earthquakes cause significant damage.
– Earthquakes typically last for a few seconds or a few minutes.
– The longest-lasting earthquake in recorded history occurred in 2004 in the Indian Ocean. This earthquake lasted for 10 minutes.
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4. According to the World Inequality Lab report, what percentage of the national income will be held by the richest 1% of India in the year 2022-23?
a. 10%
b. 15.5%
c. 22.6%
d. 23.6%
Answer: c. 22.6% (highest in a century)
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5. According to the report released by the World Inequality Lab in March 2024, what percentage of the total wealth of the country is owned by the richest 1% of people in India in the year 2022-23?
a. 20%
b. 30.2%
c. 40.1%
d. 42.6%
Answer: c. 40.1%
– According to a report released by the World Inequality Lab, inequality in India in the fiscal year 2022-23 has exceeded even that of the British era.
– It is greater than that of South Africa, Brazil, and the United States as well.
About the Report:
– Released by: World Inequality Lab
– Title of the Report: “Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of Billionaire Raj”
– Release Date: March 18, 2024
Authors of the Report:
– Nitin Kumar Bharti
– Lucas Chancel
– Thomas Piketty
– Anmol Somanchi
– All four are scholars at foreign universities.
Who has what percentage of national income?
– The wealthiest 1% of the population in India holds 22.6% of the national income, while the bottom 50% of the population holds only 15%.
Percentage of National Income held by the Rich During Independence:
– At the time of Independence, 40% of the national income was held by the top 10% wealthiest individuals.
– This percentage decreased to 30% by the year 1982.
– By the year 2022, it increased to 60%.
Note: In 2022-23, the bottom 50% of the population holds only 15% of the national income.
When was the increase in income inequality seen?
– Income inequality has rapidly increased between 2014-15 and 2022-23.
– Policy decisions are responsible for this surge in inequality.
How can the average Indians progress?
– Amidst the ongoing economic wave of globalization, it is imperative to levy taxes based on both income and wealth to ensure government investment in areas such as health, education, and nutrition.
– This could lead to progress not only for the rich but also for the average Indians.
How to help fight inequality
– If a 2% super tax is imposed on the wealth of the top 167 families based on the data from 2023, it could result in a 0.5% increase in total income.
– This way, it could potentially help in combating inequality.
10 thousand have an average of Rs 22 billion
– According to the report, out of 9.2 crore adult Indians, the top 10,000 wealthiest individuals possess an average wealth of ₹22.6 crore.
– This wealth is approximately 16763 times higher than the average wealth in India.
– The top 1% of the population possesses an average wealth of ₹5.4 crore.
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6. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a historic resolution to promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, how was AI described in it?
a. Safe
b. Secure
c. Trustworthy
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (safe, secure and trustworthy)
– The United Nations General Assembly approved the first proposal on Artificial – Intelligence (AI) on March 21, 2024.
– All countries benefit from this powerful new technology.
– AI is safe, secure, and reliable.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
– AI stands for Artificial Intelligence.
– It is a machine that is intelligent, can analyze data on its own, converse, speak languages, and understand. It can seek answers to difficult questions and accomplish given tasks.
– Examples of AI include OpenAI’s chatbot GPT and Google’s Assistant.
– These are just examples; AI is now being used in various more effective ways than before.
Support for the Proposal
– The proposal, sponsored by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries, including China, was unanimously adopted without any vote.
– This means that it has received support from all 193 member countries of the United Nations.
– In recent months, more than 120 countries, including Russia, China, and Cuba, have worked on discussing the text of the adopted proposal.
Use of AI in Development Goals by 2030
– According to the proposal, its primary objective is to utilize AI to progress towards achieving the United Nations’ severely lagging development goals by the year 2030.
– This includes ending global hunger and poverty, improving health, ensuring quality education for children, and achieving gender equality.
What Kamala Harris said:
– Kamala Harris said that the use of AI should be in the public interest.
– It should be adopted and advanced in a way that protects everyone from potential harm.
– And everyone should be able to enjoy its benefits.
Objective of the Proposal:
– The objective of the proposal is to eliminate digital divide between rich developed countries and poor developing countries.
– It aims to ensure that all are included in discussions about AI.
United Nations:
Secretary-General – Antonio Guterres
Headquarters – New York
Established – 1945
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7. When is the International Mine Awareness and Mining Work Assistance Day observed?
a. 5 April
b. 4 April
c. 3 April
d. 2 April
Answer: b. 4 April
– This day is observed to raise awareness about the risks posed to people due to landmines, as well as the health and life-related issues associated with them.
– On December 8, 2005, the United Nations General Assembly declared April 4 to be observed as this day.
– It was first observed on April 4, 2006.
This year, UNMAS has decided to recognize this day under the “Mine Action Can Not Wait” campaign.
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8. When is National Maritime Day celebrated?
a. 7 April
b. 6 April
c. 5 April
d. 4 April
Answer: c. 5 April
– The objective of this day is to raise awareness among people about maritime trade and transportation.
– On April 5, 1919, the first steamship of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd., the SS Loyalty, embarked on its maiden voyage from Mumbai to London, marking the first maritime journey in the international maritime sector.
– In commemoration of this event, this day is observed annually since April 5, 1964.
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9. When is International Zero Waste Day celebrated?
a. 28 March
b. 29 March
c. 30 March
d. 01 April
Answer: c. 30 March
– The United Nations General Assembly declared on December 14, 2022, that International Zero Waste Day will be observed annually on March 30th.
– This day aims to raise awareness about the increasingly adverse effects of waste on human health, the economy, and the environment.
– More than two billion tons of solid waste are generated globally each year, with 45 percent of it not being properly managed.
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10. Which Arab country is participating in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant for the first time?
a. Saudi Arab
b. Qatar
c. United Arab Emirates
d. Bahrain
Answer: a. Saudi Arab
– Saudi Arabia is preparing to make its first appearance in the Miss Universe competition.
– Saudi Arabian model and selected contestant for this competition, Rume Alkahatani, announced this on her social media account.
– The competition for the year 2024 will be held in Mexico.
– Rume Alkahatani has participated in several global competitions.
Saudi Arabia:
– Capital: Riyadh
– Prince: Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud
– Currency: Saudi Riyal
– Language: Arabic
– Population: 36 million (2021)
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