Daily Current Affairs

12 June 2023
International Labour Conference
• Indian tripartite delegation led by Secretary (Labour & Employment), Ms.
Sumita Dawra, participated in the 112th session of the International Labour
Conference (ILC) of International Labour Organisation (ILO) being held in
Geneva, Switzerland.

• Ms. Dawra is a 1991 Batch IAS officer from Andhra Pradesh Cadre. Currently
serving the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as Special Secretary, (Secretary
equivalent), in Logistics division of DPIIT, she is in charge of implementation of
Prime Minister’s flagship programme – PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
• International Labour Organization will hold its 112th annual International
Labour Conference in Geneva from 3–14 June 2024.
 • Worker, employer and government delegates from the ILO’s 187 Member
States will tackle a wide range of issues, including: a standard-setting discussion
on protection against biological hazards, a recurrent discussion on the strategic
objective of fundamental principles and rights at work and a general discussion
on decent work and the care economy.
• The Conference will also elect members of the Governing Body for the 2024-27
term of office The International Labour Organization is a United Nations agency
whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting
international labour standards. Founded in October 1919 under the League of
Nations, it is one of the first and oldest specialised agencies of the UN.

Aquaculture Overtakes Wild Fisheries

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations released The
State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, its flagship report providing a
comprehensive analysis of the global and regional status and trends in fisheries
and aquaculture.
• It shows, for the first time in 2022, that aquaculture production exceeded
fisheries. Aquaculture is playing an increasingly important role in meeting the
world’s food needs, surpassing wild fisheries in aquatic animal production for
the first time.

• With global demand for aquatic foods expected to keep growing, an increase in
sustainable production is vital to ensure healthy diets, the United Nations’ Food
and Agriculture Organization said.
• In 2022, aquaculture yielded 94.4 million tons of aquatic animal production- 51
percent of the total, and 57 percent of the production destined for human
consumption.
• Aquatic products remain one of the most traded food commodities, generating
a record $195 billion in 2022- a 19 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels.
“Despite these significant achievements, the sector still faces major challenges
from climate change and disasters, water scarcity, pollution, biodiversity loss”
and other man-made impacts.
• The report contains eight key messages: World fisheries and aquaculture
production hit a new high in 2022. Successful initiatives should be upscaled to
consolidate the vital role of aquatic foods for global food security, nutrition and
livelihoods.

• Aquaculture can meet the rising global demand for aquatic foods. Future
expansion must prioritize sustainability and benefit regions and communities
most in need.
• Global capture fisheries production remains stable, but the sustainability of
fishery resources is a cause for concern. Urgent action is needed to accelerate
fishery stock conservation and rebuilding.
• Global demand for aquatic foods is projected to increase further. Expansion of
sustainable production is vital to ensure healthy diets from healthy oceans, lakes
and rivers.
• Aquatic animal production is expected to increase by 10 percent by 2032. The
Blue Transformation Roadmap aims to ensure sustainable fisheries and
aquaculture growth while promoting equitable benefits and environmental
conservation.
 • Small-scale fisheries are a vital source of nutrition and the livelihoods for
millions of people. Greater global recognition and action are needed to support
and empower these communities.
• Efforts to improve data collection and analysis must be strengthened. They are
key to evidence-based policymaking and the effective management of fisheries
and aquaculture.

• Efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets related to fisheries

and aquaculture must accelerate. FAO urges the international community to
step up action to support the implementation of the Blue Transformation
Roadmap.

Visakhapatnam Port
• Visakhapatnam Port achieves the 19th position in the Container Port
Performance Index 2023, surpassing Mundra Port. Operated by J M Baxi Ports
& Logistics, it runs a high-capacity terminal contributing to its efficiency. The
Container Port Performance Index 2023, curated by the World Bank and S&P
Global Market Intelligence, evaluates port efficiency globally, emphasizing
vessel time in port.
• Visakha Container Terminal Pvt Ltd, a unit of J M Baxi Ports & Logistics,
demonstrates exceptional efficiency metrics, including moves per crane hour,
turnaround time, and berth idle time.
• The milestone earns accolades from stakeholders and government bodies,
highlighting the port’s significance in India’s maritime sector and its adherence
to Maritime India Vision 2030 guidelines.
Indian Navy’s First Woman Helicopter Pilot
• Sub Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev made history at INS Rajali, Arakkonam, when
she became the first woman in the Indian Navy to fly a helicopter.

• Last week, this important milestone was reached during the passing out parade.
The 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course was completed. During the event, Vice
Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, who is in charge of the Eastern Naval Command,
also gave the prestigious “Golden Wings” to 21 officers.
• The passing out parade, which took place on June 7, marked the end of both
Stage I training for the 4th Basic Helicopter Conversion Course and graduation
from the conversion course.
Han Purple
• Scientists are fascinated with Han Purple, a 2,800-year-old pigment, due to
quantum property discoveries.
• Modern quantum physicists have described its capabilities, which combine
ancient chemical methods with quantum physics.
• Ancient artworks relied on Han Purple, a Chinese synthetic color made around
2,500 years ago. The Qin and Han Dynasties used it to color ceramics, murals,
and terracotta warriors.

• Han Purple was made by grinding and heating raw materials at high
temperatures. This manufacture was mysterious until 1992 when chemists
identified its composition.
• Ancient materials science advanced with Han Purple, a break from natural colors
and an example of early chemical engineering.
• Han Purple was an early synthetic inorganic color made of barium copper
silicate. Han Purple, discovered by scientist Elisabeth FitzHugh, is similar to
Egyptian blue but has a unique structural arrangement that gives it its qualities.
 • Han Purple emits intense infrared light and changes its behavior under extreme
cold and high magnetic fields, according to recent research. People are
interested in Han Purple’s quantum critical point behavior under extreme
conditions because it might help explain things like high-temperature
superconductivity.
• This makes it a key topic in ongoing scientific study. This looks into not only the
historical background of the pigment but also a possible meeting point where
old skills and new technologies could come together.

ISRO Releases Stunning Images Of Sun

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released stunning images of the
Sun captured by the Aditya L1 satellite during a major geomagnetic storm in
May.

• The two remote sensing payloads, namely the Solar UltraViolet Imaging
Telescope (SUIT) and the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), along with
other payloads, captured these images from the Lagrange point in space.
• The images released by ISRO clearly show magnetically active regions with large
solar flares on the Sun’s surface.
• The solar emissions depict the relative brightness of sunspots, umbra,
penumbra, and plages. ISRO states that these images will assist astrophysicist in
studying solar flares, their energy distribution, sunspots, UV radiation across a
wide wavelength range, and long-term solar variations.
Terror Attack In J&K's Kathua
• Three were reportedly injured after terrorists opened fire in a village in the
Union Territory's Kathua district, close to the International Border.
• A terrorist has also been killed. After the terrorists opened fire in Saida village, a
joint operation was launched by security forces to track them down, and one of
the attackers was killed.

• In a post on X, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is the MP from Udhampur,

said, "I am in continuous online contact with DC (district collector) #Kathua Sh
Rakesh Minhas in the wake of a terrorist attack on a house in village Saida in
Hiranagar sector close to the International Border. I am also in touch with SSP
Kathua Sh Anayat Ali Choudhary who is on the spot.

Gulveer Singh
• In athletics, India’s Gulveer Singh has clinched the silver medal in the Men’s
5000-metre race at the Portland Track Festival High-Performance Meet in
Portland, US.
• The Asian Games bronze medallist also became the fastest Indian in the men’s
5000-metre race. Gulveer clocked the national record timing of 13 minutes
18.92 seconds to surpass the previous record of 13 minutes 19.30 seconds, set
by Avinash Sable last year.

• Dylan Jacobs of USA bagged the gold, while his compatriot Eric Van Der Els won
the bronze medal. With this achievement, Gulveer now holds the national
records in both the 10,000-metre and 5,000-metre races.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. 112th Session Of International Labour Conference Of ILO Being Held In
A. Geneva
B. Paris
C. New Delhi
D. Dubai
ANSWER: A

2. State Of World Fisheries And Aquaculture 2024 Is Released By

A. UNICEF
B. WTO
C. FAO
D. ILO
ANSWER: C
3. CSC SPV Signed An Mou With Which Ministry To Convert 10,000 FPOs Into
CSCS
A. Ministry of Agriculture
B. Ministry of Communications
C. Ministry of Defence
D. Ministry of MSMEs
ANSWER: A

4. What Is The Theme Of ‘World Oceans Day 2024’

A. Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing
B. Awaken New Depth
C. Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean
D. The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods
ANSWER: B

5. A J T Johnsingh Who Recently Passed Away, Belonged To Which Field

A. Wildlife conservationist
B. Entertainer
C. Poet
D. Politician
ANSWER: A

6. Who Won The Gold Medal In Men’s 10m Air Pistol Event At The ISSF World
Cup 2024 In Munich, Germany
A. Saurabh Chaudhary
B. Divyansh Singh
C. Sarabjot Singh
D. Abhishek Verma
ANSWER: C

7. Mongla Port, Is Located In Which Country

A. Bangladesh
B. Myanmar
C. Sri Lanka
D. India
ANSWER: A
8. Primary Purpose Of ‘Duty Drawback Scheme’
A. To Increase Import Duties
B. To Rebate The Incidence Of Customs And Central Excise Duties On Materials
Used In Exported Goods
C. To Provide Loans To Exporters
D. To Penalize Non-compliant Exporters
ANSWER: B

9. Kirkuk Which Was Seen In The News, Is Located In Which Country

A. Israel
B. Iraq
C. Australia
D. Greece
ANSWER: B

10. Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary Is Located In Which State

A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Rajasthan
D. Gujarat
ANSWER: A

11. Which Type Of Ecosystem Is Associated With Discovery Of Fascinating Animals

Like Transparent Sea Cucumbers And Pink Sea Pigs
A. Deserts
B. Abyssal Plains
C. Kelp forests
D. Montane forests
ANSWER: B

12. Where Was East Asia Summit & ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials’
Meeting Held
A. Beijing, China
B. New Delhi, India
C. Bangkok, Thailand
D. Vientiane, Lao
ANSWER: D
13. What Is “ Sticky Inflation ”
A. A Temporary Drop In Prices
B. A Phenomenon Where Prices Adjust Quickly To Changes In Supply And Demand
C. A Phenomenon Where Prices Do Not Adjust Quickly To Changes In Supply And
Demand
D. A Significant Decline In Consumer Goods Prices
ANSWER: C

14. Researchers Of Which Institute Have Developed A Novel And Safer Method To
Mass Produce Recombinant Proteins
A. Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
B. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
C. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
D. National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG)
ANSWER: A

15. What Is The Primary Aim Of The Red Flag 24 Exercise

A. To conduct ground-based military operations
B. To integrate aircrew in a multinational environment through advanced aerial
combat training
C. To train naval forces for maritime security
D. To provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief training
ANSWER: B

16. What is Diadromous fish

A. Fish that remain in freshwater their entire lives
B. Fish that migrate between saltwater and freshwater environments
C. Fish that live only in saltwater
D. Fish that do not migrate
ANSWER: B

17. Where Was Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area Summit Held
A. Malawi
B. Libya
C. Zambia
D. Senegal
ANSWER: C
18. Which Country Has Pledged $135 Million Aid To Moldova To Counter Russian
Influence
A. U.S.
B. India
C. China
D. Japan
ANSWER: A

19. ‘Monsoon Croaks Bioblitz 2024’, Organized In Which State

A. Maharashtra
B. Odisha
C. Kerala
D. Karnataka
ANSWER: C

20. Sahastra Tal Trek Is Located In Which State

A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Sikkim
C. Uttarakhand
D. Assam
ANSWER: C