Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
K S Manilal, a renowned taxonomist and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on 1st January 2025 in Thrissur, Kerala. He is celebrated for translating and annotating Hortus Malabaricus, a 17th-century Latin botanical treatise on the flora of Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa. Manilal spent 35 years making the 12-volume work accessible to academics during his tenure as a botany professor at the University of Calicut (1976–1999). His contributions include 198 research papers, 15 books, and extensive work on medicinal plants and taxonomy. He played a key role in conserving Kerala’s Silent Valley rainforest in the 1980s.

Notes:
Quad nations (India, US, Australia, Japan) reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The pledge commemorates 20 years of Quad cooperation, initially formed after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Quad aims to counter challenges like China’s growing influence in the region. The coalition emphasizes the centrality of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific framework. The grouping focuses on upholding international order based on the rule of law.

Notes:
Scrub typhus cases have been reported in several districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Vellore, with 5,000 cases in 2024. The disease is caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted through infected mites. Symptoms include fever, headache, body ache, and sometimes a rash. Severe cases can lead to respiratory distress, organ failure, and death. Factors like vector abundance, climate, farming, and sanitation impact its spread. The Elisa test is used for detection. Control measures include cold fogging, clearing bushes, and reducing rodent populations.

Notes:
Eminent physicist Rajagopala Chidambaram, key figure in India’s nuclear tests of 1974 and 1998, passed away at 88. Born in 1936, Chidambaram studied at Presidency College, Chennai, and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.. He served as Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (2001-2018) and director of BARC (1990-1993). Chidambaram was chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE (1993-2000). He also chaired the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1994-1995.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department and an NGO are running a pilot project to remove Mucuna bracteata, an invasive plant, from rubber plantations and forest areas in Kanniyakumari. Originally introduced to protect rubber trees, it has spread across parts of the Western Ghats, including regions near the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai tiger reserve. Mucuna bracteata now covers large areas, overtaking native trees and hindering their growth. The vine is a threat to biodiversity and is found mainly in the rainforest of Kanniyakumari and abandoned rubber plantations.

Notes:
A webinar on osteoporosis was organized by Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore recently. Experts highlight calcium intake, regular exercise, and healthy habits to prevent bone loss. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them thinner and more prone to fractures. It commonly affects bones like hips, wrists, and the spine. The condition occurs when bone loss outpaces new bone creation, often due to low hormone levels. The disease is often called “silent” because it shows no symptoms until a fracture occurs.

Notes:
A three-foot statue of 13th-century saint Narahari Tirtha was discovered at Simhachalam Temple in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Narahari Tirtha was a Dvaita Vedanta philosopher and disciple of Madhvacharya, spreading the doctrine in eastern India, especially Kalinga (modern Odisha and Andhra Pradesh). He hailed from Chikakolu (now Srikakulam) and assisted Eastern Ganga dynasty kings for three decades, ensuring adherence to Sanatana Dharma and proper temple administration. His contributions are documented in inscriptions at Simhachalam and Srikurmam temples. He introduced Devaranamas in Kannada, Yakshagana Bayalata in Karnataka, and influenced Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh.

Notes:
South Africa’s High Court blocked a 1,500 MW coal power plan, supporting constitutional rights and sustainable energy. The ‘Cancel Coal’ case, led by civil society, challenged the government’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to add 1,500 MW of coal power. The youth-led protest opposes the expansion of coal, citing environmental and health concerns. South Africa relies on coal for 71% of its energy supply. The ruling emphasizes the constitutional duty to protect the environment and sets a global precedent for transitioning to renewable energy.

Notes:
The Anji Khad Bridge, recently completed in Jammu and Kashmir, is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge. It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. The bridge spans 725.5 meters and features a 193-meter-high main pylon. It is designed to withstand severe weather conditions. This bridge improves connectivity between Katra and the Kashmir Valley, boosting tourism and economic growth. Its construction involved advanced techniques and international collaboration, highlighting India’s commitment to modern infrastructure.

Notes:
A male tiger from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, traveled 500 km to Solapur, an unusual journey. Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Yavatmal district, Maharashtra. It is called as the “Green Oasis” of southern Maharashtra. It is irrigated by rivers like Purna, Krishna, Bhima, and Tapti, providing abundant water. The sanctuary lies in a basalt region formed by ancient lava activity.