Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

Notes:
Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the Sedition Law. This section defines sedition as an offence committed when “any person attempts to excite disaffection towards government established by law, by means of spoken or written words, or by signs, or by visible representation.
Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Lok Sabha by a written reply that there is no proposal to scrap sedition law.  The Indian Penal Code was enacted in 1860, under the British Government.

Notes:
Photodynamic therapy involves the use of light-sensitive medicine, which is activated by a light source. The treatment is used to treat certain cancers, and patients report a side effect due to the treatment.
Many people claim to have better night vision and also vision of unusual patterns and silhouettes in the dark. Researchers discovered Rhodopsin, a light-sensitive protein found in retinas, interacts with chlorin e6, a photosensitive used in cancer treatment.

Notes:
Global Technology Summit was recently organised by the Union External affairs Ministry and Carnegie India.
Union External Affairs Minister S Jai Shankar addressed the Summit. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a special message at the summit. They also highlighted that technology is a key part of the India-UK Roadmap for 2030.

Notes:
Scientists at the Himalayan Research Group NGO, a part of Department of Science and Technology Programme of Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division devised a customized solar water and space heating system.
Named the ‘Solar hamam’, the system is a cost-effective alternative to fuelwood. In the higher Himalayan region, 50% of fuelwood is consumed for the purpose of heating and is also a main reason for forest degradation.

Notes:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is co-hosting the Global Refugee Forum together with Switzerland.  The first follow-up to the Global Refugee Forum has started.
The two-day virtual event will be opened by the President-elect of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. The meeting commences on UNHCR’s 71st anniversary, on December 14. The next Global Refugee Forum will be held in 2023.

Notes:
The state of the world’s land and water resources for food and agriculture (SOLAW 2021) report was released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
From 8 to 9 December 2021, the Land and Water Days are hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The central theme of SOLAW 2021 is “Systems at breaking point”.

Notes:
An internet-based platform called ‘VIHANGAM’ integrated with a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) was inaugurated at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL).
The system enables real-time transmission of aerial video of mining activities from mines to the platform which can be accessed through VIHANGAM portal by authorized personnel.

Notes:
Veteran American Black feminist author Bell hooks, passed away at the age of 69.
Her famous works include “Ain’t I a Woman? Black Women and Feminism,” in which she examined the impact of sexism and racism on Black women. She also argued for a more inclusive movement, and focussed the impact of racism within feminism.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government has declared Tamil Thai Vaazhthu as the State Song, by issuing a Government Order (GO).It is usually sung , at the beginning of functions in all educational institutions and public events.
The song is taken from ‘Manonmaneeyam’, the famous Tamil drama written by Sundaranar. The order directs everyone who is present during the rendition of the song, barring differently abled persons, should remain standing.

Notes:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a loan agreement with Assam Skill Development Mission for establishing Assam Skill University.
It will be set up under the external-aided project funded by the Asian Development Bank. The estimated cost of the project was USD 140 million, including the state’s share of 20 per cent. This will be first government skill university of Eastern India.