Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

Notes:
The 94-year-old renowned Indian architect Balakrishna Doshi has recently won the Royal Gold Medal 2022, by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
It is the highest honor for architecture in the United Kingdom. During the architect’s 70 year career, which included 100 projects, he has significantly contributed in both practice and his teaching.

Notes:
SCORES is a grievance redressal system of the Capital Market Regulator SEBI- Securities Exchange Board of India. The portal was launched in June 2011.
According to the data released by SEBI, a total of 3,789 complaints received through grievance redressal system SCORES have been disposed of against listed entities or market intermediaries in November.

Notes:
The Pinaka MLRS has been successfully developed by two DRDO laboratories in Pune – Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) – in partnership with two private sector firms, L&T and Tata Power Company Ltd (TPCL).
Recently, Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER) Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), was successfully tested with rockets built by the two private firms.

Notes:
December 11 is celebrated as International Mountain Day every year, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
International Mountain Day creates awareness about the importance of mountains to life. This year’s theme for International Mountain Day is Sustainable Mountain Tourism. According to the UN, mountain tourism attracts about 15-20 per cent of global tourism.

Notes:
Union Minister for Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the River Cruise Services at the Marmugao Port in Goa.
Mormugao Port is a 32- year- old port, located in South Goa. As per the Ministry, any entrepreneur can start a new and similar type of Service from this berthing facility, which is available in the Port.

Notes:
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett became the first Prime Minister of Israel to visit the United Arab Emirates.
He recently arrived in the United Arab Emirates to meet the Gulf state’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The two countries signed a US-brokered agreement known as the Abraham Accords.

Notes:
Asian Power Index is prepared by the Lowy Institute of Sydney. In the recently released index of 2021, the United States ranked at the top spot, for exerting influence over the region.
The Index, which ranks 26 nations and territories in Asia, ranks India as the 4th most powerful country. India has retained its 4th position, on the basis of several measures of power such as economic capability, military capability, resilience and cultural influence.

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:
The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) has accepted the plea to rename Bihar Makhana as Mithila Makhana.
It also suggested amendments in the brand logo to reflect its origins along with identifying and protecting the product’s Geographical Indications (GI) rights. Makhana or fox nut is one of the most famous products of mithila region, span across Bihar and Jharkand.

Notes:
The Israeli government has announced to donate 1 million coronavirus vaccines to the U.N.-backed COVAX programme.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry said the AstraZeneca vaccines would be transferred in the coming weeks. This decision is seen as a part of Israel’s strengthening ties with the African countries. Israel has close ties with several African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Last year, Israel established relations with Sudan.