Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2021

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:
The World Health Organization recently released the “Tracking Universal Coverage – 2021 Global Monitoring Report”.
On the occasion of Universal Health Coverage day, World Bank also released the “Global Monitoring Report on Financial Protection in Health 2021”. The report showed that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to halt two decades of global progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

Notes:
India’s leading public sector bank “bob World Wave” has launched a solution for digital banking payments, named bob World Wave.
The bob World Wave is a wearable device, which will allow customers to monitor their Sp02, body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. BoB has partnered with NPCI to offer the wearable payment solution.

Notes:
Researchers at IIT Delhi’s Kusuma School of Biological Sciences have developed an RT-PCR based kit for detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529.1) variant of SARS-CoV-2.
The assay is based on detecting specific mutations, which are present in the Omicron variant and absent in other currently present variants of SARS-CoV-2. Globally, the detection of the Omicron variant requires over 3 days.

Notes:
The Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), Ministry of Railways has been the first organisation to be Bureau of Indian Standards, under the BIS scheme of Standards Development Organizations (SDOs).
As per BIS Act 2016, BIS is empowered recognize or accredit any institution in India or outside which is engaged in standardization.

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:
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated Rishihood University, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Rajya Sabha MP, Founder and Chancellor of Rishihood University Suresh Prabhu was also present during the occasion.
The university has launched many initiatives to promote social impact such as the Center for Water, Center for Innovation in Governance, etc.

Notes:
The Government of India and the Germany Development Bank -KFW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) signed a 442.26 million euro loan pact for Surat Metro Rail project.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be Euro 1.50 billion (₹12,020 crore), of which KfW bank is financing Euro 442.26 million. Surat Metro Rail Project was launched in January this year. The project is being co-financed by French Development Agency, AFD.

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.

Notes:
An Indian Desert Cat has been spotted for the first time in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR).
“Felis silvestris ornate” is the scientific name of the species. The Indian Desert Cat is usually found at the Thar desert in Rajasthan. A fishing cat, one of the endangered animals in India, was earlier spotted in the reserve.