Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2023

Notes:
PrEPVacc stands for “Preexposure Prophylaxis Vaccine Trial”. It was an African-led clinical trial testing two HIV vaccine regimens, which was recently halted after an interim analysis found them to be ineffective in preventing infections. The stoppage of PrEPVacc a year before its scheduled completion is a major blow to HIV vaccine development efforts. With nearly 40 million people living with HIV globally, an effective vaccine has remained elusive despite decades of research. This latest failure prompted scientists to reassess strategies for better understanding virus transmission in vulnerable populations.

Notes:
Govind Devagiri is the treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Trust which is overseeing preparations at the under-construction Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh ahead of its proposed inauguration. This includes installation of idols like that of Jatayu which holds significance in Ramayana.

Notes:
In an effort to boost tourism and attract more visitors, Iran has decided to cancel visa requirements for visitors from India. The decision, made by the Iranian Cabinet, is part of a larger initiative to waive visa requirements for 33 countries. The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Ezzatollah Zarghami, believes that this move will neutralize “Iranophobia” campaigns and increase tourism arrivals. This decision follows similar actions by Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, who have also waived visa requirements for visitors from India. Iran has seen a significant increase in foreign arrivals, with 4.4 million visitors during the first eight months of the current Iranian year, representing a 48.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The 33 countries approved for Iran’s visa-waiver program include India, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and several others. Iran had previously implemented visa waiver programs for visitors from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria.

Notes:
Professor Savita Ladage from Mumbai’s Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, has been awarded the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education in recognition of her outstanding contributions to chemistry education. Professor Ladage’s tireless advocacy for the significance of chemical education and her role in mentoring educators and spearheading impactful programs have significantly enhanced chemistry education in India. The Nyholm Prize places her among past winners who have later received Nobel Prizes, highlighting the esteemed nature of this accolade. In addition to the honor, Professor Ladage will receive £5,000, a medal, and a certificate as part of the prize. She expressed gratitude for the recognition and vowed to continue her work with greater zeal and enthusiasm. The Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry emphasized the importance of educators like Professor Ladage in shaping the future and preparing young minds for the challenges and opportunities in society. The Nyholm Prize is part of the RSC’s celebration of educational excellence, acknowledging individuals working across various levels of education.

Notes:
The Maharashtra government has appointed former judge Sunil Shukre as the new chairman of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission. He replaces Anand Nirgude who resigned from the post last week, leaving the body responsible for reservation quotas in the state headless.

Notes:
International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) is based in Rome, Italy. Uma Sekhar is an Indian lawyer who was recently elected to the governing council of UNIDROIT. She won the election to UNIDROIT’s 25-member governing council, consisting of legal experts from various countries, with 45 votes out of 59. This marks a historic victory as she is India’s first woman candidate elected to UNIDROIT’s council. UNIDROIT deals with studying and modernizing commercial and private laws across different countries and groups. Uma Sekhar’s election win highlights India’s growing influence in shaping policy for unification and progress of international private laws.

Notes:
Austropallene halanychi is the name bestowed to a newly discovered pale yellow species of sea spider found in the Ross Sea near Antarctica. It has distinct black eyes and large boxing glove-shaped claws used likely for grabbing soft prey. Over 1,000 sea spider species inhabit oceans globally but seldom before has one been spotted with such unique features. Further analysis of sea creatures can reveal evolutionary trends and biodiversity insights in relatively unexplored icy polar waters.

Notes:
The Eastern Ghats Nature Interpretation Centre is being opened in the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a forest located near Visakhapatnam, near Andhra Pradesh. The sanctuary is a tropical deciduous forest with a canopy of tree cover of mixed composition along with scrubland and meadows. It is bordered by Simhachalam hill range on the West and Gambheeram reservoir on the North-east.

Notes:
Kabir Bedi, a renowned actor, was awarded the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), Italy’s highest civilian honor, in a private ceremony in Mumbai in December 2023. President Mattarella of Italy praised Bedi for his significant role in enhancing India-Italy relations over the past three decades, acknowledging his popularity across generations in Italy.

Notes:
Odisha government launched the Lingaraj Ekamra Kshetra Amenities and Monuments Revival Action (EKAMRA) scheme in January 2020, focused on restoring and improving amenities at the 11th century Lingaraj Temple and 30 other shrines across 80 acres in Bhubaneswar. It aims to enhance the experience for devotees while preserving heritage value, including beautification, better access roads and removing encroachments. The Lingaraj temple holds religious significance as a prominent Hindu and tourist site. This scheme elevates Bhubaneswar’s status as a “Temple City” while boosting Odisha’s cultural identity under CM Naveen Patnaik’s initiative to rejuvenate spiritual centers across the state.