Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2023

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The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has introduced the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme. This voluntary national certification initiative aims to encourage sustainable forest management and agroforestry practices in India. The scheme encompasses forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of custody certification.
The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council will oversee the scheme, acting as a multistakeholder advisory body. The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, will serve as the scheme’s operating agency, managing its overall implementation.

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Bank of India (BoI) has launched savings account for women with independent income. The ‘Nari Shakti Savings Account’ offers personal accident insurance cover, concessional rate of interest on retail loans, discounted health insurance and wellness products and attractive rebates on locker facilities.

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The indigenous Koya tribe in Andhra Pradesh, residing in the Papikonda hill range, has embraced eco-friendly practices to conserve the Indian Bison (Bos gaurus).
Koyas have replaced traditional Indian Bison horns with palm leaves to craft their traditional flute, Permakor. Permakore is a traditional flute, originally made from Indian Bison horns, and is now created using palm leaves as an eco-friendly alternative. The flute serves as a communication tool during hunting, celebrations, and festivals.

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The 52nd Vijay Diwas, observed on December 16, 2023, marks the triumph of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Initiated with India’s pre-emptive strike on December 3, 1971, the war concluded on December 16, resulting in the surrender of the Pakistan Army in East Pakistan and the subsequent establishment of the independent nation of Bangladesh.

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The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund I is a social impact fund that aims to complete stalled and stressed residential projects. It was announced by the Finance Minister in 2019. Recently, real estate developers body NAREDCO recommended in its pre-budget submissions that the government allocate Rs 50,000 crore more to the SWAMIH fund. This fund aims to complete stalled housing projects and has benefited over 2 lakh homebuyers while unlocking projects worth Rs 94,000 crore after getting Rs 15,530 crore so far. NAREDCO contends another tranche could further revive the real estate industry and consumer sentiments.

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The popular Sunburn Electronic Dance Music Festival held annually in Goa was ruled by the Bombay High Court to have secured illegal permission from the state government in 2022. Citing violation of noise rules, lack of reasoned order for granting permission, the Court quashed last year’s nod and fined organizers. It directed officials to stringently monitor terms of approval citing past violations. With growing concerns over sustainability, this ruling puts Goa’s status as a tourist destination hosting large crowds to the test.

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President Putin mentioned plans to connect the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to the port of Murmansk in Russia’s Arctic coast. The 7,200-km INSTC network runs through Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia to offer the shortest land and sea route between Russia and India. Putin aims to boost Eurasian connectivity by linking INSTC to Murmansk, describing how it would enable shipping goods from the Arctic port to Western India within 15 days. The proposed connectivity holds strategic significance amid Russia’s increasing pivot to Asia and efforts to develop transport infrastructure across the Eurasian landmass. India has been a key partner in projects like INSTC, which stand to counterbalance China’s BRI.

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International Migrants Day is celebrated annually on December 18th. The day recognizes the contributions and challenges faced by migrants worldwide. The theme for International Migrants Day 2023 is “Promoting Safe Migration”. The United Nations chooses a theme each year to recognize the contributions of migrants and break down prejudices. The theme for 2022 was also “Promoting Safe Migration”.
Designated as National Minorities Rights Day, December 18 carries significant importance in India. It serves as a poignant reminder of the dedication to safeguarding the rights of religious, ethnic, racial, and linguistic minorities within the nation.

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The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 15th December 2023 signed a $250 million policy-based loan that will continue support to industrial corridor development to make manufacturing more competitive, strengthen national supply chains and links with regional and global value chains, and create more and better jobs.
The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICP) has been conceived to promote world-class manufacturing facilities and develop futuristic industrial cities in India. 11 Industrial Corridors are being developed under the programme. It is under the administrative control of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

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The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Para Games in Delhi was officially concluded by the Union Sports Minister. Haryana emerged as the top-performing state, securing 105 medals, including 40 gold, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) is an initiative aimed at empowering para-athletes in India. It is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the Sports Authority of India, and other bodies, and is part of the broader Khelo India Initiative.