Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2023

Notes:
The Terminal 2 (T2) at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru received recognition at UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles. T2 earned a special prize for its interiors and was acknowledged as one of the world’s most aesthetically pleasing airports.
Prix Versailles underscores values such as intelligent sustainability, innovation, reflection of local heritage, ecological efficiency, and social interaction. T2 is aptly named “Terminal in a Garden.”

Notes:
The International Debt Report, formerly known as the International Debt Statistics (IDS), is an annual publication by the World Bank now in its 50th year. The report focuses on providing external debt statistics and analysis for 122 low- and middle-income countries that participate in the World Bank’s Debt Reporting System. As an annual publication spanning five decades, the International Debt Report offers insights into external debt trends and debt sustainability for developing economies.

Notes:
Prehistoric rock art has recently been discovered in Andriamamelo Cave located in western Madagascar. This cave is situated within a karst limestone landscape in the Beanka Protected Harmonious Landscape, part of a broader UNESCO World Heritage karst region that includes Bemaraha National Park. Andriamamelo’s distinct underground formations arise from soluble limestone rocks dissolving over time. The cave drawings offer a rare glimpse into ancient peoples and cultures that inhabited this region of the island nation of Madagascar off the southeastern coast of Africa.

Notes:
Recently, unusual shiny clouds called nacreous clouds were seen in the skies over parts of Scotland, northern England, and the West Midlands. These rare clouds look like mother of pearl and shine with pale, rainbow-like colors during sunset and sunrise. This effect happens as sunlight bends around tiny ice crystals in the clouds, creating colors like a thin layer of oil on water does. The process that causes these colorful iridescent clouds is optical diffraction – when light waves interact with small particles and bend or spread out into spectral colors.

Notes:
In Chennai Grand Masters 2023 tournament, Indian chess prodigy, Dommaraju Gukesh clinched the title by holding compatriot Pentala Harikrishna for a draw. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi secured the second spot.

Notes:
Leprosy, also referred to as Hansen’s disease, is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This condition impacts the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. Occurring across all age groups, leprosy is treatable. The transmission of leprosy occurs through droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases. India achieved the status of “Leprosy Eliminated” in 2005. The Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-27) aims to bolster the campaign against leprosy. Nikusth 2.0 serves as an integrated portal for leprosy case management under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).

Notes:
The commencement of the 26th National Integration and Youth Leadership Camp in Itanagar was marked by the inauguration by Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.), the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. It was organized by the Central Calcutta Science & Culture Organization for Youth in collaboration with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Its theme was ‘Viksit Yuva, Viksit Bharat.’ The primary objective of the camp is to foster cultural connections among students and youth from diverse regions of India.

Notes:
Vijayakant, founder of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party in Tamil Nadu, passed away on December 28th 2023 at age 71. Known affectionately as “Captain” after playing the title role in hit film “Captain Prabakaran”, he entered politics in 2006. Rattling stalwarts Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi, Vijayakant emerged as a surprise third force by securing 8.38% votes in 2006 state elections as an independent. His vote share later crossed 10% in 2009 parliamentary polls. Allying with AIADMK in 2011, DMDK became second largest party in Assembly, making Vijayakant Leader of Opposition with 29 MLAs. However, in later years his political fortunes declined after falling out with AIADMK.

Notes:
India and Israel established diplomatic ties in 1947, based on religious criteria. India officially recognized Israel in 1950. Full diplomatic relations were established in 1992. LK Advani was the first Indian minister to visit Israel in 2000. In 2003, Ariel Sharon became the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit India. Narendra Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Israel in 2017.

Notes:
On December 27, 2023, Pakistan’s military successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenously developed guided multi-launch rocket system Fatah-II. Fattah-2, new and improved hypersonic weapon has been launched by Iran in November 2023.