Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

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Scientists have taken the first zoomed-in image of the Red Supergiant WOH G64 star located in another galaxy. The star was imaged with high sharpness by the ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). WOH G64 is in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, about 160,000 light years from Earth. A red supergiant, WOH G64 is 2,000 times the size of the Sun and is nearing the end of its life, shedding its outer layer surrounded by gas and dust.

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Cyclone Fengal, which recently hit the eastern coast of India, was named by Saudi Arabia. The name “Fengal” is of Arabic origin. Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry on November 30, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. It was the second cyclone to affect India’s east coast in two months, after Cyclone Dana.

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The 1st edition of Joint Table Top Exercise, CINBAX, conducted at Foreign Training Node, Pune, between the Indian and Cambodian Armies. The exercise focuses on joint Counter Terrorism (CT) operations under the UN Charter, with personnel from both armies participating. The exercise has three phases: orientation, Table Top exercises, and finalization of plans. It aims to enhance trust, interoperability, and showcase India’s indigenous defense capabilities.

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The National Tiger Conservation Authority has approved Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as a tiger reserve. The park is located in the northern Central Highlands, part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills, with plateaus and valleys. It includes two lakes, Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, supporting aquatic biodiversity and terrestrial species. The park’s drainage flows north and northeast, forming the catchment for the Amarnadi and Sind rivers. The eastern part has Vindhyan system sedimentary rocks, including sandstone, shale, and limestone.

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Chhattisgarh launched the ‘Bus Sangwari App’ to simplify bus travel, especially for remote areas. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai introduced the app, highlighting its role in improving governance and public convenience. The app offers access to bus schedules and route information without visiting bus stands. Currently, it provides data on over 5,000 buses operating across the state. GPS integration allows real-time bus tracking, with plans to include interstate bus details soon.

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The PENCiL portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to enforce the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. It has five components: Central Government, State Government, District Project Societies, Child Tracking System, and Complaint Corner. District Nodal Officers (DNOs) are appointed to ensure strict implementation of the Act. A model State Action Plan (SAP) guides State Governments in eradicating child labour, focusing on migrant, girl, and SC/ST children. The portal promotes efficient monitoring and grievance redressal to combat child labour effectively.

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The Union Minister launched ‘Anna Chakra’ and SCAN portal to optimize the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain. Developed with the World Food Programme and IIT-Delhi, it uses advanced algorithms for route optimization and efficient food grain movement. It integrates with PM Gati Shakti and Railways’ FOIS portal, covering 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops and 6700 warehouses. Optimization for 30 states shows potential cost savings of ₹250 crore annually. Benefits include faster food distribution, reduced logistics costs, lower fuel consumption, and reduced carbon emissions, supporting 81 crore beneficiaries under the world’s largest food security program.

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ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) developed the Rangeen Machhli app with support from Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to boost the ornamental fish industry. The app provides multilingual, reliable guidance on ornamental fish care, breeding, and maintenance in eight Indian languages. It supports hobbyists, farmers, and professionals, promoting informed fish-keeping practices and fostering community engagement. Key features include detailed fish care information, a “Find Aquarium Shops” tool for locating businesses, and educational modules on aquarium basics and ornamental aquaculture. The app promotes local businesses, empowers farmers, ensures reliable products, and fosters sustainability in the ornamental fish trade.

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Gujarat is the first state to generate “Farmer IDs” for 25% of its targeted farmers under the Digital Agriculture Mission launched in September 2024. Farmer IDs are unique digital identities based on Aadhaar, dynamically linked to state land records for real-time updates. Other states like Madhya Pradesh (9%), Maharashtra (2%), Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and others have also initiated Farmer ID generation. Farmer IDs enable seamless access to government schemes, instant crop loans, personalized agricultural services, and enhanced market connectivity. The initiative supports efficient policy-making, sustainable agriculture, and improved farmer incomes through a digital ecosystem. Modes for ID generation include self-registration, assisted registration, camps, and Common Service Centres (CSCs).

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The Polavaram Multipurpose Project has sparked disputes among Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana over its potential impacts. The Polavaram Multipurpose Project is located on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It aims to support irrigation, drinking water supply, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control. The project was conceived in 1980 on the Godavari River to address irrigation and power needs. Odisha raises concerns about the submergence of 162 villages and impacts on tribal populations. Chhattisgarh worries about environmental damage and submergence downstream. Telangana questions the project’s feasibility and its ecological and water resource impact. Odisha seeks a new backwater study, but the Central Water Commission has denied it.