Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to boost access to disease-free planting materials for horticulture farmers under the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme. The Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP) is related to horticulture and aims to provide farmers with access to high-quality, virus-free planting material. It includes nine advanced Clean Plant Centers with diagnostic and tissue culture labs and a robust certification system for accountability and traceability. It ensures affordable access, engages women farmers, and develops region-specific plant varieties. It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture through National Horticulture Board (NHB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, it aims to strengthen India’s global fruit market position.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
UNESCO has recognized West Bengal as a top destination for heritage tourism. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted the state’s progress in religious, heritage, and tea tourism. This recognition has boosted tourism and created thousands of jobs for youth. West Bengal is focusing on enhancing iconic religious sites and heritage spots. The state’s efforts are elevating its tourism sector, making it a key player in India’s tourism industry.

Notes:
An Ajmer court has admitted a petition to survey the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, leading to calls for a similar probe into the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. It is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. It is one of India’s oldest mosques and the second oldest in North India, after Delhi’s Quwwat ul Islam mosque. The Deputy Mayor claims it was initially a Sanskrit college and Jain temple before being converted into a mosque in the 12th century. Commissioned by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1199 CE, it was later enhanced by Iltutmish in 1213 CE. The structure showcases early Indo-Islamic architecture.

Notes:
Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, highlighted PRAGATI’s role in transforming India’s infrastructure project delivery. PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) is a multi-purpose platform addressing public grievances and monitoring key projects. Launched on March 25, 2015, it was designed in-house by the PMO with support from the National Informatics Center (NIC). It integrates digital data management, video conferencing, and geospatial technology for real-time interactions. PRAGATI promotes cooperative federalism by bringing Central and State officials together for efficient decision-making and monitoring ground-level issues.

Notes:
A Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda caused 15 deaths and 66 infections. MVD is a rare and severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates, caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV). It belongs to the filovirus family, like Ebola, and is among the deadliest human pathogens. Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Marburg virus. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bats, primates, or body fluids. The first outbreak was in Marburg, Germany (1967); recent cases occurred in Tanzania, Ghana, and Rwanda. No effective drugs or vaccines exist for MVD.

Notes:
The All India Home Price Index (HPI) is released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Reserve Bank of India’s All-India Home Price Index (HPI) rose by 4.34%, reaching 322 in September 2024, compared to 308.6 in September 2023. Over the last decade, the HPI has increased by nearly 67%. The HPI tracks changes in residential property prices across cities and regions in India, offering insights into the housing market. All eight major cities reported an annual rise in housing prices. Delhi NCR recorded the highest increase at 32%, followed by Bengaluru with a 24% rise.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the successful implementation of three new criminal laws in Chandigarh. Chandigarh is the first administrative unit in India to achieve 100% implementation of these laws. The laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—replaced the British-era IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively. These laws came into effect on July 1, 2024. They aim to uphold constitutional ideals and protect citizens’ rights effectively. The new laws signify a shift from colonial frameworks to a system that prioritizes justice and citizen welfare.

Notes:
The third Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite was launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The Copernicus Programme is an Earth Observation initiative managed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with the European Union (EU). It integrates data from satellites, ground stations, airborne, and sea-borne sensors to provide near-real-time information services. The programme offers free and open access to data for various applications. The Sentinel satellites are tailored to meet the needs of Copernicus services in areas like atmosphere, marine, land, climate, emergency response, and security. Copernicus aims to deploy nearly 20 satellites by 2030, funded and managed by the European Commission.