Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
The Union government has approved loans under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme to develop the Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Telangana. The Ramappa Temple, also known as the Rudreshwara Temple, is a Kakatiya-style Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. Built in 1213 AD, it was commissioned by Kakati Ganapathi Deva and his Chief Commander Rudra Samani. The temple is named after its chief sculptor, Ramappa, making it unique as a temple named after an architect.

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Maharashtra’s ‘Shashan Aaplya Dari’ initiative won the SKOCH Award for its innovation and impact in governance. The program, meaning “government at your doorsteps,” delivers government schemes directly to people. It was launched in Satara in May 2023. More than 280 projects nationwide competed, showcasing its effectiveness. The initiative aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and will evolve into ‘Shashan Aaplya Dari 2.0’ under Eknath Shinde’s guidance for further growth. The SKOCH Award is an award that recognizes people, projects, and institutions that work to improve India. It was established in 2003 and is considered one of the highest civilian honors in the country.

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has requested a response from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) regarding the deteriorating condition of Varkala cliff, a national geo-heritage site. It is located in Varkala, Kerala. The cliff stretches 3 km and exposes sedimentary rocks from the Mio-Pliocene Age (13 lakh to 2.5 crore years ago). Varkala is the only place on India’s west coast where these ancient sediments are visible. The cliff towers up to 80 meters and is home to the Papanasam Beach, known for its therapeutic springs. It supports local biodiversity and is essential for coastal aquifers and fishing communities.

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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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National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on December 2 in India. It commemorates the lives lost in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and raises awareness about pollution. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred on December 2, 1984, due to a methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leak from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The incident killed around 2,259 people immediately, with fatalities rising to 25,000 over time, as per government reports. Around 500,000 people suffered severe health issues, including respiratory and reproductive problems, blindness, and nervous system diseases.

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India presented the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP) at the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. The project is inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall. It aims to combat desertification from the Thar Desert to northern India. The project covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, aiming to restore 1.15 million hectares by 2027. It focuses on mitigating soil degradation, erosion, and drought, and rejuvenating 75 water bodies. A 1,400 km long green belt will be created along the Aravalli Range using indigenous afforestation and advanced water management. The project promotes community involvement and green employment.

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Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, has been overtaken by Islamist rebel factions for the first time in over a decade. Located in northern Syria, about 30 miles from the Turkish border, Aleppo is a significant ancient trade hub. The Quwayq River runs through Aleppo, often drying up due to heavy water usage in Turkey. The terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is involved in the takeover. Aleppo is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site “Old City of Aleppo,” known for its medieval Islamic architecture, including the iconic citadel.

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The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme. The aim is to support retired athletes’ career development through education, internships, and skill enhancement. Eligibility includes retired athletes aged 20-50, with achievements in recognized events. The program offers 16 specialized courses like Strength & Conditioning, Sports Nutrition, Yoga, and Sports Entrepreneurship. It combines academic learning with internships to provide practical exposure. The objective is to fill the human resource gap in the sports sector and offer career paths for retired athletes.

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The 9th International Conference on Waste to Worth, organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), focused on sustainable waste management practices. It brought together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, academics, and researchers to collaborate and exchange knowledge. Discussions revolved around innovative strategies, technologies, and policies promoting waste reduction, recycling, and circular economy principles. The theme, “Enabling & Building Global Tech-Partnerships for Future Ready & Sustainable Growth Environs along with Circular Economies,” emphasized global collaboration. The conference aimed to drive sustainable growth, create a cleaner environment, and support the transition to circular economies for future generations.

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The 29th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit was held on 2-3 December 2024 in New Delhi. It brought together 61 countries, 30 global speakers, and 11 international ministers. The summit focused on building partnerships and promoting global cooperation for a sustainable future. It was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with support from Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) , Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The summit has been held annually since 1995. The previous summit in March 2023 saw participation from 67 countries, over 2000 business delegates, and 400 international representatives.