Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
Sikkim has been declared the partner state for the Hornbill Festival 2024. The Hornbill Festival is an annual cultural event in Nagaland, named after the Indian hornbill bird featured in tribal folklore. It is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, 12 km from Kohima, Nagaland. The festival is organized by Nagaland’s Tourism and Art & Culture Departments. Its objective is to promote cultural heritage and foster inter-tribal interaction in Nagaland.

Notes:
Chief Minister of Telangana announced the extension of the Rythu Bharosa Scheme after Sankranti. The scheme will continue providing Rs. 500 bonuses for high-quality rice varieties in the next season. The Rythu Bharosa Scheme, also known as the Farmer’s Investment Support Scheme (FISS), was launched in 2018-19 to support farmers with their initial investment needs. The announcement aims to address concerns within the farming community and prepare for upcoming local body elections.

Notes:
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.

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:
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s vice president, has been elected as the country’s first female president, securing 57% of the votes. She defeated Panduleni Itula of IPC, who received 26%, and SWAPO continues its 34-year dominance. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory ensures SWAPO retains power since Namibia’s independence in 1990. She has held key roles, including foreign minister, and is seen as a unifying figure. SWAPO also won 51 out of 96 National Assembly seats. Namibia faces challenges like high unemployment and inequality, despite political stability.

Notes:
The National Pension Scheme (NPS) Vatsalya, launched in September 2024, allows parents or guardians to invest on behalf of children. It is designed for Indian minors (under 18) and regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The scheme offers an interest rate between 9.5% and 10%, making it a valuable financial tool for children’s future. It promotes early saving habits and financial planning for minors. The account is in the child’s name, managed by a guardian, with the child as the sole beneficiary.

Notes:
Researchers in Meghalaya’s subtropical forests discovered two new feather mite species: Trouessartia thalassina and Proterothrix sibillae. Trouessartia thalassina was found on the Verditer Flycatcher, named for its sea-green plumage; it has unique semi-ovate structures in males and non-sclerotized lacunae in females. Proterothrix sibillae, found on the Small Niltava, is larger and named after naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian. Feather mites are microscopic arachnids that feed on oils and debris in bird feathers, usually benefiting their hosts but sometimes turning parasitic. They spread through close bird contact, especially during nesting.

Notes:
The International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience was launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) to ensure the resilience of submarine cables, vital for the global digital economy. The body consists of 40 members, including ministers, regulators, and telecom experts, representing diverse global perspectives. It will meet bi-annually to discuss international policies, infrastructure, and best practices. The body aims to promote best practices, reduce risks of cable damage, and ensure swift repairs and deployment. It addresses challenges like increasing traffic, aging infrastructure, and environmental threats, benefiting livelihoods and industries reliant on submarine cables.

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December 9th marks International Anti-Corruption Day to raise awareness about corruption and promote collective action against it. Corruption in India affects both public and private sectors, manifesting as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and misuse of power. It undermines economic growth, erodes public trust, weakens the rule of law, and impacts citizens’ welfare. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index ranks India 80th among 180 countries, highlighting the issue’s seriousness.

Notes:
IIT Madras has completed a 410-meter Hyperloop test track, a milestone for India’s modern transportation technology. The Hyperloop concept, introduced by Elon Musk in 2012, features trains moving in a frictionless, vacuum-sealed environment. This project is developed by IIT Madras’ Avishkar Hyperloop team, comprising 76 students, in collaboration with the startup TuTr. Hyperloop trains can achieve speeds up to 1,100 kmph, with operational speeds around 360 kmph, ensuring faster and energy-efficient travel. Plans include an 11.5-km test track in Phase 1 and expansion to 100 km in Phase 2. A Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop project aims to cut travel time to 25 minutes.