Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
The Ministry of Health designated snakebite cases and deaths as a notifiable disease to improve monitoring and response. Notifiable diseases are legally required to be reported to authorities for better surveillance and outbreak prevention. States are responsible for implementing and notifying such diseases. The National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) aims to reduce snakebite deaths and disabilities by 50% by 2030. Other notifiable diseases include AIDS, hepatitis, and dengue. WHO’s International Health Regulations mandate reporting certain diseases to WHO for global health monitoring.

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.

Notes:
World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1 since 1988 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and show solidarity against the pandemic. It reflects on progress in prevention, treatment, and care while highlighting ongoing challenges. The day commemorates lives lost to AIDS, celebrates healthcare milestones, and spreads awareness globally. It emphasizes the link between combating AIDS and achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Right to Health. The 2024 theme, “Take the rights path: My health, my right!” focuses on healthcare access, individual empowerment, and addressing inequalities in HIV prevention and treatment.

Notes:
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s sixteenth Conference of Parties (COP16) is started in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first time West Asia hosts this event. India joins 197 nations, marking UNCCD’s 30th anniversary, with its delegation led by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini. India will present the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP), targeting restoration of 1.15 million hectares across four states. AGWP integrates indigenous afforestation, biodiversity conservation, GIS tools, water management, and community engagement. The conference, running until December 13, showcases India’s leadership in combating desertification and fostering global sustainable land management.

Notes:
PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won the women’s and men’s titles at the 2024 Syed Modi International badminton tournament. This marked Sindhu’s first BWF (Badminton World Federation) title since the 2022 Singapore Open, ending her title drought. Sindhu defeated China’s Wu Luo Yu 21-14, 21-16 in the final. The tournament was held at Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium, Lucknow, from November 26 to December 1, 2024.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh officially declared Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ratapani Tiger Reserve under Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Ratapani, now the state’s eighth tiger reserve, has an estimated 90 tigers. It spans Raisen and Sehore districts, serving as a critical tiger habitat linked to the Satpura ranges. Encroachments and lack of prey led to tiger-human conflicts, increasing the need for conservation. The delay in declaration, despite NTCA approval in 2008, prompted a PIL by a wildlife activist. Projects like coal plants and railway lines threaten the reserve’s ecosystem, raising concerns for its biodiversity.

Notes:
Uber has launched Asia’s first water transport service, “Uber Shikara,” in Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir. Tourists can now book pre-scheduled shikara rides via Uber’s app. The service was inaugurated by Uber India and South Asia President Prabhjeet Singh. Uber Shikara blends technology with tradition, improving accessibility and boosting Kashmir’s tourism. It partners with seven local shikara operators, with plans to expand based on demand. The service operates from Nehru Park, with government-regulated fair pricing and no fees charged to shikara partners.

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:
National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, recognized IN-SPACe as a dual awarding body to strengthen vocational education in the space sector. IN-SPACe, under the Department of Space, promotes and enables space activities like satellite manufacturing and space services. The collaboration aligns IN-SPACe training with global standards, supporting initiatives like Skill India Mission. Six National Occupational Standards (NoS) for space-related training were approved, covering areas like satellite manufacturing, orbital mechanics, and space propulsion. NCVET ensures quality standards in vocational training, fostering a skilled workforce for industry demands.