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.

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Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has directed officials to study Handigodu disease scientifically. Handigodu disease is a rare osteoarthritic disorder (bone and joint disease) found in Shimoga and Chikmaglur districts. It is an inherited degenerative bone and joint disease, first noticed in Handigodu village. Symptoms include severe joint and hip pain, deformation, dwarfism, and difficulty walking. The disease begins in preadolescence and can severely affect mobility. Over 1,000 people have died from the disease since its discovery in 1975. It is similar to Mseleni Joint Disease in South Africa.

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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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Siddharth Kaul, a 34-year-old pacer from Punjab, announced his retirement from Indian cricket. He represented India in 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is during 2018-19 and was part of the 2008 U-19 World Cup-winning team with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. Kaul played for IPL teams like Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has 297 wickets in First-Class, 199 in List A, and 182 in T20s. Kaul is the highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies.

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The central government announced that corporate exits are now processed in 70-90 days under the Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE). It was established by Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). It operates under the Registrar of Companies (RoC) and is supervised by the Director General of Corporate Affairs (DGCoA). It is located at the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Gurgaon. It aims to ease doing business, reduce registry burden, and provide hassle-free, timely company closures.

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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.

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A female elephant recently died of suspected anthrax at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Anthrax is caused by Bacteria ‘Bacillus anthracis’, a spore-forming bacterium found in soil. It primarily affects livestock and wild animals through contaminated soil, plants, or water. Humans can contract anthrax by contact with infected animals or their products, contaminated food or water, or spores entering the skin. Anthrax is not contagious between people and occurs in three forms: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational. The bacteria’s spores can survive in soil for years, posing long-term risks to animals and humans.

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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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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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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.