Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

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:
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:
Vadhavan greenfield port near Dahanu, Maharashtra, will double India’s container trade upon completion. It is an all-weather deep draft major port located in Palghar district, Maharashtra. It is developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL). VPPL is a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (74% share) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (26%). The project cost is ₹76,220 crore, with completion targeted by 2034. It will feature nine container terminals, multipurpose, liquid cargo, Ro-Ro, and Coast Guard berths.

Notes:
Russia plans to deploy the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, also called “Satan 2,” to replace older models. The RS-28 Sarmat is a three-stage, liquid-fueled missile with an 18,000 km range and a 208.1 metric ton launch weight. It measures 35.3 meters in length and 3 meters in diameter, carrying a 10-ton payload. The missile can carry up to 10 heavy nuclear warheads, 16 smaller ones, or hypersonic glide vehicles. It features a short initial boost phase, making it harder for enemy systems to track and intercept.

Notes:
The government has set up the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) to improve urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. It is funded through the priority sector lending shortfall. The fund supports public agencies in providing basic services like sewerage, waste management, water supply, sanitation, and drainage. It aims to supplement state governments’ efforts and is managed by the National Housing Bank. The initial corpus of the fund is ₹10,000 crore. The UIDF is modeled after the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

Notes:
The PENCiL portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to enforce the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. It has five components: Central Government, State Government, District Project Societies, Child Tracking System, and Complaint Corner. District Nodal Officers (DNOs) are appointed to ensure strict implementation of the Act. A model State Action Plan (SAP) guides State Governments in eradicating child labour, focusing on migrant, girl, and SC/ST children. The portal promotes efficient monitoring and grievance redressal to combat child labour effectively.

Notes:
World Wildlife Conservation Day is observed on December 4 to raise awareness about protecting endangered flora and fauna. The day emphasizes the importance of wildlife conservation and encourages action to safeguard endangered species. India hosts four global biodiversity hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Sundaland. With only 2.4% of the world’s land area, India supports 7-8% of recorded species, making it a megadiverse country.

Notes:
Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya inaugurated the International Gita Mahotsav on 5 December 2024 in Kurukshetra, Haryana. The festival celebrates the birth of the ‘Srimad Bhagwat Gita,’ where Lord Krishna advised Arjuna during the Mahabharata war. This year, Tanzania is the foreign partner country, and Odisha is the State partner.

Notes:
India has been honored with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Good Practice Award for Asia and Pacific 2024 at the Regional Social Security Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) was recognized for its innovative communication strategies, digital initiatives, and outreach programs like Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0, which enhance service delivery and stakeholder engagement in social security. This award underscores EPFO’s commitment to improving social security systems in line with contemporary needs.

Notes:
The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will implement the SMILE scheme in Puri, Jajpur, and Bhubaneswar. SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is a central scheme launched by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in February 2022. The scheme aims to ensure the proper rehabilitation of beggars. The first phase of the scheme has been rolled out in select cities, and Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Jajpur are part of the second phase involving 50 cities.