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.

Notes:
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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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.

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Uber introduced Uber Shikara booking on Dal Lake in Srinagar in December 2024. The service lets passengers reserve rides on traditional shikara boats through its app.

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Jasleen Kaur, a Glasgow-born Scottish Sikh artist of Indian heritage, won the 2024 Turner Prize. Her exhibition Alter Altar explores personal, political, and spiritual themes. The jury praised her evocative use of sound and sculpture to highlight family memory and community struggles. A standout piece featured a Ford car, representing her father’s migrant aspirations. Actor James Norton presented the award at Tate Britain, marking the Turner Prize’s return to the venue after six years.

Notes:
The Indian Navy will commission INS Tushil, a stealth guided missile frigate, in Kaliningrad, Russia. INS Tushil is part of the upgraded Krivak III-class frigates under Russian-designed Project 1135.6. It is the seventh vessel in this series and the first of two upgraded frigates from a 2016 India-Russia contract. “Tushil” means “protector shield,” symbolizing the Navy’s commitment to maritime security. The ship is 125 meters long, displaces 3,900 tons, and features advanced stealth for radar evasion. It includes 26% indigenous technology with 33 systems by Indian manufacturers. Assigned to the Western Fleet, it strengthens India’s naval capabilities.

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Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched the AP Urjaveer Scheme to promote energy efficiency. The scheme trains 1,12,000 private electricians to handle energy-efficient appliances. A network of Urjaveer-trained workers will promote six appliances: LED inverter lamps, LED tubelights, BLDC ceiling fans, 5-star air conditioners, induction stoves, and LED bulbs. The initiative aims to make energy conservation a lifestyle at the grassroots level. EESL and Andhra Pradesh will jointly run the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) with the Women Development & Child Welfare Department.

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Tata Power has started building the ₹6,900 crore Khorlochhu Hydropower Project in Bhutan, aiming for completion by September 2029. Located on the Kholongchhu River in Trashiyangtse, Bhutan, the 600 MW project supports Bhutan’s electricity needs and India’s renewable energy goals. It is the first joint energy project between India and Bhutan, executed by Khorlochhu Hydro Power Limited (KHPL), a partnership of Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and Tata Power.

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The World Solar Report 2024 by the International Solar Alliance highlights rapid growth in global solar energy. Global solar capacity grew from 22 GW in 2000 to 1,419 GW by 2023, with a 36% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) . Solar energy now contributes 75% of renewable energy capacity additions. Emerging technologies include quantum dot solar cells (18.1% efficiency), self-healing solar panels, solar-powered phyto-mining, and solar paver blocks. Solar PV costs have declined, with utility-scale projects costing as low as 40/MWh. China leads global solar capacity (43%), and investments in solar energy are expected to exceed 500 billion by 2024.

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Dommaraju Gukesh, at 18, became the youngest chess world champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record. He achieved this by defeating Ding Liren after a three-week battle in Singapore. Gukesh showed exceptional focus, minimal social media use, and meditative concentration during the tournament. Starting chess at 11, his dedication and obsession with becoming No. 1 set him apart. Despite setbacks in the championship, he responded with resilience and readiness to fight. Chess experts, including Susan Polgar, believe Gukesh has not yet reached his peak potential. He joins an elite lineage of chess champions, the youngest ever to do so.