Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

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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.

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Uttar Pradesh government declared Maha Kumbh Mela area in Prayagraj as a new district on December 1, 2024. This decision, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, aims to streamline management for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The district, named Maha Kumbh Mela, ensures smooth administration for the grand religious event from January 13 to February 26, 2025. The district’s boundaries cover revenue villages and the parade area. The Mela Adhikari will have powers of Executive Magistrate, District Magistrate, and Additional District Magistrate. This move is to ensure smooth operations for the grand religious event, promoting Indian culture.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the successful implementation of three new criminal laws in Chandigarh. Chandigarh is the first administrative unit in India to achieve 100% implementation of these laws. The laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—replaced the British-era IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively. These laws came into effect on July 1, 2024. They aim to uphold constitutional ideals and protect citizens’ rights effectively. The new laws signify a shift from colonial frameworks to a system that prioritizes justice and citizen welfare.

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IIT Bombay researchers developed an open-source tool, IMPART:‘I’ntegration of dyna’M’ic water extents towards improved lake w’A’ter su’R’face ‘T’emperature, to calculate dynamic lake water surface temperatures by considering real-time changes in lake areas. Traditional methods assume constant lake areas, which can lead to inaccurate temperature estimations. IMPART uses satellite data (MODIS, LANDSAT) and Google Earth Engine to analyze temperature and lake extent changes. The tool evaluated 342 lakes globally, including 115 in India, highlighting significant temperature differences between static and dynamic measurements. Dynamic assessments were crucial in tropical, arid, and temperate zones, showing strong climate change impacts on lakes. IMPART aids climate change monitoring, ecological health assessments, and water resource management.

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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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The Abathsahayeshwarar Temple in Thukkatchi, Tamil Nadu won UNESCO’s 2023 Award of Distinction for heritage conservation. Built by Kings Vikrama Chola and Kulothunga Chola, the temple originally had five prakarams. It houses shrines for deities like Soundaryanayaki Ambal, Aadhi Sarabeshwarar, and others. The temple was restored using traditional and modern conservation methods, completing kumbhabhishekam in September 2023. UNESCO praised the project for blending engineering and traditional techniques while preserving vernacular artistry. Tamil Nadu’s CM granted ₹100 crore annually for restoring ancient temples, ensuring no changes to their original features.

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) released the ‘Smuggling in India – Report 2023-24’ highlighting major trends in illegal trade. Cocaine trafficking has surged in India, with 47 cases recorded in 2023-24, up from 21 the previous year, using direct routes from South America and African countries. Black cocaine, a chemically masked variant, evades standard detection methods, posing a new challenge. Hydroponic marijuana is being smuggled from countries like the US and Thailand. Gold smuggling from West Asia, including UAE and Saudi Arabia, is rising, using diverse couriers, including families and foreign nationals. Established in 1957, DRI tackles smuggling of narcotics, gold, wildlife products, arms, and more, while also addressing customs fraud.

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The Eklingji Temple in Udaipur has introduced new rules, including a dress code and a mobile phone ban, to maintain sanctity. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Ekling Nath, the ruling deity of the Mewar kingdom. The temple is located in Kailashpuri, 22 km from Udaipur, Rajasthan. It was built in the 8th century by Bappa Rawal, founder of the Mewar dynasty. The temple showcases intricately carved stone architecture and houses a four-faced Shiva Lingam made of black marble. Historically managed by the Mewar royal family, who consider Lord Ekling Nath the real ruler, with the Diwan of Mewar as the earthly representative.

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The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was launched in 2003 during the 10th Five Year Plan by the Ministry of Culture to document, conserve, and promote access to Indian manuscripts. An expert committee recommended its continuation with broader reach and direct ministry oversight. NMM operates under the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), receiving government funding. It uses technology from IGNCA for preservation and digitization, with digitized manuscripts available on Pandulipi Patala. Preservation methods include lamination, restoration, and deacidification, alongside training in preventive conservation. Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs) and Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCCs) address collection and conservation gaps.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released the report titled “Global Spending on Health: Emerging from the Pandemic.” The report analyzed global health spending in 2022, the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It revealed a decline in health spending from its peak during the pandemic, with total global health expenditure at $9.8 trillion, equating to 9.9% of global GDP. The report emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between health and finance ministries to ensure sustainable health funding, especially in low- and lower-middle-income countries.