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:
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:
A tiger from Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh traveled 400 km to Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh. Achanakmar Tiger Reserve is located in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh. It was established in 1975, and declared a tiger reserve in 2009. It is part of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve and connects to Kanha and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves via a corridor. The Maniyari River flows through the reserve, sustaining the forest. The reserve hosts the Baiga tribe, a “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG),” with 25 villages in its core area.

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:
Oxford University Press named ‘brain rot’ as the Oxford Word of the Year 2024. It describes cognitive decline caused by consuming trivial social media content. The term gained popularity amid trends like digital detoxes to counter mental fatigue. It reflects concerns about technology’s impact on human thought and habits. Public voting chose ‘brain rot’ over contenders like ‘heat domes’ and ‘neurospicy.’ Over 37,000 people participated in the voting, highlighting its cultural relevance. The term’s casual tone appeals to younger audiences and raises awareness about mental health. Past winners include ‘goblin mode’ (2022) and ‘climate emergency’ (2019).

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways introduced the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, to boost coastal trade and prioritize Indian-flagged vessels for national security and commercial needs. Coastal shipping, covering India’s 7,517 km coastline, is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and reduces pressure on road and rail networks. Outdated laws like the Coasting Vessel Act, 1838, and Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, lacked uniformity in regulating the sector. Key changes include removing the general trading license for Indian vessels, creating a National Coastal Shipping Database, and mandating a strategic growth plan. The Bill ensures compliance with environmental standards, encourages inland vessel participation, and emphasizes job creation and national security.

Notes:
The Tikhir tribe of Nagaland held its first-ever Log Drum Pulling Ceremony during the 25th Hornbill Festival 2024. The Tikhir tribe is an indigenous Naga tribe from Nagaland, with some members living in Myanmar. They speak Naga Yimchungru, a Tibeto-Burman language, and were once headhunters. Their livelihood is based on agriculture and hunting, but as a small tribe, they face harassment from larger tribes. Most Tikhirs have converted to Christianity, blending it with elements of their folk religion. Their main festival, “Tsonglaknyi,” is celebrated from 9th to 12th October, symbolizing the sanctification of shields.

Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) was launched to promote digital literacy in rural India. The scheme aimed to train one individual per household in 6 crore rural households. It successfully exceeded its target, training 6.39 crore individuals by March 31, 2024. The initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen IT skills and digital infrastructure, supporting the government’s vision to empower rural communities and foster economic growth through technology.

Notes:
The Business for Land Forum, held during COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, focused on sustainable land solutions and resilience-building. The Business 4 Land Initiative (B4L) was launched by UNCCD, a legally binding global agreement. B4L aims to involve private sector actors in sustainable land management strategies. It is supported by the World Economic Forum, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and Sustainable Fibre Alliance. B4L raises awareness about sustainable land management, encourages business commitments to land restoration, and fosters collaboration among businesses, governments, and civil society.

Notes:
Gujarat is the first state to generate “Farmer IDs” for 25% of its targeted farmers under the Digital Agriculture Mission launched in September 2024. Farmer IDs are unique digital identities based on Aadhaar, dynamically linked to state land records for real-time updates. Other states like Madhya Pradesh (9%), Maharashtra (2%), Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and others have also initiated Farmer ID generation. Farmer IDs enable seamless access to government schemes, instant crop loans, personalized agricultural services, and enhanced market connectivity. The initiative supports efficient policy-making, sustainable agriculture, and improved farmer incomes through a digital ecosystem. Modes for ID generation include self-registration, assisted registration, camps, and Common Service Centres (CSCs).