Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
Chief Minister of Telangana announced the extension of the Rythu Bharosa Scheme after Sankranti. The scheme will continue providing Rs. 500 bonuses for high-quality rice varieties in the next season. The Rythu Bharosa Scheme, also known as the Farmer’s Investment Support Scheme (FISS), was launched in 2018-19 to support farmers with their initial investment needs. The announcement aims to address concerns within the farming community and prepare for upcoming local body elections.

Notes:
Indian Navy Day is celebrated annually on December 4 to honor the Navy’s role in safeguarding India’s maritime borders and security. It highlights the Navy’s efforts in coastal defense, monitoring trade routes, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid. The 2024 theme is “Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenisation.” The day commemorates Operation Trident during the 1971 India-Pakistan war when the Navy successfully attacked Karachi, showcasing India’s naval strength.

Notes:
Pavan Kampelli won India’s first medal at the Asian Esports Games, securing a bronze in the e-football event. The games were held in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 25 to December 1, 2024. Kampelli defeated 2022 eFootball World Finals Winner Asgard Azizi from Indonesia 2-1 for the bronze. Kampelli won a $500 cash prize for his achievement. The gold medal was claimed by Nattawat Namburee from Thailand, and silver went to Ahmad Muhaimin Abdul Razak of Malaysia. Esports, played on devices like phones and gaming consoles, is growing in popularity worldwide. The International Olympic Committee will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

Notes:
The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana was recently discussed in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Minister of State for Ayush. The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Ayush. It regulates Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy (ASU&H) medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. The scheme enhances India’s manufacturing and export capabilities for traditional medicines under Atmanirbhar Bharat. It supports infrastructure, technology upgrades, and institutional activities for Ayush drug standardization and testing. It strengthens regulatory frameworks for quality control, safety, and monitoring misleading Ayush advertisements. The scheme fosters collaborations to promote standards and quality of Ayush drugs and materials.

Notes:
A Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda caused 15 deaths and 66 infections. MVD is a rare and severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates, caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV). It belongs to the filovirus family, like Ebola, and is among the deadliest human pathogens. Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Marburg virus. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bats, primates, or body fluids. The first outbreak was in Marburg, Germany (1967); recent cases occurred in Tanzania, Ghana, and Rwanda. No effective drugs or vaccines exist for MVD.

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:
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under the NITI Aayog and the Swedish Embassy’s Office of Science & Innovation concluded SheSTEM 2024. SheSTEM celebrates women in STEM and inspires students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The event invited students from grades 6-12 across India to submit ideas on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. It was part of the India-Nordic BEST project, aiming to advance sustainable energy solutions. Over 1000 submissions were received, showcasing India’s youth creativity and problem-solving skills. Participants presented their prototypes or concepts in a two-minute video, contributing to global sustainability efforts.

Notes:
Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed on December 6 to honor Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his death anniversary. This year marks the 68th death anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar. The day is observed at Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai, where followers gather to pay tribute. Dr. Ambedkar is known for his role in promoting social justice, equality, and drafting the Indian Constitution. “Mahaparinirvan” refers to the Buddhist concept of ultimate liberation from suffering and death. Dr. Ambedkar’s death anniversary is significant as he converted to Buddhism in 1956 with many followers.

Notes:
India and Bhutan discussed hydropower projects, including the nearing completion of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II project. Punatsangchhu-II is a 1 GW run-of-the-river hydropower project in Bhutan’s Wangdue Phodrang district. Developed under an Inter-Government Agreement between Bhutan and India, it is funded by India with 30% grant and 70% loan. The project includes a 91m-high concrete gravity dam, a diversion tunnel, and two cofferdams. It will generate 4,357 million units of electricity annually, and ownership will transfer to Bhutan two years after commissioning.

Notes:
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) launched its 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD). The initiative is led by CGIAR centers International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The initiative focuses on food security, biodiversity conservation, and resilient livelihoods. It targets 2.7 billion people living in drylands, especially in Asia and Africa. The strategy was launched at COP16 in Riyadh, after consultations with national research organizations, governments, private sector, and civil society. It aims to address the specific needs of different dryland regions and enhance sustainability and resilience in these areas.