Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2024 in Dehradun on December 12, 2024. The first Ayurveda Conference was held in Kochi, Kerala, in 2002, and it is organized every two years. The 9th edition was held in Goa from December 8-11, 2022. The 2024 event, held from December 12-15, is organized by the Union Ministry of Ayush and the World Ayurveda Foundation. The theme is “Digital Health – An Ayurveda Perspective,” focusing on integrating technology like telemedicine and health apps. The Congress promotes Ayurveda globally, featuring research presentations.

Notes:
Researchers from Virginia Tech tagged a young shortfin mako shark in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time in summer 2023. The shark, a critically endangered species, was tagged during a white shark research expedition. The tag, called a “pop-off archival tag,” collects data on water temperature, depth, and light levels, estimating the shark’s movements. The tagged shark traveled over 750 miles in 54 days, showing young sharks cover vast distances. Protecting nursery areas alone may not suffice due to their extensive travels. Sharks are vital for ocean health, connecting habitats and supporting ecosystem balance, benefiting human activities.

Notes:
OpenAI launched its AI video generation model, Sora Turbo, for paid ChatGPT Plus and Pro users. Sora enables users to create 20-second 1080p videos from text prompts and storyboards. However, to address concerns about misuse, such as deepfakes and misappropriation of likeness, only a select group can generate videos featuring humans. The company aims to prevent harmful content, including child exploitation and sexual deepfakes, while promoting safe and innovative uses of AI in entertainment and marketing.

Notes:
The Homi Bhabha Chair Scheme was discussed in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology. It is administered by the Department of Atomic Energy. The scheme benefits distinguished scientists, professors, and retired engineers working on sensitive or critical technologies. The duration of the scheme ranges from one to five years, decided by a Selection Committee. It provides an honorarium and allowances to the beneficiaries.

Notes:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced ‘Rajmarg Saathi’, advanced Route Patrolling Vehicles (RPVs) aimed at enhancing road safety and incident management on national highways. Equipped with AI video analytics, these vehicles monitor highway conditions and respond to emergencies. The RPVs will replace vehicles after 300,000 km or three years of operation, ensuring optimal service. This initiative reflects NHAI’s commitment to improving traffic flow and safety for road users across the country.

Notes:
Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, inaugurated the Geological Survey of India (GSI) Geoscience Museum in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The museum has two galleries: “Planet Earth: Its Uniqueness in Diversity” and “Evolution of Life on Earth.” Gallery I showcases Earth’s phenomena like volcanoes, meteorites, and fossils with interactive models and rare specimens. Gallery II explores life’s evolution, ancient ecosystems, and mass extinction events with fossils and immersive exhibits. The museum promotes geoscience knowledge and sustainable development.

Notes:
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences has developed an upgraded version of its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT). SARAT, launched in 2016, aids in locating people or vessels in distress at sea quickly. It uses model ensembling to account for uncertainties in the object’s last known location and time. The tool factors in currents and winds and operates on high-resolution ocean models. Users can select from 60 types of objects and input details like the last seen location. Version 2 improves search area accuracy, visualizations, and user interface for easier identification of missing objects.

Notes:
INS Nirdeshak was commissioned on December 18 at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. It is the second ship under the Indian Navy’s Survey Vessel (Large) Project. Designed for hydrographic surveys, navigation assistance, and maritime operations support. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with over 80% indigenous content, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It is a reincarnation of the earlier INS Nirdeshak, which served for 32 years until its decommissioning on December 19, 2014. The name ‘Nirdeshak’ means ‘Pathfinder’, reflecting its role in charting seas with precision.

Notes:
The 100th Tansen Music Festival in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records on 15 December 2024. The festival is celebrated every year in December in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. A record was set by playing nine instruments continuously for nine minutes. 536 male and female artists from across India participated in the tribute to Tansen, the king of voices. The performance included three of Tansen’s compositions: Malhar, Miyan ki Todi, and Darbari Kanhra. The presentation featured nine instruments: tabla, flute, violin, santoor, sarod, sarangi, sitar, banjo, and harmonium.

Notes:
Renowned Baiga tribal artist and Padma Shri awardee Jodhaiya Bai passed away on December 15, 2024, at 86 in Lodha village, Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh. The Baiga Tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) primarily residing in central and eastern Indian states. Jodhaiya Bai gained international recognition for her artwork, showcasing Baiga tribal culture on canvas. She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2023 for her significant contributions to the arts. Her art has been exhibited globally, highlighting the rich traditions and heritage of the Baiga community.