Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
India will host the Para Athletics World Championships 2025, marking the first time the event is held in the country. The event will take place from September 26 to October 5 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, also hosting the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in March 2025. This will be the 12th edition of the championships and the fourth time it is held in Asia, featuring over 1,000 athletes from 100+ nations. The event is pivotal for the Los Angeles Paralympic Games 2028 and aims to promote inclusivity and awareness about disabilities in India. India’s success in Para athletics includes 17 medals, including six gold, at the 2023 World Championships in Kobe.

Notes:
California has declared a state of emergency due to the H5N1 avian flu outbreak, affecting its dairy industry and causing human infections. H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, affecting birds and occasionally humans. Symptoms in humans range from mild (pink eye, cough) to severe (fever, shortness of breath, respiratory complications). It spreads through contact with infected animal fluids and is rarely transmitted between humans. Treatment includes antiviral medications like Tamiflu and supportive care. Preventive measures involve avoiding contact with infected animals and properly cooking poultry.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh recorded 476.1 million tourists between January and September 2024, nearing its 2023 total of 480 million visitors. Ayodhya became the most visited destination in the state, surpassing Agra’s Taj Mahal. Ayodhya attracted 135.5 million domestic tourists and 3,153 international visitors, driven by the Ram temple’s inauguration. Agra received 125.1 million visitors, including 115.9 million domestic and 924,000 international tourists. Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted the state’s impressive performance. Experts credit the rise in religious tourism, with Ayodhya emerging as the epicenter, showing a 70% spike in spiritual tour bookings.

Notes:
The Kerala High Court issued safety directives for elephants and artists at the Thrissur Pooram festival. Thrissur Pooram is a grand annual temple festival celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May) at Thekkinkadu Maidanam, Thrissur, Kerala. Known as the “mother of all Poorams,” it is one of Kerala’s largest and most significant cultural and spiritual events. The festival was initiated by Raja Rama Varma, also called Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin from 1790 to 1805.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024 to 17 children on December 26. The award celebrates the energy, determination, and enthusiasm of children. It is the highest civilian honor for children in India. It is instituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Awards recognize exceptional achievements in seven categories: Art & Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, Sports, and Environment.

Notes:
The Parliamentary Committee highlighted the poor response to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SMY). The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SMY) is a contributory pension scheme aimed at providing financial security to unorganised sector workers aged 18 to 40. The scheme requires monthly contributions from workers, matched by the government, to ensure a pension of Rs 3,000 per month upon reaching 60 years. It is administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Notes:
In 2024, the Ministry of Tourism focused on infrastructure, sustainable tourism, global promotion, and skill development through initiatives like Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD, and SASCI. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) sanctioned 76 projects worth ₹5287.90 Crore, with 75 completed. The PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme sanctioned 48 projects worth ₹1646.99 crore, with 23 completed. Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) supported 40 projects with ₹3295.76 crore to develop iconic tourist centers across 23 states. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) aims for responsible tourism development with a tourist-centric approach.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the ‘Atal Yuva Maha Kumbh’ in Lucknow. The event celebrates the birth centenary year of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Certificates and prizes were awarded to meritorious students excelling in various competitions.

Notes:
A recovering sea otter population in California’s Elkhorn Slough has controlled the invasive green crab population. Green crabs, also known as shore crabs, are among the world’s top 100 invasive species. They are native to the Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea. They have spread to Australia, South America, and South Africa also. They feed on small crustaceans, molluscs, and worms, damaging seagrass beds and overhunting prey species. Green crabs outcompete native species, disrupting coastal ecosystems.

Notes:
The ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojna’, announced by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, aims to support Hindu temple priests and gurdwara granthis in Delhi with a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000. This initiative is the first of its kind in India, recognizing the cultural significance and contributions of these religious figures. The scheme’s registration is set to begin soon, with the AAP promising its implementation after the upcoming elections, reflecting a commitment to honor and support religious institutions in the capital.