Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
The Central government has approved a new leprosy treatment regimen, targeting transmission halt at the sub-national level by 2027. The WHO recommended the three-drug regimen (dapsone, rifampicin, clofazimine) in 2015, known as multi-drug therapy (MDT). Termed ‘Uniform MDT,’ a single three-pack kit is administered to all leprosy patients for convenience. Treatment lasts six months for PB and 12 months for MB cases. Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affects skin and nerves, spreading through close contact, leading to potential disabilities if untreated.

Notes:
French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest at India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations. India prepares for its grand Platinum Jubilee Republic Day celebration, showcasing military strength and cultural heritage at New Delhi’s ‘Kartavya Path’ on Republic Day.

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Efforts are underway to restore Lake Victoria, facing environmental threats affecting the livelihoods of around 45 million people. Africa’s largest lake and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, it spans 59,947 km² and is shared by Kenya (6%), Uganda (43%), and Tanzania (51%). Fed by various rivers, including Kagera and Mara, it contributes to the Nile’s water. As one of Africa’s Great Lakes, Lake Victoria is the largest by area on the continent, the world’s largest tropical lake, and the second-largest freshwater lake globally.

Notes:
Sukhbir Singh Gill, a former Indian men’s hockey team player, passed away at 48. Representing Chandigarh in junior nationals, he joined the Indian under-21 team for a tournament in Belgium. Gill debuted at the 1995 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, securing first place. He became a key player, representing India at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where they finished seventh. Gill contributed to India’s gold medal win at the 2001 Men’s Hockey Champions Challenge in Malaysia, a notable achievement in his distinguished career.

Notes:
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed annually on January 30. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 20 conditions prevalent in tropical areas, affecting impoverished communities. Caused by various pathogens, NTDs like Guinea worm, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Elephantiasis pose severe health, social, and economic consequences. India hosts around 12 NTDs. WHO estimates over 1 billion people are affected, with 1.6 billion needing interventions.

Notes:
Krutrim, Ola group’s AI firm, becomes India’s first AI unicorn, securing $50 million at a $1 billion valuation in a recent funding round. A unicorn is a privately held startup valued over $1 billion, symbolizing rarity and uniqueness. The pandemic’s impact, fostering digital growth in India, led to a surge in unicorn companies, driven by factors like a thriving digital payments ecosystem, a vast smartphone user base, and digital-first business models, attracting substantial investments.

Notes:
Alpine ibexes, a species of wild goats in the European Alps, are facing impacts from climate change. Rising temperatures are prompting these goats to adopt nocturnal habits, making them susceptible to predators like wolves. This behavioral shift may negatively affect foraging, antipredator behaviors, and overall reproduction and survival rates. It also poses challenges for conservation efforts and population estimates, as the animals become less detectable during nighttime. Ibexes, with distinctive recurved horns, are found in Europe, Russia, India, and North and East Africa.

Notes:
Deep Grace Ekka is a former Indian woman’s hockey defender and penalty corner specialist. Recently, the 29-year-old announced her retirement from international hockey. Ekka played in 268 matches for the Indian women’s hockey team, including two Olympic Games. She was a key player in India’s qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics and was a key defender at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where India finished fourth.

Notes:
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The three countries accused ECOWAS of imposing “illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible” sanctions against them after their militaries seized power in recent coups. The sanctions, which limit border movements and trade, have hurt the countries’ economies. The three countries’ withdrawal could weaken the regional bloc and escalate tensions.

Notes:
The Union Home Ministry announced the appointment of Dr. Sharat Chauhan as the new Chief Secretary of Puducherry. Chauhan is a member of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory)cadre and previously served in Arunachal Pradesh.