Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The Flamingo Festival 2025 returns to Andhra Pradesh after a four-year break, celebrating migratory birds, especially flamingos, at Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. The event covers five key locations: Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Atakanithippa, BV Palem (Pulicat Lake), Sullurpet’s Government Junior College, and Sri City. More than 200 bird species, including flamingos, grey pelicans, and open-bill storks, are expected to migrate to the region. Activities include birdwatching, eco-friendly biodiversity sessions, boating, cultural programs, and stalls at Sullurpeta.

Notes:
World Hindi Day is celebrated on 10 January every year to highlight the importance of Hindi globally. It was first commemorated in 2006, marking the first World Hindi Conference held in 1975 in Nagpur, India. The aim is to promote Hindi as a global language and encourage its use worldwide. The theme for World Hindi Day 2025 is “A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural Pride,” emphasizing linguistic and cultural exchange. National Hindi Day, observed on September 14, marks the recognition of Hindi as India’s official language in 1949. World Hindi Day focuses on international promotion, while National Hindi Day celebrates its national significance.

Notes:
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has moved 33 border outposts (BOPs) closer to the India-China border under its forwardisation plan. It was raised in 1962 after the Sino-Indian War. ITBP is a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs. ITBP guards the 3,488 km India-China border with 197 outposts at altitudes of 9,000 ft to 18,750 ft. It became a full-fledged force in 2004 under the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992. The force’s motto is “Shaurya-Dridhata-Karma Nishtha” (Valour, Determination, Devotion to Duty).

Notes:
Researchers developed the first nanobody-based inhibitors targeting the Ebola virus. Ebola is caused by ortho ebola viruses, discovered in 1976 in the Congo, primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. The virus gets its name from the Ebola River in Congo. Fruit bats are natural hosts, and it spreads through contact with infected animals or humans. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding, and often death. The average fatality rate is around 50%. There is no cure exists for Ebola. Experimental treatments like monoclonal antibodies have been used. Treatment focuses on fluid balance, blood plasma, and early intervention for better recovery chances.

Notes:
LingoSat, a joint project of Japan’s Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, is the first wooden satellite launched into orbit. It uses wood from honoki, a magnolia tree native to Japan, and is assembled using traditional Japanese crafts without screws or glue. The satellite’s name comes from the Latin word “Ligno,” meaning wood. LignoSat 1 is a CubeSat measuring 10 cm on each side and weighing 900 grams. LignoSat 2, a 2U CubeSat, is planned for launch in 2026.

Notes:
The National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) was launched on January 11, 2025, by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. National River Traffic and Navigation System aims to ensure safe and efficient operation of inland vessels. The launch took place during the 2nd meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC). IWDC, established in 2023, serves as an apex platform for policy discussions to promote inland waterways in India.

Notes:
Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) has been selected by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to host South India’s first Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (IRDL). The lab will focus on research and diagnostics for bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, enabling quicker and more accurate disease management. This is part of a nationwide initiative to enhance medical research infrastructure in India. The lab will also study antibiotic resistance, fungal infections, and tropical diseases.

Notes:
Zoran Milanovic was re-elected as President of Croatia for a five-year term, securing 74% of the run-off vote. The first round of the presidential election on 29 December 2024 saw Milanovic win 49.1% of votes, necessitating a second round on 12 January 2025. Milanovic, backed by the opposition Social Democratic Party, is a critic of the EU and NATO but condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while criticizing Western military support for Ukraine. The Croatian Democratic Union, the ruling party since 1991, had its candidate, Dragan Primorac, secure 19.2% of votes. The President in Croatia is the Head of State with limited executive powers, while the Prime Minister holds real executive authority. Croatia is located on the Balkan Peninsula along the Adriatic Sea.

Notes:
Rajasthan received an additional 5,000 MW allocation under the PM-KUSUM (Component A) scheme. The scheme targets commissioning projects by December 31, 2025, before sunsetting in March 2026. The scheme was launched in 2019. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme aims to reduce diesel usage in farming and boost farmers’ income. It supports India’s goal of achieving 40% installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy oversees implementation, requiring progress updates via the PM-KUSUM portal.

Notes:
The Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) to develop degraded and rainfed areas. Activities include ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil conservation, rainwater harvesting, nursery raising, and pasture development. WDC-PMKSY 1.0 improved groundwater, surface water, crop productivity, and farmers’ income. In 2021-22, 1150 projects covering 50 lakh hectares were sanctioned under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 with ₹12,303 Crores. 56 new projects worth ₹700 Crores are sanctioned in 10 top-performing states, covering 2.8 lakh hectares to improve farmers’ income, combat land degradation, and enhance climate resilience.