Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The Government of Sikkim has introduced Odd-Even traffic rules in Gangtok from today to reduce congestion. The rule applies from Mayfair Fatak to GICI, Zero Point. Vehicles with odd and even registration numbers can travel on odd and even dates, respectively. Exemptions include taxis, vehicles of additional secretary level or above, ambulances, police, and essential services. Media and certain tourists are also exempt with valid ID.

Notes:
The third edition of the virtual interaction MAHASAGAR took place on 5 Nov 2024, led by Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. It involved leaders from maritime agencies of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries, including Bangladesh, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and others. The theme was “Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security Challenges in IOR,” focusing on improving training collaboration. MAHASAGAR is a bi-annual Indian Navy initiative, launched in 2023, aimed at enhancing security and growth through maritime cooperation and capacity building.

Notes:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched ‘TULIP,’ a digital platform for marginalized artisans at the Shilp Samagam Mela 2024 in New Delhi. The TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme) aims to provide marginalized artisans, including those from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and persons with disabilities, with a digital platform for global exposure and sales. The program is part of broader efforts to economically empower targeted communities through financial assistance and skill training.

Notes:
The Cia-Cia tribe in Indonesia is using Hangul, the Korean alphabet, to preserve their indigenous language, which has no formal script. The tribe, with around 93,000 people, has relied on oral tradition for centuries. Hangul was adopted in 2009 to document the Cia-Cia language, as Arabic script didn’t match its sounds. The script is now used in schools, textbooks, and public signs. While some worry about cultural influence, others see it as vital for preserving the language’s uniqueness and preventing extinction.

Notes:
South Korea is becoming a key testing ground for the sweetener allulose, also known as D-allulose or d-psicose. It naturally occurs in foods like wheat, raisins, figs, and molasses, and is commercially produced from beet sugar or corn. Allulose is 70% as sweet as sugar and nearly calorie-free, making it a popular sugar substitute, especially for people with diabetes. High doses may cause nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues. The U.S. FDA has approved it as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), and it is also approved in Japan, Mexico, Singapore, and South Korea.

Notes:
NTPC, India’s largest power producer, inaugurated the world’s first Carbon Dioxide-to-methanol conversion plant at its Vindhyachal facility on its 50th Raising Day. NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh called it a historic milestone in carbon management and sustainable fuel production. The company is working on green technologies like Gen-4 ethanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel. NTPC developed and tested India’s first indigenous catalyst for methanol synthesis. The company has also made progress in hydrogen, carbon capture, and other innovative technologies. During the event, NTPC launched hydrogen-fueled buses in Leh and new IT applications.

Notes:
The 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children was held in Bogotá, Colombia. The conference was hosted by Colombia and Sweden, in partnership with UNICEF, WHO, and the UN Special Representative on Ending Violence Against Children. Violence against children includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It affects half of the world’s child population, with corporal punishment impacting three out of five children at home. Violence is often hidden, with fewer than half of affected children reporting it, and less than 10% receiving help (WHO).

Notes:
Bibek Debroy, who passed away recently, was deeply interested in railways. His 2015 report on Railway Reforms led to a proposed overhaul of Indian Railways for better operational viability. Some recommendations have been implemented, like merging the Rail Budget, renaming Railway Board Chairman to CEO, and giving more authority to General Managers (GMs) and Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs). However, the key recommendation for liberalization of Indian Railways is yet to be implemented. His committee also emphasized empowering field officers and integrating technology, which is being executed with Vande Bharat Trains and KAVACH systems.

Notes:
An Iron Age menhir, known locally as ‘Niluvu Rayi,’ was found in Kamasanpalli village, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. Menhirs are large, upright stones, sometimes seen alone or in groups. They are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, with Western Europe having the most. Shapes vary but generally taper at the top, often arranged in circles or rows, like the Carnac alignments in France with 2,935 menhirs. Menhirs sometimes feature engravings, such as spirals or axes. Their purpose is uncertain, but they may have been used for fertility rites or seasonal cycles.

Notes:
A Eurasian Otter was spotted in Pune, Maharashtra, for the first time. It is one of three otter species in India, alongside the Smooth-coated and Small-clawed otters. The Eurasian Otter is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, mainly in the Himalayan foothills, Northeast India, and Western Ghats. It is solitary, nocturnal, and an apex predator in river ecosystems, regulating fish populations. The IUCN status is Near Threatened. Its threats include habitat pollution from pesticides, oil spills, and destruction of riverbanks.