Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Researchers discovered a new species, Dicliptera polymorpha, in the Northern Western Ghats of India. The species is known for its fire-resilient, pyrophytic habit and dual-blooming pattern. It has a second flowering phase triggered by grassland fires set by locals. Dicliptera polymorpha has unique spicate inflorescences and is the only Indian species with this structure. It thrives on slopes in open grasslands exposed to droughts and frequent fires. The species blooms twice a year, with the second phase in May and June, triggered by fires. Its adaptation highlights the need to manage grassland ecosystems carefully.

Notes:
Igas Bagwal, also known as Budhi Diwali or Harbodhni Ekadashi, is a traditional festival celebrated in Uttarakhand. It takes place 11 days after Diwali, highlighting the region’s rich folk heritage and uniting communities. The festival is marked by local customs, reverence, and joy, reflecting the cultural essence of Uttarakhand. Celebrations include shared festivities and traditional practices, strengthening community bonds. This year, Igas Bagwal begins on November 12, bringing a special focus to Uttarakhand’s cultural pride.

Notes:
World Pneumonia Day is observed on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, a serious but preventable respiratory disease. It focuses on protecting vulnerable groups, especially children under five and the elderly. The day promotes prevention methods, improved treatment options, and efforts to lower pneumonia-related deaths. Health organizations, governments, and communities hold events and campaigns to spread awareness and promote vaccination. The 2024 theme, “Every Breath Counts: Stop Pneumonia in Its Track,” stresses the urgency of timely detection, treatment, and preventive care.

Notes:
The 5th National EMRS Cultural & Literary Fest and Kala Utsav held from November 12-15, 2024, at Shiksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This event, hosted by the Odisha Model Tribal Educational Society (OMTES), coincides with the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The theme honors tribal freedom fighters and aims to showcase the diverse cultural heritage of India’s tribal communities through various artistic events, promoting holistic development and bridging the gap between tribal and mainstream communities.

Notes:
The Indian Navy will conduct the fourth ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-24’ on November 20-21, 2024. This large-scale exercise involves six ministries, 21 organizations, and covers all coastal states, UTs, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase began in October to audit coastal defence infrastructure. For the first time, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat will join CDSRE teams, along with State Marine Police, Coast Guard, and Fisheries. The exercise aims to protect coastal assets and involve local communities, with participants from the Indian Army, Air Force, and the fishing community.

Notes:
The “Amorphophallus Titanum,” also known as the corpse flower, recently bloomed in Australia. It has the largest unbranched inflorescence, growing up to 8 feet in cultivation and 12 feet in the wild. It blooms for just 2-3 days every 2-3 years, depending on its energy reserve. The flower emits a foul odor resembling rotting flesh to attract pollinators like carrion beetles and flies. After pollination, it produces around 400 reddish-orange fruits with two seeds each. It is listed as “Endangered” with fewer than 1,000 plants in the wild.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Environment has notified a 1 km to 2.035 km eco-sensitive zone around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on the Haryana side. Sukhna Lake, an artificial lake in Chandigarh, was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe stream from the Shivalik Hills. The lake covers around 3 sq. km, is 1.52 km long and 1.49 km wide, and is recognized as a National Wetland. The catchment area has rugged terrain and is prone to soil erosion, with silt-heavy water. Adjacent to Sukhna Lake, Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary spans 26 sq. km and attracts migratory birds like Siberian ducks, storks, and cranes in winter.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 1st Bodoland Mahotsav in New Delhi, a two-day event celebrating Bodo culture, language, and heritage. The Mahotsav promotes peace and unity under the theme “Peace and Harmony for Prosperous Bharat.” It aims to strengthen ties among Bodo communities across Assam, West Bengal, Nepal, and border areas of the Northeast. The event highlights Bodoland’s cultural, linguistic, and ecological diversity and tourism potential.

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh government is launching the ‘Come and Install Solar Power Projects’ initiative to promote solar energy. The initiative aims to fast-track approvals and simplify procedures for setting up solar projects. It encourages youth and entrepreneurs to invest in solar energy projects, providing necessary assistance. Solar projects will help transform Himachal Pradesh into a green energy state, boosting economic growth and creating employment. 300 MW of solar projects have been allocated to the private sector, with 62 MW operational and 32 MW in the government sector.

Notes:
China’s Chang’e-6 mission made history by retrieving the first surface samples from the moon’s far side, revealing volcanic rock fragments dating back 4.2 billion years. This discovery provides crucial insights into the moon’s geological history and long periods of volcanic activity, suggesting that the far side was once more dynamic than it is today. The mission highlights the differences in composition between samples from the near and far sides of the moon, enhancing our understanding of lunar volcanism and its cessation due to dwindling internal heat sources over billions of years.