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.

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IIT Madras and ISRO are setting up a Centre of Excellence for research in Fluid and Thermal Sciences. ISRO is providing Rs. 1.84 crore as initial funding for the Centre’s setup and essential infrastructure. The Centre will focus on thermal management research for spacecraft and launch vehicles, aiding ISRO’s missions. Key research areas include spacecraft thermal management, hybrid rocket combustion instability, and cryo-tank thermodynamics. This collaboration will strengthen industry-academia ties, with IIT Madras faculty and ISRO scientists working together on advanced research.

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DRDO recently conducted the first flight test of its Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). The LRLACM can launch from mobile ground-based systems and frontline ships using a universal vertical launch module. It can perform complex maneuvers at various speeds and altitudes, showcasing precision and versatility. Equipped with advanced avionics and software, it follows terrain-hugging paths, making it harder to detect and intercept. Developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment with support from BDL and BEL. Approved as a Mission Mode Project by the Defence Acquisition Council, the successful test boosts India’s long-range precision strike capabilities.

Notes:
The Ministry of Science and Technology launched Operation Dronagiri at IIT Delhi under the National Geospatial Policy 2022. This pilot project aims to showcase geospatial technology’s role in improving citizen quality of life and business ease. The first phase covers Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, focusing on agriculture, livelihoods, logistics, and transport. DST partners with government, industry, and startups, supported by the Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI) for data access. IIT Tirupati oversees the project, with IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIM Calcutta, and IIT Ropar as operational hubs. The Geospatial Innovation Cell at DST drives implementation.

Notes:
BSNL launched India’s first direct-to-device satellite internet service, aiming to bridge the digital divide in remote areas. The service provides high-speed internet without the need for traditional infrastructure, using advanced satellite technology. The launch allows users to make emergency calls, send SOS messages, and make UPI payments when there’s no cellular or Wi-Fi network. The satellite service offers wide coverage, reliable connectivity, and is designed to function in all weather conditions.

Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated Symbiosis International University’s first overseas campus at Dubai Knowledge Park. UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Nahyan, attended the event, highlighting the strong Indo-UAE ties. The campus, fully accredited by UAE’s Ministry of Education, offers programs in management, technology, and media, focusing on 21st-century skills. This initiative aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020, encouraging global expansion of Indian institutions. The campus supports UAE’s goal of a knowledge-based economy and Dubai’s Economic Agenda 33. This development enhances educational cooperation and supports Dubai’s diverse expatriate community, which forms 85% of its population.

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A severe drought has lowered the water levels of Lake Kariba, threatening to shut down the Kariba Dam for the first time in its 65-year history, impacting Zambia and Zimbabwe’s economies. Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake, spanning 2,000 square miles along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. Formed by damming the Zambezi River, the Kariba Dam is 128 meters high and provides power to both countries. The lake hosts 102 islands, including Chete Island, which has the world’s largest protected wetlands and the largest population of African elephants.

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Willingdon Island, a man-made island in Kochi, Kerala, is undergoing discussions for rejuvenation to revive its commercial operations. It is a man-made island named after Lord Willingdon, a British Viceroy, and is among the largest of its type in India. The island houses the Kochi Naval Base, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, and the Port of Kochi, and is linked to the mainland by the Venduruthy Bridge. Lord Willingdon (1931-1936) was known for major events like the Government of India Act, 1935, the Poona Pact, and the Round Table Conferences involving Gandhi and Ambedkar.

Notes:
India aims to develop the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a tuna export hub under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The Department of Fisheries has already notified the formation of a Tuna Cluster in the region. The global tuna market is valued at $41.94 billion; the Indian Ocean is the second-largest producer, supplying 21% of global tuna. Andaman and Nicobar primarily harvest neritic tuna, with smaller quantities of skipjack, big-eye, and yellowfin. Tuna is a large, agile fish, part of the Thunnini tribe, found in tropical and temperate oceans. Rich in protein, omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals, tuna promotes heart and brain health.

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The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) launched the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to highlight India’s microbial potential. The initiative focuses on unique bacterial species critical to the environment, agriculture, and human health. Coordinated by BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), it aims to release fully annotated bacteriological genomes to the public. The initiative will include graphical summaries, infographics, and genome details. It makes microbial genomics data accessible to the public and researchers, fostering discussions and innovations benefiting the community and ecosystem.