Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30) will take place in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. It will include the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30), the 20th meeting of the COP for the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 20), and the seventh meeting for the Paris Agreement (CMA 7). Additionally, the 63rd sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 63) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 63) will also be held.

Notes:
International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Institute for Human Development (IHD) jointly published the India Employment Report 2024. The report shows an improved employment scenario in India. Global youth unemployment decreased from 15.6% in 2021 to 13.3% in 2023. India’s youth unemployment rate (ages 15-29) was 10.2% in 2023-24, lower than the global average. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for youth increased from 31.4% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, indicating more employment.

Notes:
The Indian Chemical Council won the 2024 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) The Hague Award on November 25, 2024, in the Hague, Netherlands. D. Sothi Selvam, the council’s Director General, received the award. The award ceremony occurred during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) of the OPCW. The CSP is being held from November 25-29, 2024, at the Hague. The CSP oversees the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, promotes its objectives, and reviews treaty compliance. The OPCW has 193 member countries working together to prohibit chemical weapons.

Notes:
Airports Authority of India (AAI) is observing Aviation Safety Awareness Week 2024 from November 25 to 29 at all its airports and Air Navigation Services locations. The initiative includes week-long activities across India to promote aviation safety. AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar highlighted the importance of safety, aligning efforts with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan.

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs established a permanent NSG hub in Jammu city, J&K, to respond quickly to terror attacks. The hub ensures faster deployment of NSG commandos without relying on airlifting from Delhi or other locations. NSG commandos participated in an anti-terror operation in Akhnoor, marking their first operation in Jammu. The hub addresses the rise in terror incidents in districts like Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi. The NSG hub in Jammu is equipped with enough personnel to handle any emergency situation effectively.

Notes:
The bilateral military exercise “Agni Warrior 2024” between India and Singapore conducted at Devlali Field Firing Ranges, Maharashtra, from November 28 to 30. It focuses on strengthening interactions between the artillery units of both nations. The exercise includes joint firepower planning and execution using New Generation Equipment. The goal is to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding of drills and procedures between the two armies.

Notes:
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched by the Maharashtra government in 2024. It supports economically weaker women by offering financial aid for education and development opportunities. The scheme aims to reduce school dropouts and promotes girls’ education through financial assistance. It provides skill training, career opportunities, and access to higher education for underprivileged girls. The scheme addresses challenges like early marriages, limited access to education, and promotes independence and security among young girls. It seeks to uplift women and improve overall education levels in Maharashtra.

Notes:
The 10th India International Science Festival (IISF) held at IIT Guwahati, Assam, from November 30 to December 3, 2024. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is the nodal department, with National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram) coordinating the event. IISF, initiated in 2015 by Vijnana Bharati, engages society in celebrating science, inspiring young minds, and fostering scientific collaboration. This is the first IISF hosted in Northeast India, with thousands participating annually. The 2024 theme is “Transforming India into an S&T driven Global Manufacturing Hub,” reflecting the government’s vision of merging science with industrial growth.

Notes:
The first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav will be held in Delhi from December 6 to 8 at Bharat Mandapam, showcasing Northeast India’s crafts, art, and culture. It is organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), it will feature eight state pavilions and a rural haat bazaar with 320 artisans and farmers. The event is expected to generate ₹20 million from pavilions and ₹10 million from a buyer-seller meet involving 40 buyers and 50 artisans.

Notes:
The Me·Gong Festival 2024 is celebrated in Meghalaya. It celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Meghalaya, particularly the Garo tribe. Under the theme ‘Echoes of Traditions’, the festival features international and national artists, traditional games, and exhibitions of handloom and handicrafts. More than 3 lakh visitors attended the event. It aims to spotlight local talent and promote the vibrant culture of the Garo people, preserving their traditions for future generations.