Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in April, marking its addition to the Khelo India map. For the first time, Bihar will also host the Khelo India Para Games, following the Youth Games with a 10-15 day gap. The first Para Games edition was held in Delhi last year. The Khelo India Youth Games 2023 were in Tamil Nadu. Bihar plays a key role in the Ministry’s infrastructure development and grassroots athlete support.

Notes:
National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) has entered the nano liquid urea production market. Nano Urea, developed and patented by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), provides nitrogen to plants through nanotechnology. It is the only nano fertilizer approved by the Indian government and included in the Fertilizer Control Order. Nano Urea has a particle size of 20-50 nm, offering more surface area and nitrogen particles than conventional urea. It is energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and reduces nitrogen loss to the atmosphere.

Notes:
The Arkavathy River in Karnataka has been found to contain heavy metals and toxic substances like mercury, DDT, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and fluoride. It is a major tributary of the Kaveri River, originating at Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapura district. The river flows 190 km and meets the Kaveri River near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district. One-third of Bengaluru is within its 4,150 sq. km basin. The river has three tributaries: Kumudavathi, Suvarnamukhi, and Vrishabhavathi. It feeds two key reservoirs: Hesaraghatta and Thippagondanahalli, both supplying water to Bengaluru.

Notes:
The Subhadra Yojana, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women aged 21 to 60 years in Odisha. Each beneficiary will receive Rs 50,000 over five years, with annual installments credited directly to their bank accounts. The scheme is designed to empower women and improve their economic status, with over 80 lakh women expected to benefit in the current phase alone. Launched in Bhubaneswar, it reflects the Odisha government’s commitment to women’s welfare and financial inclusion.

Notes:
Lebanon’s UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites—Baalbek, Tyre, and Anjar—are facing threats from repeated assaults. Baalbek is a prime example of Imperial Roman architecture, showcasing massive structures. Tyre, a historic Phoenician city, once dominated the seas and founded colonies like Cadiz and Carthage, and is linked to the invention of purple dye. Anjar, founded by Caliph Walid I in the 8th century, has ruins that display remarkable city planning from the Umayyad era, resembling ancient palace cities.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) with a ₹2,750 crore allocation until March 31, 2028. AIM, launched by NITI Aayog in 2016, aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in schools, research institutes, MSMEs, and industries. It has two main goals: promoting entrepreneurship through financial support and mentorship, and promoting innovation by creating a platform for idea generation. AIM supports four programs: Atal Tinkering Labs, Atal Incubation Centres, Atal Challenges, and Mentor India. It collaborates with academia, industries, and NGOs, and monitors initiatives via real-time MIS systems.

Notes:
The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to submit the report from a committee negotiating the Pennaiyar river water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Pennaiyar River, also called the South Pennar River, flows through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It originates in Karnataka’s Nandi Hills and flows 80 km southward into Tamil Nadu, covering 320 km before entering the Bay of Bengal at Cuddalore. The river’s basin spans 16,019 sq.km, with 77% in Tamil Nadu. Major tributaries include Chinnar, Markanda, Vaniar, and Pamban. Bengaluru is the largest city in the catchment area and a major polluter.

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:
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio recently launched the Ura Cabs initiative to boost local tourism and transport sectors. The Ura Cabs initiative aims to improve travel experiences for tourists while providing stable income for local taxi operators in Nagaland. This launch is part of a broader effort to enhance tourism infrastructure and economic empowerment in the region, showcasing the government’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and innovative solutions for the state’s growth.

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.