Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The 5th Anniversary of the National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) web portal was celebrated. It was launched by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on November 26, 2019. It aims to expand Youth Parliament participation nationwide, including untouched areas, promoting democratic values. The portal provides guidelines, training modules, video tutorials, and sample scripts for self-learning. Participants receive e-certificates after conducting physical or virtual Youth Parliament sittings. NYPS 2.0, launched in 2024, allows participation through Institutions, Groups, or Individuals. More than 1,00,000 students have participated since its inception. The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening democracy by engaging youth.

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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.

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India ranks 49th in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024, up 11 spots from 2023. NRI evaluates 133 economies based on Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, using 54 variables. Published by the Portulans Institute, the report highlights India’s score improvement from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024. India leads globally in AI scientific publications, AI talent concentration, and ICT services exports. It ranks 2nd in FTTH subscriptions, mobile broadband traffic, and international internet bandwidth, and 3rd in domestic market scale. Among lower-middle-income countries, India is 2nd, reflecting strong digital progress and innovation.

Notes:
Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi was appointed as Chief of BrahMos Aerospace, known for the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile. He has 30+ years of experience in missile technology, NDT, and skill development. Dr. Joshi is an alumnus of Osmania University (BTech) and NIT Warangal (PhD in Mechanical Engineering). He contributed to India’s Prithvi and Agni missile programs and was Deputy Project Director for the Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) program. He trained 600+ professionals in advanced NDT techniques and led ISNT to improve industry capabilities. BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russia venture, developed the BRAHMOS missile, famed for precision and speed.

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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:
India successfully tested the nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile from INS Arighaat. The test occurred off Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal and marked a major milestone. The K-4 missile, powered by solid fuel, has a range of 3,500 km and was launched from a 6,000-tonne submarine. This was the first launch from an operational submarine, moving beyond previous tests with submersible pontoons. The test aimed to validate performance parameters, with results under analysis. A public warning and NOTAM were issued for this intermediate-range missile test.

Notes:
Masato Kanda was unanimously elected as ADB’s 11th president and will take office on February 24 next year. Kanda, 59, has 40 years of experience in international finance and policy. He is currently Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. He previously held roles such as Deputy Vice-Minister for Policy Planning and Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs. Kanda holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tokyo and an M.Phil in Economics from Oxford University. His leadership in global forums like G7 and G20 highlights his focus on multilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges.

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Five bar-tailed godwits were recently spotted at Pulicat Lake by a naturalist. Bar-tailed godwits are known for their extraordinary endurance during migration. Their scientific name is Limosa lapponica. They are found in Europe, Asia, Alaska, Africa, the Persian Gulf, India, Southeast Asia, China, and Australia, breeding in the Arctic. In India, they winter in states like Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They hold the record for the longest non-stop flight, traveling 13,500 km from Alaska to Tasmania in 11 days. They are large waders with mottled brown plumage and a barred white tail. They are listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN.

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The Ministry of Culture implements the “Global Engagement Scheme” to promote India’s cultural heritage globally. The Festival of India (FoI) is organized abroad to foster people-to-people connections and cultural ties. Artists showcase diverse fields like folk music, dance, theatre, puppetry, classical and contemporary arts. Indian folk art and music are also promoted through grants to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies. These grants support cultural programs and activities in foreign countries, enhancing India’s global cultural presence.

Notes:
BIPEX-2024, a national postal exhibition, held in Patna’s Gyan Bhawan Auditorium. It is inaugurated by Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The three-day exhibition highlights Bihar’s rich postal history, featuring around 20,000 postal stamps from 153 collectors. A major attraction is the world’s first postal stamp, released 250 years ago in Patna, in the form of copper coins. Two books, Glory of Bihar and Postal Heritage of Bihar, is also launched at the event.