Daily Current Affairs Quiz: November 10-11, 2024

Notes:
The 83rd annual session of the Indian Roads Congress is in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the four-day event, ending on November 11. Gadkari released three new guidelines and a manual on road construction and safety. Over 2,000 experts, scientists, and engineers are attending. Eighteen documents on road construction and safety are under discussion. The Congress sets standards and guidelines for road and bridge infrastructure development. A Highway Research Board meeting will focus on using lab research, advanced technologies, and sustainable practices. Participants include central and state officials, researchers, IITs, and private sector representatives.

Notes:
The President of India recently witnessed a demonstration on INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited. It strengthens India’s position as a ‘Blue Water Navy’ with global reach, joining the US, Russia, France, UK, and China in the elite group capable of building aircraft carriers. The ship has a displacement of 43,000 tonnes, an endurance of 13,890 km, and can accommodate up to 30 aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. It uses the STOBAR method for aircraft operations.

Notes:
Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRC Equine) in Hisar has been granted WOAH Reference Laboratory status for Equine Piroplasmosis, a significant achievement for India’s animal health sector. The disease is tick-borne protozoal disease and affects horses, mules, donkeys, and zebras. Infected animals can remain carriers, spreading the disease through ticks or contaminated instruments. It is common in tropical and temperate areas. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, elevated pulse, and abnormal feces. The disease can be peracute, acute, or chronic, with acute cases being more common. No vaccine is available for equine piroplasmosis.

Notes:
Bengaluru’s first digital population clock was inaugurated at Institute for Social Economic Change (ISEC). It provides real-time population estimates for Karnataka and India. The project is a joint effort of ISEC and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The clock updates Karnataka’s population every 1 minute 10 seconds and India’s every 2 seconds. It aims to raise awareness about population dynamics and support research. Similar clocks will be installed at 18 Population Research Centres in India. Equipped with satellite connection, advanced software, and tools, it will enhance demographic studies and policy analysis.

Notes:
The 3rd edition of the joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND started on November 8, 2024, at the Foreign Training Node in Pune, Maharashtra. It is an annual exercise held alternately between India and Australia; the last edition was in Australia in December 2023. The Indian contingent includes 140 personnel, mainly from the DOGRA Regiment and the Indian Air Force. The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation and interoperability for joint sub-conventional operations in semi-urban, semi-desert terrain under UN Chapter VII. Drills include counter-terrorism operations, joint raids, drone usage, and Special Heli Borne Operations. It promotes the exchange of best practices in tactical operations.