Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 11, 2024

Notes:
The Abathsahayeshwarar Temple in Thukkatchi, Tamil Nadu won UNESCO’s 2023 Award of Distinction for heritage conservation. Built by Kings Vikrama Chola and Kulothunga Chola, the temple originally had five prakarams. It houses shrines for deities like Soundaryanayaki Ambal, Aadhi Sarabeshwarar, and others. The temple was restored using traditional and modern conservation methods, completing kumbhabhishekam in September 2023. UNESCO praised the project for blending engineering and traditional techniques while preserving vernacular artistry. Tamil Nadu’s CM granted ₹100 crore annually for restoring ancient temples, ensuring no changes to their original features.

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Google DeepMind unveiled GenCast, an AI model for weather prediction outperforming the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the world’s top forecast system. GenCast provides faster, more accurate forecasts up to 15 days ahead, advancing beyond its deterministic predecessor by generating 50+ weather scenarios. It uses diffusion AI adapted to Earth’s spherical geometry to model complex weather probabilities. GenCast improves predictions of extreme weather risks, aiding officials in saving lives, reducing damage, and cutting costs. It excels in forecasting tropical cyclone tracks and will soon release real-time and historical forecasts for public integration and research.

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The Central Government has revised food item prices under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Yojana, earlier called the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Renamed in September 2021, it serves hot meals to students in Balvatika and classes I-VIII in Government and Government-aided schools. The scheme aims to combat hunger, improve nutrition, boost school attendance, and enhance focus in classroom activities. It also supports children during summer vacations in drought or disaster-affected areas. Recently, the Ministry of Education raised the ‘Material Cost’ by 13.70% based on the inflation index from the Labour Bureau. The scheme is centrally sponsored and managed by the Ministry of Education.

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The Subaru Telescope recently captured two interacting galaxies, NGC 5257 and NGC 5258. It is an 8.2-meter optical-infrared telescope located on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. It is operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Named after the Pleiades, Subaru began construction in 1992 and made its first observations in 1999. Its adaptive optics system with 261 actuators corrects mirror deformations caused by gravity. The telescope collects weak light, observing objects from nearby shooting stars to galaxies 13.1 billion light-years away. Its cylindrical dome minimizes air turbulence, enhancing observation quality.

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A probe has been ordered after a viral video showed vehicles, allegedly belonging to a minister in Uttar Pradesh, passing through the core area of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. It is located in Uttar Pradesh. The reserve spans Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Bahraich districts. It lies in the foothills of the Himalayas and the plains of the ‘terai’ in Uttar Pradesh. The Gomti River originates here, with other rivers like Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot also flowing through the reserve. The Sharda Sagar Dam is located on its boundary. The reserve has a dry, hot climate and features teak forests and Vindhya Mountain soils.