Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 19, 2024

Notes:
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya won the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ award from the British Safety Council for excellence in safety management. This award requires a five-star safety audit and on-site assessment by the British Safety Council. Larsen & Toubro, the temple’s construction firm, earlier received the ‘Golden Trophy’ from the National Safety Council for safety measures. The temple’s construction, including its Shikhar and key statues, is in the final phase, set to finish by June 2025. Statues of Shri Ram Darbar and various sages will be completed by January 2025, using 15 lakh cubic feet of Bansi Paharpur stone.

Notes:
Science and Technology Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh Kisan Kavach, India’s first anti-pesticide bodysuit to protect farmers from harmful pesticide exposure. Developed by Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC-inStem), Bangalore, Bengaluru, with Sepio Health Pvt. Ltd., the suit promotes farmer safety and sustainable agriculture. It is washable, reusable for up to a year, and priced at ₹4,000, with plans for greater affordability. The suit uses advanced fabric technology that deactivates pesticides through nucleophilic hydrolysis, preventing health risks like respiratory issues and vision loss. This innovation aims to address pesticide toxicity while empowering farmers and ensuring sustainable farming practices.

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Renowned Baiga tribal artist and Padma Shri awardee Jodhaiya Bai passed away on December 15, 2024, at 86 in Lodha village, Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh. The Baiga Tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) primarily residing in central and eastern Indian states. Jodhaiya Bai gained international recognition for her artwork, showcasing Baiga tribal culture on canvas. She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2023 for her significant contributions to the arts. Her art has been exhibited globally, highlighting the rich traditions and heritage of the Baiga community.

Notes:
December 18 is celebrated as Minority Rights Day to commemorate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to Minorities, adopted in 1992. This day raises awareness about minority rights, highlights their contributions to society, and promotes their protection and empowerment. The non-binding Declaration ensures the right to culture, religion, and language for minorities, shaping global human rights discussions. The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights for all citizens, promoting equality and protecting minorities from discrimination.

Notes:
Moldova recently signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement to advance renewable energy efforts. The ISA, founded in 2015 during COP21 by India and France, is headquartered in Gurugram, India. Its mission, guided by the ‘Towards 1000’ strategy, includes mobilizing $1,000 billion in solar investments, providing energy access to 1,000 million people, and installing 1,000 GW of solar capacity by 2030. The ISA Assembly, its apex decision-making body, oversees policy and framework implementation.