Daily Current Affairs Quiz : December 21, 2023

Notes:
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan recently unveiled plans for the Gelephu Special Administration Region (SAR), a 1,000 sq km mega city project near the Indian border. The $4.5 billion project aims to transform the southern border town of Gelephu into an economic hub and signals Bhutan’s ambitions to leverage connectivity with India to spur trade and investments. Positioned as a gateway between South Asia and Southeast Asia, the SAR would have its own laws and systems to attract foreign investments. During his recent visit to India, the King discussed the project with PM Modi, as India is expected to be a key partner in the endeavor through rail and road connectivity.

Notes:
President Putin mentioned plans to connect the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to the port of Murmansk in Russia’s Arctic coast. The 7,200-km INSTC network runs through Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia to offer the shortest land and sea route between Russia and India. Putin aims to boost Eurasian connectivity by linking INSTC to Murmansk, describing how it would enable shipping goods from the Arctic port to Western India within 15 days. The proposed connectivity holds strategic significance amid Russia’s increasing pivot to Asia and efforts to develop transport infrastructure across the Eurasian landmass. India has been a key partner in projects like INSTC, which stand to counterbalance China’s BRI.

Notes:
Indian authorities have confirmed the presence of JN.1, a new sub-variant of the Covid-19 virus, in a patient from Kerala. Designated as a genotype of the Omicron variant, the JN.1 sub-variant is closely related to the BA.2.86 strain, also called Pirola. JN.1 was initially identified in January 2023 based on genomic surveillance data from the USA and China. Health officials have emphasized the need for continued vigil and strict surveillance in light of the new variant from a variant-prone virus. Its emergence highlights how the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve into new sub-variants through constant mutations.

Notes:
Mumbai based Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is the state-owned organization that conducts minimum support price (MSP) procurement operations for cotton. When market prices for fair average quality cotton dip below MSP, CCI steps in to undertake procurement at the MSP rate to safeguard farmer interests. However, CCI cotton purchases have been minimal this year as most market rates exceeded MSP, barring some remote regions. Its role holds significance though, given the plunging cotton prices resulting from infestations like pink bollworm attacks in key producing states.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Swarved Mahamandir in Varanasi, billed as the world’s largest meditation centre. The grand seven-storey superstructure can accommodate 20,000 people for meditation at a time. Its interiors depict verses from Swarveda carved on walls, columns and ceilings. PM Modi highlighted how the mammoth meditation centre will help revive interest in India’s spiritual traditions that faced deliberate destruction during foreign rule. The Swarved Mahamandir reflects Modi’s emphasis on restoring India’s heritage across various spheres.