Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2023

Notes:
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new US-led multinational security initiative under the Combined Maritime Forces, focusing on maritime security challenges in the Red Sea region. This comes following recent attacks on commercial shipping by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels based in Yemen using drones and missiles. The operation aims to ensure freedom of navigation in response to the escalating security crisis.
Before that, the Swan Atlantic, a Cayman Islands-flagged chemical/oil tanker, sent out a mayday call after being attacked by drones and an anti-ship missile launched by Houthi rebels while transiting the Red Sea on December 18th. The US Navy destroyer USS Carney responded to assist the vessel and assess damages.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express, a new regular train service connecting Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, to Varanasi, the holy city in the north. He flagged off the train’s inaugural run during his visit to Varanasi for the Kashi Tamil Sangamam cultural integration event. The train route passes through all major cities of Tamil Nadu over 32 hours to highlight the ancient bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

Notes:
The carbon tax that the UK plans to levy from 2027 on imports of carbon-intensive materials is the Carbon Border Tax. It will apply to items like iron, steel, aluminum, ceramics and cement. The tax rate will depend on the carbon emissions associated with making the imported goods overseas and the gap with UK carbon prices. India opposes such green border levies as non-tariff barriers. The UK is following the EU which has already rolled out its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Notes:
The potato disease that has ravaged crops across Punjab districts is called late blight (100 words). It displays symptoms like green circular spots on potatoes that expand into dark brown lesions. Over 50% of the state’s potato cultivation has been impacted by late blight fungal infestation. Excess moisture and humidity encouraged its proliferation, resulting in rotting of tubers.

Notes:
Assam was the main state partner for the 2023 International Gita Mahotsav and Gita Seminar held in Kurukshetra, Haryana. The festival was inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar. The theme of this year is – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Universal Unity.”

Notes:
Recently late Vice-Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury has been awarded the Vir Chakra. He was the hero of the India-Pakistan war of 1971. In this war, Benoy Roy was posted as an engineer on INS Vikrant. ‘Veer Chakra’ is an award given for military bravery during wartime.
Vice Admiral Dinesh Prabhakar, AVSM, NM, VSM (Retd), currently holding the position of Distinguished Chair Marine Engineering at INS Shivaji, received the ‘Vir Chakra’ on behalf of the Indian Navy. Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav was the recipient of the prestigious Param Vir Chakra award in 2022. Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav of the 18 Grenadiers Battalion (Retd) is the youngest person to win the Param Vir Chakra award.

Notes:
Wheebox, in collaboration with several entities including the All India Council for Technical Education, Confederation of Indian Industry, and Association of Indian Universities, has unveiled the India Skills Report. As indicated by the India Skills Report 2024, employability in India has shown improvement, with 51.25% of evaluated young individuals deemed employable possessing the necessary skills.
Kerala has emerged as the top choice among states for employment, securing the second position in overall employability within the 18-21 age group, reaffirming its position as a robust talent pool in India.

Notes:
On the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh inaugurated the state’s first intra-district helicopter service from Bateshwar in Agra to Goverdhan in Mathura. During the ceremony, a statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also unveiled.

Notes:
The commencement of the 26th National Integration and Youth Leadership Camp in Itanagar was marked by the inauguration by Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.), the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. It was organized by the Central Calcutta Science & Culture Organization for Youth in collaboration with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Its theme was ‘Viksit Yuva, Viksit Bharat.’ The primary objective of the camp is to foster cultural connections among students and youth from diverse regions of India.

Notes:
International Epidemic Preparedness Day is observed every year on 27 December. The first International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was observed in 2020, based on the call made by the United Nations General Assembly. The theme of this day for the year 2023 has been ‘Legacy of Resilience: Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future’.