Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
India’s first bio-bitumen highway on NH-44, Nagpur-Mansar Bypass, was inaugurated on 21st December 2024. The eco-friendly bio-bitumen, made from crop residues like lignin, reduces costs, prevents stubble burning pollution, and creates jobs. Bio-bitumen roads are 40% stronger than asphalt; a 1-km stretch was built using 15% bio-bitumen. Developed jointly by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and Praj Industries. Farmers encouraged to produce bio-CNG from agricultural waste and bamboo, especially in Vidarbha’s Bhandara-Gondia region.

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Madhya Pradesh has been named one of the “Go-To Global Destinations for 2025” by the Wall Street Journal. The state is celebrated for its rich heritage, wildlife, and natural beauty, solidifying its global status as a top travel destination. It offers diverse experiences with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Tiger Reserves, and vibrant cultural attractions. Specific highlights include Khajuraho, Panna, and Bandhavgarh, known for their cultural significance, thrilling wildlife, and stunning landscapes.

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An 8 km ‘Sushasan Padyatra’ was held in Vadnagar, Gujarat, on December 24, 2024, led by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to mark Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 100th birth anniversary. More than 15,000 MY Bharat youth volunteers from universities, NGOs, and organizations participated. The padyatra celebrated Good Governance Day and emphasized youth participation in building a developed India by 2047. MY Bharat platform has 1.65 crore youth members and connects to the e-shram portal for global job opportunities.

Notes:
Good Governance Day is celebrated annually on December 25th to honor Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary. It was first observed in 2014 to promote transparent, accountable, and citizen-focused administration. The 2024 celebration is significant as it marks Vajpayee’s 100th birth anniversary. Governance involves decision-making processes and their implementation through formal and informal practices. Good governance emphasizes fairness, transparency, accountability, and efficient management of a country’s resources and affairs.

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Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, one of the world’s most active, is erupting again. It is located in Hawaii’s Big Island within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, USA. Kilauea is the youngest and most active shield volcano in Hawaii, known for frequent eruptions. Its eruptions occur from vents at its summit caldera or along rift zones. The central crater, Halemaumau, holds mythological significance as the believed home of the Hawaiian fire goddess Pele.

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The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched India’s first Undergraduate Minor Program in Quantum Technologies, designed to prepare students for the quantum revolution. This program covers four verticals: Quantum Computation, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing, and Quantum Materials. It aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering a skilled workforce for innovation in quantum technologies. The curriculum emphasizes project-based learning and is open to engineering students from their third semester, ensuring practical experience and interdisciplinary appeal in this cutting-edge field.

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PM Narendra Modi launched the Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan on Veer Bal Diwas to promote healthy living and fight malnutrition. The initiative promotes healthy competition among village panchayats and anganwadis to enhance nutrition-related services. A total of 1,000 gram panchayats will receive ₹1 lakh each, part of which will support anganwadis for better nutrition. PM Modi highlighted the importance of fitness through ‘Fit India’ and ‘Khelo India’ movements, linking a healthy youth to a capable nation.

Notes:
Researchers developed FELUDA, a low-cost diagnostic tool for detecting H. pylori and its mutations in dyspeptic patients in rural India with limited lab access. H. pylori is a common bacterium in the digestive tract, infecting over 43% of the world’s population and causing peptic ulcers, gastritis, dyspepsia, and gastric cancer. It survives in the stomach by reducing acidity and penetrating the lining, evading immune cells. Symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Treatment involves a 14-day triple therapy using antibiotics and a proton-pump inhibitor to reduce stomach acid.

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China launched the Sichuan, the first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, designed to enhance long-distance naval combat capabilities. The 40,000-ton ship features an electromagnetic catapult for fighter jet launches and arrestor technology for safe landings. It can deploy ground troops via landing crafts and provide air support. Developed indigenously, it follows the earlier Type 075 ships launched in 2019. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aims to operate globally, modernizing its fleet for over a decade. China is also researching nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for extended deployments, competing with the U.S.’s 11 nuclear-powered carriers.

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The ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojna’, announced by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, aims to support Hindu temple priests and gurdwara granthis in Delhi with a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000. This initiative is the first of its kind in India, recognizing the cultural significance and contributions of these religious figures. The scheme’s registration is set to begin soon, with the AAP promising its implementation after the upcoming elections, reflecting a commitment to honor and support religious institutions in the capital.