Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi declared unseasonal rain a natural calamity. The decision aims to compensate farmers for crop damage using the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Farmers with 33% or more crop loss will receive assistance as per the relief code. About ₹291.59 crore in aid will be provided to 6,66,720 affected farmers. Unseasonal rain damaged crops on 2,26,791 hectares of agricultural land between December 20-28. The announcement was made at the ‘Krushi Odisha Conclave’ 2025 in Bhubaneswar.

Notes:
The Toda tribe in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Hills celebrated their traditional Modhweth or Buffalo Festival to mark the New Year. The Toda tribe is among the oldest ethnic groups in the Upper Nilgiris plateau. They are divided into five clans: Paiki, Pekkan, Kuttan, Kenna, and Todi. The Toda people have their own language without a script. They live in closed communities called munds. The Modhweth Festival is an annual celebration held in late December or early January, highlighting their cultural significance.

Notes:
Nadi Tarangini, India’s first Ayurvedic medical device, received approval from Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). It costs ₹55,000 and is manufactured by Atreya Innovations in Pune. The device analyzes 22 Ayurvedic parameters and provides a 10-page report in 10 Indian languages. It has an accuracy of 85% and is used in over 1250 Ayurvedic clinics. Nadi Tarangini received patents in the US, Europe, Indonesia, and India.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh launched the PARTH Yojana (Police Army Recruitment Training & Hunar) to train youth for careers in the Army, police, and paramilitary forces. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav unveiled the scheme at the State-Level Youth Festival. The initiative fosters patriotism, skill development, and employability among energetic youth. Training includes physical fitness, written exam coaching (general knowledge, math, English), and personality development. Divisional-level training centers will be set up, managed by district sports and youth welfare officers. Rural youth coordinators and departmental employees will support the program. The scheme aims to channel youth enthusiasm into meaningful employment opportunities.

Notes:
The overestimation of gold import figures from April to November was due to a data migration error. The error occurred during the shift from the SEZ Online system to ICEGATE, causing double counting of imports into Special Economic Zones and domestic zones. As a result, the gold import figures for November were revised down by 5 billion, from 14.8 billion to $9.9 billion. ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) is an online portal that offers electronic services for customs-related activities. It is a part of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). It facilitates the electronic filing of import and export documents.

Notes:
HIMKAVACH is a multi-layer clothing system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is designed for extreme cold conditions ranging from +20°C to -60°C. It has successfully passed user trials and is specifically tailored for use in the Himalayan region. The system ensures optimal protection and functionality for soldiers facing harsh weather. Its effectiveness emphasizes India’s commitment to improving military preparedness in challenging environments, especially in border areas with extreme cold conditions.

Notes:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The conference, organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), aimed to address drug trafficking and its impact on national security. Amit Shah launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight and inaugurated the new office complex of the Bhopal Zonal Unit of NCB. He also extended the MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and Union Territories. The conference focused on tackling drug trafficking in eight northern Indian states and union territories.

Notes:
The Sri Lankan Navy recently arrested 17 Indian fishermen near Neduntheevu Island. Neduntheevu, also called Delft Island, is the largest island in the Palk Strait, Sri Lanka. It covers 50 sq.km, with an 8 km length and 6 km width. The island is flat, oval-shaped, and often wind-swept, offering a soothing environment. It lacks streams; freshwater comes from surface water and artificial ponds. The island has dry shrubs, semi-arid tropical plants, and tall palm trees. A Dutch fort made of coral chunks is located on the island, which has a population of 4,800.

Notes:
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the International Overseas Uttarakhandi Conference in Dehradun, fostering ties with global migrants. The state seeks investment in tourism, agriculture, power, wellness, and manufacturing, emphasizing policy reforms and improved infrastructure. A migrant cell and venture fund were announced to support collaboration with migrants. CM Dhami urged migrants to adopt villages or children to address migration issues and preserve heritage.

Notes:
Russia has formed an emergency task force to address an oil spill in the Kerch Strait. The Kerch Strait links the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov and separates Crimea from Russia’s Taman Peninsula. It is 3 km long, 15 km wide, and 18 meters deep, with its narrowest point being 3-5 km. Kerch city is situated on the Crimean side of the strait. The Kerch Strait is a crucial global shipping route.