Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The first Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) is taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from October 29-31. This conference brings African nations into the global discussion on climate change and its health impacts, where Africa faces high burdens of climate-sensitive diseases. More than 400 participants, including government officials, health and climate experts, and researchers, attended the conference. It focuses on sharing innovations, best practices, and solutions to build climate resilience in health.

Notes:
The Union Government plans to add Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Vertical Farming, and Precision Agriculture to the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). MIDH is a Central Sponsored Scheme started in 2014-15 for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector. It promotes the cultivation of various crops, including fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, spices, flowers, coconut, cashew, cocoa, and bamboo. The mission also offers technical advice and support to State Governments and State Horticulture Missions for the Saffron Mission and other horticulture activities under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Notes:
The Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY) was launched on October 28, 2014, to empower tribal communities in India. It addresses historical neglect by providing financial assistance and promoting sustainable development. The initiative includes the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana for integrated development in 36,428 tribal villages, focusing on connectivity, education, health, and sanitation. It supports Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups with tailored development projects, allocating ₹15,000 crore for housing, water, sanitation, and education over three years. It provides pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for tribal students and funds research on tribal cultures and challenges. Funds are also allocated for project management units to ensure effective monitoring and implementation of welfare schemes.

Notes:
The Thadou tribe in Manipur rejected colonial and post-independence classifications labeling them as part of the Kuki group, calling it an arbitrary imposition. The Thadou are indigenous people living in the hill country near Imphal Valley, Manipur. They are also known by names such as Chillya, Kukihin, Teizang, and Theruvan. The Thadou language, Chin and Thado, belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of Sino-Tibetan languages. In their villages, the chief’s house is the largest, with a platform outside for men to gather, discuss important matters, and mediate disputes.

Notes:
Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has been declared Botswana’s sixth president by Chief Justice Terence Rannowane. Botswana’s electoral law requires a party to win at least 31 of 61 National Assembly seats to secure victory. UDC has gained 34 seats, while the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secured only four seats. Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat as preliminary results confirmed the BDP lost its parliamentary majority after almost 60 years in power. The BDP has governed Botswana, a diamond-rich nation, since its independence in 1966.

Notes:
Annapurna Base Camp saw a record number of tourists after this year’s Dashain festival. Mount Annapurna is located in Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal, in the Annapurna Range. It is the world’s tenth-highest peak, with an elevation of 8,091 meters. The mountain lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area, covering 7,629 square kilometers. Known as the “Killer Mountain” due to its high fatality rate among climbers attempting the summit.

Notes:
Israel’s Iron Beam, also called Magen or Light Shield, will be operational within a year. It’s a laser-based missile defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, first unveiled in 2014. The system uses a 100kW High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) to destroy fast-moving projectiles with beams of light. Iron Beam’s effective range is up to 7 km (4.3 miles), making it the first of its kind to become operational.

Notes:
Singapore has the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 countries, as per the Henley Passport Index (October 2024). France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain rank second, with visa-free access to 192 countries. The United States ranks 8th, allowing visa-free access to 186 countries. India ranks 83rd, providing visa-free access to 58 countries. Asian countries like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea often lead the rankings, showing their strong global diplomatic ties.

Notes:
The third edition of the virtual interaction MAHASAGAR took place on 5 Nov 2024, led by Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. It involved leaders from maritime agencies of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries, including Bangladesh, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and others. The theme was “Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security Challenges in IOR,” focusing on improving training collaboration. MAHASAGAR is a bi-annual Indian Navy initiative, launched in 2023, aimed at enhancing security and growth through maritime cooperation and capacity building.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a proposal to introduce diploma and certificate courses in animal husbandry and para-veterinary medicine. Both private and government institutions will offer these courses to train para-vets. The initiative aims to improve veterinary care, especially in rural areas, where para-vets assist with vaccinations, first aid, and animal health care. UP currently has a shortage of para-vets, with only 8,193 compared to 34,500 across India. The policy will standardize training, course content, and institutional guidelines. Expert committee will finalize the policy, based on a report prepared for this purpose.