Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

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.

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North Korea announced a successful test of its newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-19. Hwasong-19 uses solid-fuel propulsion, enabling faster deployment and making it harder to detect and intercept. This missile measures around 28 meters, significantly longer than advanced U.S. and Russian ICBMs, which are under 20 meters. Analysts estimate Hwasong-19’s range exceeds 13,000 kilometers, capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its first analogue space mission Hab-1 or Habitat-1 in Leh, a major milestone for India’s space exploration. Analogue space missions simulate the conditions of actual space exploration on Earth. They are essential for testing technologies and studying human behavior for long-duration space flights. The mission aims to replicate living conditions for astronauts traveling to the Moon, Mars, or asteroids. It focuses on understanding the physical and psychological effects of isolation and confinement. This joint effort includes ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre, AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, and IIT Bombay.

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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.

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Haryana’s boxer Mandeep Jangra won the World Boxing Federation’s super featherweight world title by defeating British boxer Conor McIntosh. The title match took place in the Cayman Islands. Mandeep, 31, turned professional in 2021 and trains under American boxing legend Roy Jones Junior. He won silver at the 2013 Asian Championship and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Mandeep received the Arjuna Award from the Indian government in 2015.

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The Tumaini Festival in Malawi, founded in 2014, is an annual cultural event held within the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. It is unique as the only festival held in a refugee camp and is organized entirely by refugees. The festival promotes community, solidarity, and cultural exchange between refugees and locals. It attracts thousands of attendees and features music, dance, theater, and visual arts from global performers. Tumaini Festival received the Cultures of Resistance Award in 2024, highlighting its impact and significance.

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Pro-Western President Maia Sandu was re-elected in Moldova with 55.26% of the vote, defeating Alexandr Stoianoglo of the pro-Russian Party of Socialists by over 10 percentage points. Sandu gained strong support from Moldovans abroad, helping her secure victory, though she narrowly lost within Moldova itself. The election saw incidents, including bomb threats at four diaspora polling stations where Sandu had significant backing. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the election as “undemocratic.”

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Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee signed an agreement under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) to develop a 5G “millimeter wave transceiver” for rural connectivity. Millimeter waves (30-300 GHz frequency) allow high-speed wireless communication with low latency and less interference. The project promotes local manufacturing, encouraging small and medium industries, creating job opportunities for engineering graduates. The use of polymer-metal structures reduces dependence on semiconductor industries, with a small development cost. It aims to generate Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and build a skilled workforce for 5G/6G technology.

Notes:
South Korea is becoming a key testing ground for the sweetener allulose, also known as D-allulose or d-psicose. It naturally occurs in foods like wheat, raisins, figs, and molasses, and is commercially produced from beet sugar or corn. Allulose is 70% as sweet as sugar and nearly calorie-free, making it a popular sugar substitute, especially for people with diabetes. High doses may cause nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues. The U.S. FDA has approved it as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), and it is also approved in Japan, Mexico, Singapore, and South Korea.

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The President of India recently witnessed a demonstration on INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited. It strengthens India’s position as a ‘Blue Water Navy’ with global reach, joining the US, Russia, France, UK, and China in the elite group capable of building aircraft carriers. The ship has a displacement of 43,000 tonnes, an endurance of 13,890 km, and can accommodate up to 30 aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. It uses the STOBAR method for aircraft operations.