Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Four sandstone replicas of the Konark wheel were installed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan.
This installation promotes India’s rich cultural heritage to visitors. The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents Odisha’s temple architecture and is designed as a giant chariot for the Sun god. The Konark wheel symbolizes India’s cultural legacy and architectural excellence.

Notes:
New York State authorities confirmed a case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a deer facility, highlighting its impact on deer, elk, and moose. CWD is a fatal neurological disease caused by prions that damage brain tissue in cervids. It leads to severe symptoms like weight loss, lack of coordination, drooling, and eventually death. CWD spreads through bodily fluids and contaminated environments, but there is no evidence of it infecting humans. Symptoms can take up to 16 months to appear, and there is currently no vaccine or treatment available.

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:
Ayodhya set two Guinness World Records during the 2024 Deepotsav celebrations. Over 25 lakh diyas (2,512,585 oil lamps) were lit along the Saryu River, marking the largest display of oil lamps. Another record was set for the most people performing diya rotation simultaneously. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received the Guinness certificates, joined by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak. Celebrations included lamps illuminating the ghats, laser shows, a sound-and-light Ram Leela, a drone show, and fireworks. This Deepotsav was the first since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lala at the Ayodhya temple.

Notes:
A Columbia University study found that long-term exposure to arsenic in water may increase cardiovascular disease risk. Arsenic is a natural element found in air, water, and soil, and can also be released by industries like mining. It exists in organic and highly toxic inorganic forms; contaminated water and food are common exposure sources. High arsenic levels cause poisoning, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while long-term exposure can lead to skin changes. Arsenic is used in rat poisons, insecticides, semiconductors, glass-making, and wood preservation, though its use is heavily controlled due to toxicity.

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:
The Harare Declaration, adopted at the Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) in Zimbabwe, emphasizes enhancing climate resilience within health systems across Africa. It aims to address the severe health impacts of climate change, advocating for immediate collaborative actions from governments, researchers, and civil society. The declaration calls for prioritizing climate change as a public health emergency and strengthening research to combat climate-related health risks, ensuring that African nations proactively shape their health futures amidst climate challenges.

Notes:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched ‘TULIP,’ a digital platform for marginalized artisans at the Shilp Samagam Mela 2024 in New Delhi. The TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme) aims to provide marginalized artisans, including those from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and persons with disabilities, with a digital platform for global exposure and sales. The program is part of broader efforts to economically empower targeted communities through financial assistance and skill training.

Notes:
The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is observed annually on November 6. Established by the UNGA in 2001, it draws attention to the often-overlooked impacts of armed conflicts on ecosystems, natural resources, and local communities’ health. The day emphasizes the need for world leaders to incorporate environmental concerns across all phases of conflict, including prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction, to mitigate the lasting environmental consequences of war.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh has approved 35% reservation for women in all state government recruitments. This decision was made under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla. The recruitment age for assistant professors in medical colleges has been increased. These initiatives aim to empower women, boost employment, improve citizens’ lives, and drive economic growth.