Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The National Board for Wildlife deferred road expansion projects impacting Pranhita Wildlife Sanctuary due to environmental concerns. Pranhita Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Adilabad district, Telangana. The sanctuary spans around 136 sq. km and is set in the scenic Deccan plateau. It features thick deciduous teak forests, hilly landscapes, and plateaus. Pranahitha River runs along its eastern boundary, and the Godavari River is to the south. Known for prehistoric rock formations, the sanctuary holds ecological and geological significance.

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National Unity Day is observed every year on October 31 to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a key leader in India’s independence struggle and served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. This day commemorates his efforts to unite diverse princely states into one nation and promotes national solidarity.

Notes:
AIIMS in New Delhi has launched the GRASSROOT Gravity Stent-Retriever System for Reperfusion of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Trial) to improve stroke treatment in India. The trial evaluates the safety and effectiveness of a next-generation stent-retriever designed for stroke clots. India struggles with stroke care, with only 4,500 out of 375,000 eligible patients receiving critical mechanical thrombectomy annually. The trial aims to provide a cost-effective stent-retriever to quickly and safely restore blood flow, developed with both international and Indian expertise.

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Typhoon Kong-rey hit Taiwan, marking the largest typhoon impact in nearly 30 years. It made landfall on Taiwan’s eastern coast with initial winds over 200 km/h. Authorities closed schools, offices, and financial markets, evacuating thousands from high-risk areas. Supermarkets faced shortages as residents prepared. The storm injured over 70 people, caused one death, and led to power outages for about 500,000 households. Severe weather conditions delayed emergency responses in affected areas.

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Scientists have discovered a lost Mayan city in the dense Mexican jungle using LiDAR technology. LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging and is a remote sensing method that uses pulsed lasers to measure distances to the Earth’s surface. It can create high-resolution 3-D models of ground elevation with vertical accuracy of up to 10 cm. The LiDAR system includes a laser, scanner, and GPS receiver. The laser fires rapidly, hitting surfaces like vegetation and buildings, with the reflected light recorded by the sensor.

Notes:
China opposes Taiwan’s establishment of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC) in Mumbai. This is Taiwan’s third office in India, following openings in New Delhi in 1995 and Chennai in 2012. India and Taiwan set up representative offices in 1993: the India-Taipei Association in Taipei and TECC in New Delhi. Other countries like the US, Australia, and Russia have similar centers for visa services and cultural exchanges. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and considers the PRC the sole legitimate government. India officially recognizes the PRC but does not recognize Taiwan.

Notes:
The AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) evaluates nations on digital infrastructure, human capital, technological innovation, and legal frameworks. As of 2023, Singapore leads with a score of 0.80, indicating its strong commitment to AI integration. In contrast, India ranks 72nd with a score of 0.49, despite having a significant number of AI startups and user engagement. This index highlights the disparities in AI readiness between advanced and emerging economies.

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The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme allocates ₹1261 Crores to empower 14,500 Women Self Help Groups from 2024 to 2026. It provides drones for agricultural services, specifically for applying fertilizers and pesticides. The initiative, under the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to enhance efficiency in farming and create sustainable livelihoods for women, while also promoting the use of advanced technology in agriculture. The operational guidelines emphasize training and support for effective implementation.

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The Himachal Chief Minister recently launched water sports activities at Gobind Sagar Lake. Gobind Sagar Lake is a manmade reservoir in the Una and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh. Named after Guru Gobind Singh, it is fed by the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River. The Bhakra Dam is one of the highest gravity dams in the world, standing 225.5 m tall. The lake is 90 km long, covers about 170 sq. km, and has a maximum depth of 163.07 m, making it one of the deepest artificial lakes. It supplies irrigation water to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, benefiting regional agriculture.

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Harmeet Desai of India won both men’s singles and mixed doubles titles at the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) Feeder Caracas tournament in Venezuela. The event took place from 31 October to 3 November 2024. Ranked 90th globally, Harmeet defeated France’s Joe Seyfried (world no. 149) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 in the men’s singles final. In mixed doubles, Harmeet and Krittwika Roy defeated Cuba’s Jorge Campos and Daniela Fonseca Carrazana 3-2 in a tight match.