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.

Notes:
Karnataka launched ELEVATE 2024 and Karnataka Acceleration Network (KAN) to support start-ups. ELEVATE 2024 is a grant scheme offering up to ₹50 lakh per start-up to help early-stage companies with seed funding. ELEVATE also provides support through incubation, expert mentorship, incentives, and venture capital access. Karnataka Acceleration Network (KAN) offers mentorship, market access, and funding opportunities for growth-stage start-ups across Karnataka. Both initiatives aim to address funding challenges and foster growth for start-ups in the state.

Notes:
The Nepal government has announced provide free cancer treatment to children under 14 in designated public hospitals.This initiative is effective from November 16 and aims to ease the financial burden on parents. Treatment can be accessed at Kanti Children Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. If government funds are insufficient, the Ministry will arrange additional funding from internal sources. In 2022, Nepal reported 22,000 new cancer patients, with cancer causing 11% of deaths, and around 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Three XI standard students tragically drowned while bathing in the Koel River in Lohardaga district, Jharkhand. The Koel River originates from the Palamau Tiger Reserve and flows through the western part of Palamu District. It consists of two parts: North Koel River and South Koel River. The North Koel River is tapped for irrigation and joins the Son River, while the South Koel flows through Odisha before merging with the Brahmani River. The river is prone to seasonal flooding, especially during the monsoon, and has hydropower potential, with the North Koel Dam built to generate electricity and supply irrigation.

Notes:
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.

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 traditional ‘Hingot war Festival’ takes place annually in Gautampura, Madhya Pradesh. Participants throw “burning arrows” (Hingots) at each other in this event. This tradition is seen as a display of bravery, not just a ritual. This annual event involves two rival groups, Kalangi and Turra, who engage in a fiery battle by throwing ‘Hingot’ rockets at each other. Thousands of spectators attended, with extensive safety measures by the administration and police to protect them.

Notes:
Three Yanadi tribe children who went missing in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, were recently found. Yanadis are a major scheduled tribe in Andhra Pradesh, living in poverty and social exclusion. They are one of India’s most vulnerable tribal groups, mainly residing in Nellore and other plains areas. The Yanadi population in Andhra Pradesh was recorded as 4,62,167 in the 2001 census. They speak Telugu and traditionally work in hunting, gathering, and agriculture. Yanadis possess rich traditional health knowledge, using plants to treat various ailments. Their culture includes forest-linked religious beliefs and the Dhimsa dance, performed during festivals.

Notes:
Two million applications have been successfully registered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. The scheme is run by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. It is a central sector scheme designed to support traditional artisans and craftspeople in rural and urban areas. The objectives include recognizing artisans as Vishwakarmas and providing skill upgrades. The scheme also aims to promote their brands and create market linkages to access new growth opportunities.