Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
China marked geographic baselines around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Scarborough Shoal is a triangular coral atoll, located 220 km west of Luzon, Philippines. It’s the largest atoll in the South China Sea, mostly submerged at high tide. This area is rich in marine life and has valuable fishing resources. Scarborough Shoal is contested, with both China and the Philippines claiming it as their territory. China cites historical claims dating back to the Yuan Dynasty; the Philippines bases its claim on proximity and the UNCLOS, as it lies within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. China has controlled the shoal with a coast guard presence since 2012.

Notes:
The 8th International Ancient Arts Festival and Symposium was held at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, from November 8-10, 2024, in collaboration with the Rays of Wisdom Society and supported by the Ministry of Culture. It featured an exhibition on metaphysical and healing themes in visual arts and a conference on ‘Art, Religion, and Healing.’ Dr. Reela Hota presented ‘Antar Yatra’ dance, and Smt. Yamini Reddy performed Kuchipudi. The conference discussed the healing power of ancient art, covering topics like spirituality, conflict resolution, and art in therapy. Dr. Madhu Khanna delivered the keynote, and Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi was the special guest.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the state’s first double-decker electric bus service in Lucknow, emphasizing its significance for environmental protection and traffic management. The initiative aims to reduce pollution and improve urban transport. Yogi Adityanath also mentioned plans to expand this electric bus service to other major cities in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the state’s commitment to sustainable transport solutions.

Notes:
Power generation at the controversial Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is set to begin next year. The project is a gravity dam under construction on the Subansiri River, located on the borders of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. It is a run-of-river hydroelectric project and will be the largest in India once completed. The dam will be 116 meters high from the river bed and 130 meters from the foundation, with a length of 284 meters. Developed by National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), the project will generate 2,000 MW from eight 250 MW units upon completion.

Notes:
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the 73rd All India Police Athletics Cluster Championship 2024-25 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. He praised the efforts of police personnel nationwide, especially those excelling in sports. Over 1,100 police athletics teams from 39 States and Union Territories are participating in the event. The championship highlights the achievements of police officers and promotes fitness and teamwork across the country.

Notes:
The 16th India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) recently held in Hyderabad. It is organized by the Game Developer Association of India (GDAI). With more than 150 sessions and 250 speakers, the conference aims to explore trends, challenges, and innovations in gaming. It serves as a vital platform for showcasing talent and shaping policies to advance India’s video game industry. The event underscores India’s rising influence in the global gaming market, addressing the need for dedicated gaming hubs and expanding the nation’s incubator ecosystem, inspired by initiatives like Telangana’s IMAGE Tower.

Notes:
Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as Haiti’s Prime Minister. In his inaugural speech, he promised to tackle insecurity and hold uncontested elections. Haiti is facing severe humanitarian and security crises due to escalating gang violence. In the first three months of 2024, around 2,500 people were killed or injured by gangs. Fils-Aime’s predecessor, Garry Conille, was dismissed by the Transitional Presidential Council. The council, formed in April, is responsible for selecting new leaders and organizing elections.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force inaugurated the C-295 Full Motion Simulator (FMS) at Air Force Station Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The simulator enables realistic pilot training, covering missions like tactical airlift, para-dropping, medical evacuation, and disaster relief. It enhances pilot readiness by simulating critical scenarios, improving decision-making and flight safety. The C-295 aircraft supports “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” marking India’s private-sector entry into transport aircraft production. The C-295 is a versatile 5-10 tonne transport aircraft with modern technology, designed for tactical and varied mission capabilities.

Notes:
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest at the 66th Akhil Bharatiya Kalidas Ceremony in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh is a seven-day annual festival in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It celebrates Sanskrit literary giants like Kalidas, Vatsyayana, and Bhartrihari. The festival also honors renowned Hindi writers, including Shivmangal Singh Suman, Prabhakar Machve, Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh, and Pandit Surya Narayan. This event serves as a tribute to India’s rich literary heritage and brings together scholars and enthusiasts of classical literature.

Notes:
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13 to promote kindness and positive deeds in communities. The 2024 theme, “Building a Kinder Tomorrow,” emphasizes raising compassionate individuals to create a future of empathy and understanding. Kindness is seen as a universal value that transcends race, religion, politics, gender, and location. The day was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, uniting kindness-focused NGOs globally.