Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
A recent conference by CSIR-NIScPR (National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research) and Gurugram University highlighted the SVASTIK initiative. SVASTIK stands for “Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge.” SVASTIK aims to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science. Launched by CSIR-NIScPR, it focuses on validating traditional practices in fields like agriculture, medicine, and environment.

Notes:
National Press Day is celebrated every year on November 16 in India, highlighting the press’s crucial role in democracy. The press is called the “Fourth Pillar of Democracy” for its role in informing the public and holding power accountable. The day commemorates the press’s duty to report truthfully and ethically, promoting transparency and democracy. Established by the Press Council of India in 1966, National Press Day emphasizes press freedom and responsibility. The 2024 theme is “changing nature of the press,” with the official event in Delhi, inaugurated by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Notes:
Bali Jatra is the largest open-air trade fair in Asia, held annually on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Cuttack. It commemorates the maritime heritage of Odisha, where ancient traders ventured to Southeast Asia. This year, it features around 2,500 stalls and cultural performances from various countries. The fair, which begins on Kartika Purnima, has been recognized as a state festival, highlighting Odisha’s rich history and culture.

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The Ministry of Defence recently launched the AI-enabled e-Tarang System. Developed with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), it improves the planning and operation of defence equipment in both wartime and peacetime. The system enables automated, efficient management of Defence Spectrum and supports the development of new technologies in higher frequency bands. It aids rapid decision-making and facilitates the integration of modern technologies for defence applications. BISAG-N is an autonomous body under MeitY, focused on research, technology development, and cooperation in geo-spatial technology, supporting capacity building and entrepreneurship.

Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated Symbiosis International University’s first overseas campus at Dubai Knowledge Park. UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Nahyan, attended the event, highlighting the strong Indo-UAE ties. The campus, fully accredited by UAE’s Ministry of Education, offers programs in management, technology, and media, focusing on 21st-century skills. This initiative aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020, encouraging global expansion of Indian institutions. The campus supports UAE’s goal of a knowledge-based economy and Dubai’s Economic Agenda 33. This development enhances educational cooperation and supports Dubai’s diverse expatriate community, which forms 85% of its population.

Notes:
National Epilepsy Day is celebrated in India on November 17 to raise awareness about epilepsy, its challenges, and the need for early diagnosis. Epilepsy, or seizure disorder, is a chronic brain condition where nerve cells misfire, causing recurrent seizures. Seizures happen when neurons fire rapidly at once, causing unusual movements, sensations, emotions, or behavior changes. This abnormal brain activity can lead to loss of awareness. Recovery time after a seizure varies from instant to hours. Epilepsy can result from genetics, brain abnormalities, infections, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or tumors, but for half of those affected, the cause remains unknown.

Notes:
Nigeria awarded PM Narendra Modi the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) during his first official visit. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised PM Modi’s commitment to democratic values and success in India. Previously, Queen Elizabeth was the only foreign dignitary to receive this Nigerian honor in 1969. Dominica also announced its highest honor, the ‘Dominica Award of Honour,’ for PM Modi for his support during the Covid-19 pandemic. PM Modi will receive the award in Guyana during the India-CARICOM Summit. With these awards, PM Modi’s total civilian honors reach 17, reflecting India’s rising global influence.

Notes:
Pathogen spillover from managed honey bees to wild pollinators poses a significant threat. Thai Sacbrood Virus (TSBV) affects honeybee larvae, killing them and hindering colony growth, particularly endangering Asiatic honeybees (Apis cerana indica). The virus spreads through the movement of bee colonies for pollination and honey production. TSBV caused a major outbreak in South India in 1991-1992, wiping out about 90% of Asiatic honey bee colonies. The virus resurfaced in Telangana in 2021 and has also been reported in countries like China and Vietnam.

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The G20 summit is being held in Rio de Janeiro at the Modern Art Museum, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, and China’s Xi Jinping, are discussing trade, climate change, and international security. PM Modi addressed the summit on “Social Inclusion and the Fight against Hunger and Poverty.” The G20, established in 1999, became a forum for Heads of State/Government in 2008. It includes 19 countries and the EU, with special invitees like the UN and the World Bank. G20’s decisions influence policies but are not legally binding.

Notes:
A new genus of freshwater fish, Koima, has been described from the Western Ghats. Two species, Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis, are reclassified as Koima remadevii and Koima monilis. This is a rare event, as adding a new genus is uncommon. The fish are small, elongated, and used for dietary and ornamental purposes. Both species are endemic to the Western Ghats, particularly in tributaries of the Cauvery River. Koima remadevii is found in fast-flowing streams in Silent Valley National Park. Koima monilis lives in various tributaries of the Cauvery River at elevations of 350-800 meters.