Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

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:
India aims to develop the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a tuna export hub under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The Department of Fisheries has already notified the formation of a Tuna Cluster in the region. The global tuna market is valued at $41.94 billion; the Indian Ocean is the second-largest producer, supplying 21% of global tuna. Andaman and Nicobar primarily harvest neritic tuna, with smaller quantities of skipjack, big-eye, and yellowfin. Tuna is a large, agile fish, part of the Thunnini tribe, found in tropical and temperate oceans. Rich in protein, omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals, tuna promotes heart and brain health.

Notes:
India is projected to lead the G20 in 2024 with a 7% GDP growth rate, reflecting its robust and fast-growing economy. Indonesia ranks second with 5%, followed by China at 4.8%. Russia (3.6%) and Brazil (3%) rank fourth and fifth, with the African region also at 3%. The US is at 2.8%, while Canada (1.3%) and Australia (1.2%) show slower growth. France, the EU, and the UK are at 1.1%, Italy at 0.7%, and Japan at 0.3%. Germany has zero growth, the lowest among advanced countries. The G20 Summit in Brazil focuses on hunger, poverty, inequality, sustainable development, and governance reforms.

Notes:
Around 6.5 lakh youth applied for internships under the PM Internship Scheme pilot project. Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the scheme aims to provide 12-month internships for 1 crore candidates aged 21 to 24 over five years. The goal is to offer real-life work experience in top companies. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is implementing the scheme. For FY 2024-25, there are 1,25,000 vacancies across 500 top companies. Companies are selected based on their average CSR expenditure, and participation is voluntary.

Notes:
The African penguin is the first penguin species listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. They are the only penguin species found in Africa and are among the smallest penguin species. Males are slightly larger than females and have a pink gland above their eyes to cope with heat. They communicate through vocalizations and body language, such as gaping, pointing bills, pecking, and bill-jabbing. Their diet primarily includes pelagic schooling fish like sardines and anchovies.

Notes:
The third regional event of the ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ campaign was held at IIT Guwahati under the DISHA scheme by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. The campaign marks the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution’s adoption and India becoming a Republic. It was launched on January 24, 2024, by the Vice President at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the Indian Constitution, promote understanding of legal rights, and emphasize its role as the supreme authority defining governance and safeguarding rights.

Notes:
SpaceX’s Starship, standing at nearly 400 feet, is the world’s most powerful rocket. It recently underwent its sixth test flight from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas. The mission aimed to achieve a booster catch attempt, but automated health checks aborted it. Despite this, the Starship successfully ignited its Raptor engines in space, marking a significant milestone for future lunar and Martian missions as part of NASA’s Artemis initiative, which plans to utilize Starship as a lunar lander by 2026.

Notes:
The “Bhu-Neer” portal, launched on September 19, 2024, aims to improve groundwater management in India. Introduced by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil during India Water Week 2024, it replaces the older NOCAP system. Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it features a PAN-based single ID system and QR-coded No Objection Certificates (NOCs). This initiative enhances transparency and efficiency in groundwater usage, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of Ease of Doing Business. The portal serves as a vital resource for stakeholders in groundwater regulation.

Notes:
The Prime Minister attended the second India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana, marking the first visit by an Indian head of State in over 50 years. He held talks with Caribbean countries focusing on trade, technology, and tourism. The first India-CARICOM Summit was held in 2019. CARICOM, established in 1973, is a regional organization promoting economic integration and cooperation in the Caribbean. It includes 21 countries, comprising 15 Member States and 6 Associate Members, such as Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, and Barbados.

Notes:
Japan will be the official ‘Partner Country’ for the 25th Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. The festival is held annually from December 1–10, showcasing Nagaland’s culture through music, dance, art, and indigenous games. Started in 2000, its goal is to promote the state’s culture, encourage inter-tribal interaction, and preserve Naga heritage. Organized by the state’s Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, with support from the Union Government. It is named after the Indian Hornbill, a colorful bird central to the folklore of many Naga tribes.