Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The Cao Bang crocodile newt, or Tylototriton koliaensis, is a newly discovered species found in Vietnam. It inhabits mountainous forests at elevations over 3,300 feet, experiencing both dry and rainy seasons. These medium-sized newts are around 5 inches long, with stout, rough bodies and crocodile-like, knobby skin. They are entirely black, with bright orange markings on their fingertips, toes, and an orange stripe down the center of their gray belly and tail. They breed in slow-moving streams or pools in the rainy season and hide under rocks during winter. Known as “crocodile newts” for their textured skin, they belong to a genus of Asian salamanders.

Notes:
Māori Party MPs performed a haka in New Zealand’s parliament to protest the Treaty Principles Bill, opposing changes to the Treaty of Waitangi. The Māori are an Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They migrated from East Polynesia to New Zealand between 1320-1350. They developed a unique culture, language, mythology, and arts. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 with the British, established coexistence but remains central to political and economic grievances. Māori are the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand. The haka, a traditional Māori dance, expresses pride, strength, and unity, and is used in various ceremonies and as a challenge.

Notes:
The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh recently welcomed a young male tiger, marking the first tiger sighting in nearly 40 years. Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. The rivers Balmedhi, Jonk, and Mahanadi flow through the sanctuary, with Balamdehi River forming its western boundary and Jonk River its northeastern boundary. The area, spanning 244.66 sq. km, has a sufficient prey base and water availability, but challenges remain in protecting the sanctuary from poachers and ensuring a stable food cycle for the tigers.

Notes:
Nafithromycin, developed by Wockhardt with support from BIRAC, is India’s first indigenously produced antibiotic targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) and is ten times more effective than azithromycin. This significant breakthrough follows 14 years of research and aims to address the global health crisis of AMR, which is responsible for millions of deaths annually. The drug awaits final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for public use.

Notes:
The Ministry of Science and Technology launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Bank to drive innovation and strengthen national security. It provides researchers, startups, and developers access to diverse, high-quality datasets for scalable AI solutions. The launch was by Minister Jitendra Singh at the 7th ASSOCHAM AI Leadership Meet 2024, themed “AI for India: Advancing AI Development – Innovation, Ethics, and Governance.” The AI Data Bank supports real-time analytics for satellite, drone, and IoT data to enhance national security. It also aids predictive analytics in disaster management and cyber security, aligning with India’s AI roadmap.

Notes:
The Ustad Bismilliah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2022 and 2023 recently conferred to 82 young artists in a ceremony in New Delhi. It was instituted by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006, it honors artists under 40 in music, dance, drama, folk arts, and puppetry. The award includes Rs 25,000, a plaque, and an angavastram. The award aims to encourage young artists in India. Ustad Bismillah Khan was a renowned Shehnai musician who performed at India’s first Republic Day in 1950 and was the first Indian at the Lincoln Centre in the USA.

Notes:
SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India) is facing bribery allegations. It is a major public sector undertaking in India’s renewable energy sector, under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Established in 2011, SECI was originally a not-for-profit company and became a commercial entity in 2015. SECI is the only Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) dedicated to renewable energy. It plays a key role in implementing India’s National Solar Mission and renewable energy projects like solar, wind, and hybrid. SECI holds the status of Mini-Ratna Category-I CPSU.

Notes:
Over 1.76 crore school students from all 36 States and UTs have participated in Project Veer Gatha 4.0. It was launched in 2021. The project aims to spread stories of courage and sacrifice of Gallantry Awardees among students. It encourages students to create projects based on these heroic tales, fostering patriotism. The project has been held annually since 2021, with editions in 2021, 2022, and 2023. It is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education.

Notes:
The Chinar boat race 2024 was recently held on Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, organized by the Army. Dal Lake, located in Srinagar, is surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains. Known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir,” it is the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir. The lake spans 18 sq. km. and is part of a 21.1 sq. km natural wetland. It is divided into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin (sometimes considered a separate lake).

Notes:
The Subhadra Yojana, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women aged 21 to 60 years in Odisha. Each beneficiary will receive Rs 50,000 over five years, with annual installments credited directly to their bank accounts. The scheme is designed to empower women and improve their economic status, with over 80 lakh women expected to benefit in the current phase alone. Launched in Bhubaneswar, it reflects the Odisha government’s commitment to women’s welfare and financial inclusion.