Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The Sumi Naga tribe recently celebrated Ahuna, a post-harvest festival, with unity and gratitude. The Sumi, or Sema Naga, is a major tribe in Nagaland, mainly residing in central and southern regions. Sumis are known for their extensive village settlements, a unique feature among Naga tribes. They practiced headhunting before converting to Christianity through missionaries. The Sumi language is Tibeto-Burman, and their main festivals are Tuluni and Ahuna. Ahuna celebrates the harvest season, giving thanks and praying for good fortune. Tuluni marks the arrival of new crops, with prayers for last year’s bountiful harvest.

Notes:
The Marbled Map butterfly is an endemic species found only in the Eastern Ghats and Odisha. A recent study documented 190 butterfly species in the region, showcasing its unique biodiversity. The research underscores the need for conservation efforts, as butterfly populations are threatened by human encroachment and climate change. The Eastern Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, serves as a crucial habitat for these species, making their protection vital for maintaining ecological balance and health in the region.

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The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) launched the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Program to enhance research in Indian universities. PAIR uses a hub-and-spoke model, pairing top universities (hubs) with emerging ones (spokes) for mentorship. Hub institutions include the top 25 NIRF-ranked universities and 50 Institutions of National Importance. The program aims to bridge research gaps, promote regional diversity, and foster innovation, aligning with NEP 2020. ANRF, established under the ANRF 2023 Act, provides strategic direction for scientific research, replacing the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).

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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.

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China’s Chang’e-6 mission made history by retrieving the first surface samples from the moon’s far side, revealing volcanic rock fragments dating back 4.2 billion years. This discovery provides crucial insights into the moon’s geological history and long periods of volcanic activity, suggesting that the far side was once more dynamic than it is today. The mission highlights the differences in composition between samples from the near and far sides of the moon, enhancing our understanding of lunar volcanism and its cessation due to dwindling internal heat sources over billions of years.

Notes:
The rare Scarlet Tanager was recently seen in the UK for the first time in 40 years. It is native to North America. Its scientific name is Piranga olivacea. It breeds in deciduous forests and migrates to tropical forests in Central and South America for winter. The bird is medium-sized, about seven inches long, with a large head, short tail, and thick bill for catching insects and fruit. Males are bright red with black wings and tails in summer; females and young are olive-yellow. Its song resembles a “robin with a cold,” and its call is a distinctive “chip-burr.”

Notes:
Botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) identified a new flowering plant species, Dicliptera srisailamica, in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The plant, named after the temple town of Srisailam, belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It was found in rare patches along stream banks and rocky edges near waterfalls. The plant grows up to 90 cm with four-angled stems, ovate leaves, and pink bi-lipped flowers blooming from October to January. This discovery adds to India’s plant diversity, with Dicliptera representing 27 species, eight of which are endemic.

Notes:
On 15 November 2024, the world observes the first International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC). This day was established by General Assembly resolution 78/267. It emphasizes the need for global solidarity to combat rising organized crime, which threatens peace, security, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Criminal networks exploit global vulnerabilities, including human trafficking, environmental destruction, and cybercrime. Organized crime operates across borders, requiring international cooperation to address these challenges effectively.

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Indian tennis player Prajnesh Gunneswaran, 35, announced his retirement on November 15, 2024. He won a singles bronze at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and peaked at world No. 75 in ATP rankings in 2019. Gunneswaran turned pro in 2010, achieving a singles record of 11–28 and a doubles record of 1-1. His highest doubles ranking was 248, reached in 2018. Competed in all four Grand Slams, with his best performance at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2020. His career highlight includes defeating world No. 18 Nikoloz Basilashvili at the Indian Wells Masters in 2019.

Notes:
Odisha won its first Hockey India Senior Men National Championship title with a 5-1 win over Haryana in the final at SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai. Shilanand Lakra scored a hat-trick in the 48th, 57th, and 60th minutes, sealing Odisha’s victory. Rajat Akash Tirkey gave Odisha an early lead in the 11th minute. Pratap Lakra doubled the lead in the third quarter with a penalty stroke in the 39th minute. Joginder Singh scored the only goal for Haryana in the 55th minute.