Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

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.

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 Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) launched the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to highlight India’s microbial potential. The initiative focuses on unique bacterial species critical to the environment, agriculture, and human health. Coordinated by BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), it aims to release fully annotated bacteriological genomes to the public. The initiative will include graphical summaries, infographics, and genome details. It makes microbial genomics data accessible to the public and researchers, fostering discussions and innovations benefiting the community and ecosystem.

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:
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu urged all FAO Members and partners to join the newly launched Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The initiative was officially launched by Brazil at the G20 Leader’s Summit. It aims to accelerate progress toward eradicating poverty and hunger by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2. The alliance also focuses on reducing inequalities as part of SDG 10. It is an ambitious platform, created under Brazil’s G20 presidency, to drive urgent action towards these global goals.

Notes:
World Fisheries Day is celebrated annually on November 21 to promote sustainable fisheries and recognize the role of small-scale fishers in food security and livelihoods. It originated in 1997 during the World Forum on Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF) in New Delhi, which led to the creation of the World Fisheries Forum. The FAO and WFF proposed the day, which was adopted by the FAO General Assembly in 2003. Fisheries provide over 20% of animal protein for 3 billion people globally but face threats like overfishing, climate change, and pollution. The day promotes responsible fisheries management and conservation.

Notes:
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) published the State of the World’s Children 2024 (SOWC-2024) report. The report highlights that nearly 1 billion children face high risks from climate and environmental hazards. SOWC is UNICEF’s annual flagship report analyzing global issues affecting children, including conflict, child labour, and disabilities. The 2024 report, launched on World Children’s Day (November 20), focuses on “Listen to the Future,” amplifying children’s voices on their aspirations. By 2050, India, China, Nigeria, and Pakistan will account for over one-third of the global child population. India is projected to have 350 million children, the largest share globally, despite a 106 million decline.

Notes:
Six Viragallu (hero stones) were discovered near the Anjaneya Temple between Rukmapur and Kupagal villages in Shorapur, Karnataka. Viragallu are memorial stones honoring heroes who died in battle. The discovery was made by the Surapura Hitarakshana Samiti team, led by Shravanakumar Nayak and researcher Rajgopal Vibhuti, who are working to protect the inscriptions. Shorapur, also known as the Surpur Empire, was a princely state in present-day Yadgir district, Karnataka. The region was ruled by the Nayak Dynasty, with Raja Venkatappa Nayak as its last ruler.

Notes:
Authorities have denied claims made in a media report about wild animals disappearing from Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary due to encroachments, calling them inaccurate and sensationalized. The sanctuary is located in Palghar district, Maharashtra, 75 km from Mumbai. It spans 85 sq. km., mostly hilly terrain, and serves as a corridor between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. The area features dense forests, small rivers, and a mix of Dry Deciduous, Moist Deciduous, and Semi-Evergreen forests, with species like teak, bamboo, and mango trees.

Notes:
Prasar Bharati has launched a new OTT app called ‘Waves’ to meet India’s growing streaming demand. The app offers live TV, on-demand content (movies, shows, ebooks), live events (religious programs, cricket), games for all age groups, and e-commerce options via the ONDC network. It features around 65 live channels, including private broadcasters. Waves aims to provide a comprehensive digital experience for Indian viewers across various entertainment and shopping needs.