Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
According to a recent report by Climate TRACE, Shanghai is the city that emits the most greenhouse gases, producing 256 million metric tons annually. This is more than the emissions of countries like Colombia or Norway. Climate TRACE is an emissions tracking organization that provides insights into global emissions and helps identify opportunities to reduce pollutants.

Notes:
Dhudmaras village in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, gained global recognition by being selected among United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO’s) best tourism villages. It is one of 20 villages chosen from 60 nations for its sustainable tourism practices. Located in Kanger Valley National Park, it offers eco-tourism with dense forests and the Kanger River. UNWTO will assist in upgrading tourism facilities, preserving culture, and improving villagers’ lives. Dhudmaras and Chitrakot received India’s Best Tourism Village Award on September 27.

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IIT Bombay scientists developed AroTrack, a portable and economical device for detecting water pollutants like phenol and benzene. AroTrack addresses increasing water pollution from industrialization, urbanization, and unregulated effluent discharge. It uses bacterial proteins from polluted environments to identify aromatic pollutants through ATP hydrolysis. A chemical reaction in the protein solution causes a color change, which the device detects. The compact device is slightly smaller than a small projector and highly robust. AroTrack is considered a potential game-changer for sustainable water pollution monitoring and management.

Notes:
The 2023 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development was awarded to Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad. Ali Abu Awwad is a Palestinian peace activist promoting peaceful conflict resolution in the Middle East. Daniel Barenboim, an Argentine-born classical pianist, uses music to foster harmony in West Asia. The prize, established in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, includes ₹25 lakh and a citation. It honors individuals or institutions for exemplary contributions to humanity and the planet. In 2022, it was awarded to the Indian Medical Association and the Trained Nurses Association of India for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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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:
Recent research has identified Candidatus Phytoplasma as the causative agent of a peculiar disease in sesame fields in Midnapore, West Bengal. Sesame, known as the “Queen of Oil,” is an ancient oilseed crop with medicinal properties. The disease causes disfigurement and virescence in the plants, impacting their yield. Researchers, led by Prof. Gaurab Gangopadhyay, have been studying this issue and aim to improve sesame varieties through molecular marker-assisted breeding to combat this threat and enhance the crop’s benefits.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 100 TPD cattle dung-based Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant in Gwalior. The plant is located in Adarsh Gaushala, Laltipara, Gwalior, operated by the Gwalior Municipal Corporation. Adarsh Gaushala is home to over 10,000 cattle and is India’s first modern, self-sufficient gaushala. The plant converts cattle dung and organic waste, like vegetable and fruit scraps, into biogas. It is the first CBG plant in Madhya Pradesh, promoting the “Waste to Wealth” initiative and sustainability.

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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.

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The “Ab Koi Bahana Nahi” campaign, initiated on November 25, aims to eliminate gender-based violence in India. It is a collaborative effort involving the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Rural Development, supported by UN Women. Coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the campaign underscores a national zero-tolerance stance and calls for accountability from all stakeholders, emphasizing the urgent need for action against violence towards women and girls.

Notes:
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) celebrates National Milk Day on November 26, 2024, at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The event honors the 103rd birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the “Father of the White Revolution.” The event celebrates India’s leadership in the global dairy sector, focusing on sustainability and collaboration.