Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Coal India Limited (CIL) received the Green World Environment Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category and the title of Green World Ambassador. The award recognizes CIL’s exemplary CSR work through the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna, providing curative treatment for over 600 Thalassemia patients via stem cell or Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT). Launched in 2017, it was the first CSR project by a PSU for Thalassemia treatment in India. Financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh is provided per patient under the scheme. CIL partners with 17 leading hospitals across India for the initiative.

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:
The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened with a star-studded ceremony in Panaji, Goa. International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is among Asia’s most significant film festivals and is held annually in Goa. It provides a platform for global filmmakers to showcase excellence, promote cultural understanding, and foster international cooperation. The first edition was held in Mumbai and later moved to various cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Thiruvananthapuram. IFFI is South Asia’s only film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as a Competitive Feature Film Festival.

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.

Notes:
Karnataka is the first state in India to launch a dedicated GCC (Global Capability Centers) policy. The policy aims to establish 500 new GCCs by 2029, creating 3.5 lakh jobs and $50 billion in economic output. The ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative promotes GCC growth in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi-Dharwad. India’s GCC market is valued at $64.6 billion, with Bengaluru hosting over 875 GCCs contributing $22.2 billion.

Notes:
Armenia became the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on November 15, 2024. ISA is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization founded by India and France to promote solar energy globally. The alliance aims to mobilize over USD 1000 billion by 2030 for large-scale solar energy deployment. Armenia’s membership was formalized with the exchange of the ratified Framework Agreement between Armenian Ambassador Vahagn Afyan and India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Notes:
World Television Day is observed on November 21, 2024. The first electronic television was invented in 1927 by 21-year-old Philo Taylor Farnsworth. Television became a global symbol for communication and spreading information. The United Nations held the first World Television Forum on November 21-22, 1996. Television highlights conflicts, raises awareness of peace and security threats, and focuses on social and economic issues. The UN General Assembly established World Television Day to honor television’s role in communication and globalization, not the object itself.

Notes:
World Fisheries Day 2024 was celebrated on November 21 in New Delhi. The Department of Fisheries honoured states, districts, and individuals for their contributions. Kerala won the Best Marine State award. Telangana was recognised as the Best Inland State. Uttarakhand received the Best Himalayan and Northeastern State award. Jammu & Kashmir was awarded Best Union Territory.

Notes:
The Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland experienced its seventh volcanic eruption since December 2023. It is located in southwest Iceland. It is part of the submarine Reykjanes Ridge on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The region hosts volcanic systems such as Reykjanes, Svartsengi, Fagradalsfjall, Krýsuvík, Brennisteinsfjöll, and Hengill. It features en-echelon fissure systems and attracts tourists for volcano tours, hiking trails, and the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. The peninsula has a population of around 27,829 (2020), with Reykjanesbær as its largest settlement.

Notes:
A new NGO, the Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM), was launched in Maryland, USA, to unite and support minority communities in the Indian American diaspora. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment during the event. Jasdip Singh, a Sikh philanthropist, was appointed as AIAM’s Chairman. AIAM aims to advance PM Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, focusing on inclusivity and welfare for all.