Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 13, 2024

Answer: C

Observed annually on December 14.

• Aim : to promote energy conservation and efficient usage for sustainable development.
• Celebrated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power since 1991.

Answer: C

Answer: B

Current Context : Recently, World Malaria Report 2024 released by World Health Organization (WHO.)

Global Findings:

• Malaria Cases: Increased to 263 millionin 2023, with an incidence of 4 per 1,000 population at risk, up from 58.6 in 2022.
• African Region: Contributed 94% of global malaria cases, highlighting the disproportionate impact​

India’s Progress:

• Decline in Cases: Reduced by 69%, from 4 million (2017)to 2 million (2023).
• Decline in Deaths: Decreased by 68%, from 11,100 (2017)to 3,500 (2023).
• HBHI Exit: In 2024, India exited the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI)group, marking significant progress in malaria control​

About Malaria:

• Cause: Life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted via female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Key Species: Five species, with  falciparumand P. vivax posing the greatest threat.
• Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, and fatigue.
• Geography: Common in tropical regions​
• Vaccines: RTS,S/AS01: WHO’s first approved malaria vaccine (2021).
  • R21/Matrix-M: Second WHO-approved vaccine (2023), enhancing global prevention efforts​

Government Initiatives:

• WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria (2016–2030): A framework for malaria-endemic countries, updated in 2021.
• India’s National Strategic Plan (2023-27): Focuses on malaria elimination through integrated vector control, early detection, and treatment.​

Answer: B

Current Context : Recently, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), along with the Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) develops 1st human gene therapy for Haemophilia A

• Uses a lentiviral vector to introduce a normal copy of the Factor VIII gene into autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

About Lentiviral Vectors and HSCs:

• Lentiviral Vectors: A type of viral vector used to transfer genetic material into cells.
• Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs): Multipotent cells capable of developing into all blood cell types.

About Gene Therapy :

• Technique using genes to treat, prevent, or cure diseases.
• Methods: Replaces faulty genes, deactivates harmful ones, or introduces new genes.
• Products Used: Plasmid DNA, gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9).
• Types of Gene Therapy:
  • Germline Gene Therapy: Modifies egg or sperm cells; changes are heritable.
  • Somatic Cell Gene Therapy: Targets non-reproductive cells, affecting only the treated individual.

Significance :

• Treats inherited genetic diseases(e.g., sickle cell disease).
• Addresses acquired disorders(e.g., leukemia).

About Haemophilia:

• Rare disorder affecting blood clotting.
• Prevalence: India bears the second-largest burdenof haemophilia globally.
• Haemophilia A: Caused by a deficiency of clotting Factor VIII.

Answer: B

Current Context : Recently, Marbled duck spotted at Sultanpur National Park after 30 years.

About Marbled Duck:

• Medium-sized duck species found in Southern Europe, Northwest Africa, the Middle East, Russia, India, and China.
• IUCN Status: Near Threatened, due to habitat loss and other environmental pressures.
• Sighting: Recently spotted at Sultanpur National Park after 30 years, emphasizing its rarity in the region.

Sultanpur National Park:

• Location: Gurgaon, Haryana.
• Recognition: Declared a Ramsar sitein 2021, denoting its global importance as a wetland.
• Migratory Birds: Hosts species like bar-headed geeseand Indian spotted eagles, which migrate for wintering and feeding.
• Flora: Features mixed forests with acacia, jamun, neem trees, and grasslands.
• Fauna: Renowned for its diverse bird species, making it a key bird-watching site in India.

Answer: C

Current Context : Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has become the youngest-ever world chess champion after defeating Ding Liren from China on Thursday at the World Chess Championship 2024 held in Singapore.

• At 18, Gukesh has ascended to the throne as the youngest chess champion in history.
• He became the second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to win the prestigious crown.
• He prevailed over Liren 7.5-6.5 in a mentally exhausting 14-match contest.

Answer: C

Current Context : Recently, the Minister of Cooperation informed the Lok Sabha about the Yuva Sahakar Scheme.

About Yuva Sahakar Scheme:

Objective : Encourages cooperative societies with new and innovative ideas, focusing on youth entrepreneurs.

Eligibility:

• Cooperative societies operational for a minimum of 3 months.
• Special incentives for cooperatives in the North-Eastern region, aspirational districts, women-led cooperatives, and those involving Scheduled Caste (SC)and Scheduled Tribe (ST)

Financial Features:

• Provides long-term loans (up to 5 years).
• Includes 2% interest subventionon applicable NCDC loan rates.
• Loans can be combined with subsidies from other Government of India schemes.
• Linked to a ₹1000 crore Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fundmanaged by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

Implementation:

• Run by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)across India.
• NCDC provides project-based fundingtailored to the specific activities of cooperatives.

Mission Alignment:

• Part of the Sahakar 22 Mission, which aims to double farmers’ income.

Answer: C

Current Context : Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla paid floral tributes to Shri Chakravarti Rajagopalachari in Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on his Birth Anniversary.

About C. Rajagopalachari:

• Full Name: Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji.
• Born: 10 December 1878, in Thorapalli, Tamil Nadu.
• Conferred Bharat Ratnain 1954 for contributions to politics and literature.

Role in the Independence Movement:

• Influenced by Mahatma Gandhiin 1919, he left his legal career to join the freedom struggle.
• Participated in significant movements:
  • Rowlatt Act agitation.
  • Non-Cooperation Movement.
  • Vaikom Satyagraha.
  • Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Jailed five times between 1912 and 1941 for his activism.

Contribution to Governance:

• Served as a member of the Constituent Assemblyrepresenting Madras under the Congress Party.
• Played a key role in debates on religious freedomand citizenship in the Assembly.

Literary Contributions:

• Renowned for retelling the Mahabharataand Ramayana in English and Tamil.
• Authored “Ramayana – Chakravarti Thirumagan”in Tamil.