Daily Current Affairs Quiz: November 16, 2024

Answer: c

International Students’ Day is observed annually on November 17th.

• It commemorates the Czech students who protested against the Nazi occupation in 1939.
• First Celebration : Held in 1941 by the International Students’ Council in London.

Answer: d

Observed annually on November 17^th in India.

• Aim : to raise awareness about epilepsy, its challenges, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
• Theme : Share Your Purple Power.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain electrical activity, epilepsy can significantly affect quality of life.

Answer: b

Observed annually on the third Sunday of November.

• This year, it falls on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
• Aim : to raise awareness about road safety, promote responsible driving behavior, and advocate for policies that can help prevent road accidents and save lives.
• Theme : “That Day”
• This day is dedicated to remembering the millions of people who have lost their lives or been injured in road traffic crashes worldwide.

Answer: c

Current Context : Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved establishment of the first all-women battalion of CISF, aimed at enhancing women’s role in the central forces.

About CISF :

• Establishment: Formed under the CISF Act of 1968and operational since March 10, 1969. The act was amended in 1983, giving it the status of an armed force.
• Function: The CISF is under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs
• Headquartered in New Delhi.
• Strength: Comprises over 140,000 personnel.
• Unique Role: The only paramilitary force in India with a specialized fire wing for fire protection and prevention in sensitive industries.
• The protected persons classified as Z Plus, Z, X, Y.

Answer: a

Current Context : The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has designated a buffer zone ranging from 1 km to 2.035 km around the Sukhna sanctuary on the Haryana side.

Aim : to prevent, control and abating environment pollution.

About Sukhna Lake:

• An artificial lake in Chandigarh, created in 1958 by damming Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream.
• Located at the base of the Shivalik hills of the Himalayas.
• Covers about 3 sq. km, with dimensions of 1.52 km length and 1.49 km width.
• Recognized as a National Wetland.
• The catchment area is prone to erosion due to steep, rugged terrain and alluvial sandy soil.

Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Adjacent to the lake, spanning approximately 26 sq. km.
• Hosts diverse wildlife, including migratory birds like Siberian ducks and storks in winter.
• Eco-Sensitive Zones are created as “shock absorbers” for the protected areas, to minimize the negative impact on the “fragile ecosystems” by certain human activities taking place nearby.
• These areas are meant to act as a transition zone from areas requiring higher protection to those requiring lesser protection.

Answer: a

Current Context : Ministry of Defence launched the AI-Powered e -Tarang System to Optimize Communication and Electronic Warfare.

About AI-enabled e-Tarang System

• Aim : to modernize and optimize spectrum management for defence purposes, ensuring efficient and automated planning to support operations in both peacetime and wartime.
• Development: Created by the Integrated Defence Staff in partnership with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N).

Features:

• AI Integration: Utilizes artificial intelligence to streamline and enhance the process of spectrum management.
• Interference-Free Operation: Ensures minimal disruption in communication channels, crucial for military operations.
• Support for Advanced Technologies: Facilitates the development of modern technologies that utilize higher frequency bands, preparing the armed forces for advanced communication needs.
• Operational Efficiency: Enhances both planning and execution phases of defence operations through automation.

Answer: c

Current Context : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has launched the ‘Come and Install Solar Power Projects’ initiative.

• Aim : to promote solar energy and encourage youth and entrepreneurs to establish solar projects in the private sector.
• Project Allocation: The government has allocated 300 MW of ground-mounted solar power projects to the private sector, with 62 MW already operational.
• Government Sector Efforts: In addition to private initiatives, 32 MW of solar power projects have been developed by the government, with another 15 MW in progress.

Various Government Schemes related to Solar Projects in Himachal :

Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Start-Up Yojna (Phase II):

• Launched to empower youth by promoting solar power projects.
• Aims to support entrepreneurs in setting up solar ventures.
• Beneficiaries are required to pay only 10% of the project cost as a security deposit.
• The government facilitates a 70% bank loan and provides 30% equity​

Rooftop Solar Plant Subsidy:

• The central government targets a 10 MW capacity from rooftop solar by 2024 in Himachal Pradesh.
• Provides subsidies: 40% for 1-3 kW solar panels and 20% for 3-10 kW panels.
• Encourages residents to adopt solar energy by reducing initial costs​ 

SJVN Solar Projects:

• Himachal Pradesh is expanding its renewable energy portfolio through partnerships with SJVN.
• Initiatives include a planned 400 MW solar park in Upper Kinnaur and an 800 MW project in
• The state is also working on a 15 MW floating solar power project at Nangal Pond in Bilaspur.

Answer: d

Current Context : Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated a new milk processing plant at Duttnagar in the Rampur, Shimla marking a significant boost to the dairy sector in Himachal Pradesh.

Cost & Capacity: Built at ₹25.67 crore, the plant processes 50,000 liters of milk per day, adding to an existing 20,000-liter plant. Total daily capacity is 70,000 liters.

Beneficiaries: The expansion benefits 20,000 farmers from Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, and Kinnaur districts.

Features :

A digital milk procurement system will be implemented by March 31, 2025, providing real-time data on milk quality and price and ensuring direct payments to farmers’ bank accounts.

Various Government Schemes to boost milk and dairy production :

• Doodh Ganga Scheme: A ₹500 crore initiative aiming to overhaul milk collection, transportation, and processing infrastructure. It focuses on improving efficiency and reducing spoilage, with a focus on youth involvement in dairy farming.​
• Him Ganga Scheme: With a budget of ₹500 crore, this scheme is aimed at increasing the number of milk cooperative societies and improving awareness among farmers. It focuses on creating opportunities for women, with 11 women-focused societies formed in Hamirpur.​
• Incentives and Infrastructure: The state has increased the procurement price of milk and set up numerous Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs) and bulk milk coolers. Additionally, a new automatic milk processing plant is being developed in Kangra.​