Miscellaneous Current Affairs

Dubai to have world’s first air taxi, agreements signed at World Government Summit 2024

Dubai has signed agreements at the World Government Summit 2024 to launch the world’s first air taxi service. Agreements pave the way for the deployment of a city-wide electric aerial taxi service and vertiport network in Dubai.

  1. Joby Aviation S4 Aircraft:
    • The initiative centers around the Joby Aviation S4, an innovative aircraft designed for four passengers and a pilot.
    • The S4 features six propellers and is powered by four battery packs.
    • It has a maximum range of 161 km and a top speed of 321 km per hour.
  2. Urban-Friendly Features:
    • Vertical take-off and landing capabilities make the S4 ideal for urban settings, minimizing space requirements and reducing noise pollution compared to helicopters.
  3. Benefits of the Air Taxi Project:
    • Promises reduced noise levels, zero operating emissions, and enhanced passenger convenience.
    • Aims for efficiency, safety, and sustainability in urban transportation.
  4. Integration into Urban Landscape:
    • Aerial vehicles aim to seamlessly integrate into Dubai’s urban landscape, providing swift and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
  5. Electric-Powered and Rechargeable:
    • The electric-powered aircraft can be swiftly recharged between flights, contributing to sustainability goals.
  6. Operational Commencement:
    • The air-taxi network is set to commence operations in 2026, marking a significant milestone in Dubai’s efforts to redefine urban mobility.

Q: What city is launching the world’s first air taxi service?

A) Singapore
B) Dubai
C) Tokyo
D) New York

Ans : B) Dubai

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Discovery of Ancient Stone Wall in Baltic Sea, Potentially Over 10,000 Years Old

  1. Discovery of Ancient Stone Wall:
    • Researchers have found a stone wall off the German coast in the Baltic Sea.
    • The wall is approximately 1 kilometer long.
    • It is situated around 10 kilometers from the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany.
    • Discovered at a depth of 21 meters in the Baltic Sea.
  2. Potential Age of the Structure:
    • The wall may be more than 10,000 years old.
    • If confirmed, it could be the oldest man-made structure in the Baltic Sea region.
  3. Characteristics of the Wall:
    • Comprises almost 1,700 stones, mostly tennis and football-sized.
    • Stones are generally under a meter in height.
  4. Geographical Change Over Time:
    • The area was flooded around 8,500 years ago, transforming it from dry land to underwater.
    • Before submersion, the location was likely dry land.
  5. Purpose of the Wall:
    • Researchers theorize that the wall was constructed for hunting purposes.
    • Specifically, it may have been built to trap Reindeer.
  6. Comparisons with Other Discoveries:
    • Similar constructions for Reindeer hunting have been found in Lake Michigan in the United States.
  7. Significance of Discovery:
    • The potential age and purpose of the stone wall make it a significant archaeological find in the Baltic Sea region.

Q: Where was the recently discovered ancient stone wall located?

  • A. Pacific Ocean
  • B. Baltic Sea
  • C. Mediterranean Sea
  • D. North Sea

Ans : B. Baltic Sea

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India International Jewellery Trade Show -IIJS 2024 in Mumbai

  1. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the India International Jewellery Trade Show – IIJS 2024 in Mumbai on January 4, 2024.
  2. Mr. Goyal emphasized that the combination of fashion and jewelry can position India as a sought-after wedding destination worldwide.
  3. Chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Mr. Vipul Shah, predicted the growth of India’s domestic gem and jewelry market from $44 billion to $134 billion by 2030.
  4. Nirav Bhansali, Convener-National Exhibitions, GJEPC, highlighted the integration of IIJS Signature 2024 Exhibition into the MSME Ministry’s ‘Procurement and Marketing Support’ initiative, providing a significant boost to micro and small enterprises in the industry.
  5. The 16th edition of the India International Jewellery Trade Show features 1,500 exhibitors, 3,000 stalls, and covers a vast 1.25 lakh square meters of exhibition area.
  6. The exhibition is held at JIO World Convention Centre, BKC from January 4th to 7th and at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon from January 5th to 8th.
  7. Over 32 thousand visitors are expected from 800 Indian cities and 60 countries during the event.

Q: Where is the 16th edition of the India International Jewellery Trade Show taking place?
a. Chennai
b. Pune
c. Mumbai
d. New Delhi

Ans : c. Mumbai

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President Droupadi Murmu presented the Lakshmipat Singhania – IIM Lucknow National Leadership Awards

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the Lakshmipat Singhania – IIM Lucknow National Leadership Awards in New Delhi on December 7.

The Lakshmipat Singhania – IIM Lucknow National Leadership Awards is an annual event that celebrates renowned leaders around 45 years of age. The awards honor the legacy and vision of Late Lakshmipat Singhania, a pioneering Indian industrialist, by annually acknowledging outstanding transformational leaders who have taken concrete steps to make our nation stronger.

Q: What is the main purpose of the Lakshmipat Singhania – IIM Lucknow National Leadership Awards?

a. To celebrate young leaders under 30 years old
b. To acknowledge leaders around 45 years of age
c. To honor leaders from various industries
d. To recognize leaders with international acclaim

Ans : b. To acknowledge leaders around 45 years of age

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Paul Lynch won the 2023 Booker Prize for his novel ‘Prophet Song.’

Irish writer Paul Lynch won the 2023 Booker Prize for his novel ‘Prophet Song.’ at a ceremony took place in London on November 26, 2023.

  • ‘Prophet Song’ presents a dystopian vision of Ireland under totalitarian rule.
  • Lynch aims to evoke radical empathy through his portrayal of a dystopian society.
  • The author, a 46-year-old who was previously the chief film critic of Ireland’s Sunday Tribune newspaper, emphasizes intense realism in his writing to help readers understand totalitarianism.

Q: Who won the 2023 Booker Prize for the novel ‘Prophet Song’?

a) Chetna Maroo
b) Paul Lynch
c) Chetan Bhagat
d) Arunditi Roy

Ans : b) Paul Lynch

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Dr. S.S. Badrinath, the founder of Sankara Nethralaya, passed away

Dr. S.S. Badrinath, the founder of Sankara Nethralaya, passed away in Chennai on November 21, 2023, at the age of 83 due to illness.

  1. Born on February 24, 1940, Dr. Badrinath graduated from Madras Medical College in 1962 and pursued post-graduation in the United States.
  2. After returning to India in 1970, he worked with the Voluntary Health Services in Adyar and performed a cataract surgery on his spiritual guru Chandrasekara Saraswathi Swamigal, who was closely associated with the Sankara Mutt.
  3. Dr. Badrinath founded Sankara Nethralaya as a unit of the Medical Research Foundation in 1978.
  4. He received the Padma Shri in 1983 and the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions to the field of medicine.
  5. The institution he founded, Sankara Nethralaya, has become an iconic symbol of the progress of modern medicine.

Q.: Who is the founder of Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai?

A. Dr Rupesh Shah
B. Dr Naresh Trehan
C. Dr. S.S. Badrinath
D. Dr Prathap C. Reddy

Ans : C. Dr. S.S. Badrinath

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Sheetal Mahajan becomes the first woman to skydive from 21,500 feet near Mount Everest

Shital Mahajan, a renowned Indian skydiver, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first woman in the world to jump off a helicopter from the height of 21,500 ft in front of Mt Everest on November 13, 2023. She landed at Kalapatthar peak, the highest altitude at 17,444 ft, marking the highest altitude skydiving landing accomplished by a woman.

Shital Mahajan, aged 41, holds several skydiving records and is a recipient of the Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award in 2001.

Q.: Who recently became the first woman in the world to jump off a helicopter from the height of 21,500 ft in front of Mt Everest?

a. Sonam Kapoor
b. Shital Mahajan
c. Swati Singh
d. Ankita Sharma

Ans : b. Shital Mahajan

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33rd Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for Asia and Pacific from November 13, 2023, in New Delhi

The 33rd Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific will commence on November 13, 2023, in New Delhi.

  1. Delegates from 36 member countries, including India, along with senior officers from regional and international organizations, and representatives from the private sector and private veterinary organizations, will be present at the conference.
  2. The conference will address the challenges posed by the pandemic and emphasize the crucial role of Veterinary Services in building resilience and capacity for future challenges.
  3. Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, will inaugurate the four-day conference.
  4. The decision to host the event in New Delhi was made during the 90th General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the WOAH in Paris in May of the same year.

Q.: Where will the 33rd Conference of the WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific take place?

  • A) Paris
  • B) New Delhi
  • C) Tokyo
  • D) Beijing

Ans : B) New Delhi

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Global Hunger Index (GHI) : India is ranked 111th out of 125 countries

In the 2023 GHI report, India is ranked 111th out of 125 countries with sufficient data. India’s GHI score is 28.7, indicating a serious level of hunger. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is an annual publication that measures and tracks hunger on a global, regional, and country level. The 2023 Global Hunger Index report was jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe in October 2023. Check full report

The Indian government has rejected the 2023 GHI report, labeling it as “flawed” and “erroneous.” The report highlights that India has the highest child wasting rate in the world, at 18.7%, reflecting acute undernutrition.

MCQ on Global Hunger Index (GHI)

Q.: What is the primary purpose of the Global Hunger Index (GHI)?

a) To track global economic growth
b) To measure and track hunger on a global scale
c) To promote agricultural development
d) To calculate global poverty rates

Ans : b) To measure and track hunger on a global scale

Q.: In the 2023 GHI report, what is India’s ranking among the countries with sufficient data?

a) 28th
b) 111th
c) 125th
) 202th

Ans : b) 111th

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World Food India 2023 : 3-5 November at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

World Food India, is scheduled to take place at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from November 3 to November 5, 2023. The event is organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India.

  1. Event Objectives: World Food India aims to showcase, connect, and collaborate in various aspects of the global food value chain, including retail, processing, technology transfer, manufacturing, and cold chain logistics.
  2. Participants: The event is expected to bring together manufacturers, producers, food processors, investors, policymakers, and organizations from across the global food ecosystem.
  3. Investment Opportunities: It provides a platform for Indian and foreign investors to establish partnerships and strengthen industry and farmer linkages.
  4. India’s Potential: India’s strategic geographic location, large workforce, and favorable business environment position it as a promising hub for the global food economy. India is the largest producer of various agricultural commodities and has a vast consumer base of over 1.4 billion people.
  5. Event Highlights: The event will feature exhibitions, sector-specific seminars, country and state sessions, and offer opportunities to network and collaborate with Indian and international businesses.
  6. Culinary Experience: Visitors can also enjoy a diverse gastronomic experience at the ‘Food Street’ within the event, showcasing the best of the domestic and global food industry.

Q.: Who is organizing the event “World Food India 2023 “?

A. United Nations
B. Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India
C. World Food Organization
D. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Answer: B. Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India

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