Current Affairs One - Liner : 15th November 2024

• National:
• Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the Shilp Samagam Mela 2024 and launched the TULIP brand on November 5, 2024, at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. The mela promotes traditional handicrafts and artisan economic empowerment, while TULIP provides artisans with a digital platform for global exposure and sales.

• The annual Jhiri Mela began on November 14, 2024, in Jhiri village, Jammu and Kashmir. This ten-day fair, held on Kartik Purnima, honors the folk hero Bawa Jitto. The event features cultural performances, traditional markets, and religious rituals.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Bodoland Mahotsav on November 15, 2024, in New Delhi. This two-day cultural event celebrates the Bodo community's rich heritage, language, and literature. It also showcases the progress made in the Bodoland region following the Bodo Peace Accord of 2020.
• Guru Nanak Jayanti was celebrated on November 15, 2024. This day marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. It is celebrated with prayers, hymns, and community services by Sikhs worldwide. The celebrations include devotional music, processions, and sharing traditional food.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared areas under six police stations in Manipur as "disturbed areas" on November 14, 2024. This includes Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang, bringing them under AFSPA until March 31, 2025 due to ongoing ethnic violence.
• Banking:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended the deadline for banks and ATM operators to implement the cassette swap mechanism for cash replenishment in ATMs to March 31, 2025. This extension follows multiple missed deadlines. Cash recycler machines (CRMs) are exempted if banks do not use outsourced agencies for cash replenishment.
• The World Bank approved a USD 200 million loan for the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization (KERA) Project on November 5, 2024. The project aims to help 400,000 farmers in Kerala adapt to climate change and promote agri-entrepreneurs to market value-added products.
• Reliance Industries and Walt Disney successfully merged their Indian media assets on November 14, 2024. The joint venture, valued at Rs 70,352 crore (USD 8.5 billion), will be led by Nita Ambani and Uday Shankar. It combines Viacom18, JioCinema, and Star India, aiming to be a major player in India's media and entertainment industry.
• Economy:
• The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation for October 2024 increased to 2.36% annually. This rise was driven by a 13.54% increase in food prices, especially vegetables, with a 63.04% inflation rate. The fuel and power category experienced a deflation of 5.79%.
• India's industrial output increased by 3.1% in September 2024, as reported by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on November 12, 2024. The growth was driven by a 3.9% increase in manufacturing, with mining and electricity sectors growing by 0.2% and 0.5% respectively.
• Committees:
• Secretary Sumita Dawra chaired the 20th meeting of the ESIC Sub-Committee on AYUSH on November 15, 2024. The sub-committee, consisting of representatives from ESIC, Ministry of Labour and Employment, and AYUSH Ministry, aims to integrate AYUSH services into ESIC's healthcare framework for holistic and affordable care.
• Science & Technology:
• Japan successfully launched its flagship H3 rocket on November 4, 2024, from the Tanegashima Space Center. It carried the Kirameki No. 3 defense satellite, aimed at enhancing military communication capabilities. This launch is a significant step for Japan amid regional tensions.
• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed an eco-friendly bio-derived foam made from non-edible oils and tea leaf extracts. This foam can biodegrade within hours when exposed to eco-friendly solvents.
• A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 55 satellites into orbit on November 5, 2024, from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. Among these were two privately built Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod. This event highlights space cooperation between Russia and Iran.
• Sports:
• New Zealand's veteran pacer Tim Southee announced his retirement from Test cricket on November 15, 2024. His final match will be against England at Seddon Park in December 2024.
• Seamer Arshdeep Singh became India's second-highest wicket-taker in men's T20Is on November 14, 2024. During the third T20I match against South Africa, he surpassed Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
• Important Days:
• Jharkhand Foundation Day is celebrated on November 15, marking the formation of Jharkhand as India's 28th state in 2000. This day coincides with Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, honoring tribal contributions and the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The theme for 2024 is "Jharkhand: The Land of Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage".
• Appointments:
• VD Chafekar, formerly of the Indian Coast Guard, was appointed as the 7th Executive Director of ReCAAP ISC in Singapore. His term will run from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. The appointment was announced on November 6, 2024. This highlights India's commitment to regional maritime security and cooperation.
• Awards & Honours:
• Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) won three prestigious Gold Awards at the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC-2024) held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from November 11-14, 2024. The awards recognized the innovative case studies presented by RINL's Lean Quality Circle teams: ARMOR, TARANGINI, and SADHANA.
• Books:
• Dr. Ashwin Fernandes authored the book "MODIALOGUE: Conversations for a Viksit Bharat." This book explores Prime Minister Narendra Modi's communication strategies through his Mann Ki Baat radio program.

Questions:

1 Who is the author of the book "MODIALOGUE: Conversations for a Viksit Bharat"?

• A) Dr. Ashwin Fernandes
• B) Dr. Ramesh Kumar
• C) Dr. Suresh Patel
• D) Dr. Anil Sharma

Answer: A) Dr. Ashwin Fernandes authored the book, which delves into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's communication strategies through his Mann Ki Baat radio program.

2 What was the percentage growth of India's industrial output in September 2024, as reported by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)?

• A) 2.9%
• B) 3.1%
• C) 3.5%
• D) 4.0%

Answer: B) According to Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), India's industrial output increased by 3.1% in September 2024.