This is the current affairs of 15 & 16 December 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Which Indian climate activist protested during the COP 28 summit demanding stop using fossil fuels?
a. Tehseen
b. Licypriya Kangujam
c. Greta Thunberg
d. Russell Raymond
Answer: b. Licypriya Kangujam
– She is a 12-year-old climate activist from Manipur.
– Lissipriya Kangujam created a stir on December 11, 2023, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, which brought her into the limelight worldwide.
– Lissipriya was demanding to stop the use of fossil fuels to save the Earth.
– She expressed being “completely disappointed” with the inaction of global leaders on climate change and took this step spontaneously.
– She leaped onto the stage during a high-level meeting at the summit.
– During this time, she held a poster in her hand that read, “Stop the use of fossil fuels. Save our planet and future.”
– She kept shouting repeatedly on stage, “Leaders lie, people die… take action now.”
– She kept moving from one end of the stage to another for almost a minute.
– After climbing onto the stage, Kangujam gave a brief speech opposing the use of fossil fuels.
– Her speech was so impactful that attendees at COP-28, including the Director-General Majid Al Suwaidi, praised her, but later security personnel removed her from there.
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2. What was agreed upon regarding fossil fuels during the COP 28 summit?
a. Ban on use of fossil fuels
b. Reducing fossil fuel use
c. Ban on fossil fuel production till 2040
d. None of these
Answer: b. Reducing fossil fuel use
– During the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 held in Dubai, representatives from nearly 200 countries reached an agreement whereby the use of coal, oil, and gas for energy will be gradually reduced.
– However, prior to this, there was a demand to completely halt the use of fossil fuels, but no consensus could be reached among negotiators on stopping the use of fossil fuels.
– The host country, the United Arab Emirates, presented a proposal that did not include a decision to end the use of coal, oil, and gas. Instead, it appealed to member countries to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
– More than a hundred countries agreed to triple the world’s renewable energy by 2030.
– Essentially, the primary aim of COP28 was to steer the world back on track to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Clash over the Agreement:
– The initial proposal of the agreement dismayed many countries, and several nations became angry because they had expected the agreement to include a gradual phasing out of fossil fuels. However, the proposal suggested reducing the consumption of fossil fuels.
– Developing nations argue that imposing such steps collectively on all nations is unfair. This is because developed countries have already benefited significantly from the use of oil, gas, and coal.
– According to reports, members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) were part of the group of nations that opposed the global agreement to completely end the use of fossil fuels.
– Instead, oil-producing nations like the United Arab Emirates were advocating more emphasis on carbon capture technologies during the summit.
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3. Who became the first woman medical officer to be posted at the operational post in Siachen Glacier?
a. Captain Fatima Wasim
b. Captain Shiva Chauhan
c. Captain Shivangi Yadav
d. Captain Priya Jhingan
Answer: a. Captain Fatima Wasim
– She is the first female medical officer to be deployed at an operational post in the Siachen Glacier.
– She joins the ranks of the second medical officer to be posted at the Siachen Glacier.
– The Fire and Fury Corps made this announcement on December 12, 2023.
– Captain Fatima’s posting is at an altitude of 15,200 feet.
– An operational post refers to a location where the enemy is monitored, and the border is defended.
Who is the First Medical Officer?
– Captain Geetika Kaul (Deployment announced on December 5, 2023)
– She achieved this milestone after successfully completing rigorous induction training at the Siachen Battle School.
– The training included acclimatization to high altitudes, survival techniques, and specialized medical procedures.
– Captain Fatima Vasim, surpassing Captain Kaul, has now been deployed in an operational post.
About the Fire and Fury Corps:
– It is officially known as the 14th Corps.
– The corps is responsible for maintaining military deployment in Kargil-Leh, monitoring borders with China and Pakistan, and safeguarding the Siachen Glacier.
– Its headquarters are located in Leh.
– It was established in 1999.
Siachen Glacier:
– Situated in the eastern Karakoram Range of the Himalayas.
– Referred to as the world’s highest battlefield.
– Temperatures in this high-altitude region can plummet to -60 degrees Celsius during winters.
– Spread across approximately 78 km near the Line of Control (LoC).
– It borders Pakistan on one side and Aksai Chin (currently under Chinese control) on the other.
– The Siachen Glacier is the highest battlefield in the world, with snow visible in all directions.
Military Presence in Siachen Since 1984:
– Approximately 3,000 soldiers are deployed here throughout the year.
– Due to heavy snowfall, providing rations or any assistance becomes challenging.
India and Pakistan have had multiple conflicts in this region since 1984.
– In 1984, the Indian Army learned that the Pakistani army was attempting to capture this area. Consequently, on April 13, 1984, the Indian Army deployed its special Fire and Fury Corps to this region.
– The last instance of crossfire between Indian and Pakistani soldiers occurred here in 2003.
– On September 18, 2022, the Indian Army activated satellite broadband-based internet services on the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield.
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4. P.A. Ramachandran died on 1 December 2023. Who among the following was he?
a. Author
b. Engineer
c. Environmental Scientist
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (Author, Engineer & Environmental Scientist)
– He passed away on December 1, 2023, in a private hospital in Ernakulam, Kerala. He was 82 years old.
– He was originally from Thrissur but had settled in Kozhikode. (Both are cities in Kerala).
Significant Contributions:
– He made significant contributions to the development of several projects aimed at defining standards for environmental planning and conservation.
– During the years 1980-1981, he was a member of the WHO.
– He held prominent positions in various state and central government institutions.
Note: His family includes his wife, Leena Devi, and daughter, Anupama.
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5. When is International Migrants Day observed?
a. 23 December
b. 12 December
c. 18 December
d. 19 December
Answer: c. 18 December
– International Migrants Day is observed every year on December 18th.
– The United Nations agency, International Organization for Migration, commemorates this day.
– It is celebrated to encourage contributions to the development by migrants around the world.
– The first observance of this day took place in the year 1990.
International Organization for Migration:
– Establishment: December 6, 1951
– Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
– Director-General: António Vitorino
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6. Which Indian players were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame?
a. Vijay Amritraj
b. Leander Paes
c. Vijaypal Singh
d. Both a and b
Answer: d. Both a and b
– Both these players are the first Asian men to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
– With this achievement, India became the 28th country to be represented in it.
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7. BCCI retired the number seven (7) jersey in honor of which Indian cricketer?
a. Rahul Dravid
b. Sachin Tendulkar
c. Ajit Agarkar
d. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Answer: d. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
– The BCCI has taken this step in recognition of Dhoni’s great contributions to Indian cricket.
– This marks the retirement of the second jersey number in Indian cricket.
– Prior to this decision, the BCCI had also made a similar decision regarding Sachin Tendulkar’s number 10 jersey.
– The BCCI has informed all players that jersey numbers 7 and 10 are no longer available.
– Once a jersey is retired, no other player from the same team can use that number.
– Approximately 60 jersey numbers have been designated for regular Indian players.
– If a player is out of the team for a year, their number is not assigned to anyone else.
– Debutant players have the option to choose from numbers 30 for their jersey.
BCCI:
Chairman – Rajiv Binny
Secretary – Jay Shah
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8. The statue of which Tamil poet and philosopher was unveiled in France in December 2023?
a. Thiruvalluvar
b. Neminatha
c. Vishwakarma
d. Tiruvannamalai
Answer: a. Thiruvalluvar
– The unveiling of this statue in Sergi, France, took place on December 10, 2023.
– Thiruvalluvar is considered a great saint of South India, commonly known by the name Valluvar.
– He is also referred to as the Kabir of South India.
– Thiruvalluvar composed the ‘Tirukkural’ or ‘Kural’ in Sangam literature.
– He was born in the first century BCE.
– Thiruvalluvar was respected by followers of various faiths, including Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
– Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the installation of Thiruvalluvar’s statue during his trip to Paris in July 2023 for Bastille Day.
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9. The Defense Ministry approved the purchase of about 6400 rockets for which weapon system?
a. Corner Shot
b. Pinaka
c. Akash
d. Prithvi
Answer: b. Pinaka (Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher System)
– Approval of a total of 2800 crores was granted to purchase rockets.
– The Ministry of Defense granted this approval in December 2023.
– How many types of rockets?
– The Ministry of Defense approved the acquisition proposal of two types of rockets.
– These rockets are known as Area Denial Munition Type-2 and Type-3.
From which companies will the rockets be purchased?
– According to the Ministry of Defense, their purchase will be through indigenous sources.
– Two main contenders are Economic Explosive Limited of Solar Industries and Munitions India Limited.
– Both these companies are among the corporatized former ordnance factories that manufacture explosives.
– Apart from these, some private companies are involved in the project.
How many regiments of Pinaka MBRL are required?
– As part of the artillery modernization plan, the army requires 22 regiments of Pinaka MBRL.
– The Pinaka regiment includes Automated Gun Aiming, Positioning Systems, and launchers with Command Posts.
Who developed the Pinaka rocket?
– The rocket system was developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) based in Pune.
– This rocket system is a combination of various components.
– It includes multi-barrel rocket launchers, battery command posts, loaders, replacement vehicles, and MET radar.
– The entire rocket system, when combined, forms a battery, meaning it consists of so many components within a single battery.
PINAKA:
– It is an all-weather, indirect fire, free-flight artillery rocket system.
– The launcher can fire 12 rockets in just 44 seconds.
– This rocket system can target objectives up to 45 kilometers away.
– It is named after the bow of Lord Shiva, known as ‘Pinaka’.
– The Pinaka missile system was developed with the purpose of deployment along the borders of India and Pakistan.
– Its development began in the year 1980.
– Prior to that, Russia’s Grad system was used for rocket launching. This system, however, is still in possession of the military.
– In the 1980s, the development of the DRDO Pinaka rocket system began as an alternative.
– However, now the Pinaka rocket system will replace the Grad system.
Utilization during the Kargil War:
– Successful tests of the Pinaka Mark-1 were conducted towards the end of the 1990s.
– India successfully utilized the Pinaka system during the Kargil conflict. Subsequently, several regiments of Pinaka were formed.
– In a battery of the Pinaka system, there are six launch vehicles, along with a loader system, radar, link with the network system, and a command post.
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10. Name the winner of Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2023 for Peace, Disarmament and Development?
a. Daniel Barenboim
b. Ali Abu awwad
c. Rishi sunak
d. both a and b
Answer: d. both a and b (Pianist Daniel Barenboim and peace activist Ali Abu Awwad)
– Ali Abu Awwad is a distinguished peace activist.
– While Daniel Barenboim is a distinguished classical pianist.
– He has been selected for the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2023 for peace, disarmament and development.
Why the award is being given
– For his efforts to bring together youth and people of Israel and the Arab world for a non-violent solution to Israel-Palestine.
