In Current Affairs for 16 December 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 16 December 2024
Padma Bhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain Passes Away
- Padma Bhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla player, passed away at the age of 73 in a US hospital due to heart-related problems. His music and legacy will continue to inspire generations.
- Born in Mumbai in 1951, Zakir Hussain was the son of tabla legend Ustad Allah Rakha. From a young age, he showed extraordinary talent and started performing at just seven years old. Trained rigorously by his father, he became a master of the tabla, known for his passion and skill.
- Zakir Hussain elevated the tabla from being just an accompanying instrument to a powerful solo instrument. His technical brilliance and emotional playing redefined the way the world sees Indian classical music. He worked with famous musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, leaving a lasting mark on Indian music.
- In 1970, Zakir Hussain co-founded Shakti, a music group blending Indian classical music and jazz. He worked with artists like John McLaughlin, George Harrison, and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. His group Planet Drum even won a Grammy Award, proving his talent for bringing different musical styles together.
- Zakir Hussain also composed music for films like Heat and Dust and In Custody. He worked on international ballet and orchestra projects, taking Indian music to new audiences worldwide.
- Awards and Honors
- Zakir Hussain received many prestigious awards, including:
- Padma Bhushan (2002) and Padma Shri (1988).
- A Grammy Award for his project Planet Drum.
- Honorary doctorates for his contributions to music.
Govt Unveils ‘Jalvahak’
- Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, unveiled the cargo promotion scheme ‘Jalvahak’ for boosting cargo movement on three national waterways.
- Jalvahak is aimed at incentivising the movement of long-haul cargo via national waterways on the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers. The cargo promotion scheme provides a direct incentive to the cargo owners to transport their goods via inland waterways for a distance of more than 300 km.
- Mr Sonowal also flagged off 3 cargo ships with two dumb barges from the GR Jetty in Kolkata today. It marks the beginning of the fixed scheduled service of cargo vessels from Haldia for National Waterways (NW) 1 and 2.
- The minister said the government has made a concerted effort to realise the tremendous potential of India’s rich network of inland waterways.
- He added that, with its advantage of being an economical, ecologically sound, and efficient mode of transportation, the government wants to boost waterways cargo movement. He said it will also decongest the railways and roadways.
- India has an extensive network of inland waterways comprising rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks. Of the total navigable length of 20,236 km, 17,980 km consists of rivers, and 2,256 km is made up of canals, both suitable for the mechanised craft.
‘Rajmarg Saathi’
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has planned to deploy new Route Patrolling Vehicles named ‘Rajmarg Saathi’ on the highways to enhance road safety and strengthen highway patrolling.
- These vehicles are equipped with advanced communication and safety tools and will be useful in minimizing traffic disruptions and improving road safety. The onboard ‘AI video analytics’ equipped camera will capture and identify cracks & potholes as well as other elements including vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, and other infrastructure assets.
Indo-Sri Lanka Partnership
- President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake has arrived New Delhi this evening on a three-day visit to India. He was received by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan at Delhi airport.
- This is the first bilateral visit of President Dissanayake to India after the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that he had productive discussions with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
- In a social media post, President Dissanayake said, their conversations focused on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, enhancing investment opportunities, fostering regional security, and advancing key sectors such as tourism and energy.
- Sri Lankan President said, these engagements reaffirm the commitment to deepening the partnership between our two nations, he added. Sri Lanka is India’s closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and holds a central place in the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
Bangladesh Set To Celebrate Victory Day
- Bangladesh is set to celebrate the Victory Day, the most precious day of the Bangladeshis, on December 16 as the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on that day in 1971 after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation.
- To commemorate the Liberation War of 1971, India and Bangladesh invite each other’s War Veterans and serving officers to participate annually in each other’s Victory Day celebrations, said the High Commission of India in Bangladesh through an official facebook post.
- On the 53th anniversary of the Liberation War, eight valiant Muktijoddhas and two serving officers of Bangladesh Armed Forces departed for India on Sunday to participate in Vijay Diwas celebrations at Kolkata.
- Similarly, eight Indian War Veterans and two serving officers of Indian Armed Forces reached Dhaka to participate in Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrations, said the High Commission.
- These bilateral visits provide a platform for Bangladesh Muktijoddhas and Indian War Veterans to celebrate the unique friendship of the two countries and to renew memories of the Liberation War.
- This memory epitomises the shared sacrifices of the armed forces of India and Bangladesh for the cause of Bangladesh’s freedom from occupation, oppression and mass atrocities, said the High Commission.
- On this day in 1971, the Pakistani armed forces led by General A A K Niazi had surrendered before the Indian army and the Mukti-Bahini liberation force of Bangladesh with over 90,000 of his troops.
Britain Becomes First European Nation To Join CPTPP
- Britain became the first European nation to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), becoming the 12th member.
- The bloc comprises Canada and Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
- The UK, following its 2016 Brexit referendum, is attempting to establish new trade deals abroad after signing the accession treaty with most EU members.
- Established in 2018, the bloc safeguards against Chinese hegemony in the region, providing British companies access to a market of over 500 million people, contributing over 15% of the world’s GDP.
Embassy Of Moldova
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, Mihail Popsoi, jointly inaugurated the Embassy of Moldova in New Delhi.
- Dr. Jaishankar said the establishment of this embassy marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the two nations. He said, This is a reflection of India’s growing engagement with the world. Dr. Jaishankar said this embassy will become a beacon of friendship.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Impeached
- In South Korea, parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law declaration earlier this month. The motion was passed in the National Assembly with a 204-85 vote.
- After this impeachment by parliament, President Yoon’s powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate or remove him from office.
- According to media reports, during this time, President Yoon, who is under criminal investigation for alleged treason and has been banned from leaving the country, will be placed on leave until the court delivers its verdict. If he is removed by the court, an election to replace him must be held within 60 days.
- If upheld by the court, Yoon would become the second president in South Korea’s history to be removed from office through impeachment, after former President Park Geun-hye in 2017.
- The vote came a week after a previous attempt to remove President Yoon over the martial law debacle foundered. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo who will serve as acting president under South Korean law, told reporters that he would devote all his strength and effort to stable operation of state affairs.
- Acting chief justice of the Constitutional Court, Moon Hyung-bae, said in a statement today that a meeting will take place to discuss the case schedule, adding that the process will be conducted swiftly and fairly.
Geoscience Museum In Madhya Pradesh
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the Geoscience Museum at the Victoria Market Building in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. This state-of-the-art museum is set to become a hub for geoscience education and public engagement.
- The GSI Geoscience Museum represents a unique initiative by the Geological Survey of India to showcase the wonders of Earth sciences, while promoting scientific temperament and knowledge-sharing among the public.
- The Vice President also unveiled the statue of Maharaja Shrimant Jiwajirao Scindia at Jiwaji University. On this occasion, Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with other dignitaries were presenT
Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024
- In Hockey, India won the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 championship in Muscat, Oman last night. In the title clash, the Indian team defeated China 3-2 in a penalty shootout to successfully defend its title.
- Indian goalkeeper Nidhi made three crucial saves during the penalty shootout, while Sakshi Rana, Ishika and Sunelita Toppo scored for India in the shootout. Earlier, Jinzhuang Tan scored the opening goal for China with Kanika Siwach equalised in the third quarter for India.
- India won their maiden Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup title last year by defeating the Republic of Korea.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024
- In Domestic Cricket, Mumbai has won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. In the final match last night, Mumbai registered a five-wicket victory over Madhya Pradesh at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
- For Madhya Pradesh, Rajat Patidar remained the top-scorer with 81 runs. Suryansh Shedge won the Player of the Match award in the final for his overall performance, while Mumbai’s Ajinkya Rahane was named the man of the series. It was Mumbai’s second title win. In 2022, Mumbai clinched its maiden title against Himachal Pradesh.
Current Affairs 16 December 2024 Question
- First European Nation To Join CPTPP
A. Austria
B. Bulgaria
C. Sweden
D. Britain
ANSWER: D - Who Won Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Mumbai
D. Gujrat
ANSWER: C - Which State Government Has Launched Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Gujarat
C. Punjab
D. Odisha
ANSWER: A - Which Ministry Organized The India Maritime Heritage Conclave 2024
A. Ministry of Tourism
B. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
C. Ministry of Defence
D. Ministry of Urban Development
ANSWER: B - Yuva Sahakar Scheme Has Been Implemented By Which Organization
A. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
B. Ministry of Agriculture
C. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
D. National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
ANSWER: D - Which Organization Has Launched A Quantum Computing Chip Called Willow
A. Meta
B. Google
C. Microsoft
D. Amazon
ANSWER: B - Guruvayur Temple, Is Located In Which State
A. Karnataka
B. Kerala
C. Maharashtra
D. Odisha
ANSWER: B - Name Of The Chatbot Launched By PM To Assist Devotees During Mahakumbh
Mela 2025
A. Prayagraj Bot
B. Kumbh Sahayak
C. MelaBot
D. Sangam
ANSWER: B - 22nd Divya Kala Mela Was Organized In Which City
A. Jaipur
B. New Delhi
C. Indore
D. Kolkata
ANSWER: B - D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary Is Located In Which State
A. West Bengal
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Sikkim
D. Meghalaya
ANSWER: B - When Is The ‘International Day Of Neutrality’ Observed
A. December 11
B. December 12
C. December 13
D. December 14
ANSWER: B - Chakki River, Is Tributary Of Which River
A. Godavari
B. Narmada
C. Beas
D. Yamuna
ANSWER: C - Who Has Been Named TIME Magazine Person Of The Year 2024
A. Benjamin Netanyahu
B. Narendra Modi
C. Donald Trump
D. Cristiano Ronaldo
ANSWER: C - Who Has Become World Champion At FIDE World Chess Championship 2024
A. Arjun Erigaisi
B. D Gukesh
C. Magnus Carlsen
D. Ding Liren
ANSWER: B - Elon Musk Surpassed How Much Net Worth Till December, 2024
A. 300 Billion Dollar
B. 450 Billion Dollar
C. 200 Billion Dollar
D. 400 Billion Dollar
ANSWER: D - What Prestigious Honorary Rank Was Given To Nepal’s Army Chief, General
Ashok Raj Sigdel
A. Field Marshal Of The Indian Army
B. General Of The Indian Army
C. Admiral Of The Indian Navy
D. Chief Of Staff Of The Indian Army
ANSWER: B - Theme Of The 10th World Ayurveda Congress
A. Ayurveda and Modern Medicine
B. Ayurveda in Global Healthcare
C. Digital Health: An Ayurveda Perspective
D. Ayurveda and Yoga Integration
ANSWER: C - Target Year For India To Establish Its Own Space Station, Bharat Antariksha
Station
A. 2030
B. 2035
C. 2040
D. 2050
ANSWER: B - Which Of The Following Rivers Are Associated With The Kumbh Mela
A. Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kaveri
B. Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kshipra, Godavari
C. Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari
D. Ganga, Saraswati, Kshipra, Chambal
ANSWER: B - Drainage Basin Of Gingee River Forms A Part Of Which Of Following In India
A. Daman
B. Diu
C. Puducherry
D. Goa
ANSWER: C
