Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 13, 2024

Notes:
Violence erupted in Uttarakhand as a mosque and madrasa on Nazool land were demolished. Nazool land, owned by the government, is leased for 15-99 years and used for public purposes. Originating from British rule, it was confiscated from opposing kings and royals, marked as Nazool land. Governed by The Nazool Lands (Transfer) Rules, 1956, it’s often utilized for schools, hospitals, and housing societies. The government can renew or cancel leases, leading to recent conflicts in Uttarakhand.

Notes:
Six forest authorities were suspended for negligence in curbing teak smuggling in Kawal Tiger Reserve, located in the north-eastern part of Telangana. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2012, it lies at the southern tip of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape, with diverse habitats, including dense forests and water bodies. The reserve, a catchment for Godavari and Kadam rivers, is vital for its rich flora, including extensive teak and bamboo, hosting 673 plant species.

Notes:
The former Vice-President of India and Union Minister for Culture will inaugurate the ‘Dakshin Bharat Sanskritik Kendra’ in Hyderabad, part of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama. Established in 1953, it aims to preserve and promote India’s diverse cultural heritage. The Akademi operates autonomously under the Ministry of Culture, with a Chairman appointed by the President for a five-year term. Fully funded by the government, it coordinates regional Akademies, promotes research, and encourages collaboration for the enrichment of Indian culture.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, inaugurated Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, and RuPay card services in Mauritius via video conferencing. Mr. Jugnauth announced the co-branded RuPay card as Mauritius’ domestic card. This initiative aims to enhance economic ties and connectivity between the countries, providing convenience to their citizens. Sri Lankan President congratulated Modi on the consecration of Shri Ram Mandir and highlighted longstanding economic relations.

Notes:
An Alaskan man recently became the first to die from Alaskapox, an orthopox virus discovered in 2015. It is DNA virus belonging to the same genus as smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox, it primarily affects small mammals. Symptoms include skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle pain, with mild illnesses usually resolving in a few weeks. While human-to-human transmission hasn’t been observed, orthopoxviruses can spread through direct contact with lesions. Immunocompromised individuals may face a higher risk of severe illness.