Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 27, 2024

Notes:
The 5th edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ began at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan, India, lasting from February 25 to March 9, 2024. It involves the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, emphasizing joint tactical maneuvers in a simulated semi-urban setting. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen military cooperation, aligning with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

Notes:
Attukal Pongala, the world’s largest women’s congregation festival, extends globally with devotees observing rituals in the US and the UK. It is celebrated annually at Kerala’s Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, the event spans 10 days, starting on the Karthigai star of the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham. On the 9th day, the Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam occurs, featuring the ritualistic preparation and offering of a sweet payasam to the Goddess Bhagavathy, signifying the festival’s cultural and religious significance.

Notes:
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Bihar Startup Fund Trust (BSFT) signed an agreement to manage the Bihar Startup Scale-up Financing Fund (BSSFF). The agreement was signed by Pankaj Dixit, the Director of the Department of Industries for the Government of Bihar, and Arijit Dutt, the General Manager of SIDBI. The agreement aims to create a favorable environment for startups and turn Bihar into a startup hub. The collaboration will manage the fund as a Fund of Funds model. This means that the fund will contribute to SEBI registered Alternative Investment Funds, which will then invest in startups.

Notes:
SECI has successfully commissioned India’s largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Chhattisgarh, funded by the World Bank and Clean Technology Fund. The project utilizes battery storage to store solar energy for peak demand in the evening. It incorporates bifacial solar panels capturing direct and reflected light, increasing electricity generation. This innovation is estimated to save tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, marking a significant milestone in sustainable energy solutions.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu has established a special fund to conserve the Purple Frog, considered a ‘living fossil’ coexisting with dinosaurs. Acknowledged globally as one of the rarest frogs, it belongs to the Sooglossidae family and spends most of its life underground, emerging only during the monsoon for mating. With a distinct appearance, short hind legs, and preference for specific Western Ghats habitats, the Purple Frog is listed as Near Threatened by IUCN and under Schedule I of WPA, highlighting its conservation significance.