Current Affairs Quiz - April 2025

Notes:
A recent faunal survey by the Forest Department recorded 63 new species of odonates, butterflies, and birds in Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is in Malappuram district, Kerala, covering 227.97 sq.km on the western slopes of the Nilgiri Hills. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme. Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary shares boundaries with Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu and Silent Valley National Park in Kerala. The name ‘Karimpuzha’ comes from the Karimpuzha River, a tributary of River Chaliyar. The terrain varies from 40 m to 2550 m, supporting rich biodiversity.

Notes:
In his Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of fitness and praised initiatives like the Fit India Carnival and International Yoga Day. The theme for Yoga Day 2025 is “Yoga for One Earth One Health,” aiming to promote global health through yoga. The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), under the Ministry of Ayush, is responsible for organizing activities for International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) launched a 100-day countdown to IDY2025 during the Yogamahotsav event at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on March 13, 2025.

Notes:
A year-long “Cleanliness Drive” named Hnatlangpui was launched in Aizawl, Mizoram. It is a joint effort by the Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation Department, Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC), and the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA). The initiative aims to keep Mizoram clean, with a focus on waste management in Aizawl through a “Comprehensive Plan for Municipal Waste Management.” A Monitoring Committee will oversee the campaign, chaired by the UD & PA Secretary. A ‘Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility’ will be set up for hospitals and healthcare centers. The campaign will run until March next year.

Notes:
The Saudagari block print from Jamalpur, Ahmedabad, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its unique craftsmanship. This traditional art is done by hand on fabric, showcasing intricate designs. Saudagari block prints are widely used in kurtis, chunris, kurtas, dhotis, turbans, and shawls. The Chhipa community, known for its expertise in printing, plays a key role in this craft. The GI tag recognizes Saudagari block printing as an important part of Gujarat’s cultural heritage, preserving its legacy and promoting artisans.

Notes:
A rare set of copper plates from the early 15th century, during the reign of Devaraya I of the Sangama Dynasty, was unveiled in Bengaluru. Falcon Coins Gallery collaborated with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to present these historical artifacts. The plates are inscribed in Sanskrit and Kannada using Nāgarī characters and were issued during the coronation of Devaraya I. Unlike the traditional Varaha insignia of the Vijayanagara Empire, the seal on these plates features Vamana. Dated to Saka 1328 (1406 CE), they confirm the coronation date of Devaraya I. The inscriptions detail the genealogy of the Sangama Dynasty, tracing lineage from Chandra, Yadu, and Sangama to rulers like Harihara, Kampa, Bukka, Mãrapa, and Muddapa.

Notes:
India recorded 4,515 child adoptions in the financial year 2024-25, the highest ever. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) added 8,598 newly identified children to the adoption pool. CARA was established in 1990 and functions as a statutory body under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. It operates under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. CARA is the nodal agency for adoption of Indian children and regulates both in-country and inter-country adoptions. It manages adoptions through the Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System (CARINGS).

Notes:
The indigenously developed Hansa-3 trainer aircraft has been approved for training aircrew to get pilot licences. It will now be manufactured in India by private industry. Hansa-3 is India’s first indigenous flying trainer aircraft. It was designed and developed by the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-NAL), Bangalore. It was built to meet the needs of Indian flying clubs. It is ideal for Commercial Pilot Licensing (CPL) because of its low cost, simple operation, and low fuel consumption.

Notes:
The Ministry of Finance is launching the One State-One Regional Rural Bank (RRB) policy to improve efficiency and cut costs by reducing RRBs from 43 to 28. This is part of the fourth phase of RRB consolidation, with 15 RRBs set to be merged across several states. Andhra Pradesh, with four RRBs, will see major restructuring, while Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, each with three RRBs, will also undergo consolidation. States like Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan, each having two RRBs, will see mergers. RRBs were created under the Regional Rural Bank Act, 1976 to support rural credit for farmers, artisans, and workers.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with the “Key of Honour” and made an honorary citizen of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on 7 April 2025. The award was presented by Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, at the historic Câmara Municipal de Lisboa. This honour marks deepening ties between India and Portugal and acknowledges her role in promoting global friendship. President Murmu is on a two-nation official visit to Portugal and Slovakia from 7 to 10 April 2025.

Notes:
World Homeopathy Day, observed on April 10, marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. The day honors homeopathy’s contributions to medicine and raises awareness about this alternative healing system. Homeopathy is based on the principle of “like cures like,” using highly diluted natural substances to stimulate the body’s healing abilities. In India, the Ministry of AYUSH observes the day to promote awareness and research in homeopathy. World Homeopathy Day emphasizes homeopathy’s natural healing methods, minimal side effects, and its integration into mainstream healthcare.