Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2023

Notes:
The Pragyan rover of the Chandrayaan 3 mission, is embedded within the Vikram lander. After the soft landing of the Vikram lander, the Pragyan rover has begun its investigation begun its investigative.
The mission cycle is 14 days, equivalent to one lunar day and the Pragyan will embark on a series of pioneering experiments designed conduct experiments like analysing the Moon’s chemical composition, scrutinizing its soil and rocks etc.

Notes:
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur has announced that the Khelo India Women’s League will officially be known as Asmita Women’s League.
ASMITA refers to ‘Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action’. The Asmita Portal serves as a comprehensive resource, offering insights into upcoming leagues among other features.

Notes:
The first Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Samoa was held in Apia (capital city of Samoa) recently.
Both sides discussed their wide range of bilateral relations including their development partnership covering areas such as health, ICT, education, SME and capacity building. Samoa will host the next CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) on 21 October 2024.

Notes:
Bihar government has planned to develop the seven-kilometer stretch from Digha to Gandhi Maidan as the Patna Marine Drive.
More than one lakh trees will be planted to develop greenery in the area. Around 90 per cent of the seven-kilometer stretch is slated for the creation of a ‘green area,’ with the remaining 10 per cent reserved for essential amenities.

Notes:
The hogfish is a species of wrasse, native to the Western Atlantic Ocean, living in a range from Nova Scotia, Canada, to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico.
A new study has suggested that hogfish don’t just see with their eyes, they also see with their skin. Hogfish known for its colour-changing skin, can morph from white to mottled to reddish-brown in a matter of milliseconds to blend in with corals, sand or rocks. They have light-sensing skin or skin vision, which helps them to see surroundings.

Notes:
The five-member BRICS invited six more countries to join the alliance, to strengthen its claim of being a ‘voice of the Global South’, while raising concerns about China’s increasing dominance on the other.
BRICS consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In its ongoing summit at Johannesburg, South Africa, it has invited Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Their membership will begin in January.

Notes:
The revenue expenditure, or spending on social welfare schemes, by the top 11 Indian states, is expected to touch a decadal high of Rs. 4 lakh crores, according to a report by CRISIL.
The top 11 states analysed for this study were Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.

Notes:
‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ was adjudged Best Feature Film at the 69th National Film Awards. Best Actor award went to Allu Arjun while Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon share Best Actress award.
‘RRR’ won six awards including Best Music Direction, Best Special Effects, Best Choreography, Best Action Direction/Stunt Choreography, Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and Best Male Playback Singer.

Notes:
The G20 Pandemic Fund has granted USD 25 million to India’s animal husbandry and dairying department to aid pandemic preparedness and response.
According to the Ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry & dairying, this funding will improve India’s animal health system, a crucial part of the One Health approach for pandemic prevention.

Notes:
Indore has been adjudged the best Smart City while Madhya Pradesh has been chosen as the top State for exemplary performance in the Smart Cities Mission.
Surat and Agra are the second and third-place winners among cities, while Tamil Nadu is the second in the State category. It is followed by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC), 2022.