Current Affairs Quiz - February 2022

Notes:
A molecule developed by researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland named ‘TriSb92’can inactivate the coronavirus spike protein and offers short-term protection against the virus.
In contrast to vaccine protection, the effect of TriSb92 begins immediately after its administration. It protects against coronavirus infection for at least eight hours. In virus studies, TriSb92 was able to prevent even the spread of SARS. The product is nasally administered through sprays.

Notes:
Department of Fertilizers has sought comments from all stakeholders on the draft Integrated Plant Nutrition Management Bill, 2022.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has proposed a law that empowers it to fix the maximum selling price of fertilisers and control its quality as well as distribution.

Notes:
“Pasuvula Panduga” (Cattle Festival) is a famous event held in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. From New Year till Ugadi (Telugu New Year) thousands of villagers take part in the “Pasuvula Panduga” in over 20 villages across the region.
It is also known as Mylara Panduga, where the bull is released into the set tracks in batches. It is similar to a running race and prizes would be given based on their performance. This is not similar to the Jallikattu festival of Tamil Nadu.

Notes:
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Mumbai an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology conducted a study on Greater Maldive Ridge (GMR). It is located in the western Indian Ocean.
The researchers claimed that the GMR may have an oceanic crust underneath. The results from their study can help in understanding the plate-tectonic evolution of the Indian Ocean.

Notes:
The Ministry of Education has approved the scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for continuation till 2026. The total expenditure of Rs 12,929.16 crore out of which the central share is Rs 8,120.97 crores.
RUSA is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for funding the state government universities and colleges. Under the new phase, state governments will be supported for gender inclusion, equity initiatives, ICT, enhancing employability through vocationalisation and skill upgradation.

Notes:
State-owned hydro power giant NHPC has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary for clean energy business, including green hydrogen.
The name of the new company is ‘NHPC Renewable Energy Ltd’, as per BSE filing. The government is focussing on renewable energy and target of 500 GW of clean energy by 2030.

Notes:
Bihar’s Sakibul Gani became the first player in the history of the game to score a triple century on his first-class debut.
He scored 341 off 405 balls, hitting 56 fours and two sixes, in the Plate Group Ranji Trophy fixture against Mizoram in Kolkata.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, under the ‘Garbage Free Cities’ vision has approved “legacy dump site remediation” proposal amounting Rs 235 crore to the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Government of India’s share in this would be Rs.77.66 crore.
This is considered to be the Ministry’s largest one-time approval of funds for legacy dumpsite remediation.

Notes:
As per a recent study, Moths are vital to pollination in the Himalayan ecosystem of northeast India. The study highlights 91 species of moths as potential pollinators of 21 plant families in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Diurnal are Day-Active Pollinators including bees and butterflies while nocturnal pollinators are active during the nights like moths and bats. Majority of the pollination-related studies are based on diurnal pollinators, so far.

Notes:
‘International Mother Language Day’ is being observed across the world on February 21 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
The day was recognised by UNESCO in 1999, on the initiative of Bangladesh and has been observed globally since 2000. The theme of the 2022 International Mother Language Day is “Using technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and opportunities”.