Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Surat Airport in Gujarat has achieved ‘International Airport’ status, per the Indian government’s recent announcement. The move, aimed at facilitating global travel and boosting import-export activities for the diamond and textile industries, is set to unlock economic potential. The elevation to international status is anticipated to drive economic growth, attract foreign investment, and bolster diplomatic ties. Surat’s enhanced role in passenger and cargo operations is seen as a key driver for regional development and prosperity.

Notes:
The budget allocation for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 in 2023-24 is ₹25,449 crore, which is a 6%, increase from the revised estimates of ₹23,913 crore for 2022-23. In 2024, the budget estimate is ₹20,554 crore, which is 1.4% higher than the revised allocation of ₹20,263 crore for 2023. Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a part of the Mission Poshan 2.0, which was launched in February 2021 by Finance Minister. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is responsible for implementing this scheme.

Notes:
The 2024-25 government budget is projected at Rs 47, 65,768 crore (47.66 lakh crore), indicating a 6% rise from the revised 2023-24 estimate. Anticipated growth includes a 3.2% increase in revenue expenditure and a significant 16.9% surge in capital expenditure, reflecting fiscal priorities and economic strategies for the upcoming year.

Notes:
The Subika painting style, intricately linked to Meitei cultural history, faces near extinction due to neglect. Its survival depends on six manuscripts—Subika, Subika Achouba, Subika Laishaba, Subika Choudit, Subika Cheithil, and Thengrakhel Subika. Subika Laishaba is a vital continuation of Meitei tradition through visual images. Despite Manipur’s historical significance, Subika paintings, estimated to date back to the 18th or 19th century, highlight a decline in visual arts, emphasizing the need for preservation efforts.

Notes:
Telangana police conducted Operation Smile-X, rescuing 3,479 child labourers state-wide. Cyberabad police alone saved 718 children, reuniting 526 with parents. 329 were from the state, 389 from other states. Of the rescued, 640 were from child labour, and one was a reported missing child. Throughout the operation, 2,947 children were reunited with parents, involving 676 police personnel working in teams coordinated with various departments and NGOs. The operation resulted in 254 registered cases in the Cyberabad Commissionerate.

Notes:
India’s “Vyommitra,” a female robot astronaut, will precede the Gaganyaan mission, marking India’s inaugural human space flight. Set for a third-quarter launch in 2024, Vyommitra simulates human functions in space, monitoring parameters, issuing alerts, and executing life support operations. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed these details, emphasizing Vyommitra’s capabilities. Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2025, aims to launch Indian astronauts into orbit, demonstrating human space capabilities. The successful TV D1 test in October 2023 validated crucial systems for Gaganyaan, assuring readiness for the manned mission.

Notes:
The Geological Institute of Israel discovered an unknown underwater canyon near Cyprus dating back to the Messinian Event, also known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC). Lasting from approximately 6 to 5.3 million years ago, MSC occurred when the connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea was cut off, leading to a severe drying up of the Mediterranean. The resulting large canyon, deeper than the Grand Canyon, formed as water evaporated, leaving behind salt deposits and causing a deadly increase in salinity. The MSC concluded with the Zanclean flood, restoring the connection with the Atlantic.

Notes:
Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, kicked off the “Dhami against drugs campaign,”. Spanning February 5 to 10, the initiative signifies the state’s determination to combat drug abuse and establish a drug-free society by 2025. The launch featured the unveiling of campaign merchandise, reinforcing the government’s dedication. Chief Minister Dhami’s active involvement emphasizes the campaign’s importance in addressing this pressing social concern.

Notes:
Chile mourns the loss of former President Sebastian Pinera, who died at 74 in a helicopter crash on February 6th. A key figure in Chilean politics, Pinera served two terms from 2010 to 2014 and 2018 to 2022, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the nation’s democracy. As the first conservative leader after a military dictatorship, his leadership brought significant governance improvements, enhancing the quality of life for Chileans in various aspects.

Notes:
The Ministry of Tourism has added Ajanta and Ellora caves in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to its Swadesh Darshan Scheme II. Located in Maharashtra, these UNESCO World Heritage sites boast 29 Ajanta and 34 Ellora caves, showcasing ancient rock-cut marvels from 2nd century BC to 11th century AD. Ajanta, predominantly Buddhist, served as a retreat, while Ellora displays a mix of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist structures. The Kailash Temple in Ellora, a monolithic marvel, took 18 years to carve and is designated as a UNESCO site.