Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Shumang Leela, a traditional Manipuri theatre form, faces challenges due to ethnic violence, impacting its artists and jeopardizing the state’s cultural richness. Originating as a comic genre for royalty, it has evolved into a powerful medium for mass education and entertainment. In this unique theatre, male actors portray female roles (Nupi Shabis), and transgender actors take on female characters. The plays aim to educate the public on social, political, and economic issues, with two types – Nupa Shumang Leela (performed only by men) and Nupi Shumang Leela (performed only by women).

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL). The restrictions will come into effect on February 29, 2024. The RBI has ordered PPBL to stop accepting fresh deposits in its accounts or wallets after February 29, 2024. The RBI has also ordered PPBL to halt deposits and credit transactions after February 29, 2024. Customers will face restrictions on deposits, credit transactions, and top-ups. Certain services, including fund transfers and UPI facilities, will be discontinued. The RBI’s action against PPBL follows a comprehensive system audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of external auditors.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is launching the Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign from February 5 to 15 to eradicate filariasis. This initiative covers 17 districts and involves door-to-door visits by health workers to administer preventive medication, excluding specific demographics. The Chief Minister emphasizes active public participation, warns of filariasis symptoms, and advocates preventive medicine intake. The government is committed to eliminating filariasis by 2027, providing training for patient management, and involving Community Health Officers in the mission.

Notes:
An international team of astronomers recently observed AT 2023clx, the nearest Tidal Disruption Event (TDE) to Earth. TDEs happen when a star comes too close to a supermassive black hole, torn apart by tidal forces. The resulting debris falls onto the black hole, emitting radiation that indicates a TDE’s occurrence. This international team’s multi-wavelength observations enhance our understanding of these celestial events.

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The Indian Navy commissioned its latest survey vessel, INS Sandhayak, in Vizag, the first in a series of four Survey Vessels (Large). Constructed at GRSE, Kolkata, its primary purpose is hydrographic surveys for port approaches and navigational routes. The vessel covers the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf, gathering oceanographic data. With limited defence capabilities, it can serve as a hospital ship. Equipped with advanced tools, INS Sandhayak, measuring 110m, displacing 3400 tons, and powered by two diesel engines, emphasizes indigenous content and multifunctional capabilities.

Notes:
The Karnataka Government recently suspended five officers for negligence in implementing the Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme. Launched in 2009-10, IEDSS replaces the Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC). The scheme aims to provide inclusive and enabling secondary education for students with disabilities after eight years of elementary schooling. It covers various disabilities and prioritizes girls, emphasizing the establishment of Model Inclusive Schools in each state under the scheme.

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PM Modi inaugurated the 2024 Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) – Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference (CASGC) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event brought together legal representatives from Commonwealth nations across Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Caribbean. With the theme “Cross-Border Challenges in Justice Delivery,” the conference addressed crucial topics such as judicial transition, ethical aspects of legal practice, executive accountability, and the reformulation of contemporary legal education. Stakeholders engaged in meaningful discussions on these issues, fostering collaboration in the Commonwealth legal fraternity.

Notes:
The Union Agriculture Minister revealed in Rajya Sabha that Thrips Parvispinus, an invasive pest, may have displaced native chilli thrips in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This polyphagous pest affects various crops, including drumstick, pigeon pea, and mango. Originally reported in India in 2015, Thrips Parvispinus has spread globally, causing economic losses and viral infections. The pest’s infestation, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, leads to flower drop, reducing fruit production, posing a threat to horticultural crops amid changing agricultural practices and climate conditions.

Notes:
The Minister of State for Heavy Industries revealed SAMARTH Centres to Lok Sabha. SAMARTH, or Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub, operates under the “Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector” scheme. These centers aid MSMEs by organizing events on Industry 4.0, conducting training for awareness, offering consultancy in areas like IoT, software development, and data analytics, and providing incubation support to start-ups, contributing to workforce development and technological advancement.

Notes:
Farooq Nazki, an esteemed poet and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient, passed away at 83. Renowned for his impactful contributions to poetry and cultural preservation, Nazki’s work transcended diverse backgrounds, showcasing the profound influence of words. His emotionally rich and lyrically beautiful expressions earned him a cherished place among the most revered poets of his era, emphasizing the power of language in connecting hearts and minds.