Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Eravikulam National Park (ENP), in Kerala’s Idukki district, closing for the Nilgiri tahr’s calving season, hosts diverse flora and fauna. Declared a National Park in 1978, it spans 97 sq.km, featuring Anamudi, the highest peak south of the Himalayas. Famous for the “Neelakurinji” flower blooming every twelve years, the park experiences heavy monsoons. Rich in biodiversity, it houses species like Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, and hosts rare butterflies and the world’s largest moth, the Atlas moth.

Notes:
The Delhi government has launched the Delhi Solar Policy 2024 to boost solar power adoption. Residents can install rooftop solar panels, leading to zero electricity bills and potential income from excess power sales to the grid. The policy targets 4500 MW of solar power by 2027, up from the previous goal of 1500 MW. Stemming from the 2016 policy, which yielded 1500 MW capacity, the new policy aims to curb air pollution, cut electricity costs, and promote sustainable energy in Delhi.

Notes:
Operation Black Gold is about the seizure of an alloy containing 16.67 kg of gold and 39.73 kg of silver in Delhi. The alloy was worth over Rs 10 crore and was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at FPO Delhi. The Revenue Intelligence Directorate (DRI) acted on intelligence to seize seven shipments of “electrical current/potential meters”. The meters were declared as “current guior machines”. According to preliminary investigations, a systematic syndicate was involved in the gold smuggling. The gold was coated with silver to change its color from yellow to white. The white mixture was then used to make electric meter covers, which were then painted black to avoid suspicion.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Women and Child Development announced the establishment of One Stop Centres (OSCs) in over 700 districts nationwide, under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The initiative aims to offer comprehensive support for women facing violence, providing immediate access to medical, legal, psychological, and counseling services. The target group includes all women, including girls under 18, without discrimination. The funding comes from the Nirbhaya Fund, with 100% financial assistance from the Central Government. District Collectors/Magistrates oversee day-to-day implementation.

Notes:
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the ‘Ministry of Education – AICTE Investor Network,’ a collaborative effort by AICTE and the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell. The initiative aims to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in education by offering financial support, mentoring, and strategic guidance to early-stage student or faculty-led startups. Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the network seeks to encourage private investment, empower educational institutions as innovation hubs, and foster a better environment for startup development.

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.

Notes:
Researchers discovered a new fungus species, Trichoglossum syamviswanathii, in Kerala. Trichoglossum is a genus of fungus known as “hairy earth tongues” due to its filamentous structure. The fungus, with 55 identified genera and 21 recognized species globally, exhibits saprotrophic behavior and can be found in plant roots as endophytes. Predominantly distributed in tropical and temperate forests across five continents, these fungi play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter.

Notes:
The GRAPES-3 experiment, situated in Ooty, India and operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, made a significant discovery in the cosmic-ray proton spectrum, revealing a new feature at 166 TeV. Equipped with air shower detectors and a large muon detector, GRAPES-3 aims to investigate the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays, including the existence of the “Knee” in their energy spectrum. It also explores the production of highest-energy cosmic rays, astronomy of multi-TeV γ-rays, and the impact of the Sun on Earth.

Notes:
The theme for the 2024 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is “Her Voice, Her Future”. The theme highlights the important role of community-led initiatives in achieving lasting change. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is an annual awareness day sponsored by the United Nations that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN’s efforts to eradicate FGM. It was first introduced in 2003.

Notes:
Scientists recently discovered a novel class of virus-like entities called obelisks within the human body. These RNA-based organisms, around 1,000 nucleotides in size, form rod-like structures and differ from known biological agents. Larger than typical genetic molecules like plasmids, obelisks occupy a unique niche between viruses and viroids. Present in diverse areas of the human body, their hosts and potential presence in bacteria remain unidentified, adding intrigue to this recently unveiled class of organisms.