Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Tamil Nadu’s Republic Day Parade 2024 featured the Kudavolai System, an ancient electoral method dating back to the 10th century Chola era. Documented in Uthiramerur inscriptions, it was employed to elect village administration representatives. The system involved dividing villages into wards, with residents choosing their representatives through a unique process: contestants’ names on palm leaf tickets (volai) placed in a pot (kuda), and a boy selecting tickets to declare elected leaders. Tamil Nadu’s tableau showcasing this historical system earned the third-best award.

Notes:
Members of a Hindutva group recently breached the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected Martand Sun Temple, a historic Hindu temple near Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley. Built in the 8th century by King Lalitaditya Muktapida, it blends Kashmiri, Gupta, Chinese, Gandhara, Roman, and Greek architectural styles. Spanning 32,000 sq. ft., the stone temple features an 86-column courtyard, a 60-ft vimana with intricate carvings, and 84 smaller shrines. Sultan Sikandar Shah Miri is believed to have demolished it in the 14th century.

Notes:
The 12th India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) meeting was held in Muscat. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Secretary General Dr. Mohammed Bin Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi. During the meeting, India and Oman signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in new areas of defense engagement, including the procurement of military equipment. The meeting also covered joint exercises, information sharing, oceanography, shipbuilding, and MRO.

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 theme for World Wetlands Day 2024 is “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing”. The theme highlights how wetlands and human life are interconnected, and how people gain sustenance, inspiration, and resilience from wetlands. World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2nd each year. It’s an international day that promotes the sustainable management and conservation of wetlands.

Notes:
The 7th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) took place in Kochi from January 29 to February 2, 2024. Established in 2013 under the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), India has consistently hosted the committee, with the Spices Board India serving as the organizing secretariat. In this session, quality standards for small cardamom, turmeric, juniper berry, allspice, and star anise were finalized. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, jointly established by FAO and WHO, is an international body with 189 member countries, meeting annually in Geneva and Rome.

Notes:
Karnataka secured the Nagesh Trophy in the Men’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2023-24, triumphing over Andhra Pradesh by nine wickets in a thrilling final in Nagpur. The win ended Karnataka’s 20-year national title drought, highlighting the remarkable talent, resilience, and determination of visually impaired cricketers. The victory not only celebrated their sporting prowess but also emphasized the spirit that defines blind cricket as a testament to overcoming challenges.

Notes:
The Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) is an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in India. It operates three R&D laboratories in Pune, Hyderabad, and Thrissur, focusing on critical electronic materials. C-MET, Hyderabad, is dedicated to developing advanced electronic and strategic materials. A major focus is environmentally friendly e-waste recycling technologies to address India’s 3.2 million tons of electronic waste, promoting resource efficiency. C-MET’s Centre of Excellence on E-waste Management, inaugurated under PPP, pioneers recycling technologies for various electronic components.

Notes:
The rare Dusted Apollo butterfly (Parnassius stenosemus) was recently spotted and photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh, extending its known distribution from Ladakh to West Nepal. Resembling Ladakh Banded Apollo, it distinguishes with a complete discal band on the upper forewing. The sighting of the protected Regal Apollo (Parnassius charltonius) also occurred, highlighting the rich diversity of Apollo butterflies in the region. Urgent conservation is needed as Apollos face commercial poaching threats, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and establishing conservation measures like butterfly parks.

Notes:
Nikhil Mukund Wagh, a public relations officer at Goa Shipyard Limited, was awarded the 2024 Maha Gaurav Award in February 2024. The award was presented by Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on behalf of the Digital Media Editor Journalist Association Maharashtra.