Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

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The Delhi government unveiled free bus rides for the transgender community, marking a significant step towards inclusive public transportation. The decision awaits Cabinet approval, with plans to promptly implement the initiative. This move aims to facilitate accessible and cost-free travel for transgender individuals on public buses in Delhi.

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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.

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The President of India will inaugurate Aadi Mahotsav 2024, the annual National Tribal Festival at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. Organized by TRIFED under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the event highlights India’s tribal heritage, showcasing talent, craftsmanship, and cultural diversity. With 300 stalls, the festival promotes tribal art, handicrafts, natural produce, and cuisine, fostering interaction and contributing to the empowerment of tribal communities.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will feature 104 matches across 16 cities. The tournament will feature 48 teams, with 60 games played in the United States, 10 in Canada, and 10 in Mexico. The tournament will begin in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca stadium and conclude in New York, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. The 2026 World Cup will be the first hosted by three nations and the first North American World Cup since 1994.

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Protests have erupted over a proposal by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to construct a six-lane elevated highway through Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta National Park (BNP). The project, part of the satellite township ring road, aims to ease traffic but has sparked concerns among environmentalists for its potential impact on the ecologically sensitive park, home to endangered species. The plan includes cutting 1,288 trees within the park. Conservationists advocate for alternative routes, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to infrastructure development and environmental conservation.

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The Kalingarayan Anicut, a 13th-century barrage on the Bhavani River in Erode, Tamil Nadu, is among the world’s oldest water diversion projects. Acknowledged as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure in 2021 by ICID, it was commissioned by Kalingarayan, the ruler of Poondurai Nadu, a Kongu Nadu subdivision. In 1240, he joined Madurai Pandyas as a soldier, and in 1265, earned the title ‘Kalingarayan’ from Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan, subsequently ruling Poondurai Nadu.

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Astronomers at Nanjing University, China, using the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope, FAST, detected a radio pulsar in CTB 87 supernova remnant. FAST, located in Guizhou, has a receiving area equivalent to 30 football fields and aims to maintain its world-class status for 20-30 years. Its goals include detecting neutral hydrogen at the universe’s edge, reconstructing early universe images, discovering pulsars, participating in gravitational wave detection, and contributing to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

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The government of India appointed IRS officer Narendra Kumar Yadav as the brand ambassador for the Fit India movement. Yadav is the Additional Director of GST and the first civil servant to be appointed as a brand ambassador for the movement.

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The 67th All India Police Duty Meet (AIPDM) was hosted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, from February 12th to 16th, 2024. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony, and Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath will attend the closing ceremony. The event, organized by the RPF, aims to promote excellence and collaboration among police officers, fostering scientific detection, investigation, and internal security. The dedicated mobile app and website facilitate real-time updates and communication, enhancing the overall participant experience.

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The Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India launched the “Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal, focused on showcasing Indian women and girls in STEMM fields. The portal, a first-of-its-kind in India, is developed by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research. SWATI aims to address gender-gap challenges in policy making by serving as a comprehensive interactive database. It includes sections for Icons, Faculty, and various organizations, fostering inclusivity and enabling long-term research on equality and diversity in Indian science.