Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

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:
IIT Madras and Munitions India Limited are partnering to create India’s first domestically designed 155 Smart Ammunition. The two-year initiative, under the Ministry of Defence, aims to achieve a Circular Error Probable of 10 meters, significantly improving precision in defense operations. The project focuses on enhancing accuracy and lethality using guidance systems and advanced technologies. The 155mm Indian Smart Ammunition is compatible with existing artillery guns, featuring fin stabilization, canard control, and a 3-mode fuse operation for various tactical requirements, marking a crucial stride towards self-reliance in defense production.

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.

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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.

Notes:
A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted for the third time since December, prompting the evacuation of the Blue Lagoon spa. The eruption, along a three-kilometer fissure northeast of Mount Sýlingarfell, began at 0600 GMT. Lava flowed westward, posing no immediate threat to Grindavik. The Civil Defense agency safeguarded a hot water supply pipe, urging conservation. Iceland, prone to eruptions, experienced hundreds of small earthquakes preceding the event. The Reykjanes Peninsula faces ongoing upheaval, raising doubts about Grindavik’s permanent inhabitation.

Notes:
NASA and SpaceX rescheduled the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission launch due to weather delays. The mission, exploring ocean-atmosphere connections amid climate change, aims to understand the impact of microscopic life in water and air. PACE will monitor carbon dioxide exchange, atmospheric variables, and ocean health through phytoplankton study. The mission’s aerosol products will aid health advisories for phenomena like wildfires and monitor harmful algae blooms. Scientists express excitement for groundbreaking insights, emphasizing PACE’s significance in advancing Earth system understanding.

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The New Delhi Book Fair, hosted by the National Book Trust and ITPO from February 10 to 18, 2024, celebrates “Multilingual India: A Living Tradition.” Saudi Arabia is the Guest of Honor, highlighting its literary heritage with 25 delegates, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening bilateral ties between India and Saudi Arabia at Pragati Maidan.

Notes:
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) has been honored with the 2024 Nelson Mandela Award (NMA) by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its exceptional commitment to promoting mental health and well-being. Recognized for pioneering mental health and neuroscience advancements, NIMHANS supports innovative research, education, and patient care, integrating mental health into general healthcare. The award coincides with NIMHANS’ 50th foundation year, reflecting on past achievements and the institute’s ongoing dedication to its mission.

Notes:
Six forest authorities were suspended for negligence in curbing teak smuggling in Kawal Tiger Reserve, located in the north-eastern part of Telangana. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2012, it lies at the southern tip of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape, with diverse habitats, including dense forests and water bodies. The reserve, a catchment for Godavari and Kadam rivers, is vital for its rich flora, including extensive teak and bamboo, hosting 673 plant species.

Notes:
NITI Aayog launched the “Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)” initiative, unveiling a portal for universal access to state and district-level data. Hosted on the Bhuvan website, GROW employs advanced technologies like remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry suitability across India. It aligns with national goals, aiming to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes. The initiative utilizes a developed Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI) for national-level prioritization, considering parameters like land use, wasteland, slope, water proximity, and soil organic content.