Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
India and Bangladesh launched the inaugural trial movement of vessels between Maia Port in India and Sultanganj Port in Bangladesh on February 12. Operating on Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Route no. 5 & 6, the waterway from Maia to Dhubri via Aricha is expected to cut the distance by approximately 930 kilometers, aligning with the Act East Policy’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and trade efficiency.

Notes:
Cuscuta dodder, an invasive weed native to North America, is threatening Chengalpet forests and Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu, endangering local ecology and migratory bird habitats. This parasitic vine lacks roots, infesting acres of trees in reserve forests and penetrating India’s oldest bird sanctuary. Found on Barringtonia trees crucial for bird nesting, it forms dense canopies before strangling and killing hosts. In India, it poses a significant problem in oilseeds, pulses, and fodder crops. Globally, it’s listed as a ‘declared noxious weed’ in 25 countries. Cuscuta seeds, with a hard coat, can survive up to 50 years in dry storage and 10 years in the field.

Notes:
India won the 9th GovTech Prize at the 2024 World Government Summit in Dubai for its innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing government services. The award recognizes the Government of India’s Ministry for Road Transport and Highways’ transformative project, iRASTE. The Emirates Government Service Excellence Program (EGSEP) manages the annual GovTech Prize and the “M-Gov Award”.

Notes:
Assam’s state government designates Kaji Nemu (Citrus limon), a distinctive lemon variety native to the region, as the official ‘State Fruit.’ State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora announced the decision, highlighting the fruit’s cultural, traditional and nutritional importance to the state and its people.

Notes:
The Supreme Court is set to examine whether divorced Muslim women can seek maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Section 125 covers maintenance for wives, children, and parents, allowing financial support claims if certain conditions are met. These include neglect or refusal, dependency on the respondent, sufficient means of the person liable to pay, and the court determining the quantum based on various factors. Maintenance can be temporary or permanent, awarded monthly, with enforcement options for non-compliance.

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Reality tech firm recently revealed a digital twin of Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s grand tomb in Hyderabad. The tomb, constructed in 1602, stands at a majestic height of 60 m within the Qutb Shahi heritage park complex. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth king of the Qutb Shahi dynasty and founder of Hyderabad, was a prolific poet in Persian, Telugu, and Deccani Urdu. His poetry touched on diverse aspects of communal life, festivals, love, and faith, blending traditions in a unique manner.

Notes:
South Indian Bank has been honored as the Best Technology Bank of the Year at the 19th IBA Annual Banking Technology Conference. The bank received six awards, including three wins, one runner-up position, and two special mentions. T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, presented the accolades to PR Seshadri, MD & CEO of South Indian Bank, at the Mumbai venue organized by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

Notes:
ISRO is organizing the ‘Young Scientist Programme’ (YUVIKA) for school children, aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology and Science. Intended to create awareness and inspire STEM interest, the two-week residential program offers talks, lab visits, and discussions with experts. Eligible students, finishing class 8 and currently in class 9, can apply, with special consideration for rural students. Three participants from each state/UT are selected based on academic performance and extracurricular activities, emphasizing a younger age in case of ties.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Nepal Rastra Bank have partnered to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Nepal’s National Payments Interface (NPI). The collaboration aims to establish infrastructure for seamless cross-border transactions, facilitating efficient remittances. The formalized agreement signifies a concerted effort to interlink UPI and NPI, enhancing the speed and ease of cross-border payments between the two countries.

Notes:
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that they would link their instant payment platforms, UPI (India) and AANI (UAE). The agreement will allow for seamless cross-border transactions between the two countries.  AANI is an instant payment platform that allows users to transfer and settle funds in less than 10 seconds. It initially supports transactions of up to $13,600.  The agreement is part of a number of pacts signed between the two countries in February 2024, including BIT and IGA on IMEC.