Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

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”.

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The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of 11 Shakti warfare systems and related equipment. The electronic warfare system will be installed on the Indian Navy’s frontline warships. The advanced EW system ‘Shakti’ was designed and developed by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory Hyderabad to intercept, detect, classify, identify, and jam conventional and modern radars. BEL is an Indian government-owned aerospace and defense electronics company that primarily manufactures advanced electronic products for ground and aerospace applications.

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NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, part of a joint mission with ESA and ASI, recently unveiled a vast ocean beneath the icy surface of Saturn’s moon Mimas. Launched in 1997, Cassini orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017, contributing vital insights about the planet and its moons. Weighing 2,125 kg, it mapped Titan’s surface with radar and studied Saturn’s magnetic field. Cassini’s Huygens probe, weighing 349 kg, landed on Titan, discovering six moons and identifying Enceladus and Titan as potential locations for extraterrestrial life.

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Havildar Varinder Singh, a member of the Sikh Regiment in the Indian Army, received the Vishisht Seva Medal from President Droupadi Murmu for his exceptional contributions to military technology. Singh’s innovative creation, the Multipurpose Octocopter, showcases groundbreaking advancements in drone technology, offering unparalleled versatility beyond conventional surveillance. This accolade recognizes his outstanding efforts in developing a versatile piece of equipment that goes beyond being a mere reconnaissance tool.

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World Hippo Day, observed annually on February 15, aims to raise awareness about the endangered status of hippos, with a population estimated between 115,000 and 130,000. Threats include poaching, water loss, mechanized farming, and urbanization. The day serves as a platform to highlight these challenges and advocate for conservation initiatives to safeguard the future of these vulnerable creatures.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the 300 MW Barsingsar Solar Power Plant in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, advancing India’s renewable energy goals. NLC India Limited, a Navratna CPSE, is implementing the project under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy’s CPSE Scheme. The initiative, aligned with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative, uses cutting-edge technology, aims to produce 750 million units of green power annually, and marks NLCIL as the first CPSE to achieve a 1 GW Solar capacity milestone in India.

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Professor Karan Nathwani of IIT-Jammu developed an innovative anti-drone system using sound technology, priced at around Rs 4 lakh. This cost-effective solution outperforms traditional anti-drone technologies and detects drones, aircraft, and birds within a 300-meter range. With production costs between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000, it ensures accessibility for a diverse user base, showcasing versatility and effectiveness in various scenarios.

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The Broadcast Engineering Society (India) hosted the BSE EXPO-2024, the 28th International Conference and Exhibition on Broadcast and Media Technology in New Delhi. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur will be the chief guest, along with his deputy Dr L Murugan.

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Union Minister Hardeep Puri praised PM SVANidhi for restoring street vendors’ dignity during the pandemic. Launched on June 1, 2020, the scheme provided affordable working capital loans, totaling ₹10,678 crore, to over 60.94 lakh street vendors. The initiative, overseen by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, distributed loans to 10,000 vendors at the PM SVANidhi Mega Camp, benefitting those severely affected by Covid-19 lockdown.

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Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been announced as the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award by the Jnanpith selection committee. This prestigious award is recognition of their significant contributions to literature. In 2022, the award was conferred upon Goan writer Damodar Mauzo, adding to the distinguished list of laureates. The Jnanpith Award, established in 1961, is one of the highest literary honors in India, celebrating outstanding writers in various Indian languages.