Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Chhattisgarh’s Ocher Studio is championing the preservation of India’s 4,000-year-old craft, Dhokra Shilpkala. Derived from the Dhokra Damar tribes, traditional metal smiths of Central India, this art form originated in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. Dhokra Shilpkala stands out for its unique metal casting technique, employing the lost wax casting method. Artisans draw inspiration from nature and mythology, creating intricate designs featuring animals, birds, deities, and tribal symbols. However, the craft faces threats from urbanization and mechanized production, endangering traditional livelihoods.

Notes:
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has raised monthly pensions for 36.75 lakh beneficiaries, including elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities, unmarried women, AIDS patients, transgender individuals, orphans, and widows of COVID victims, under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana. The new amounts are Rs 1,000 for those up to 79 and Rs 1,200 for those 80 and above. This move aims to offer vital financial support, ensuring the well-being and dignity of vulnerable groups in the state.

Notes:
Former Indian cricket captain Dattajiro Krishnarao Gaekwad, aged 95, passed away, making him the oldest living Indian cricketer before his demise. Gaekwad led the Baroda cricket team to victory in the Ranji Trophy during the 1957–58, leaving a significant mark on the sport.

Notes:
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath received the 2024 K.P.P. Nambiar Award from IEEE Kerala section for his pivotal role in Chandrayaan-3 and significant contributions to ISRO missions. The award, named after electronic industry pioneer K.P.P. Nambiar, honors individuals or groups in Kerala for notable advancements in technology aligned with IEEE’s vision. Somanath’s recognition highlights his outstanding achievements and leadership in steering ISRO’s lunar exploration program.

Notes:
The Assam government has launched the ‘Ten Cities Development Concept’ for sustainable urban development. Focused on ten cities including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon, Tezpur, North-Lakhimpur, Bongaigaon, Silchar, Karimganj, Dhubri, and Haflong/Diphu, the initiative serves as ‘Lighthouses’ guiding other urban local bodies. It aims to enhance urban infrastructure, promote balanced development, and create economic opportunities, emphasizing the state’s commitment to inclusive growth in both urban and rural areas.

Notes:
The Consumer Affairs Secretary advocates the infusion of artificial intelligence into the ‘e-Jagriti’ portal to expedite consumer court case resolutions. The portal, under the Department of Consumer Affairs, streamlines consumer dispute redressal through features like online case filing, fee payment, and AI-driven smart search for archived complaints. It integrates various grievance platforms, utilizing AI and ML technologies for voice-to-text conversions, metadata creation, and a virtual court facility, aiming to enhance efficiency and accessibility in consumer complaint resolution.

Notes:
Australia’s government aims to enact a “right to disconnect” Bill, regulating employer contact outside working hours. Passed in the Senate, the Bill is part of wider industrial relations changes. Employees can refuse non-urgent contact unless deemed unreasonable, considering factors like compensation, reason for contact, and disruption caused. Prime Minister Albanese emphasizes fair treatment, aligning with similar laws in France, Italy, and Belgium. Critics argue it may hinder business flexibility. The “right to disconnect” responds to blurred work-home boundaries exacerbated by technology and the pandemic.

Notes:
Renowned author Usha Kiran Khan, aged 78, passed away after a brief illness. A Padma Shri recipient in 2015, Khan earned various literary honors, such as the Sahitya Akademi Award and Mahadevi Verma Award. Her prolific career showcased dedication to writing, marked by prestigious recognitions like the Dinakar National Award and Bharat-Bharati. The literary community mourns the loss of this distinguished figure.

Notes:
The Odisha government’s SWAYAM scheme provides interest-free loans of up to Rs 1 lakh to rural youth who are unemployed or underemployed. The scheme also helps entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses.

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Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister declared a national emergency after an oil spill from an overturned vessel. The spill has coated beaches on Tobago’s southwest coast, including during Carnival season, one of the country’s main tourist attractions. The government has designated the spill as a Level 2 disaster, and is debating raising it to Level 3, which is a national emergency only declared when local resources are overwhelmed and international assistance is required. The government has yet to identify the owner of the vessel, which is only known as “Gulfstream”.