Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Global Tourism Resilience Day (GTRD) is celebrated on February 17th every year. The day was designated by the United Nations in 2023 to highlight the need for tourism development to be more resilient to shocks and emergencies. The initiative focuses on bolstering the tourism sector against various challenges, supporting sustainable development, and promoting economic stability, particularly in developing nations.

Notes:
A statue of U Tirot Sing, a Khasi Hills freedom fighter who resisted British colonialism 200 years ago, was recently unveiled at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka. Known as the ‘Hero of the Khasi Hills,’ Tirot Sing’s heroic struggle against British forces in 1829, during the Anglo-Khasi War, has inspired many. Captured and dying in Dhaka on July 17, 1835, Tirot Sing’s legacy is celebrated, with Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and High Commissioner Pranay Verma attending the unveiling.

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Tamil Nadu has banned the sale and production of cotton candy due to the presence of Rhodamine B, a chemical used in various industries for dyeing and coloring. Despite appearing green in powdered form, it turns pink when added to water. Rhodamine B, also used in incense and match sticks, is highly toxic and carcinogenic even in small quantities. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has prohibited its usage in food products.

Notes:
The ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’ by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises offers artisans and craftsmen affordable loans, skill training, modern equipment, and promotes digital transactions. With a budget of Rs 13,000 crore, the scheme covers 18 businesses and is set to run for five years until the financial year 2027-28, aiming to boost the growth and development of the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector.

Notes:
A recent bull shark attack on a fisherman in Maharashtra’s Vaitarna River marked the first sighting of the aggressive species 40km upstream. Vaitarna, a west-flowing river, originates in Trimbakeshwar Hills and drains 2019 sq km in Thane and Nasik districts. Bull sharks, known for their aggressiveness, can tolerate freshwater and saltwater, venturing into rivers. The species, with a unique viviparity reproduction method, is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to threats.

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Archaeologists recently uncovered Morodharo, a Harappan-era fortified settlement in Kutch District, Gujarat. Dating from 2,600 to 1,300 BCE, the settlement spans the mature to late Harappan period. The fortification, measuring 102m east to west and 58m north to south, boasts a 3.3m thick wall. Features include a 10x10m platform, a well, burial cairns, and Harappan pottery with perforated jar sherds. Resembling finds from Dholavira, the discovery sheds light on this ancient civilization.

Notes:
Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles, faces an alarming ecosystem collapse in 2024, marked by the absence of its native fly. Situated in East-central Northern Ireland, covering 392 sq km with a 5,700 sq km catchment area, it serves as a crucial water source, supplying over 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water. Known for Europe’s largest wild eel fishery and hosting 100 bird species, it holds cultural and archaeological significance as a jewel in the region.

Notes:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, in partnership with DRDO, launches a Rs 60,000 crore project to upgrade the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet. The initiative focuses on enhancing capabilities by integrating advanced technologies and indigenous systems. With over 50% indigenous content, India demonstrates a commitment to self-sufficiency in defense production, emphasizing a significant stride towards technological independence.

Notes:
The “world’s highest frozen lake marathon,” Pangong Lake marathon in Ladakh, hosted 120 runners from seven countries in its second edition. Organized by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh, supported by the Administration Union Territory of Ladakh and the 14 Corps of the Indian Army, the event aimed to raise awareness about melting Himalayan glaciers and their environmental impact. Dubbed ‘theastrun,’ it hinted at the threat posed by climate change to the frozen lake, emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental concerns.

Notes:
Reliance Industries, in collaboration with top Indian engineering schools, is launching BharatGPT, a ChatGPT-style AI model named Hanooman. Backed by Reliance Jio, Hanooman aims to advance India’s AI in healthcare, governance, finance, and education, operating in 11 local languages with speech-to-text capabilities. Reliance Jio is concurrently developing Jio Brain for its 450 million subscribers. Other startups like Sarvam and Krutrim, supported by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Vinod Khosla’s fund, are also contributing open-sourced AI models for India’s growth.