Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
The Kalingarayan Anicut, a 13th-century barrage on the Bhavani River in Erode, Tamil Nadu, is among the world’s oldest water diversion projects. Acknowledged as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure in 2021 by ICID, it was commissioned by Kalingarayan, the ruler of Poondurai Nadu, a Kongu Nadu subdivision. In 1240, he joined Madurai Pandyas as a soldier, and in 1265, earned the title ‘Kalingarayan’ from Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan, subsequently ruling Poondurai Nadu.

Notes:
The National Board for Wildlife postponed the decision on diverting forest land for Karnataka’s Kalasa-Banduri Project in Kali and Sahyadri tiger reserves. The project aims to address drinking water needs in Karnataka’s Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag districts by diverting water from Goa’s Mahadayi River to the Malaprabha River basin (a tributary of Krishna River). Proposed in the 1980s, the project faced disputes among Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. Barrages on Kalasa and Banduri streams are planned to redirect water to Karnataka’s drought-prone districts.

Notes:
The 67th All India Police Duty Meet (AIPDM) was hosted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, from February 12th to 16th, 2024. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony, and Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath will attend the closing ceremony. The event, organized by the RPF, aims to promote excellence and collaboration among police officers, fostering scientific detection, investigation, and internal security. The dedicated mobile app and website facilitate real-time updates and communication, enhancing the overall participant experience.

Notes:
The Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Maharashtra, declared a tiger reserve in July 2014, recently sought Rs 1 crore for wildlife safari initiatives in Bangdapur and Hingni forest ranges. It is India’s smallest tiger reserve located in Wardha District. Situated amidst various Bengal Tiger habitats, it neighbors Pench, Nagzira Navegaon, Karhandla, Tadoba Andhari, Melghat, and Satpura reserves. The area boasts Dry Deciduous Forest vegetation and includes the Bor Dam drainage basin.

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:
A dispute in Lakshadweep has arisen over the administration’s assertion of government ownership of Pandaram lands, leading to tension with locals. The conflict escalated as the administrator claimed Pandaram properties belonged to the government, contradicting traditional ownership. Locals allege the administration is violating a High Court stay on numbering coconut trees on Pandaram lands, suggesting potential felling. Despite officials refusing to comment on record, a senior official dismissed concerns as presumptions.

Notes:
‘Anuvadini’ is an AI-driven multilingual translation app designed in-house, enabling rapid conversion of English content into various languages via machine learning, supplemented by expert reviews. In the last two years, it has translated numerous textbooks for Ekumbh, an online platform. The initiative also offers 12 regional language choices for national entrance exams, showcasing substantial progress in the realm of AI-based language translation.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple in Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh. Constructed by Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust, chaired by Acharya Pramod Krishnam, the temple’s unique feature is its ten garbh grihas, representing all ten avatars of the Lord, including the human form. The Prime Minister highlighted the intricate architecture, emphasizing the embodiment of various divine forms in the scriptures.

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:
Kathmandu recently hosted the multinational military exercise ‘Shanti Prayas IV,’ becoming a hub for global peacekeeping efforts. The event involved army representatives from 19 nations engaged in UN Peacekeeping missions, emphasizing collaborative dedication to global peace and security. Co-hosted by the Nepali Army and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the exercise highlighted the robust military cooperation between Nepal and the United States.