Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
The first-ever Digital India FutureSkills Summit was held in Guwahati, Assam on February 15, 2024. The summit was organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT). The summit is a platform for discussions, insights, and collaborations to promote digital literacy in line with the needs of the new-age industry. The summit will feature more than 20 strategic collaborations, 1,000 attendees, and 30 exhibitions.

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The Rajasthan government introduced the Mukhyamantri Vishwakarma Pension Yojana, offering a monthly pension of Rs. 2,000 to eligible workers aged 60 or above. The initiative aims to support laborers and street vendors, ensuring their welfare by helping them meet daily needs independently. This special scheme underscores the government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of vulnerable sections in Rajasthan.

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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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The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released guidelines on managing diphtheria, a contagious bacterial infection of the nose and throat caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets or touching infected sores. While treatable with medications, advanced cases can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Symptoms include a gray throat membrane, sore throat, swollen glands, and difficulty breathing. Current treatments involve Diphtheria Antitoxin, antibiotics, and supportive care to prevent complications like airway obstruction and myocarditis.

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Prabowo Subianto, a 72-year-old former Special Forces commander and defense minister, claimed victory in the Indonesian presidential election, securing nearly 60% of votes according to quick counts. Born in Jakarta in 1951, he joined the Indonesian Military Academy in 1970, rising through the ranks. Prabowo, a close associate of Soeharto, married the former leader’s daughter. Notably, he led the Kopassus unit during the anti-Chinese riots in May 1998.

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Chinese citizens are occupying Xiaokang border defense villages along India’s northeastern border. China has built 628 well-off villages along India’s borders with Tibet over five years, covering Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. In response, India launched the Vibrant Villages Programme in 2022, aiming to develop 663 border villages into modern tourist attractions. Zemithang, Taksing, and Chayang Tajo are located in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The villages are part of the Vibrant Village Programme, a pilot initiative by the government to develop remote and border villages.

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The US House of Representatives has bolstered the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) by passing legislation to strengthen ties among the member nations – USA, Australia, India, and Japan. The bill mandates the creation of an Intra-Parliamentary Working Group for regular discussions among lawmakers, fostering political exchanges. It also instructs the Biden Administration to submit a report for enhanced governmental coordination within 180 days, urging talks with partner countries within 60 days to establish a parliamentary group.

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Uttar Pradesh secures ₹740 crore, the highest in India, under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme, a revamped version of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). The centrally sponsored scheme, under the Ministry of Education, aims to enhance the quality of state higher educational institutions in line with the National Education Policy 2020. PM-USHA emphasizes conformity to prescribed norms, standards, and accreditation for quality assurance in higher education.

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Iris and Massalia are asteroids that have similar orbits and are potentially the first asteroids in our solar system to have confirmed water.  Iris is 124 miles in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids in our solar system. It orbits between Mars and Jupiter and is the fourth brightest object in the asteroid belt. Massalia is 84 miles in diameter and is similar in size to Iris.  Scientists using SOFIA’s infrared telescope discovered molecular water on the asteroids. The water could be stored in multiple ways, such as trapped in silicate glass beads or stuck to the silicates’ surface.

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Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C has named Indian cricketer Shubman Gill as the state icon for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Gill will participate in various election campaigns to raise voter awareness and increase turnout in the state. Punjabi singer Tarsem Jassar has also been selected as a “state icon” and will conduct similar campaigns.