Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
World Unani Day is celebrated annually on February 11. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, a social reformer and Unani scholar. Khan is known for bringing Unani medicine to India and was a founder of Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. The theme for World Unani Day 2024 is “Unani Medicine for One Earth, One Health”

Notes:
The 13th of February is National Women’s Day, an annual celebration in India. 13th February marks the 145th birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, the “Nightingale of India.” A key figure in India’s independence struggle and a celebrated poet, she is honored on National Women’s Day for her advocacy of women’s rights. Naidu’s literary legacy includes the iconic 1912 poem “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad,” known for its vivid imagery.

Notes:
Chinese scientists have revealed a groundbreaking High-Power Microwave (HPM) weapon using Stirling engines. Stirling engines, functioning on external combustion principles, convert thermal energy into mechanical energy. HPM weapons, a subtype of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), use electromagnetic systems to convert energy and focus it on targets, causing physical damage. Capable of generating electromagnetic beams across radio and microwave frequencies, these weapons can potentially disrupt or damage targeted electronic systems.

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The Andhra Pradesh government has enforced a month-long fishing ban within a 5-km radius of Hope Island to safeguard Olive Ridley turtles along the Kakinada coast. Olive Ridleys, named for their green carapace, are the smallest sea turtles globally. Known for unique mass nesting called Arribada, they primarily inhabit warm waters in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha houses the world’s largest rookery of sea turtles. With a Vulnerable status on the IUCN Red List, Olive Ridleys face threats requiring protective measures.

Notes:
A male tiger from the Kanha Tiger Reserve has been relocated to Mukundpur Safari in Satna. Kanha Tiger Reserve, the largest in Madhya Pradesh, spans 940 sq km across Mandla and Balaghat districts. Established on June 1, 1955, and declared a tiger reserve in 1973, it features forested undulations, hills, plateaus, and valleys. The reserve, believed to have inspired Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, is home to India’s first tiger reserve mascot, “Bhoorsingh the Barasingha.”

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Researchers at Odisha’s Berhampur University discovered a new marine amphipod species, a shrimp-like crustacean, in Chilika lagoon. Belonging to the genus Parhyale, which has 15 global species in marine and brackish water environments, this brown crustacean is around eight mm long with 13 pairs of legs. Notably, it distinguishes itself from the 15 species by featuring a stout robust seta on the male gnathopod’s propodus, the first pair of legs, used for capturing prey and feeding.

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The 12th edition of the MILAN naval exercise took place in Visakhapatnam from February 19–27, 2024. The exercise, which has the theme “Forging Naval Alliances for a Secure Maritime Future,” aims to strengthen collaboration between participating navies.

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The Kula Mama Volleyball Tournament-2024 at Melghat Tiger Reserve’s Semadoh promotes tiger and forest conservation with local youth engagement. Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, established in 1967, declared a tiger reserve in 1974, and the first in the state, is located in the Amaravati district. Characterized by tropical dry deciduous forests and major rivers, it plays a crucial role in protecting wildlife. The tournament underscores the significance of preserving this pristine landscape and its inhabitants.

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The “Aarogya-Doctors on Wheels” initiative has been introduced in Udhampur, J&K, featuring an AI-driven Tele Clinic to offer healthcare in remote areas. Patients can describe their ailments in their native language, and the AI doctor comprehends and responds in the same language. This free telemedicine service addresses challenges of accessibility, availability, and affordability, bringing healthcare solutions to underserved regions.

Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) as part of India’s G20 presidency. The initiative aims to democratize digital health technologies, featuring components such as a country needs tracker and a transformation toolbox. Union Health Minister Mandaviya highlighted its role in creating an institutional framework for digital health, while Bagchi emphasized India’s digital response during the pandemic. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros emphasized GIDH’s support in addressing health system fragmentation and overlap, promoting global digital health standards.