Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Violence erupted in Uttarakhand as a mosque and madrasa on Nazool land were demolished. Nazool land, owned by the government, is leased for 15-99 years and used for public purposes. Originating from British rule, it was confiscated from opposing kings and royals, marked as Nazool land. Governed by The Nazool Lands (Transfer) Rules, 1956, it’s often utilized for schools, hospitals, and housing societies. The government can renew or cancel leases, leading to recent conflicts in Uttarakhand.

Notes:
The former Vice-President of India and Union Minister for Culture will inaugurate the ‘Dakshin Bharat Sanskritik Kendra’ in Hyderabad, part of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama. Established in 1953, it aims to preserve and promote India’s diverse cultural heritage. The Akademi operates autonomously under the Ministry of Culture, with a Chairman appointed by the President for a five-year term. Fully funded by the government, it coordinates regional Akademies, promotes research, and encourages collaboration for the enrichment of Indian culture.

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:
Researchers have developed a rapid lab-based method detecting Forever Chemicals (PFAS) in food packaging, water, and soil within three minutes. PFAS, a family of over 4,700 highly persistent synthetic chemicals, were first developed in the 1940s and are present in various consumer products. Known for their indestructible carbon-fluorine bonds, PFAS cause pollution during production, contaminating air, water, and soil. Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancers, weakened immune systems, weight gain, and various health issues, posing a global concern.

Notes:
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has allocated Rs 150 crore to support kendu leaf pluckers and binders. The package includes a 50% bonus for pluckers, a 10% incentive for binders, and extended social security for temporary workers up to age 62. Temporary workers also gain an extra month of work. Additionally, the state will provide Rs 25,000 assistance for the marriage of a kendu leaf worker’s daughter, with a cap of two daughters per worker.

Notes:
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of 11 Shakti warfare systems and related equipment. The electronic warfare system will be installed on the Indian Navy’s frontline warships. The advanced EW system ‘Shakti’ was designed and developed by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory Hyderabad to intercept, detect, classify, identify, and jam conventional and modern radars. BEL is an Indian government-owned aerospace and defense electronics company that primarily manufactures advanced electronic products for ground and aerospace applications.

Notes:
Casualties during Hori Habba, a bull-taming sport in Karnataka, spark concerns over animal and human safety. Similar events like Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, Kambala in coastal Karnataka, Rooster fights in Andhra Pradesh, Bulbul fights in Assam, and Bullock Cart Races in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu face scrutiny for their association with gambling and potential risks to participants and animals.

Notes:
Archaeologists unearthed an eighth-century Kotravai sculpture, dating back to the Pallava period, near Ulundurpet, Tamil Nadu. The Pallava Dynasty, a prominent South Indian power from the 3rd to 9th centuries, ruled northern Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Known for supporting Buddhism, Jainism, and Brahminical faith, the Pallavas were patrons of music, painting, and literature. Their origins trace back to the Andhra Satavahanas, gaining autonomy and establishing Kanchipuram as their capital in the 4th century CE.

Notes:
Researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia discovered a new millipede genus and five species in Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains. According to the USC, Attemsostreptus leptoptilos is one of five new species of millipedes with 200 legs that were discovered in Tanzanian jungles in February 2024. The other four species are Attemsostreptus cataractae, Attemsostreptus julostriatus, Lophostreptus magombera, and Udzungwastreptus marianae.

Notes:
South Indian Bank has been honored as the Best Technology Bank of the Year at the 19th IBA Annual Banking Technology Conference. The bank received six awards, including three wins, one runner-up position, and two special mentions. T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, presented the accolades to PR Seshadri, MD & CEO of South Indian Bank, at the Mumbai venue organized by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).