Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) recently achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Indian company to surpass Rs 20 lakh crore in market capitalization. Market capitalization, or Market Cap, signifies a company’s market value based on its share price and outstanding shares. RIL’s achievement highlights its significant market presence, making it a large-cap company. Market capitalization is crucial for investors to assess a company’s value and predict future stock performance based on market perceptions and willingness to invest.

Notes:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for reaching 500 Test wickets, making him the second Indian bowler to achieve this after Anil Kumble. Ashwin joins an exclusive group of off-spinners with only Muttiah Muralidaran and Nathan Lyon surpassing 500 wickets. Notably, Ashwin is the third off-spinner in history to achieve this milestone. Despite this feat, he trails Kumble’s total wickets, who retired with 619 scalps. The historic moment occurred on the second day of the ongoing Test against England, dismissing Zak Crawley.

Notes:
A child-friendly police station has been inaugurated in Maharashtra’s Dhule district at Azadnagar Police Station. Conceived by District Collector Abhinav Goyal and Women and Child Development Officer Rajendra Birari, the initiative aims to create a safe and enjoyable space for children. A room on the ground floor is adorned with child-friendly pictures. District SP Shrikant Dhiware praised the effort, stressing the collective responsibility of the juvenile justice system to ensure children’s safety and well-being. He urged incorporating child-friendly practices for a fear-free environment.

Notes:
Russia recently conducted a Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite (DA-ASAT) test, destroying the Tselina-D SIGINT satellite (Kosmos-1408). The U.S. criticized the test due to the significant debris it generated in low Earth orbit, posing a threat to the International Space Station. Russia has possessed ASAT capabilities since 1968. Anti-satellite weapons are designed to disable operational satellites, and China, India, Russia, and the United States have demonstrated successful ASAT capabilities.

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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:
The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee met in New Delhi from February 16-19, 2024, marking its 3rd meeting since the agreement’s signing in 2009. Initiated in September 2022 for a comprehensive review, eight sub-committees were established to enhance the agreement’s trade facilitation and mutual benefits. The recent meeting assessed negotiation progress, identified focus areas for further deliberations, and updated the work program, directing sub-committees for continued negotiations.

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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.

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IREDA and PNB inked an MoU at IREDA’s New Delhi office on Feb 19, 2024, fostering collaboration for nationwide renewable energy initiatives. The agreement facilitates joint efforts in co-lending and loan syndication for diverse renewable energy projects, signaling a significant step towards sustainable energy development in India.

Notes:
The ‘INDUS-X’ summit in Delhi is a major milestone in the U.S.-India Defense Accelerator Ecosystem, launched in June 2023. Its objective is to enhance technology partnerships and defense cooperation between India and the US, focusing on joint research, development, and production in the defense sector. INDUS-X includes initiatives like Joint Challenges, Joint Innovation Fund, academia engagement, industry-startup connections, private entity investments, and collaboration on projects such as jet engines, long-range artillery, and infantry vehicles. iDEX and OSD, US, lead the initiative.

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.