Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) have issued substantial suspensions to two athletes. Rachna Kumari, a hammer thrower, received a 12-year suspension for her second anti-doping violation, underscoring the gravity of doping offenses. Quarter-miler Nirmala Sheoran, with a history of violations, faces an eight-year suspension from NADA for her second offense, emphasizing the strict consequences for those breaching anti-doping rules in athletics.

Notes:
Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala unveiled the enhanced Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) scheme with an increased outlay of ₹29,610 crore, up from ₹15,000 crore, showcasing the government’s dedication to boost the livestock sector. The Cabinet approved the realignment, extending the scheme until 2025-26, emphasizing support for rural livelihoods. Additionally, a Radio Jingle for AHIDF was introduced during the event in New Delhi.

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.”

Notes:
Scientists recently uncovered a Stone Age wall beneath the Baltic Sea in Germany, considered Europe’s oldest human-made megastructure. The 971-meter wide, less than 1 mtr tall wall, believed to be over 10,000 years old, was likely built by hunter-gatherers and may have served as a reindeer hunting lane. The Baltic Sea is a semi-enclosed sea in Northern Europe, a branch of the North Atlantic Ocean, dividing the Scandinavian Peninsula from mainland Europe, with 8,000 kilometers of coastline shared by multiple countries.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar is attending the 60th Munich Security Conference in Germany, engaging in discussions with global leaders to address bilateral cooperation and global concerns. The three-day conference serves as a platform for high-level debates on pressing security challenges, fostering international dialogue and cooperation.

Notes:
Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, known as the banana city, is hosting its annual Banana Festival in collaboration with the district administration. The two-day event, under the One-District One-Product programme, highlights Burhanpur’s agricultural strength with 23,650 hectares of banana cultivation involving 18,325 farmers. The region yields an impressive 16 lakh metric tonnes of bananas, contributing to a significant sales turnover of 1,700 crore rupees. The festival aims to attract investment by showcasing Burhanpur’s agricultural prowess to companies, experts, and scientists nationwide.

Notes:
The Odisha government recently launched the “Swayam” scheme to provide interest-free loans to the state’s youth. The scheme aims to support young entrepreneurs by providing loans of up to Rs 1 lakh to help them start small businesses and contribute to the state’s business environment.

Notes:
Arunachal Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first state in North-East India and the 10th in the country to attain 100% saturation of Har Ghar Jal under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Chief Minister Pema Khandu credited Team Arunachal’s dedication, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for guidance and support. The mission, launched on August 15, 2019, aims to provide assured tap water supply to every rural household in India by 2024, promoting an improved quality of life.

Notes:
Esteemed Vidarbha cricketer Faiz Fazal, aged 38, has announced his retirement from all forms of the game, marking the end of a remarkable career. Fazal leaves behind a significant legacy with immense contributions to Vidarbha cricket, celebrated for generations. The Vidarbha cricket team, representing eastern Maharashtra, participates in India’s domestic tournaments, including the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.