Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath received the 2024 K.P.P. Nambiar Award from IEEE Kerala section for his pivotal role in Chandrayaan-3 and significant contributions to ISRO missions. The award, named after electronic industry pioneer K.P.P. Nambiar, honors individuals or groups in Kerala for notable advancements in technology aligned with IEEE’s vision. Somanath’s recognition highlights his outstanding achievements and leadership in steering ISRO’s lunar exploration program.

Notes:
The Consumer Affairs Secretary advocates the infusion of artificial intelligence into the ‘e-Jagriti’ portal to expedite consumer court case resolutions. The portal, under the Department of Consumer Affairs, streamlines consumer dispute redressal through features like online case filing, fee payment, and AI-driven smart search for archived complaints. It integrates various grievance platforms, utilizing AI and ML technologies for voice-to-text conversions, metadata creation, and a virtual court facility, aiming to enhance efficiency and accessibility in consumer complaint resolution.

Notes:
On February 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in Abu Dhabi. BAPS, a socio-spiritual Hindu faith rooted in the Vedas, was formally established in 1907 CE. It promotes practical spirituality and addresses spiritual, moral, and social challenges. BAPS followers adhere to five lifetime vows, and the organization is involved in global humanitarian activities, education, women’s development, and holds NGO status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

Notes:
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the University of Liverpool have signed a Collaboration Agreement for the ‘AIIMS Liverpool Collaborative Centre for Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer (ALHNS)’. This collaboration aims to advance medical innovation and personalized cancer treatments. The agreement, signed in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of affordable and accessible healthcare for all citizens.

Notes:
Global Tourism Resilience Day (GTRD) is celebrated on February 17th every year. The day was designated by the United Nations in 2023 to highlight the need for tourism development to be more resilient to shocks and emergencies. The initiative focuses on bolstering the tourism sector against various challenges, supporting sustainable development, and promoting economic stability, particularly in developing nations.

Notes:
The Chief Minister of Assam has announced a mission to reclaim chars, riverine islands in the Brahmaputra, to preserve ecological integrity. Chars face constant migration, with erosion upstream and deposition downstream during floods, impacting their geometry. Char areas encounter challenges like poor communication, mobility, and infrastructure, hindering development. Issues include isolation, flood threats, and difficulties implementing schemes for roads, irrigation, power, and education in these unique, flood-prone regions.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS Varaha made a port call at Maputo Port, Mozambique. The visit is part of a strategic overseas deployment to East Africa and is a milestone in diplomatic maritime engagements. The visit lasts three days and includes professional interactions in the fields of: Marine Pollution Response (MPR) Maritime Law Enforcement Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR). The visit also includes engagements with the Mozambican Navy, outreach events, yoga, and coastal cleanup as part of Puneet Sagar Abhiyaan.

Notes:
The Maritime Technical Exposition MTEX-24 is a key feature of MILAN 2024 in Visakhapatnam, showcasing India’s strides in naval technology. Inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MTEX-24 spans three days and emphasizes self-reliance in defence. It highlights advancements in shipbuilding, communication, cybersecurity, and sustainable energy solutions. Key participants include major players, defence start-ups, PSUs, and Naval organizations, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. MTEX-24 aims to propel India’s maritime industry towards a secure and prosperous future.

Notes:
In February 2024, scientists uncovered the world’s largest anaconda in the Amazon rainforest—a colossal Northern Green Anaconda. Discovered by TV wildlife presenter Professor Freek Vonk during a National Geographic expedition, this previously unknown snake measures 26 feet, weighs 200 kg, and boasts a head the size of a human’s. Featured in National Geographic’s Disney+ series ‘Pole to Pole’ with Will Smith, the snake has been named ‘Eunectes akayima’ by researchers, solidifying its status as the planet’s largest and heaviest snake.

Notes:
India has won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tehran, Iran. On the opening day of the championships, the following athletes won gold medals: Tajinderpal Singh Toor: Ace shot putter Jyothi Yarraji: 100m hurdler Harmilan Bains: 1500m