Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Sandeep Kaur, Director of the Women’s Welfare Department, announces a significant increase in grants for the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana. In response to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive, the grant per beneficiary will rise from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 annually starting April. The initiative, addressing challenges faced by girls in Uttar Pradesh, aims to enhance their well-being from birth through their educational journey.

Notes:
OpenAI has introduced Sora, a cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) model capable of transforming text prompts into high-quality videos up to a minute in length. GenAI utilizes machine learning to produce content by learning patterns from training data. Sora maintains visual excellence and follows user prompts, showcasing the potential of AI in creative content generation.

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.

Notes:
India’s women’s badminton team won their first-ever gold medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam, Malaysia. The team defeated Thailand 3-2 in the final match, with Anmol Kharb’s victory over Pornpicha Choeikeewong in the third singles game clinching the gold.

Notes:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami introduced ‘Himalayan Basket’ at his residence, a venture initiated in 2018 by Sumit and Sneha Thapliyal. This initiative involves purchasing agricultural products such as milk, turmeric, and mint, processing them into various products, and supplying them internationally.

Notes:
Four bone fragments of Lord Buddha, known as Kapilvastu Relics, discovered by William Claxton Peppé in 1898 at Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, will be taken to Thailand after 30 years. The relics were excavated from the ancient city of Kapilavastu. According to Buddhist beliefs, Buddha attained salvation in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar at the age of 80, and his relics were divided among different communities to erect stupas, with Ashoka later enshrining them in numerous stupas to spread Buddhism.

Notes:
Japan has pledged JPY 232 billion for nine projects in India, as confirmed by the exchange of notes on February 20, 2024, between Vikas Sheel of the Indian Ministry of Finance and Suzuki Hiroshi, the Japanese Ambassador. The committed ODA loan assistance covers various initiatives, including the Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge, NH 127B (Phulbari-Goeragre section), start-up promotion in Telangana, Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (Phase 2), sustainable horticulture in Haryana, climate change response in Rajasthan, medical facilities in Nagaland, urban water supply in Uttarakhand, and the Dedicated Freight Corridor Project.

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, India contributed 1 million to the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) Fund for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation. India has been a regular contributor to the fund since its inception, contributing a total of 15.1 million. The IBSA Fund’s projects aim to help partner countries in the Global South achieve their national priorities and other internationally agreed development goals.

Notes:
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a bill prohibiting hookah bars in the state, imposing imprisonment of 1-3 years and fines up to Rs 1 lakh for violations. The bill also bans tobacco products in public places, sale near educational institutions, and to those under 21. Titled the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2024, it amends the 2003 central act in the state. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed protecting youth’s health and preventing tobacco-related diseases, citing hookah’s glamorization among the youth.