Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

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.

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The Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry, in collaboration with Brahma Kumaris, unveiled the NMBA Vehicle in Delhi-NCR on Feb 14, aimed at raising drug abuse awareness. Part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the initiative focuses on educating youth about substance abuse’s harmful effects. The mobile platform facilitates NMBA awareness activities, extending the campaign’s reach and impact throughout Delhi-NCR.

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:
Sanjay Kumar Jain is the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Jain is an IRTS Officer from the 1990 batch and a qualified chartered accountant (CA). His career includes leadership roles in policy making, commercial ventures, and developmental ventures of the Government of India and PSUs.  The Government of India’s Ministry of Railways has approved Jain’s appointment until his superannuation on December 31, 2026, or until further orders.

Notes:
Researchers have uncovered a unique electric polarization mechanism in the mineral MnBi2S4, aka graţianite, a ternary manganese chalcogenide. It exhibits distinctive magnetic structures, such as spin density wave, cycloidal, and helical spin structures. Notably, the latter two induce ferroelectricity. MnBi2S4 is centrosymmetric and undergoes magnetic ordering at low temperatures (27, 23, and 21.5 Kelvins). This discovery could contribute to energy-efficient data storage.

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The Nohar irrigation project in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is set to receive increased water supply as the Ferozepur feeder in Punjab undergoes repairs, enhancing its capacity and flow. Following Central Water Commission intervention, a technical committee recommended Nohar feeder remodelling due to inadequate water availability. Rajasthan and Punjab governments agreed to collaborate, and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat convened a meeting to review the progress, focusing on renovating Baruwali distributary and Fatehabad branch. The estimated expenditure for the project is ₹139.51 crore.

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:
Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines to improve Indian ports’ performance, focusing on mapping, benchmarking, and aligning standards globally. Stemming from the success of GMIS 2023, a major maritime summit, the initiative aims to boost the maritime sector, evidenced by a ₹10 lakh crore investment commitment. The move underscores the government’s dedication to modernize and optimize India’s maritime infrastructure for economic growth and global competitiveness.

Notes:
Annually on February 20th, the World Day of Social Justice unites the global community to address worldwide inequality and injustice. Emphasizing decent work and fair globalization, the 2024 theme, “Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances,” underscores the significance of collaboration in confronting global challenges. This day serves as a crucial reminder to combat social exclusion and advocate for a more just and equitable world.

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France leads the Henley Passport Index 2024 with visa-free access to 194 countries. European nations like Germany, Italy, and Spain, benefiting from EU influence, also rank high. India, now at 85th place, improved visa-free access to 62 countries but dropped one position. Maldives, India’s maritime neighbor, stands at 58th place with visa-free access to 96 countries, highlighting its global travel flexibility.