Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
South Indian Bank has been honored as the Best Technology Bank of the Year at the 19th IBA Annual Banking Technology Conference. The bank received six awards, including three wins, one runner-up position, and two special mentions. T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, presented the accolades to PR Seshadri, MD & CEO of South Indian Bank, at the Mumbai venue organized by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

Notes:
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the significant potential of India’s inland waterways as a growth engine, emphasizing PM Narendra Modi’s focus on harnessing this vital resource. Speaking at Kalugaht, Bihar, he inaugurated the Kalughat Inland Waterways Transport terminal on National Waterways-1, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of water transport. Sonowal credited Prime Minister for amending the Inland Vessel Act, simplifying permit systems and transforming India into a major player in riverways and maritime cargo handling with the increase of National Waterways from 5 to 111.

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:
Prabowo Subianto, a 72-year-old former Special Forces commander and defense minister, claimed victory in the Indonesian presidential election, securing nearly 60% of votes according to quick counts. Born in Jakarta in 1951, he joined the Indonesian Military Academy in 1970, rising through the ranks. Prabowo, a close associate of Soeharto, married the former leader’s daughter. Notably, he led the Kopassus unit during the anti-Chinese riots in May 1998.

Notes:
The Rajasthan Mines Department has discovered over 840 million tonnes of iron ore in Khoda, Dadaroli, Todupura, and Liloti near Hindon, Karauli. A composite license for iron ore blocks spanning 1,888 hectares is set for auction. Preliminary exploration revealed magnetite and hematite deposits across 462.3 hectares in Khoda, 754.38 hectares in Dadaroli, 260.71 hectares in Todupura, and 410.94 hectares in Liloti. The findings are expected to boost industrial investment, particularly benefiting steel, cement, coal, and related industries in the state, fostering economic growth and job opportunities.

Notes:
The Chairman of Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti recently advocated for promoting Indian languages in education, announcing that textbooks will soon be available in Indian languages on digital platforms. Established by the Ministry of Education in 2021, the committee’s mandate, under the National Education Policy 2020, involves recommending pathways for holistic growth of Indian languages, advising the Ministry on language revitalization, and organizing events to emphasize language promotion. The High-Powered Committee may appoint sub-committees and collaborate with government institutions for language teaching and research.

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.

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Astronomers announced the discovery of J0529-4351, the brightest and fastest-growing quasar to date. This quasar harbors a supermassive black hole 17 billion times the Sun’s mass. Quasars are active galactic nuclei (AGNs), fueled by supermassive black holes at a galaxy’s center. Not all AGNs are quasars, which form in regions of high matter density. Quasars are exceptionally luminous and powerful cosmic phenomena, arising from active galaxies with intense matter consumption, leading to the formation of spiraling accretion disks.

Notes:
Shashi Tharoor, a diplomat, author, and politician, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur,’ France’s highest civilian honor, for his lifelong commitment to global understanding and substantial service to India and the world. The Legion of Honour, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, symbolizes French recognition for exceptional contributions, transcending nationality. Tharoor’s accolade reflects his notable dedication to fostering international relations and his significant impact on both India and the global community.

Notes:
On February 21, 2024, International Mother Language Day is celebrated globally, acknowledging linguistic diversity. Originating in Bangladesh, the day emphasizes the historical movement for linguistic rights. In 2024, the theme is “Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning,” underscoring the importance of linguistic education. This Wednesday marks a special occasion to recognize and celebrate the significance of mother languages worldwide.