Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

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:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released guidelines on managing diphtheria, a contagious bacterial infection of the nose and throat caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets or touching infected sores. While treatable with medications, advanced cases can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Symptoms include a gray throat membrane, sore throat, swollen glands, and difficulty breathing. Current treatments involve Diphtheria Antitoxin, antibiotics, and supportive care to prevent complications like airway obstruction and myocarditis.

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:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the launch of Mission Basundhara 4.0, focusing on surveying land within riverine areas. The government aims to settle land in mission mode, terming it as Basundhara. Basundhara 3.0 will commence after Lok Sabha elections, focusing on comprehensive land management and reserving revenue villages with 100% ST and SC communities. Mission Basundhara 2.0, launched in November 2022, addressed indigenous peoples land rights, settling over 3 lakh bigha in Brahmaputra Valley and 1 thousand bigha in Barak Valley. Mission Basundhara 3.0 will bring reforms, waiving the ‘three-generation’ requirement for tea, Adivasi, Gorkha, ST, and SC communities. Sunsali and Tea Garden Grant areas residents get a one-time opportunity under Mission Basundhara 3.0 for land patta applications.

Notes:
NASA and Japan’s space agency, JAXA, are planning to launch the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, in 2024. The satellite is designed to reduce space debris and is made of biodegradable magnolia wood, known as Hoonoki in Japanese. The satellite is being developed by scientists at Kyoto University. First tests have been performed in space-simulating laboratories, and wood samples found no signs of damage, decomposition, or mass changes. The initiative aims to make spaceflight operations more sustainable and pave the way for a more sustainable future in orbit.

Notes:
The Sominsai festival, deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, recently marked its millennium-long legacy’s final celebration. This ancient tradition, occurring on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, showcased fervent nude wrestling matches among hundreds of men over wooden talismans. The festival, a captivating spectacle of tradition and spirituality, has left an indelible mark on Japan’s cultural landscape.

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:
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.

Notes:
The Government of Goa is partnering with the World Bank to establish India’s first subnational blended finance facility, focusing on climate resilience. Announced at the 2024 India Climate and Development Partners Meeting, this innovative initiative aims to leverage concessional finance for low-carbon investments. The facility will bridge green financing and domestic capital markets, facilitating climate action projects with and without existing funding, ultimately enhancing Goa’s and other coastal states’ resilience to climate impacts.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh government unveils an innovative ‘bag-less school’ policy, challenging educational norms. Starting 2024-25, this initiative mandates a bag-free day each week. The state government issues weight limits for school bags, ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 kg for classes 1 and 2, to 2.5 to 4.5 kg for classes 9 and 10. This move aims to alleviate the physical burden on students, fostering a more comfortable and holistic learning environment.