Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
Scientists recently uncovered a Stone Age wall beneath the Baltic Sea in Germany, considered Europe’s oldest human-made megastructure. The 971-meter wide, less than 1 mtr tall wall, believed to be over 10,000 years old, was likely built by hunter-gatherers and may have served as a reindeer hunting lane. The Baltic Sea is a semi-enclosed sea in Northern Europe, a branch of the North Atlantic Ocean, dividing the Scandinavian Peninsula from mainland Europe, with 8,000 kilometers of coastline shared by multiple countries.

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The 11th International Puppet Festival was inaugurated at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on February 17, 2024. The festival’s inauguration was presided over by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh, Banwarilal Purohit, along with Rajeev Verma, Adviser to the Administrator. The festival runs from February 17–21, 2024 and includes special morning shows for students and evening shows for the general public. The festival also features a puppet exhibition that includes live demonstrations of puppet making.

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The 12th edition of the MILAN naval exercise took place in Visakhapatnam from February 19–27, 2024. The exercise, which has the theme “Forging Naval Alliances for a Secure Maritime Future,” aims to strengthen collaboration between participating navies.

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Chinese citizens are occupying Xiaokang border defense villages along India’s northeastern border. China has built 628 well-off villages along India’s borders with Tibet over five years, covering Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. In response, India launched the Vibrant Villages Programme in 2022, aiming to develop 663 border villages into modern tourist attractions. Zemithang, Taksing, and Chayang Tajo are located in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The villages are part of the Vibrant Village Programme, a pilot initiative by the government to develop remote and border villages.

Notes:
An Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter made a precautionary landing in Punjab due to a technical snag. The Chinook/CH-47F, manufactured by Boeing, is a tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter used for troop and supply transport. India operates 15 Chinooks, featuring advanced cargo handling, a fully integrated digital cockpit, and a triple hook system. With a maximum speed of 160 knots, it can carry 55 troops or 10 tonnes of cargo, showcasing its versatility in military operations.

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A recent bull shark attack on a fisherman in Maharashtra’s Vaitarna River marked the first sighting of the aggressive species 40km upstream. Vaitarna, a west-flowing river, originates in Trimbakeshwar Hills and drains 2019 sq km in Thane and Nasik districts. Bull sharks, known for their aggressiveness, can tolerate freshwater and saltwater, venturing into rivers. The species, with a unique viviparity reproduction method, is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to threats.

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:
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:
Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C has named Indian cricketer Shubman Gill as the state icon for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Gill will participate in various election campaigns to raise voter awareness and increase turnout in the state. Punjabi singer Tarsem Jassar has also been selected as a “state icon” and will conduct similar campaigns.