Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
The Consumer Affairs Secretary advocates the infusion of artificial intelligence into the ‘e-Jagriti’ portal to expedite consumer court case resolutions. The portal, under the Department of Consumer Affairs, streamlines consumer dispute redressal through features like online case filing, fee payment, and AI-driven smart search for archived complaints. It integrates various grievance platforms, utilizing AI and ML technologies for voice-to-text conversions, metadata creation, and a virtual court facility, aiming to enhance efficiency and accessibility in consumer complaint resolution.

Notes:
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of 11 Shakti warfare systems and related equipment. The electronic warfare system will be installed on the Indian Navy’s frontline warships. The advanced EW system ‘Shakti’ was designed and developed by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory Hyderabad to intercept, detect, classify, identify, and jam conventional and modern radars. BEL is an Indian government-owned aerospace and defense electronics company that primarily manufactures advanced electronic products for ground and aerospace applications.

Notes:
The Prime Minister of India launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a ₹75,000 crore initiative providing 300 units of free electricity per month to 1 crore households. The scheme promotes rooftop solar systems through incentives to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats. The Central Government ensures no financial burden on citizens, offering subsidies and concessional bank loans. Benefits include annual savings, electric vehicle charging, entrepreneurship, and job opportunities in solar-related fields.

Notes:
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:
ISRO is organizing the ‘Young Scientist Programme’ (YUVIKA) for school children, aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology and Science. Intended to create awareness and inspire STEM interest, the two-week residential program offers talks, lab visits, and discussions with experts. Eligible students, finishing class 8 and currently in class 9, can apply, with special consideration for rural students. Three participants from each state/UT are selected based on academic performance and extracurricular activities, emphasizing a younger age in case of ties.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Nepal Rastra Bank have partnered to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Nepal’s National Payments Interface (NPI). The collaboration aims to establish infrastructure for seamless cross-border transactions, facilitating efficient remittances. The formalized agreement signifies a concerted effort to interlink UPI and NPI, enhancing the speed and ease of cross-border payments between the two countries.

Notes:
A dispute in Lakshadweep has arisen over the administration’s assertion of government ownership of Pandaram lands, leading to tension with locals. The conflict escalated as the administrator claimed Pandaram properties belonged to the government, contradicting traditional ownership. Locals allege the administration is violating a High Court stay on numbering coconut trees on Pandaram lands, suggesting potential felling. Despite officials refusing to comment on record, a senior official dismissed concerns as presumptions.

Notes:
A statue of U Tirot Sing, a Khasi Hills freedom fighter who resisted British colonialism 200 years ago, was recently unveiled at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka. Known as the ‘Hero of the Khasi Hills,’ Tirot Sing’s heroic struggle against British forces in 1829, during the Anglo-Khasi War, has inspired many. Captured and dying in Dhaka on July 17, 1835, Tirot Sing’s legacy is celebrated, with Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and High Commissioner Pranay Verma attending the unveiling.

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:
The Neem Summit & Global Neem Trade Fair, hosted in New Delhi on 19-20 February 2024, is a collaborative initiative led by ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi. With diverse stakeholders, the event highlights neem’s versatile applications in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Embracing the theme “Neem for Sustainable Agriculture, Health, and Environment,” the summit aims to spotlight neem’s multifaceted benefits and promote its role in fostering sustainability across various sectors.