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 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.

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The Kula Mama Volleyball Tournament-2024 at Melghat Tiger Reserve’s Semadoh promotes tiger and forest conservation with local youth engagement. Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, established in 1967, declared a tiger reserve in 1974, and the first in the state, is located in the Amaravati district. Characterized by tropical dry deciduous forests and major rivers, it plays a crucial role in protecting wildlife. The tournament underscores the significance of preserving this pristine landscape and its inhabitants.

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‘Anuvadini’ is an AI-driven multilingual translation app designed in-house, enabling rapid conversion of English content into various languages via machine learning, supplemented by expert reviews. In the last two years, it has translated numerous textbooks for Ekumbh, an online platform. The initiative also offers 12 regional language choices for national entrance exams, showcasing substantial progress in the realm of AI-based language translation.

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Archaeologists recently uncovered Morodharo, a Harappan-era fortified settlement in Kutch District, Gujarat. Dating from 2,600 to 1,300 BCE, the settlement spans the mature to late Harappan period. The fortification, measuring 102m east to west and 58m north to south, boasts a 3.3m thick wall. Features include a 10x10m platform, a well, burial cairns, and Harappan pottery with perforated jar sherds. Resembling finds from Dholavira, the discovery sheds light on this ancient civilization.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) as part of India’s G20 presidency. The initiative aims to democratize digital health technologies, featuring components such as a country needs tracker and a transformation toolbox. Union Health Minister Mandaviya highlighted its role in creating an institutional framework for digital health, while Bagchi emphasized India’s digital response during the pandemic. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros emphasized GIDH’s support in addressing health system fragmentation and overlap, promoting global digital health standards.

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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.

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In February 2024, India contributed $1 million to the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) Fund for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation. India has been a regular contributor to the fund since its inception, contributing a total of $15.1 million. The IBSA Fund’s projects aim to help partner countries in the Global South achieve their national priorities and other internationally agreed development goals.

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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently launched four portals, including NaViGate Bharat, a bilingual platform by the New Media Wing. NaViGate Bharat serves as a unified gateway hosting government-related videos, simplifying access to developmental measures and citizen welfare initiatives. The platform empowers users with an interactive interface for searching, streaming, sharing, and downloading content, streamlining information retrieval from various sources into a single, reliable platform for both media and the public.

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February 24th marks India’s Central Excise Day, commemorating the 1944 enactment of the Central Excise and Salt Act. First celebrated in 1944, it honors CBIC’s contribution to the nation. The day underscores tax obligations for citizens, vital for national development. In 2024, the government focuses on modernizing India’s tax system, prioritizing user-friendliness to advance the nation’s goals. Central Excise Day serves as a timely reminder to promote tax compliance for collective progress.