Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2024

Notes:
The Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Tribal Affairs collaborate to enhance public health for over 20,000 tribal students. The joint effort emphasizes Ayurvedic interventions to tackle health issues, including malnutrition, iron deficiency anemia, and sickle cell diseases. The initiative aims to study tribal health needs and provide targeted public healthcare services for improved well-being.

Notes:
The Madhya Pradesh government plans to launch a 130-kilometer cruise service on the Narmada River, connecting the ‘Statue of Oneness’ in Omkareshwar to Gujarat’s ‘Statue of Unity.’ Talks with the Gujarat government are underway, and the cruise, expected to commence next year, aims to promote rural tourism. Travelers will explore attractions like Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandu, and Sardar Sarovar Dam, with a road transfer from the Statue of Oneness to Kukshi in Dhar enhancing the overall experience.

Notes:
The theme of the 8th Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) 2024 is “Geo-economic Challenges in an Era of Flux”. The conference will be held in Pune from February 29 to March 2, 2024. The AED is an annual geo-economics conference that will feature 46 speakers from 11 countries participating in 12 sessions over three days. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Pune International Centre are jointly hosting the event.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a laser weapon called DURGA-2 (Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array). DURGA-2 is a 100-kilowatt, lightweight, directed-energy weapon (DEW). It can be used for land, naval, and air use. DURGA-2 can neutralise drone or ballistic missile attacks from the skies or even at the originating location. It can travel at the speed of light.

Notes:
Dozens of exotic birds and animals, relocated to Gujarat’s Sardar Patel Zoological Park near the Statue of Unity, have perished in the past two years. The 182-meter tall statue, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stands on Sadhu Bet Island, Gujarat, by the Narmada Dam. Constructed by Larsen & Toubro and designed by Ram V Sutar, the statue honors India’s ‘Iron Man’. The Gujarat government funded the INR 3,050-crore project, covering 20,000 square meters with a surrounding artificial lake of 12 square kilometers.

Notes:
The sacred MakhaBucha (Magh Puja) ceremony, a revered event for Buddhists in Thailand, was led by esteemed Somdet and senior monks. MakhaBucha Day marks Lord Buddha’s teachings, celebrated on the full moon of the third lunar month. “Makha” refers to the month, and “bucha” means “to worship” in Pali language. The day aims to purify the mind with good deeds. Celebrations include offering food to monks and candlelight processions. It’s the first significant Buddhist festival, observed in Theravada Buddhism practicing nations like Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

Notes:
The 5th edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ began at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan, India, lasting from February 25 to March 9, 2024. It involves the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, emphasizing joint tactical maneuvers in a simulated semi-urban setting. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen military cooperation, aligning with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

Notes:
The International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate) and Microsoft signed an MoU, facilitated by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, to boost AI startups in India. The partnership, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, aims to support AI startups in both big cities and smaller towns/villages. The collaboration launches the IMPEL AI program, screening 1100 innovators to become AI Most Valuable Players (MVPs) and focusing on themes like Healthcare, Financial Inclusion, Sustainability, Education, Agriculture, and Smart Cities. The top 25 startups will receive go-to-market support from Microsoft’s Global Network.

Notes:
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) called ‘Nisarg Gram’ in Pune, Maharashtra. Named after Mahatma Gandhi’s Nature Cure campaign, the campus includes a hospital, multidisciplinary research center, extension service center, and a Naturopathy Medical College. The institute is a significant step towards promoting natural healing methods and holistic healthcare.

Notes:
A recent study focused on the Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI) to combat global warming in West Asia and North Africa. SAI involves injecting reflective aerosols into the stratosphere to mimic the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions. Inspired by the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, this method aims to scatter radiation in the stratosphere, reducing tropospheric absorption. The artificial aerosol layer can be created by deploying sulfur particles via cannons, balloons, or aircraft. The study evaluates SAI’s potential impact on mitigating global warming in the MENA region.