Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
“Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (BBBP) was launched in 2015 to address gender imbalance and child sex ratio issues in India. Odisha implemented several schemes under BBBP, including “Nirbhaya Kadhi” in Ganjam, “Kalpana Avijan” in Dhenkanal, “Swarna Kalika” in Keonjhar, and “Veerangana Yojana” in Deogarh. “Nirbhaya Kadhi” in Ganjam covered 183,933 adolescent girls, leading to the district being declared child marriage-free in 2022. “Kalpana Avijan” in Dhenkanal tracked and prevented 343 child marriages from 2019-2024. “Swarna Kalika” in Keonjhar reduced child marriages by 50% through awareness campaigns. “Veerangana” in Deogarh trained 6,000 girls in self-defense and won the SKOCH Award.

Notes:
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo are advancing south toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. They aim to expand control in the country’s east after capturing Goma. The M23 (March 23 Movement) is an armed rebel group operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North Kivu province. It originated in 2012 from a faction of the Congolese army, citing grievances over a 2009 peace agreement. The recent escalation has caused massive destruction and violence.

Notes:
The 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, is held at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, from February 10-14, 2025. The event follows the theme ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’ and promotes India’s self-reliance in defence under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. More than 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies from 90+ countries, are participating, making it the biggest Aero India ever. India showcases indigenous innovations like Tejas, Prachand, Agni, Astra, and Pinaka missile systems, boosting defence exports and self-sufficiency.

Notes:
The restructured National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2018-19 as a centrally sponsored scheme. It supports both government and private sectors for bamboo cultivation on non-forest land, market establishment, product development, and tool creation. The funding pattern is 60:40 (Centre-State), except for NE & Hilly states (90:10) and Union Territories (100%). Key goals include increasing quality planting materials, expanding bamboo cultivation, improving post-harvest management, and reducing reliance on bamboo imports. The mission is implemented through state nodal departments nominated by respective state/UT governments.

Notes:
The Indian Army and Indian Air Force conducted EX Winged Raiders in the Eastern Theater. The exercise focused on special airborne operations to improve inter-service synergy. It aimed at enhancing interoperability, crucial for the planned integrated theatre command. Interoperability allows different armed forces to use each other’s weapon systems efficiently. The exercise involved airborne insertion techniques using fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Chinook helicopters were used for special airborne operations. The training enhanced troop expertise, rapid deployment, and mission readiness.

Notes:
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister expressed “significant concern” over the Cook Islands signing a cooperation deal with China. The Cook Islands is located in the South Pacific Ocean, between Tonga and French Polynesia. It is a self-governing nation with a “free association” pact with New Zealand. The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands, divided into northern (coral atolls) and southern (volcanic, densely populated) groups.

Notes:
Former Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne retired after his 100th Test against Australia in Galle. He scored 36 and 14 in his farewell match, which Australia won by nine wickets. Karunaratne is the seventh Sri Lankan to play 100 Tests and scored 7,222 runs at an average of nearly 40. He captained Sri Lanka in 30 Tests (2019-2023), winning 12 matches. He led Sri Lanka to a historic 2-0 Test series win over South Africa in 2019. His 16 Test centuries as an opener is a Sri Lankan record, shared with Marvan Atapattu.

Notes:
Operation Devil Hunt was launched in Bangladesh to curb rising violence targeting properties linked to former PM Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus ordered the crackdown after attacks in Gazipur district spread nationwide. More than 1,300 people have been arrested, with army, police, and special units involved in the operation. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence in Dhaka was set on fire, escalating tensions. The BNP, led by Khaleda Zia, has called for nationwide rallies from February 11, demanding stronger measures and a clear electoral plan.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Thaipusam. Thaipusam is named after the Tamil month “Thai” and the star “Poosam.” It honors Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war, victory, and wisdom. The festival marks the day when Goddess Parvati gave Lord Murugan the divine vel (spear) to defeat the demon Surapadma. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month Thai. It is widely observed by Tamils in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries.

Notes:
Engineers in Japan activated Reimei, the world’s first hybrid quantum supercomputer. It features a 20-qubit quantum processor integrated into Fugaku, the world’s sixth-fastest supercomputer. Unlike most quantum computers, Reimei uses trapped-ion qubits, which isolate charged atoms in an electromagnetic ion trap and use lasers for precise control. This hybrid system aims to handle complex calculations beyond traditional supercomputers. It is expected to advance research in physics and chemistry.