Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government launched the ‘Jal Kalash’ initiative at Prayagraj during Mahakumbh. It aims to collect and recycle plastic water bottles to prevent environmental harm. The initiative is led by G Ashok Kumar, former Director General of Namami Gange Mission. A 20-day campaign (Feb 1-20, 2025) is organized by Development Alternatives in collaboration with the HCL Foundation. Adarsh Seva Samiti and Mangal Bhumi Foundation are also providing local support to the initiative.

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Researchers found that bacterial cellulose can be used as a bandage to help plants heal and regenerate faster. It is a natural polymer produced by certain bacteria. It has unique properties that make it effective for plant wound care. Bacterial cellulose bandages offer a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments. This method supports healthier plant growth and eco-friendly farming. It enhances plant healing, leading to better crop yields and resilience. This breakthrough integrates biotechnology into agriculture, promoting sustainable farming and food security.

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Kerala Government, in collaboration with Remidio, launched Nayanamritham 2.0, the world’s first AI-assisted chronic eye disease screening program. It builds on Nayanamritham 1.0, which focused on diabetic retinopathy screening. Optometrists use AI-enabled fundus cameras to classify cases as referable or non-referable for faster diagnoses. Now includes screening for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Covers community health centers, taluk hospitals, and district hospitals. Aims to reduce preventable blindness, improve early detection, and enhance patient care. Kerala is the first government public health system globally to adopt AI for eye screening.

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International Mother Language Day is observed on February 21 every year to promote linguistic diversity. UNESCO established it in 1999, recognizing the Bengali people’s struggle for language rights. The 2025 theme is “Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day,” marking 25 years of preserving linguistic heritage.

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Vishvaa Rajakumar, a 20-year-old Indian student, won the Memory League World Championship 2025. He memorized 80 random numbers in 13.50 seconds and 30 images in 8.40 seconds. The Memory League World Championship is a top-level online memory competition. Rajakumar, ranked No. 1 with a score of 5,000, studies at Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology, Puducherry. He credits hydration for improving memory speed and clarity. His goal is to become a memory trainer and establish a memory institute in India.

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PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the first SOUL Leadership Conclave at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on February 21, 2025. The event was attended by Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay and other dignitaries. The two-day conclave (Feb 21-22) featured leaders from politics, sports, arts, media, business, and public policy sharing insights on leadership. It aimed to inspire young audiences by discussing successes, failures, and leadership challenges. SOUL (School of Ultimate Leadership) is a new leadership institution in Gujarat to train leaders based on merit, commitment, and public service.

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Scientists discovered deadly brine pools beneath the Red Sea that kill or stun marine life. Brine pools are hypersaline, oxygen-lacking lakes on the seafloor, denser than surrounding ocean water. They are also called “underwater lakes” because their high salt content prevents mixing with seawater. The Orca Basin in the Gulf of Mexico has the deepest known brine pool, 2,200 meters below sea level. This pool is 8 times saltier than the Gulf, with a salt content of 300 g/liter. Most sea life cannot survive in these pools, but some specialized organisms thrive.

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Researchers at Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a method to reduce anion migration in CsPbX3 perovskite nanocrystals. Perovskite nanocrystals have the same structure as calcium titanium oxide (CaTiO3). They follow the chemical formula ABX₃, where ‘A’ and ‘B’ are cations, and ‘X’ is an anion. These crystals can be designed with various physical, optical, and electrical properties. They are used in optoelectronics, including solar cells, photodetectors, and LEDs. Perovskite LEDs combine the benefits of OLEDs and QLEDs, making them promising for next-generation lighting.

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RBI launched RBIDATA, a mobile app for seamless access to macroeconomic and financial data on the Indian economy. The app serves researchers, students, policymakers, and the public with over 11,000 economic data series. It connects to RBI’s Database on the Indian Economy (DBIE) for structured and interactive data exploration. A banking facility locator helps users find bank branches within a 20 km radius. The app also provides financial data from SAARC nations for regional economic comparisons.

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The ‘Cali Fund’ was launched at COP16 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome. It is an international fund to protect biodiversity and ensure fair benefit-sharing from genetic resources. At least 50% of the funds will support indigenous and local communities. Businesses using genetic resources are encouraged to contribute a share of their profits. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) focuses on conserving biodiversity and fair benefit-sharing.