Current Affairs Quiz - February 2025

Notes:
Topographies of Tents, Terracotta, and Time is an international art exhibition that was held at the Srishti Art Gallery in Hyderabad in February 2025. The exhibition featured works by international and national artists, and explored themes of identity, displacement, and transformation. The exhibition was a collaboration between Srishti Art Gallery and Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad, and marked the gallery’s 25th anniversary.

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh government has launched a bio-engineering initiative to combat landslides using vetiver grass. The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) is leading the pilot project. The initiative is in collaboration with Vetiver Foundation-Climate Resilience and Sustainability Initiatives (CRSI), Tamil Nadu. 1,000 vetiver saplings have been planted in a nursery at Berti village, Solan. Vetiver’s deep roots (up to 4 meters) bind soil, prevent erosion, and reduce landslide risks by slowing water runoff.

Notes:
Nagaland launched its first ‘Adolescent Girls Club’ under Mission Shakti. These clubs are set up in both government and private schools for girls aged 10-19 years. The initiative aims to empower girls through education, health awareness, and life skills. The club in Wokha follows the motto “Live the promise.” It focuses on building confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills in adolescent girls.

Notes:
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, also called the Arctic Doomsday Vault, received over 14,000 new seed samples. It is located on the Norwegian Arctic Island and owned by Norway. It is managed by the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, NordGen, and the Crop Trust. It stores duplicate seeds from global genebanks as a backup against disasters like nuclear war, conflict, or climate change.

Notes:
Mahashivratri is a major festival for Shiva devotees worldwide. In Kashmir, it is uniquely celebrated as “Herath” by the Kashmiri Pandit community. The festival begins on the 13th day of Phalgun (February/March) and lasts until the new moon. “Herath” comes from “Hara” (Shiva) and “Ratri” (night). It symbolizes the unity of divine forces, consciousness, and feminine energy. The festival honors the sacred union of Shiva and Parvati, reflecting the broader significance of Mahashivratri.

Notes:
India’s External Affairs Minister and Heads of Missions from 61 countries took elephant and jeep safari in Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga National Park is in Assam, northeastern India. It is the largest undisturbed area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The terrain consists of forests, tall elephant grass, reeds, marshes, and shallow pools.

Notes:
Maharashtra’s state minister is suffering from Bell’s Palsy, a condition causing temporary facial paralysis. It results from inflammation or irritation of the facial nerve (seventh cranial nerve) controlling facial muscles. It is often linked to viral infections, but the cause is usually unknown (idiopathic). It can affect anyone, but is more common in adults. Symptoms include facial drooping, difficulty with facial expressions, drooling, and issues with closing the eyelid or smiling.

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NASA plans to launch the SPHEREx telescope aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is a megaphone-shaped space telescope with a 2-year mission. It will map the universe using optical and infrared cosmic light. It will study cosmic inflation, which occurred 14 billion years ago when the universe expanded faster than light. It will analyze galaxy formation, cosmic evolution, and life-forming molecules in the Milky Way. It will use spectroscopic imaging to map 450 million galaxies in 3D. It will complement the work of the James Webb and Hubble telescopes.

Notes:
A child died of measles in rural West Texas, marking the first US measles death in 10 years. The outbreak began last month, with 124 cases reported across nine counties. It started in a rural Mennonite community in Gaines County, where many children are unvaccinated and home-schooled. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory tract. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash covering the body. Severe cases can be fatal. The virus spreads through breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Vaccination is an effective protection against measles.

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Aadhaar Good Governance portal to simplify Aadhaar authentication approvals. The portal aims to make Aadhaar more user-friendly and improve access to services. The online platform swik.meity.gov.in is now active. It follows the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Amendment Rules, 2025, notified in January 2025. The amendment enhances transparency and inclusivity in decision-making. Aadhaar is the world’s most trusted digital ID.