Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
The West Bengal government has declared Rabindranath Tagore’s song “Banglar Mati Banglar Jal” as the State Song. The song has an approximate playing time of 1 minute and 59 seconds. The notification mandates that the State Song must be played with due respect at the beginning of all state government functions, and the National Anthem must be played at the conclusion of these functions.

Notes:
Astronauts on the International Space Station experience 45 minutes of daylight followed by 45 minutes of darkness in each orbit. This is significantly different from the typical 12-hour day-night cycle on Earth. Thus, the crew at International Space Station witnesses 16 New Year countdowns in a row.

Notes:
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has commissioned the Asanur Pipeline Terminal in Tamil Nadu to cater to the growing energy demand in the state. Built at a cost of ₹456 crore, it will serve 8 districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by transporting petroleum products through a pipeline network. It will reduce pressure on existing terminals in Chennai.

Notes:
FMR refers to the Free Movement Regime operational on India’s border with Myanmar. It allows tribal communities living along both sides of the boundary to travel up to 16 km across the border without visas. However, amidst rising illegal immigration and security challenges tied to cross-border crime, India plans to discontinue the FMR scheme and mandate visas for Myanmarese nationals’ entry. Concerns around FMR facilitating entry of non-tribals abusing its lax regulations prompted this reassessment of the agreement after 75 years.

Notes:
Arunachal Pradesh has successfully implemented the indigenous road construction technology “REJUPAVE,” developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), Ministry of Science and Technology. This technology has been specifically designed to construct high altitude bituminous roads in low and sub-zero temperature conditions, a scenario prevalent in the region, especially near the Indo-China border. The use of REJUPAVE is particularly significant for the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in their project VARTAK, as it addresses the challenges of building and maintaining durable roads in harsh and cold environments. The technology has proved its efficacy in constructing bituminous road sections at the World’s Highest Sela Road Tunnel and the LGG-Damteng-Yangste (LDY Road) road section, showcasing India’s innovative capabilities in road construction under extreme conditions.

Notes:
The humanoid robot ALOHA was developed through a collaborative effort by researchers at Google DeepMind and Stanford University. This innovative robot is designed for bimanual teleoperation and is capable of performing a range of tasks autonomously and through user-controlled operations. ALOHA’s development represents a significant advancement in the field of robotics, showcasing the capabilities of combining machine learning algorithms with practical robotic applications. The open-source nature of ALOHA’s hardware and software further emphasizes the commitment of Google DeepMind and Stanford University to contribute to the broader field of robotics research and development.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed India’s man-portable air defense missile system, known as the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS). This system is designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats at ranges up to 6 kilometers. The VSHORADS, which represents a significant advancement in India’s defense technology, is notable for its state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker, making it technically superior to existing man-portable air defense systems in the Indian armed forces. The system is undergoing user trials and, upon successful completion, is expected to enter bulk production.

Notes:
The Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, which was recently in the news due to issues related to encroachment, is located in the state of Chhattisgarh. The tiger reserve, situated in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, has faced challenges due to illegal encroachment in its buffer area. The Chhattisgarh high court ordered the removal of encroachers from the reserve, following a legal battle where the court rejected the petition filed by the encroachers. This action was based on evidence, including ISRO satellite imagery, which showed that the encroached region was once dense forest until 2012. The issue has highlighted the challenges faced by wildlife reserves in India in terms of illegal encroachment and the need for vigilant conservation efforts.

Notes:
Sheikh Hasina, who recently secured a record fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, belongs to the Awami League. Under her leadership, the Awami League won 200 seats in the 300-seat parliament in the Bangladesh general elections. This significant victory not only solidified Sheikh Hasina’s position as the Prime Minister but also reaffirmed the Awami League’s strong presence and influence in Bangladeshi politics. The party’s success in these elections continues its long-standing dominance in the country’s political landscape.

Notes:
The Indian economy is projected to grow at a rate of 6.2% in 2024, a slight decrease from the 6.3% estimate for 2023. This growth is supported by strong domestic demand and the robust performance of the manufacturing and services sectors. This positions India as the fastest-growing large economy in the world, as stated in the United Nations World Economic Situation And Prospects Report for 2024.