Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Matarbari, which has been recently in the news, is the first deep sea port of Bangladesh. This port is being developed with assistance from Japan, with the aim of boosting exports for Bangladesh. It is expected to enhance economic ties and open up development prospects not only for Bangladesh but also for India’s northeastern states, including Tripura. The project is set to start operations in 2027 and is seen as a significant development in the region’s infrastructure and trade connectivity.

Notes:
Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh has taken over as the new Chief of Materiel of the Indian Navy from Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani. The Chief of Materiel is the head of the Materials Branch of the Navy, dealing with logistics and maintenance. Vice Admiral Deshmukh is an alumnus of VJTI Mumbai and a postgraduate from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

Notes:
India and Pakistan recently continued their long-standing practice of exchanging lists of their nuclear installations and facilities, a procedure they have followed since January 1, 1992. This exchange, which is the 33rd consecutive one, is mandated by the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. The agreement, signed in 1988 and effective from 1991, requires both countries to annually inform each other about their nuclear installations and facilities every January 1st. This exchange is significant as it happens despite ongoing tensions between the two countries over issues like Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.

Notes:
Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) was introduced by the government in April 2018 with the primary aim of providing financial assistance to tuberculosis (TB) patients for their nutritional needs. Recognizing undernutrition as a significant risk factor for TB, the scheme offers ₹500 per month as direct benefit transfer (DBT) to TB patients. This monetary support is intended to help patients purchase food and maintain a nutritious diet throughout the duration of their TB treatment. The scheme has seen a gradual increase in beneficiaries over the years, indicating its growing reach and importance in supporting TB patients’ nutritional needs.

Notes:
Rajasthan will host the India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’. The inaugural edition of this bilateral drill will be conducted from January 2nd to January 15th, 2024 in Rajasthan. The aim is to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and UAE forces by exchanging best practices in areas like urban operations. This comes under expanding defense ties between the two nations who are strategic partners.

Notes:
The first Girls’ Military School in India was inaugurated in Vrindavan, Mathura. This inaugural event was jointly conducted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Samvid Gurukulam Girls Military School, located within the Vatsalya Gram campus and established by Sadhvi Ritambhara, aims to provide education and training to 870 female students. This initiative marks a significant step in extending military education traditionally reserved for male students in India to female students as well.

Notes:
The ‘National Single Window System (NSWS)’ launched by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is primarily designed to streamline the import of medical devices. Developed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) through Invest India, this unified portal aims to create a centralized platform for investors, thus enhancing the ease of doing business. The NSWS serves as a one-stop-shop for all approvals related to the import of medical devices, facilitating applications for certificates of registration, manufacturing licenses, and import licenses. This initiative represents a significant step towards simplifying and consolidating the regulatory processes in the medical device sector in India.

Notes:
Students can enroll in APAAR, the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, through the Digilocker portal. During the registration process, students are required to provide basic details such as their name, age, date of birth, gender, and a photograph. This online enrollment process facilitates ease of access and simplifies the procedure for students across India, allowing them to seamlessly monitor their academic journey and take advantage of the various benefits offered by the APAAR system. The integration of APAAR with the Academic Bank Credit (ABC) account further enhances the digital management of academic credits, reducing reliance on physical documents and improving academic tracking.

Notes:
Three products of Arunachal Pradesh – adi kekir ginger, carpets handmade by Tibetan settlers and wooden items by the Wancho community – have received the prestigious GI tag recognizing their unique geographical roots. Adi kekir is a famed variety of ginger while Wancho artisans create sculpture figures on wooden items. The GI tag certifies specific products as originating from a particular region to boost their marketability.

Notes:
IHCL’s Managing Director & CEO Puneet Chhatwal assumed charge as Chairman of FAITH after Nakul Anand stepped down following retirement from ITC Hospitality. Chhatwal aims to make FAITH a strong tourism and hospitality policy advocacy body.