Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
The Prime Minister visited Guruvayur Temple during his two-day Kerala trip, praying at the Sreekrishna Temple. Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, known as the Dwarka of the South, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna’s young form. Located in Guruvayur, Kerala, the temple dates back to the 17th century, possibly even 5000 years. Notable features include traditional Kerala architecture; a 1638 C.E. rebuilt central shrine, ancient murals, and a 70-foot gold-covered Dwajasthamba. Thulabharam, where devotees are weighed against offerings, is a popular ritual. The temple also houses a significant number of captive male Asian elephants in the nearby Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary.

Notes:
Ayush Diksha Centre, a unique initiative for the development of Ayush professionals, is set to be established at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Bhubaneswar. The foundation stone was laid by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who emphasized integrating traditional Ayush medicine with modern practices. The centre, with a budget of Rs. 30 crores, will provide training programs, collaborate with national institutes, and focus on capacity development and research for self-sustainability. It will feature advanced facilities, including auditoriums, rooms, a natural library, and a modular kitchen.

Notes:
Andhra Pradesh launched a 10-day comprehensive caste census, becoming the second state after Bihar to undertake this initiative. C Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna, the Information and Public Relations Minister, mentioned that the census may be extended by four or five days if necessary. Volunteers will visit every home to collect caste details, which will be transmitted to the village secretariat system, marking a significant step in understanding the state’s demographic composition.

Notes:
Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) revealed that the Russian hacking group COLDRIVER is engaged in credential phishing against high-profile targets, including NGOs, former intelligence and military officers, and NATO governments. COLDRIVER conducts campaigns targeting Ukraine, NATO countries, academic institutions, and NGOs. The group impersonates experts or individuals affiliated with the targets, sending innocuous-looking PDF documents for feedback. If the target attempts to open the document, it appears encrypted. COLDRIVER then provides a link to a supposed decryption utility, which is a backdoor called SPICA, enabling the hackers to control infected devices and execute various commands. SPICA is a customer malware tool written in Rust. It uses the websocket communication for commanding and controlling affected devices.

Notes:
India recently imported 40,000 doses of bull semen from Brazil to enhance milk production through artificial insemination of Gir and Kankrej cattle breeds, renowned for stress tolerance and resistance to tropical diseases. Gir, also called “Bhodali” or “Gujarati,” is an Indian-born dairy cattle breed originating from the Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar, Gujarat. The breed’s popularity extends globally, with countries like Brazil, the USA, Venezuela, and Mexico importing Gir cattle.

Notes:
The 2nd edition of Exercise CYCLONE, a joint special forces drill between India and Egypt, is taking place in Anshas, Egypt, from January 22 to February 1, 2024. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 25 personnel from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), is participating. The exercise focuses on enhancing bilateral military cooperation and understanding operating procedures in desert terrain under UN Charter Chapter VII. It involves three phases, including Military Exhibitions, IED training, and Joint Tactical Exercises, fostering stronger ties between the two friendly nations.

Notes:
Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei won the India Open 2024 women’s singles title against China’s Chen Yu Fei, the reigning Olympic champion. Ying won in straight sets, 21-16, 21-12. Ying, a Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, also beat Singapore’s Jia Min in straight games to advance to the final. The 2024 India Open badminton tournament took place from January 16–21 and had total prize money of US$850,000.

Notes:
A recent study in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore reveals that a minimal increase in rainfall can escalate scrub typhus cases by 0.5 to 0.7%. This infectious disease, caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, spreads through infected mites. Symptoms include fever, headache, body ache, and, in severe cases, respiratory distress, brain inflammation, and multi-organ failure leading to death. Factors like vector abundance, climate, farming, and outdoor activities affect its prevalence. The disease, treatable with doxycycline, peaks in cooler months, and no vaccine exists.

Notes:
The Supreme Court of India recently emphasized the D.K. Basu Judgment (1996) against police abuse and custodial violence. The landmark case, D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal, addressed deaths in police custody. The petitioner, D.K. Basu, highlighted the issue, leading to the judgment that custodial violence violates the rule of law and human dignity. The ruling expanded the scope of fundamental rights, allowing compensation for their infringement. This case is pivotal in Indian human rights jurisprudence.

Notes:
Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose or the Pink Lake, is located north of the Cap Vert peninsula in Senegal. Threatened by pollution and mining, its waters, primarily sourced from the sea, are home to halophilic green algae, Dunaliella salina. The algae’s red pigments give the lake its distinctive pink color. A popular tourist destination, the Pink Lake’s unique hue comes from the alga’s salt-resistant qualities, supported by carotenoid pigments rich in vitamins and trace elements.