Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) recently became the anchor investor in India’s largest renewable energy infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT). The InvIT is called Sustainable Energy Infra Trust (SEIT) and has eight operational solar power generation assets. The AIIB invested INR 4.86 billion (about USD 58.4 million) into SEIT. The AIIB has set a goal of directing 50% of its approved financing toward climate finance by 2025.

Notes:
A new innovative plant-inspired robot, FiloBot, has emerged, climbing structures akin to vines without pre-programmed movements. It extends using 3D printing filament, mirroring creeper growth. Employing plant behaviors like phototropism, FiloBot dynamically adjusts its trajectory based on moving light intensity. Successful tests highlight adaptability, envisioning robots navigating dynamic environments and self-building infrastructure.

Notes:
The Mamani Ethnic Food Festival is celebrated in Ladakh, India. It is a festival celebrated by both Buddhist and Muslim communities in the majority of Kargil district blocks and the Skurbuchan block of Leh district. It is also celebrated in Kargil and Leh cities. The festival is a testament to the commitment of Ladakh communities to preserve their cultural heritage. It celebrates traditions and promotes communal harmony, bringing together diverse communities in a shared celebration of their heritage.

Notes:
National Girl Child Day is celebrated in India on January 24th every year. The day was started in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the government of India. The day aims to raise awareness about the inequalities that girls face in Indian society. It also advocates for equal opportunities in education, healthcare, and nutrition. The day also commemorates the anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child). The scheme’s main goal is to prevent female foeticide and sex determination, ensure safety and save all female children, and to provide them with quality education.

Notes:
The 14th All India Police Commando Competition (AIPCC) 2024 began on January 22, 2024 and will run until January 30, 2024. The competition is being held at the Greyhounds Centre in Visakhapatnam, India and is being organized by the Andhra Pradesh State Police (Greyhounds). The AIPCC is considered the top professional competition for police forces in India. The competition will feature 16 state police teams and seven teams from central police agencies, with over 750 commandos participating. The competition will cover five areas: Navigation, Skill test, Planning and presentation, Physical activity.

Notes:
The Indian Navy’s primary objective for its Very Low Frequency (VLF) communication station is to transmit fleet broadcasts and communicate with ships and submarines. VLF radio waves are used to communicate with submarines that are underwater. The Indian Navy has been operating a VLF facility for the last 24 years. The first VLF station was established at INS Kattabomman Radar Station in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu in 1990. The Navy is currently building a second VLF station in the Damagudem forest area near Puduru of Vikarabad mandal, Telangana. The new station is expected to be completed in 2027.

Notes:
Sri Lanka’s parliament passed a controversial bill to regulate online content. The Online Safety Bill aims to address cybercrimes like child abuse, data theft, and online fraud. However, opposition politicians and human rights groups have condemned the bill for restricting free speech. The bill passed with 108-62 votes. Some say the bill is an attempt to dismantle the few remaining safeguards for freedom of expression in the country. Others say the bill was not drafted with the intention of harassing media or political opponents.

Notes:
The Indian Navy launched LSAM 19, the fifth barge in the 11 x ACTCM Barge Project. Manufactured by MSME Shipyard, Suryadipta Projects Private Limited, Thane, the versatile barge enhances Navy capabilities with ammunition, torpedoes, and missiles. These barges, built under a March 2021 agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Suryadipta Projects, adhere to Naval Rules and Regulations, contributing to India’s Make in India initiative. The LSAM 19 supports efficient transportation and deployment of articles and ammunition for Navy ships.

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National Tourism Day was celebrated on January 25, 2024. The theme for 2024 was “Sustainable Journeys, Timeless Memories”. The theme promotes responsible and mindful travel. The central government organizes seminars, cultural events, and other programs to mark the day.

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The RBI’s “Finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)” report analyzes data from 2.58 lakh Panchayats for 2020-21 to 2022-23, highlighting key findings. Panchayats heavily rely on grants (95%) due to limited own revenue sources like property taxes. Inter-state variations in devolution impact socio-economic outcomes. Inconsistent data poses challenges in assessing fiscal health. PRIs struggle with local tax revenue generation due to a limited tax base, administrative issues, and unclear guidelines. Revenue sources include Central and State government grants, and PRIs have the authority to impose taxes and fees.