Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Senior IPS officer Daljit Singh Chaudhary has been appointed as the Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), a central armed police force guarding India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan. This key appointment aims to enhance strategic expertise in managing crucial border areas, addressing emerging security challenges. Chaudhary, with a distinguished career in the Indian Police Service, brings valuable experience to lead SSB in maintaining the security and integrity of India’s borders.

Notes:
Interest in indigenous cattle breeds, such as the Pulikulam, is experiencing a resurgence, particularly due to the breed’s association with the popular local game called Jalikattu in Tamil Nadu, India. The Pulikulam is renowned as a versatile draught and game breed native to Tamil Nadu, specifically originating from Pulikulam village in the Sivaganga district. Also known by various names like Palingu maadu, Mani maadu, Jallikattu maadu, Mattu maadu, and Kilakattu maadu, these cattle are kept as migratory herds.

Notes:
On January 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Boeing’s global engineering and technology center near Bengaluru, a Rs 1,600 crore investment making it Boeing’s largest facility outside the U.S. The Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) at Hightech Defence and Aerospace Park includes the launch of the Boeing Sukanya Programme, fostering the entry of girls into the aviation sector. This initiative supports and empowers girls and women in STEM fields and aviation careers.

Notes:
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival, also known as Maru Mahotsav, is a vibrant cultural extravaganza scheduled for 2024 in the heart of Rajasthan’s desert city, Jaisalmer. This unique blend of music, dance, art, and tradition showcases the rich heritage of Rajasthan. The festival, themed “Back to the Desert,” is a captivating celebration from February 22–24, 2024, offering a delightful fusion of contemporary and age-old customs, creating an unforgettable experience and serving as a testament to Rajasthan’s enduring traditions.

Notes:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at the launch of “Assam’s Braveheart Lachit Barphukan” by Arup Kumar Dutta, stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Assam’s conflicts have largely ceased, emphasizing the government’s commitment to a thriving Northeast. Shah praised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s efforts to promote Lachit Barphukan, considering him a national hero. The book, published by the State government in English and translated into 24 Scheduled Indian languages, aims to spread awareness about Barphukan’s greatness and valor nationwide. Shah affirmed the importance of inclusiveness and multilingualism in fostering national strength.

Notes:
A recent survey at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve uncovered 11 new species, comprising three birds, four butterflies, and four odonates. It is situated in the Western Ghats Mountains across Palakkad and Thrissur districts in Kerala, this Tiger Reserve spans 643.66 sq km and boasts diverse habitats, including evergreen and deciduous forests. Home to unique species like Nilgiri Tahr and hosting the world’s oldest teak tree, the reserve is a shelter for flora and fauna, featuring leopards, elephants, and the elusive Tarantula.

Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed crucial tests on the Insat-3DS satellite, a collaborative effort with the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Part of a climate observatory satellite series, it aims to enhance climate services. The satellite, along with INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR already in orbit, will be launched using the more advanced Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F14), featuring cryogenic liquid propellants. INSAT-3DR boasts improvements like imaging in the Middle Infrared band for night-time cloud and fog pictures and enhanced accuracy in Sea Surface Temperature estimation.

Notes:
The Agulhas long-billed lark, a small passerine bird endemic to South Africa, faces challenges as farming encroaches on its nesting grounds in Renosterveld fynbos. Preferring Renosterveld, it has adapted to modified habitats like farmlands, but its patchy distribution remains unclear. The species, known for its inconspicuous appearance, is confined to the Agulhas plains. Despite being near-threatened, the lark displays resilience, surviving in the Agulhas arable farmlands from the Hottentots-Holland mountain range to Mossel Bay.

Notes:
Prominent Gandhian socialist leader and former Bihar chief minister, Karpoori Thakur, will posthumously receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award instituted in 1954. The award recognizes exceptional service in any field, and recipients, limited to three annually, receive a certificate and medallion. While traditionally for Indian-born citizens, exceptions include Mother Teresa, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, and Nelson Mandela. Recommendations come directly from the Prime Minister to the President, with no formal requirements. The award, per constitutional guidelines, cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name.

Notes:
Efforts are underway to restore Lake Victoria, facing environmental threats affecting the livelihoods of around 45 million people. Africa’s largest lake and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, it spans 59,947 km² and is shared by Kenya (6%), Uganda (43%), and Tanzania (51%). Fed by various rivers, including Kagera and Mara, it contributes to the Nile’s water. As one of Africa’s Great Lakes, Lake Victoria is the largest by area on the continent, the world’s largest tropical lake, and the second-largest freshwater lake globally.