Current Affairs Quiz - March 2022

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National AIDS and STD control programme from April 1 to March 31, 2026.
It is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India. The phase-V of the programme has been extended with an outlay of Rs 15471.94 crore. The National AIDS response was initiated by the Government of India in 1992.

Notes:
Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance (or YYA Treaty) was signed by Finland with the USSR in 1948.
‘Finlandization’ of Ukraine was proposed by France’s President Emmanuel Macron as one of the feasible models. ‘Finlandization’ refers to the policy of strict neutrality between Russia and the West that Finland followed during the period of Cold War.

Notes:
The third edition of the joint training exercise between India’s and Uzbekistan’s armies named ‘EX-DUSTLIK’ began in Uzbekistan’s Yangiarik.
India is represented by its Grenadiers Regiment while the Uzbek Army contingent is represented by troops of the North Western Military District. The last edition of DUSTLIK was held in Uttarakhand’s Ranikhet. The joint exercise will focus on Counter Terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain.

Notes:
The Union Budget 2022-23 proposed that 5-7% biomass pellets will be used in thermal power plants, resulting in CO2 saving of 38 MMT annually
The Ministry of Power has mandated blending of biomass pellets made primarily of agro residue along with coal, under the “Revised Policy for Biomass Utilization for power generation through Co–firing in Coal based Power Plants”. The obligation shall increase to 7% with effect from two years after the date of issue of this order.

Notes:
Kuwait recently became the hottest place on earth, with the temperature at 53.2 degrees Celsius (127.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
As per a recent study, 67 percent of heat-related deaths in the capital was due to climate change. The Country continues to burn oil for electricity and ranks among the top global carbon emitters per capita, according to the World Resources Institute.

Notes:
Devendra Jhajharia became the first para-athlete to receive the Padma Bhushan in India. Padma Bhushan is the country’s third-highest civilian award.
Devendra Jhajharia has won many Paralympic medals, including his first gold at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, second gold at the 2016 Rio Games, and a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Avani Lekhara, a para-shooter, was awarded Padma Shri award.

Notes:
The Central Banking team and its editorial advisory panel recently unveiled its ninth edition of Central Banking Awards (2022).
Chile’s Mario Marcel has been named for the Governor of the year award. Banco Central de Chile is the name of the central bank of Chile. Chile’s governor expertly navigated a third currency crisis in two years, amid wider political volatility, while improving the central bank’s capabilities.

Notes:
The Centre has set a target of about Rs 1 trillion for National Bank for Financial Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID).
The limit has been set for sanctioning loans to the infrastructure sector in the next financial year. This government-backed Development Finance Institution (DFI) will start operations in the first quarter of the next financial year.

Notes:
India has crossed a landmark milestone as the eSanjeevani telemedicine service of Union Health Ministry has crossed 3 crore tele-consultations.
The service has set a new record by completing 1.7 lakhs consultations in a day. States that are leading in terms of adoption of eSanjeevani are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal. eSanjeevani, has two variants: eSanjeevani Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWC) and eSanjeevaniOPD.

Notes:
Union Minister for Culture, Tourism & DONER G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the three-day North-East festival called ‘Ishan Manthan’ in New Delhi.
It included discussion on the indigenous faith of North East India, discussions on the unsung freedom fighters of the North East among others. The event will also provide information about films, art and handicrafts of the North East.