Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been conducting Financial Literacy Week (FLW) every year since 2016. The 2024 FLW will be observed from February 26 to March 1, 2024 with the theme “Make a Right Start – Become Financially Smart”. The FLW aims to promote financial literacy by spreading financial education messages to the public.

Notes:
Daljit Singh Chaudhary, a 1990 batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG), a crucial role in India’s security. Currently the DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), he takes on the added responsibility of leading the NSG, known as the “black cats.” This move signifies a significant development in India’s security apparatus, enhancing Chaudhary’s role in shaping and overseeing critical aspects of national defense.

Notes:
The 66th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting in New Delhi, chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, assessed three projects from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and two from the Ministry of Railways. The Integrated Multimodal NPG oversees unified planning and integration for connectivity infrastructure ministries, facilitating stakeholder interactions. It guides departments in creating economic zones and connectivity infrastructure, aligning with the National Master Plan objectives to minimize disruptions and enhance efficiency in national infrastructure projects.

Notes:
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Project ODISERV in Sambalpur, Odisha, a joint initiative by NSDC and Bajaj Finserv to equip young graduates for the financial services sector. Launched at Gangadhar Meher University, the program targets first-generation college students, providing 100 hours of training through Bajaj Finserv’s CPBFI. Initially in 60 colleges across 11 cities in Odisha, the initiative plans to expand to 22 states, covering over 400 colleges, emphasizing skills development for employment opportunities.

Notes:
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has revealed the Indiramma Housing Scheme, set to commence on March 11. The initiative targets economic empowerment by offering housing solutions to underprivileged segments. In the initial phase, 3,500 houses per Assembly constituency will be approved, benefiting numerous recipients. Landowners will receive Rs. 5 lakh to build on their plots, while the homeless will get the same amount along with a plot for house construction, amplifying support for the economically disadvantaged.

Notes:
India’s Prime Minister inaugurated the core-loading process of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Madras Atomic Power Station, Kalpakkam. The PFBR is a nuclear machine generating more fuel than it consumes, utilizing Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel and Thorium-232 for transmutation. Liquid sodium serves as a coolant, facilitating electricity production. With advanced safety features, the indigenously designed PFBR by BHAVINI marks a significant achievement involving 200+ Indian industries, including MSMEs.

Notes:
“International Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness Day, observed annually on March 5, was established by the UNGA in 2021. The day aims to enhance global understanding of disarmament issues, especially among youth. Its objectives include raising awareness about weapons of mass destruction, promoting education on disarmament, and encouraging actions to reduce threats and foster peace and security.” The theme for International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness Day 2024 is “The Way Forward”.

Notes:
Rajasthan State governments recently alarmed community dwellers by designating ‘orans’ as deemed forests, sparking fears of restricted access to forest resources. Orans, sacred spaces abundant in biodiversity with water bodies, are community-managed forests sustaining traditional water resources. These areas serve as vital spaces for herders, communal gatherings, festivals, and daily resource extraction, impacting the livelihoods of rural communities. The notification has raised concerns about the potential loss of access to essential forest produce for villagers.

Notes:
Former members of Google’s DeepMind team recently unveiled Haiper, an innovative AI-powered video generation tool. Haiper, an all-in-one visual foundation model, empowers users of all technical backgrounds to effortlessly create high-quality video content. The founders emphasize Haiper’s role in advancing machine learning for enjoyable, surprising, and shareable creativity. The platform offers diverse tools like text-to-video, animated static images, and video repainting. Users can access the website, log in, and generate free HD videos with text prompts, limited to 2-4 seconds.

Notes:
Entomologists from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment discovered Taeniogonalos deepaki, a new wasp species in Karnataka’s Western Ghat region. Found in Belgaum, it’s named after Dr. Deepak Deshpande. Taeniogonalos belongs to the Trigonalyidae family, known for hyperparasitoids. The genus spans various global regions, with previous Indian and Chinese species. Researchers also detailed the first male of Taeniogonalos eurysoma, expanding knowledge on these wasps, primarily found in South India.