Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
Peru declares a health emergency as dengue fever cases surge. The government activates the emergency in 20 out of 25 regions due to the rapid rise in cases, totaling over 31,000 with 32 deaths. Health Minister Cesar Vasquez cites El Nino’s impact, causing high temperatures and heavy rains since 2023, facilitating mosquito breeding. The declaration expedites fund transfers to affected areas and facilitates the swift deployment of medical personnel.

Notes:
The National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) in Jaipur, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Thailand in February 2024. The MoU is for academic collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai traditional medicine. The NIA also has collaborations with other universities, institutes, and organizations in countries like Malaysia and Korea.

Notes:
King Charles III of the United Kingdom awarded Sunil Bharti Mittal, the founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, an honorary Knighthood. The honor is titled Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), one of the highest honors given by the British Sovereign to civilians.

Notes:
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Vikramaditya Vedic Clock at Jantar Mantar, Ujjain. A world-first ‘Vedic Clock,’ it displays time using the traditional Indian Panchang. Positioned on an 85-foot tower, it also provides planetary positions, Muhurat, astrological calculations, IST, and GMT. Developed by Lucknow-based Sanstha Arohan, it connects to the internet via a mobile app. Ujjain, with its rich timekeeping heritage, is an ideal location due to its historical role in determining India’s time zones and its location at the interaction point of the zero meridian and Tropic of Cancer.

Notes:
The Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, co-published by UNEP and ISWA, highlights key trends. Predictions indicate municipal solid waste will surge from 2.3 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. The direct cost of global waste management, at USD 252 billion in 2020, is projected to nearly double by 2050 without immediate intervention. Barriers include insufficient urgency recognition, incomplete data, and climate impact underestimation, as well as gendered aspects, informal sector undervaluation, and inadequate legislation.

Notes:
Brian Mulroney, the ex-Canadian Prime Minister, passed away at 84. He led the Progressive Conservatives to a historic 1984 win, defeating Pierre Trudeau. Mulroney’s nine-year term saw impactful policies, notably the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement negotiation, shaping his transformative legacy.

Notes:
The Odisha government is establishing the State Water Information Centre (SWIC) to coordinate, store, and disseminate water resource data. Operating under the Water Resources Department, it aims to maintain a comprehensive repository of hydro-meteorological data for Odisha. The center will be staffed with experts in water resources management and data handling. Additionally, the approval for contractual supervisors will enhance service delivery in Internal Child Development Services in Odisha.

Notes:
The leopard population in Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, has significantly increased, as per the recent ‘Status of Leopards in India’ report. Spanning 2611.4 sq km, it is one of India’s largest tiger reserves and the second-largest in core area. Originally part of Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Amrabad Tiger Reserve emerged post-state bifurcation. Situated in Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts, it encompasses Nallamala Forest and vital water sources like Srishailam Dam and Nagarjunsagar Dam, fed by Krishna River.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, to operate in Varanasi. The hydrogen fuel cell system was developed by KPIT Technologies in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Labs. The initiative, named Harit Nauka (green boat), is led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, aiming for a green transition in inland vessels. Guidelines unveiled in January 2024 mandate states to use green fuels for 50% of inland waterways passenger fleets by 2034 and 100% by 2045 to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

Notes:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development organized the Poshan Utsav to promote good nutrition behavior and address malnutrition in India. Union Minister Smt. Smriti Irani and Bill Gates graced the event, which saw the release of the ‘Poshan Utsav Book’ by the Deendayal Research Institute. This initiative aims to revive ancient nutrition traditions, encourage intergenerational learning, and appreciate India’s culinary heritage while combatting malnutrition. The event also marked the launch of the Cartoon Coalition.