Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
February 29 marks Rare Disease Day, highlighting awareness and support for those with rare medical conditions. The 2024 theme, “Share Your Colours,” emphasizes collaboration for individuals facing rare diseases. Defined by WHO, rare diseases are debilitating, lifelong disorders with a prevalence of 10 or fewer cases per 10,000 people. This day aims to shed light on these infrequent conditions, promoting understanding and assistance for affected individuals globally.

Notes:
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi (FITT-IITD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help identify the best places in India to develop Greenfield industrial smart cities. The collaboration aims to contribute to India’s goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy. It emphasizes the role of technology, research, and collaboration in building a strong and lasting future.

Notes:
Hungary’s parliament voted to ratify Sweden’s bid to join NATO, making Sweden the 32nd member of the alliance. Sweden applied to join NATO in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. New members must be approved by all existing NATO members. Hungary was the last country to block Sweden’s membership, accusing Sweden of being hostile to it. The addition of the two Nordic countries will strengthen the alliance’s capabilities, strengthening its position in the high north and the Baltic Sea.

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:
Uttar Pradesh has marked a milestone by issuing 5 crore Ayushman cards, making it the first state to do so under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The state boasts 50,017,920 issued cards, benefiting 74,382,304 individuals across 3,716 hospitals. With 3,481,252 health claims filed, an impressive 92.48% were settled, reflecting the scheme’s success. Sangeeta Singh, CEO of the State Agency for Comprehensive Health, credits the achievement to continuous support from the National Health Authority and the dedication of various healthcare workers.

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 Earth Sciences (MoES) hosted the first “Blue Talks” meeting on February 29, 2024 in New Delhi. The meeting was co-partnered by the Embassy of France and Embassy of Costa Rica in India. The Ambassador of France to India and the Ambassador of Costa Rica were co-convenors of the General Assembly. The meeting focused on Ocean Health and Governance. The MoES took a significant step towards fostering international collaboration on ocean-related issues.

Notes:
Kerala launched its first government-backed OTT platform, CSpace at Kairali Theatre. The platform offers a unique blend of informative and entertaining content. CSpace operates on a pay-per-view model. Users can purchase a full-length feature film for Rs 75 and shorter content for a reduced price. Once purchased, viewers can access the content for up to three months if left unwatched. Once viewed, the content will expire within 72 hours.

Notes:
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Meta partnered to create Frontier Technology Labs (FTLs) in key schools, advancing beyond Atal Tinkering Labs. These labs, backed by cutting-edge infrastructure, promote innovation among students by providing access to Artificial Intelligence, Augmented & Virtual Reality, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Robotics, 3D Printing, and Internet of Things technologies. This collaboration seeks to democratize future technology access, fostering a culture of innovation in education.

Notes:
Yatin Bhaskar Duggal of Haryana clinched victory at the National Youth Parliament Festival, 2024. Vaishna Pitchai from Tamil Nadu secured second place, and Kanishka Sharma of Rajasthan claimed the third prize, showcasing the abundant talent and dedication across the nation.