Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
The BioTRIG, a revolutionary waste management technology, employs pyrolysis to combat indoor air pollution, enhance soil health, and generate clean power in rural India. Functioning at the community level, it utilizes locally generated waste, producing bio-oil, syngas, and biochar fertilizer. These products not only contribute to healthier living but also ensure sustainability by powering subsequent cycles and supplying surplus electricity to local homes and businesses. The clean-burning bio-oil serves as a green alternative for household cooking, while biochar aids in carbon storage and soil fertility improvement.

Notes:
Sachin Jain was appointed as the new CEO of the World Gold Council for India in February 2024. Jain will join the World Gold Council from De Beers, where he has held several senior roles for the past 13 years. He has a deep understanding of the Indian consumer and jewelry market.

Notes:
In February 2024, the 60-member Mizoram Assembly adopted a resolution against the Centre’s decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement with the neighboring country. The FMR allows people living on both sides of the border to travel 16 km into each other’s territory without a visa.

Notes:
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified a new species of head-shield sea slug, Melanochlamys Droupadi, along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal. Measuring up to 7 mm, it’s a small invertebrate with a brownish-black body and a distinctive ruby red spot. Inhabiting wet sandy beaches, the hermaphroditic slug forms a protective mucus sheath, leaving a trail like a turtle as it moves beneath the sand. Sea slugs, mollusks found in various marine environments, include 18 known species globally.

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:
World Seagrass Day, observed annually on March 1, highlights the significance of seagrass in marine ecosystems. The 2024 theme is “Healthy Seagrass, Healthy Planet.” Seagrass, the sole flowering plant in marine environments, comprises over 60 species worldwide, acting as effective carbon sinks and supporting marine life with vital nutrients. Growing along coastlines globally, seagrass plays a crucial role in stabilizing water quality, making it a key component of a thriving marine ecosystem.

Notes:
The premature blooming of the Jacaranda tree in Mexico City raised concerns among residents and scientists. Also called Jacaranda acutifolia, it’s a deciduous tree from the Bignoniaceae family, native to Brazil and North West Argentina. Thriving in tropical climates, well-drained soil, and sunlight, these hardy trees are cultivated worldwide for their vibrant blue or violet flowers. In Brazil, the wood is used for guitars, and its bark and root offer medicinal benefits. Early blooming poses ecological concerns, affecting hummingbirds and bees.

Notes:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has partnered with ISRO for the Urban Frame Survey (UFS) using Bhuvan. UFS, managed by the Field Operations Division (FOD) of NSSO, utilizes compact units in urban areas with 120-150 households. Executed in five-year phases, it acts as a sampling frame for large-scale socio-economic surveys. The digital implementation of UFS occurred for the first time during Phase 2017-22, employing the Bhuvan platform for data collection.

Notes:
Paytm Payments Bank Ltd faces a ₹5.49 crore penalty from the Financial Intelligence Unit-India for breaching the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The penalty stems from the bank’s role in supporting illegal activities, notably online gambling, and mishandling funds derived from these operations. FIU-IND initiated the penalty following a review prompted by law enforcement agencies’ information on the bank’s involvement in illicit practices.

Notes:
World Hearing Day, celebrated annually on March 3, 2024, addresses the global issue of hearing loss. This year’s theme, set by the World Health Organization, emphasizes “Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all.” Serving as a global call to action, the day advocates for preventative measures, treatment, and overall ear health awareness. It encourages individuals to protect their hearing and seek help for hearing-related concerns.