Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
The Haryana Assembly passed nine bills, including the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Bill, 2024, aimed at curbing illegal immigration and addressing the issue of unregistered travel agents exploiting youth. Home Minister Anil Vij highlighted the seriousness of the problem. Additionally, a bill to regulate private coaching institutions was passed to protect students’ and guardians’ interests. The bills were part of the concluding day of the week-long Budget session, with some introduced earlier.

Notes:
The four-day ‘Tawi Festival’ in Jammu and Kashmir, starting on March 1, 2024, highlights the region’s art, culture, and heritage. Emphasizing Jammu’s diverse art forms and cultural heritage, the festival features seminars, workshops, folk music, street theatre, classical and folk dance, and a Mela. It provides a platform for youth creativity and encourages discussions with experts. The event showcases entrepreneurship, innovation, local cuisines, and organic products from women’s NGO groups in the Himalayan region, culminating at the University of Jammu.

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:
On March 3, 2024, the WWF EIACP PC-RP, led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, marked World Wildlife Day at Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Recognizing its rich biodiversity and Mission LiFE focus, the celebration aimed to acknowledge wildlife’s vital roles. It is situated at NOIDA’s entrance in Uttar Pradesh, the sanctuary spans 4 sq km, making it one of the state’s 15 bird sanctuaries and one of India’s 466 Important Bird Areas.

Notes:
Indian scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) have developed a new wound dressing material from banana fibers. The material is a multifunctional patch that combines banana fibers with biopolymers like chitosan and guar gum. The patch has excellent mechanical strength and antioxidant properties.

Notes:
Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 at Luhnu Cricket Ground, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh on March 5, 2024. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid attended as chief guests. Inspired by PM Modi’s ‘Kheloge To Khiloge,’ Thakur highlighted the event’s significance. MP Khel Mahakumbh serves as a major platform for Hamirpur constituency players, aiming for 75,000 participants. Luhnu Cricket Ground in Himachal Pradesh hosts the event.

Notes:
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global event on March 8th, acknowledging women’s accomplishments in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. In 2024, the United Nations’ theme is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ emphasizing the need for gender equality. IWD serves as a worldwide celebration of women’s achievements and a powerful call to action for advancing women’s rights and opportunities.

Notes:
The CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) signed an agreement with the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) to deploy pine needles-based fuel-making technology in the state’s Champawat district. The agreement includes implementing two technologies at the grassroots level in Champawat: A briquetting unit with a capacity of 50 kg per hour based on pine needles & 500 units of improved cookstoves for rural households.

Notes:
The World Health Organization reveals a surge in resistance to the key antiretroviral drug Dolutegravir (DTG) in HIV patients, posing challenges to treatment efficacy. DTG, endorsed by WHO since 2018, is a preferred HIV treatment due to its effectiveness and minimal side effects. Survey data indicates resistance rates between 3.9-8.6%, particularly high in individuals with elevated viral loads transitioning to DTG-based antiretroviral therapy (ART), emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in managing drug resistance.

Notes:
Iran launched its domestically developed “Pars-I” satellite into orbit using a Russian Soyuz-2.1b launcher from the Vostochny launch base, 8,000 km east of Moscow. The satellite, designed for remote sensing and imaging of Iran’s topography, orbits 500 km above Earth, providing high-resolution images. The successful deployment underscores the use of the X-band link, enhancing data transmission capabilities in satellite communication.