Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren introduced the State Widow Remarriage Promotion Scheme, offering Rs 2 lakh to widows upon remarriage. Aimed at empowering widows, the initiative encourages remarriage within a year. Applicants need a marriage registration certificate, and upon approval, receive the financial support to facilitate their integration into society. Notably, the Jharkhand government allocated a budget of Rs 1.28 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25.

Notes:
Narasapur crochet lace craft, chain-stitch embroidery using a hook, has secured a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. Originating in Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh, and the craft was introduced in 1844 by Scottish missionaries. Resilient through historical adversities like the Indian famine (1899) and the Great Depression (1929), it covers 19 mandals in West Godavari and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Konaseema districts. The GI tag ensures the craft’s unique identity and geographical authenticity.

Notes:
In March 2024, the Supreme Court of India criticized the illegal felling of 6,000 trees in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. The court said the trees were felled for eco-tourism buildings, and that the illegal activity is a “classic case” of a nexus between politicians and officials who harm the environment for short-term commercial gain. The court also said that the felling is a blatant violation of the protection act and Forest conservation act.

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:
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.

Notes:
Kerala has declared the man-animal conflict a state-specific disaster, the first in India to do so. This decision follows a series of fatal encounters, particularly involving elephants. The conflict arises when wildlife poses a direct threat to human interests, causing disputes and negative impacts. The Forest Department manages such conflicts unless declared a state-specific disaster. The chief wildlife warden holds authority in addressing animal threats. The State Government, through the State Disaster Response Fund, allocates funds with the State Disaster Management Authority overseeing relief efforts.

Notes:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs plans to partner with ISRO to deploy V-SAT stations for a pilot project in 80 tribal villages across Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. The collaboration aims to provide essential services like Internet, medical, and educational connectivity. ISRO Chief S. Somnath confirmed the collaboration and announced the upcoming signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the initiative at a ministry event focusing on innovative projects for tribal development.

Notes:
India was honored with the prestigious ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ award on March 6, 2024, for its outstanding efforts in combatting these diseases. Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan accepted the award on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington DC. The recognition from ‘The Measles and Rubella Partnership’ highlights India’s steadfast commitment to public health and controlling the spread of infectious diseases among children.

Notes:
The Department of Science and Technology and T-Hub jointly inaugurated the Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub (MATH) in Hyderabad. MATH seeks to expedite AI innovation, promote job growth, and cultivate a favorable environment for AI and ML startups. The initiative aims to create 500 AI-related jobs by 2025 and support 150 AI and ML startups yearly, offering crucial resources and mentorship to foster their development.

Notes:
Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in javelin throw, is the newly elected President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), succeeding Deepa Malik. He secured the position uncontested and leads the PCI unopposed. Jhajharia’s notable achievements include winning gold in the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics in the F46 disability category.