Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
Dr. Neena Prasad, a top exponent of Mohiniyattam, has been awarded the Nritya Kalanidhi Award in 2024. She has trained in multiple classical dance forms, including Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathakali. She has also received a Ph.D. from Rabindra Bharati University and a post-doctoral fellowship from the University of Surrey. Prasad runs music academies in Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, including the Bharatanjali Academy of Indian Dances, and teaches students at her academies.

Notes:
Vinay Kumar, an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1992 batch, is appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Russia, currently serving in Myanmar. The Ministry of External Affairs announced his new assignment, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between India and Russia. The move highlights the strategic importance of diplomatic ties between the two nations amidst recent elections in Russia. Kumar is expected to assume his new role shortly.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu appointed Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan as the additional charge of Telangana Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, replacing Tamilisai Soundararajan, who resigned on March 18. Soundararajan, previously BJP Tamil Nadu unit president, contested but lost in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu, with 39 seats, are scheduled for April 19, 2024.

Notes:
Nvidia unveiled Project GR00T, a groundbreaking initiative set to transform humanoid robotics. GR00T, short for Generalist Robot 00 Technology, is an advanced multimodal AI system empowering humanoid robots with learning capabilities and real-world interaction. It enables robots to comprehend natural language, mimic human movements, and acquire new skills rapidly. This initiative aims to imbue robots with human-like understanding and agility, utilizing AI to drive breakthroughs in robotics and embodied AI.

Notes:
The International Labour Organization (ILO) published a report titled ‘Profits and poverty: The economics of forced labour’, revealing that Forced Labour generates illegal profits of USD 36 billion annually, marking a 37% increase since 2014. Factors contributing to this rise include more people being forced into labour and higher profits from victim exploitation. Forced labour’s total annual illegal profits are highest in Europe & Central Asia, followed by Asia & the Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and the Arab States.

Notes:
Nishant, a young poet and critic, is awarded the 29th Devi Shankar Awasthi Award in 2023 for his book ‘Kavita Pathak Aalochna’. The selection committee, comprising esteemed writers like Mridula Garg and Sudhir Chandra, unanimously chose Nishant. Established in 1995, this honor, named after Hindi literary critic Devi Shankar Awasthi, recognizes young critics for their significant contributions to Hindi criticism. Nishant’s work exemplifies excellence in both criticism and poetry.

Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology recently notified the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit under IT Rules of 2021. Established in 2019, its objective is to deter creators of fake news. It allows easy reporting of suspicious information regarding the Government of India. The FCU counters misinformation on government policies, initiatives, and schemes either proactively or via complaints. It monitors, detects, and corrects disinformation campaigns promptly.

Notes:
Garuda Aerospace launched the Border Patrol Surveillance Drone, ‘Trishul. Trishul monitors people, natural disasters, and traffic. It features state-of-the-art cameras, infrared technology, radar sensors, and data gathering capabilities for security threats. The launch showcases Garuda Aerospace’s dedication to pioneering drone technology for surveillance purposes, emphasizing their commitment to excellence in product development and service provision.

Notes:
Bina Agarwal and James Boyce, recipients of the inaugural “Global Inequality Research Award,” are recognized for their profound insights into worldwide inequalities, notably in social and environmental domains. They will be honored at conferences in Paris in fall and spring 2024, hosted alongside Sciences Po’s Social-Ecological Transitions initiative. Their work highlights pivotal understandings crucial for addressing pressing global disparities.

Notes:
The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Pacific Ocean, face a critical challenge with rising visitor numbers jeopardizing its delicate ecosystem. Comprising 19 islands and numerous islets, this volcanic archipelago hosts rich biodiversity. However, rapid human impact threatens its unique wildlife. Despite its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1978, conservation efforts must intensify to preserve its young, rugged landscape and diverse marine life.