Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
Mumbai won the 42nd Ranji Trophy title in 2024, defeating Vidarbha by 169 runs on the fifth and final day of the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Mumbai team’s performance was marked by Dhawal Kulkarni’s exceptional performance, supported by key players like Ajinkya Rahane, Tanush Kotian, and Musheer Khan.

Notes:
In March 2024, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Mohammad Mustafa as the new prime minister of Palestine. Mustafa is a political independent and economist who has been educated in the United States. He is the economic advisor to Abbas. Mustafa will lead a technocratic government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which could potentially administer Gaza before the state becomes independent.

Notes:
In March 2024, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia to help in the implementation of inclusive development under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). The partnership will also help empower rural women to become self-sufficient. The MoU includes the establishment of a Gender Impact Lab to conduct research and institutionalize data use within DAY NRLM.

Notes:
A 2023 nationwide study revealed that India has an estimated 10.13 crore individuals with diabetes and 13.6 crore with pre-diabetes. The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test, commonly used in diagnosing and managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, measures blood sugar levels over time. Hemoglobin, found in red blood cells, transports oxygen throughout the body. This crucial blood test offers insights into diabetes management effectiveness.

Notes:
The Red Sea crisis has spurred interest in the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), a proposed trade route connecting Chennai, India, to Vladivostok, Russia. The corridor aims to shorten transportation time between Indian and Russian ports in the Far East by up to 16 days. Once operational, it will reduce the shipping duration from India to Far East Russia to 24 days, compared to over 40 days via the Suez Canal.

Notes:
Genetic rescue is proposed to conserve Ranthambore National Park’s tiger population by introducing new genetic variation through migration. This process, known as gene flow, involves transferring individuals from a larger, healthier population to a smaller one. The strategy aims to reduce genetic load, decrease extinction risk, and enhance the viability of endangered species. However, it can have both positive and negative effects, influenced by factors like gene flow magnitude and duration, as well as population dynamics.

Notes:
In the 2024 World Happiness Report released by the United Nations on March 20th, Finland claimed the title of the happiest country for the seventh year in a row. The report highlights Finland’s consistent high levels of happiness, affirming its status as a global leader in well-being. According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, India ranks 126th out of 146 countries, this is the same as last year. India’s neighbors, however, rank higher than India, with China ranked 60th, Nepal ranked 93rd, Pakistan ranked 108th, Myanmar ranked 118th, Sri Lanka ranked 128th, and Bangladesh ranked 129th.

Notes:
Rajasthan is the first state in India to develop a system that provides real-time information on the availability of water in dams and canals. The state has launched the Rajasthan Water Resources Dashboard. This initiative aims to enhance water management efficiency and predict floods and droughts. Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat hailed Rajasthan’s pioneering effort, marking a significant step in water and disaster management.

Notes:
World Sparrow Day is celebrated annually on March 20th. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the protection of sparrows and other birds that share our environment. It is a call to action to remember the delicate beauty around us that must be protected. The theme for World Sparrow Day 2024 is “I Love Sparrows”. This theme highlights the special connection between humans and sparrows.

Notes:
The 3rd edition of North East Games 2024 commenced in Nagaland at Regional Centre for Sporting Excellence, Sovima. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the event. Over 3000 athletes from eight North Eastern states compete in 15 disciplines across three districts. Host Nagaland won the opening football match against Tripura. Manipur also secured victory in Sepaktakraw Men’s event against Mizoram. The games feature sports like archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, lawn tennis, Pencak Silat, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, and wushu.