Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
India’s Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) opened its first overseas liaison office in Dhaka, Bangladesh inaugurated by Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma. NRL Managing Director Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan and other officials attended. Verma highlighted India-Bangladesh relations’ growth, emphasizing bilateral trade and energy sector collaboration. He referenced the Friendship Pipeline Project, jointly inaugurated by Indian PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, capable of transporting 1 MMTPA of high-speed diesel, with Bangladesh construction costs exceeding Rs 285 crore.

Notes:
The Government of India appointed retired IAS official Navneet Kumar Sehgal as the new chairman of Prasar Bharati, the country’s public broadcaster. His term will last for three years or until he reaches the age of 70, whichever comes earlier. Sehgal succeeded Surya Prakash, whose term ended in February 2020 after he turned 70.

Notes:
The Global Spirituality Conference in Hyderabad, India concluded on March 17, 2024. Held at Kanha Shanti Vanam, it gathered spiritual leaders from diverse faiths, including over 300 gurus. President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar spoke at the valedictory session. Organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Heartfulness Institute, with collaboration from various organizations, the theme, “Inner Peace to World Peace,” aimed to explore consciousness’s role in societal harmony and sustainable development.

Notes:
The International Day of Happiness is celebrated on March 20th every year to promote happiness, mental health, and well-being. The United Nations General Assembly established the day on June 28, 2012, and it has been celebrated annually since then. It encourages balanced economic growth, sustainable development, and poverty reduction. The day underscores the importance of happiness for human survival and promotes human rights. In 2024, the UN invites global participation to spread joy and prioritize well-being.

Notes:
Researchers at IIT Madras devised a method utilizing phosphoric acid to treat bauxite residue, commonly known as Red Mud. This process extracts valuable materials, including ceramics with notable dielectric and optical properties, suitable for electronic components and energy storage. Red Mud, a byproduct of aluminum production, harbors toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury. Its corrosive nature and high alkalinity pose significant threats to soil and ecosystems.

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Researchers named a new species, Brucethoa isro, of deep-sea isopod found off the Kerala coast after ISRO. Discovered near Kollam, Kerala, this tiny fish-parasitic crustacean lives in the gill cavity of the Spinyjaw greeneye. It’s the second species of its genus found in India. Named in tribute to ISRO’s space missions, females reach 19mm length and 6mm width, larger than males. Isopods, a diverse order of invertebrates, include around 10,000 species inhabiting various environments worldwide.

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:
India’s first indigenously-made 1,500 horsepower (HP) engine for main battle tanks was test-fired at BEML’s Engine division in Mysore. The test-firing was presided over by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, who said it marks a “new era” in the country’s defense capabilities. The engine also represents landmark advancement in military propulsion systems with cutting-edge features.

Notes:
The European Space Agency’s Gaia telescope uncovered ancient star streams, Shiva and Shakti, shedding light on galaxy origins. These structures, formed 12 billion years ago, influenced Milky Way formation. Shakti stars orbit farther from the galactic center in circular paths, unlike Shiva. Named after Hindu deities, they symbolize universal creation. Gaia, launched in 2013, maps the Milky Way by analyzing data from over a decade, measuring stars’ positions, distances, and speeds.

Notes:
Vaughan Gething, son of a Welsh father and Zambian mother, is elected as Wales’ first minister, becoming the UK’s first Black government leader. Gething prioritizes diversity and unity, aiming to navigate challenges like Tata Steel job cuts. Previously Wales’ health minister during COVID-19, he faces economic hurdles, including Tata Steel’s blast furnace closures and environmental protests. Gething’s leadership underscores Wales’ commitment to inclusivity amidst pressing issues.