Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 8, 2025

Notes:
The Ministry of Ayush launched the “Shatavari – For Better Health” campaign to promote awareness of medicinal plants. It was inaugurated by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush. The campaign is led by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), which has previously promoted Amla, Moringa, Giloe, and Ashwagandha. Financial assistance of ₹18.9 lakh will support eligible organizations in promoting Shatavari. The initiative strengthens India’s focus on traditional medicine and holistic well-being.

Notes:
The 2025 annual bird count at Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary recorded 1,53,719 birds from 97 species, the highest ever. Pong Dam Lake, also called Maharana Pratap Sagar, is a man-made reservoir on the Beas River in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. It spans 307 sq km and was designated a Ramsar site in 2002. The sanctuary hosts over 220 bird species, including Bar-headed Geese, Pintails, and Herons. It is home to animals like Sambar, Leopards, and Clawless Otters. The wetland supports diverse vegetation, including eucalyptus, acacia, and shisham.

Notes:
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) inaugurated the NSDC International Academy in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The academy aims to provide world-class skill development and training programs to bridge the gap between Indian youth and global employment opportunities. It offers specialized courses in foreign languages, healthcare, employability skills, and aviation. The initiative is part of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Notes:
The Defence Ministry signed contracts worth ₹10,147 crore for ammunition for the Army’s Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS). Pinaka is a battle-proven, all-weather artillery weapon system developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE). It was first used in the Kargil War to neutralize enemy positions. The system delivers rapid and accurate fire on critical enemy targets. Each launcher carries 12 rockets, and a battery has six launchers (72 rockets total). It has a range of 60 to 75 km and can fire high-explosive and submunition warheads.

Notes:
ISRO unveiled the latest version of Finite Element Analysis of Structures (FEAST) software at the 8th National Finite Element Developers’ Meeting at IIT-Hyderabad. More than 250 industry leaders, academicians, and researchers attended to promote indigenous structural analysis software. FEAST, developed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), analyzes structures under various loads in aerospace, automobile, civil, and mechanical fields.