Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Professor Meena Charanda, Principal of Kalindi College, Delhi University, received the ‘International Culture Award’ in 2024 for her exceptional contributions to education and social service. The honor was bestowed upon her at the India International Center on March 30, 2024.

Notes:
Released by the Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) and WinZO, the report highlights India’s dominance in gaming. With 568 million users, India leads as the largest gaming market globally, projected to hit $6 billion by 2028. The industry’s growth is evident, with Indian gaming companies soaring from 25 in 2015 to over 1400 in 2023. MeitY oversees gaming regulations, facilitating 100% FDI and initiatives like the Draft National AVGC Policy and National AVGC Centre of Excellence.

Notes:
Russia’s Onyx supersonic cruise missile, known as the P-800 Onyx or Oniks, is set to become deadlier with a new target seeker. With speeds exceeding 3,000 km/h, it’s tough to intercept. Operating at low altitudes, it’s stealthy and versatile, targeting ships and ground objects. It boasts a range of up to 300 km and operates on a “shoot and forget” principle, needing minimal target data for successful strikes.

Notes:
India is adopting the J-slab ballastless track system for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, marking its debut in the country. This system, designed for high-speed trains, replaces traditional ballasted tracks with pre-cast concrete slabs. Benefits include enhanced stability, reduced maintenance, and a smoother ride for passengers due to its uniform surface. Notably, the absence of ballast minimizes wear and tear, promising efficiency and durability for India’s ambitious rail infrastructure.

Notes:
With fishing halted, migratory birds flock to Maravakandy Dam in the Nilgiris. Situated 35 km from Ooty in Tamil Nadu, it was constructed in 1951 over Aravarihalla stream, a Sigur River tributary. This dam serves as the main water source for the Moyar hydroelectric powerhouse, attracting diverse avian species during migratory seasons.

Notes:
Hume, a New York-based research lab, unveiled the first emotionally intelligent conversational AI named Empathic Voice Interface (EVI). It utilizes live audio input, returning both audio and transcripts with vocal expression measures. Powered by an empathic large language model (eLLM), it understands tones and word emphasis, optimizing human-AI conversations. Trained on human reactions, EVI learns from users to enhance positive expressions. By analyzing speech nuances, it can determine when to speak and generate empathic language.

Notes:
India’s Government e-Market (GeM) portal ranks as the world’s third-largest e-commerce platform for public procurement. GeM’s CEO PK Singh reported a gross merchandise value (GMV) exceeding Rs 4 lakh crore, doubling from the previous fiscal year. Launched in 2016, GeM facilitates transactions between government institutions and vendors, driving digital inclusion. The platform recorded Rs 2.01 lakh crore in orders for the last fiscal year, showcasing its significant growth trajectory.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to establish the Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) to counter cybercrime, focusing on legal app approval and curbing illegal loan apps. DIGITA aims to centralize verification of digital lending apps, ensuring compliance with RBI regulations. Unverified apps may face penalties and law enforcement action. Maintaining a public list of approved apps, DIGITA enhances consumer protection and aids in combating financial crimes in the digital lending sector.

Notes:
India’s President, Smt Droupadi Murmu, launched the nation’s inaugural home-grown gene therapy for cancer at IIT Bombay. The groundbreaking “CAR-T cell therapy” offers affordable hope in the cancer fight. This medical milestone, a part of ‘Make in India,’ embodies ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’ Developed collaboratively by IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and ImmunoACT, it marks a significant achievement in research and development. Gene therapy holds promise in treating various diseases, heralding a new era in healthcare.

Notes:
The World Health Organization has introduced S.A.R.A.H, a digital health promoter prototype powered by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). S.A.R.A.H, or Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health, utilizes advanced language models and technology to offer information on various health topics like healthy habits and mental health. Its goal is to empower individuals with additional tools to understand their health rights, including insights on leading causes of death such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.