Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2025

Notes:
The Flamingo Festival 2025 returns to Andhra Pradesh after a four-year break, celebrating migratory birds, especially flamingos, at Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. The event covers five key locations: Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Atakanithippa, BV Palem (Pulicat Lake), Sullurpet’s Government Junior College, and Sri City. More than 200 bird species, including flamingos, grey pelicans, and open-bill storks, are expected to migrate to the region. Activities include birdwatching, eco-friendly biodiversity sessions, boating, cultural programs, and stalls at Sullurpeta.

Notes:
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a partnership with India’s AI Mission to upskill 500,000 people and promote inclusive growth by 2026. An MoU was signed to drive AI innovation, productivity, and inclusivity across India. An AI Center of Excellence, ‘AI Catalysts,’ will support 100,000 developers and rural AI innovation through hackathons and solutions. ‘AI Productivity Labs’ at 20 institutes will provide foundational AI education to 20,000 educators. Citizen-centric AI solutions will address healthcare, education, accessibility, and agriculture. A five-year partnership with RailTel will boost digital and AI transformation in Indian Railways and public sectors.

Notes:
India’s indigenous surgical robotic system, SSI Mantra, conducted two successful robotic cardiac telesurgeries. The first procedure, Telerobotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting, was completed in 58 minutes with 35-40 milliseconds latency. SSI Mantra successfully performed a robotic beating heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB), one of the most complex cardiac surgeries. SSI Mantra is the only robotic system globally approved for telesurgery and tele-proctoring, revolutionizing rural healthcare access in India. It recently received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Notes:
The 23rd Divya Kala Mela was inaugurated at Akota Stadium, Vadodara, Gujarat, by the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment. The event celebrates the talents and entrepreneurship of Divyangjans (persons with disabilities). The event is organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It runs from January 9 to 19, 2025. More than 20 states and Union Territories are participating with artisans and entrepreneurs showcasing their work.

Notes:
The first Kho Kho World Cup began on 13 January 2025 at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India. It was organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India with support from the Indian Olympic Association, the event runs from 13–19 January 2025. Each team has 12 players, with 9 taking the field during a match. The tournament features men’s teams from 20 countries and women’s teams from 19 countries, divided into four groups. India’s men’s team is led by Pratik Waikar, and the women’s team by Priyanka Ingle.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Transport Department proposed a “No Helmet, No Fuel” policy to reduce road accidents involving two-wheelers. The policy will begin in Noida on January 26, 2025, aiming to enforce helmet use and improve road safety. Fuel stations statewide must display “No Helmet, No Fuel” signs and deny fuel to riders and pillions without helmets. The policy was introduced in Gautam Buddh Nagar in 2019 but was inconsistently implemented. Awareness campaigns and education for fuel station operators on the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and related rules are being prioritized.

Notes:
The industry has urged the government to extend the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for Export-Oriented Units (EOUs) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) until September-end amid global economic uncertainties. RoDTEP was introduced under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, effective from January 1, 2021. The scheme offsets taxes and duties on exported goods that are not otherwise refunded. It aims to boost exports by reducing taxes on exported products. RoDTEP replaced the Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme (MEIS) to ensure WTO compliance. The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance administers RoDTEP, which follows global trade principles.

Notes:
São Tomé and Príncipe Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz resigned after her proposed cabinet list was publicly leaked before informing President Carlos Vila Nova. Amado Vaz, a former justice minister, was appointed prime minister following the dissolution of Patrice Trovoada’s government. São Tomé and Príncipe is a small archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, covering just over 1,000 sq. km.

Notes:
Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the registration portal for the 3rd edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS). KTS 3.0 will start on 15th February 2025 and run until 24th February 2025 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The event aims to celebrate and reaffirm the historical connection between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, two ancient centers of learning. KTS is an initiative by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, focusing on celebrating the civilizational link between these two regions.

Notes:
Bahadur Singh Sagoo was elected as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), succeeding Adille Sumariwalla. Sumariwalla served as AFI president for over a decade, from 2012 to 2024. Sagoo, an Asian Games gold medallist (2002) and two-time Olympian, brings vast experience to the role. Sandeep Mehta was elected as the new secretary of the federation. India will host its first World Athletics Continental Tour event, the “Indian Open,” on August 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar.