Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport in Tamil Nadu, the second spaceport after Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The facility will specialize in launching Small Satellite Launch Vehicles commercially. Spanning 2,350 acres, it features 35 facilities, including launch pads and rocket integration areas. The spaceport’s unique advantage is launching directly south over the Indian Ocean, saving fuel for small rocket launches compared to the existing site. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 986 crore, boosting India’s space capabilities.

Notes:
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified a new species of head-shield sea slug, Melanochlamys Droupadi, along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal. Measuring up to 7 mm, it’s a small invertebrate with a brownish-black body and a distinctive ruby red spot. Inhabiting wet sandy beaches, the hermaphroditic slug forms a protective mucus sheath, leaving a trail like a turtle as it moves beneath the sand. Sea slugs, mollusks found in various marine environments, include 18 known species globally.

Notes:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has partnered with ISRO for the Urban Frame Survey (UFS) using Bhuvan. UFS, managed by the Field Operations Division (FOD) of NSSO, utilizes compact units in urban areas with 120-150 households. Executed in five-year phases, it acts as a sampling frame for large-scale socio-economic surveys. The digital implementation of UFS occurred for the first time during Phase 2017-22, employing the Bhuvan platform for data collection.

Notes:
The 66th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting in New Delhi, chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, assessed three projects from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and two from the Ministry of Railways. The Integrated Multimodal NPG oversees unified planning and integration for connectivity infrastructure ministries, facilitating stakeholder interactions. It guides departments in creating economic zones and connectivity infrastructure, aligning with the National Master Plan objectives to minimize disruptions and enhance efficiency in national infrastructure projects.

Notes:
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was awarded for Best Performance in Accounts for FY 2023-24 on the 48th Foundation Day of the Indian Civil Accounts Service. Led by Chief Controller of Accounts Ajay S. Singh, the ministry showcased exceptional efficiency and diligence in accounting practices, earning the prestigious recognition from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

Notes:
Cuttack’s renowned Rupa Tarakasi (Silver Filigree) has secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai. The Odisha State Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation Limited submitted the application, supported by the Department of Textile and Handicrafts, Government of Odisha. Filigree, linked to exquisite craftsmanship in classical jewelry, dates back to 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia. Historical evidence suggests its introduction to Cuttack from Persia through Indonesia around 500 years ago via sea trade.

Notes:
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled the ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ initiative in New Delhi, aiming to make the agriculture sector the cornerstone of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. The digital gateway, developed by the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA), streamlines farmers’ warehousing logistics through technology, ensuring fair prices for produce. Goyal also announced a reduction in security deposit charges at WDRA warehouses, from three percent to one percent, encouraging more farmers, particularly small-scale ones, to utilize the facilities and boost their income.

Notes:
Yatin Bhaskar Duggal of Haryana clinched victory at the National Youth Parliament Festival, 2024. Vaishna Pitchai from Tamil Nadu secured second place, and Kanishka Sharma of Rajasthan claimed the third prize, showcasing the abundant talent and dedication across the nation.

Notes:
Rajasthan State governments recently alarmed community dwellers by designating ‘orans’ as deemed forests, sparking fears of restricted access to forest resources. Orans, sacred spaces abundant in biodiversity with water bodies, are community-managed forests sustaining traditional water resources. These areas serve as vital spaces for herders, communal gatherings, festivals, and daily resource extraction, impacting the livelihoods of rural communities. The notification has raised concerns about the potential loss of access to essential forest produce for villagers.

Notes:
Kerala has declared the man-animal conflict a state-specific disaster, the first in India to do so. This decision follows a series of fatal encounters, particularly involving elephants. The conflict arises when wildlife poses a direct threat to human interests, causing disputes and negative impacts. The Forest Department manages such conflicts unless declared a state-specific disaster. The chief wildlife warden holds authority in addressing animal threats. The State Government, through the State Disaster Response Fund, allocates funds with the State Disaster Management Authority overseeing relief efforts.