Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
India’s first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) was inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The center is located near the Ganga River on the Patna University campus. The NDRC is a center of excellence that will help researchers and students understand the ecosystem of rivers. Researchers at the center will focus on various aspects of dolphin behavior in their natural habitat, including studying food habits and adaptation to changing environments. The center will also play a crucial role in training fishermen on methods to avoid inadvertently harming dolphins during fishing activities.

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Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 at Luhnu Cricket Ground, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh on March 5, 2024. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid attended as chief guests. Inspired by PM Modi’s ‘Kheloge To Khiloge,’ Thakur highlighted the event’s significance. MP Khel Mahakumbh serves as a major platform for Hamirpur constituency players, aiming for 75,000 participants. Luhnu Cricket Ground in Himachal Pradesh hosts the event.

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Researchers from IIT Mandi and Palakkad created a drowning detection robot, addressing challenges in underwater investigation and exploration. The robot, designed for sea, reservoirs, and dams, aims to replace risky human involvement. Led by Jagdeesh Kadiyam, an AI and Robotics Center assistant professor, the team developed a prototype, emphasizing safety and efficiency in marine operations. The innovation targets increased precision and reduced risks for costly search missions, enhancing exploration capabilities in challenging environments.

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The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) has signed a 10-year Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore to establish the International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED). With a focus on dam safety, ICED will provide technical support, conduct research, and offer academic courses. The Ministry will fund the center with a grant of 118.05 crore rupees for infrastructure construction and modernization. The MoA duration is ten years or until the completion of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase-II and III Scheme, whichever is earlier.

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The CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) signed an agreement with the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) to deploy pine needles-based fuel-making technology in the state’s Champawat district. The agreement includes implementing two technologies at the grassroots level in Champawat: A briquetting unit with a capacity of 50 kg per hour based on pine needles & 500 units of improved cookstoves for rural households.

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Majuli manuscript painting, a traditional art form dating back to the 16th century in Assam, recently received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The paintings are created on sanchi pat, manuscripts made from the bark of the sanchi or agar tree, using homemade ink. Srimanta Sankardev’s illustrated rendering of the Adya Dasama from the Bhagwat Purana is considered the earliest example. Originally patronized by Ahom kings, this art form persists in every sattra in Majuli.

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Former members of Google’s DeepMind team recently unveiled Haiper, an innovative AI-powered video generation tool. Haiper, an all-in-one visual foundation model, empowers users of all technical backgrounds to effortlessly create high-quality video content. The founders emphasize Haiper’s role in advancing machine learning for enjoyable, surprising, and shareable creativity. The platform offers diverse tools like text-to-video, animated static images, and video repainting. Users can access the website, log in, and generate free HD videos with text prompts, limited to 2-4 seconds.

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Riken Yamamoto, a Japanese architect and social advocate, has been named the winner of the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize. The Pritzker Prize is considered the highest international honor in the field of architecture and is sometimes called the “Architecture Nobel”.

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The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) hosted a webinar on “Viksit Bharat: Corporate Governance for 2047” on March 7, 2024. Viksit Bharat is the Government of India’s vision to make India a developed nation by 2047. The vision includes many aspects of development, such as economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance.

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In the recent Second Thomas Shoal incident, China Coast Guard ships allegedly collided with Filipino boats, reigniting global concern over the disputed area. The shoal, within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, is home to a grounded WWII-era ship serving as a military outpost. China claims sovereignty based on the Nine-dash line, conflicting with international law. A 2016 ruling favored the Philippines in a case against China, but tensions persist in the South China Sea.