Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
On International Women’s Day, the Indian Army unveiled plans for 2 Army Girls Sports Companies (AGSC), aligning with the national agenda for women empowerment. The Army designated two Centers of Excellence, the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, and the Army Sports Institute in Pune, to operate these companies. Starting from April 1, AGSC aims to educate and train girls nationwide in sports, enabling direct entry into the army upon graduation, fostering talent and contributing to military institutions’ recruitment goals.

Notes:
The Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman Campaign Event in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on March 9, marked India’s 75th Republic year. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal attended, joined by legal professionals, police officials, law students, and faculty. The event aimed to highlight the Constitution’s principles, fostering national unity. It set an example for other states, emphasizing citizen engagement, democratic values, and understanding rights and responsibilities in the democratic journey.

Notes:
The Department of Science and Technology and T-Hub jointly inaugurated the Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub (MATH) in Hyderabad. MATH seeks to expedite AI innovation, promote job growth, and cultivate a favorable environment for AI and ML startups. The initiative aims to create 500 AI-related jobs by 2025 and support 150 AI and ML startups yearly, offering crucial resources and mentorship to foster their development.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in javelin throw, is the newly elected President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), succeeding Deepa Malik. He secured the position uncontested and leads the PCI unopposed. Jhajharia’s notable achievements include winning gold in the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics in the F46 disability category.

Notes:
The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation launched PNG facilities under the ‘Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan.’ The initiative, led by the Delhi Development Authority, focuses on enhancing infrastructure in urbanized villages and new urban areas in Delhi. The inauguration marks a significant step in advancing the campaign’s objectives for comprehensive development in these regions.

Notes:
Justice Satyendra Kumar Singh was appointed as the new Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh. The Lokayukta is a state-level authority that handles complaints of corruption and maladministration from the general public. The Lokayukta’s tenure is six years. The Governor of the state appoints the Lokayukta through nomination by the Chief Minister.

Notes:
US envoy Amos Hochstein underscores the need for diplomatic resolution to quell rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah along the Blue Line, UN-demarcated boundary separating Lebanon and Israel. Established in 2000 after Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the Blue Line aims to prevent conflicts and facilitate security arrangements in the region.

Notes:
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurated India’s first FutureLABS center at Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Thiruvananthapuram, focusing on semiconductor chip and strategic electronics. It aims to foster chip design, manufacturing, and research. Collaboration with the Ministry of Railways for electric locomotive technology development was announced, along with an MoU with Tata Power for microgrid tech. Moreover, the electric vehicle wireless charger technology developed by C-DAC(T) and VNIT Nagpur will be transferred to BelRise Industries Limited. Over 100 students were briefed on opportunities provided by the center.

Notes:
NITI Aayog launched the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative to foster self-reliance and sustainable growth. Under the Aspirational Blocks Programme, it promotes local products from 500 blocks through the Aakanksha brand. Aakanksha serves as an umbrella brand, facilitating international market access. The initiative includes a dedicated window on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal for these products. Partners offer support for e-commerce, linkages, literacy, certification, and skill enhancement to promote local entrepreneurship.