Current Affairs Quiz 3rd and 4th February 2024 Quiz

Exp. Indian Navy Declares 2024 As ‘Year of Naval Civilians’

Indian Navy has declared 2024 as ‘Year of Naval Civilians’ to improve administration, efficiency and well-being of Naval Civilians by addressing all facets of Civilian HR Management in a time bound manner.

Major focus areas towards maximising administrative efficiency, digital initiatives, generic and specific training programmes and welfare activities have been identified for implementation in 2024.

Naval Civilian Personnel constitute about a third of the Indian Navy’s total workforce and contribute significantly to its operational effectiveness across all domains.  

Exp. Annual Mass Drug Administration Campaign to Eradicate Filariasis by UP

The Uttar Pradesh government will launch the annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to eradicate filariasis diseases from February 5 to 15.

The campaign, to be carried out as part of a mission to eradicate filariasis from the state, will be conducted in 17 districts of the state.

During the campaign, skilled health workers will go door-to-door and administer the medicine for prevention of filariasis to the entire population.

With the exception of children under two years of age, pregnant women and people suffering from serious illnesses.

The Chief Minister has appealed to all the residents to actively participate in the campaign during the MDA round.

The central government aims to eliminate filariasis from the country by 2027.

About Uttar Pradesh

• Capital – Lucknow
• Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
• Governor – Anandiben Patel

Exp. 40,000 rail bogies to be converted to Vande Bharat standards

In a move to modernize the Indian Railways, the Centre has announced an ambitious programme to upgrade 40,000 standard rail coaches to Vande Bharat standards.

This initiative, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in while presenting the interim budget for fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), aims to elevate the safety, convenience, and comfort of rail travel while also providing a boost to private sector railway manufacturers through new refurbishment contracts.

The initiative to elevate regular rail bogies to Vande Bharat standards represents a substantial opportunity for railway sector players. The projected contracts are estimated to be worth ₹4,000 crore annually for the next few years.

The comprehensive refurbishment of 40,000 coaches is planned to be phased over 8-10 years, with an approximate rate of 4,000 bogies per year.

Exp. PM SVANIDHI provided credit assistance to 78 lakh street vendors

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that PM SVANIDHI, a flagship initiative focusing on street vendors has extended credit assistance to 78 lakh street vendors across the country.

2.3 lakh vendors have availed loans for the third time under this initiative.

What is PM SVANidhi Scheme?

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the Prime Minister Street Vendors’ Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme on June 1, 2020.

The scheme focuses on assisting street vendors, severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in restarting their businesses without the need for any guarantee.

Under the scheme:

1. A working capital loan of up to ₹10,000, without any guarantee, is provided for a one-year tenure. Timely repayment allows beneficiaries to avail a second loan of ₹20,000 and a third loan of ₹50,000.
2. Regular repayment is encouraged through a 7% interest subsidy.
3. Digital transactions are promoted with a cashback of up to ₹1,200 per year for digital payments.

The scheme initially started by offering a working capital loan of up to ₹10,000, and later, recognizing the increased financial requirements, a second loan of up to ₹20,000 was introduced from April 9, 2021. Additionally, a third loan of up to ₹50,000 became available from June 1, 2022.

The Ministry modified the cashback scheme, effective from February 1, 2023. This modification provides a cashback of ₹1 for every digital transaction, capped at ₹100 per month and ₹1,200 per year.

The PM SVANidhi Scheme has played a crucial role in supporting street vendors during challenging times, contributing to their financial stability and promoting digital transactions.

Exp. Record Rs 6.21 lakh crore allocation to Defence in Interim Budget 2024-25

In the current geopolitical scenario and with the twin objective of promoting self-reliance and exports, the Defence Budget has touched Rs 6,21,540.85 crore in the Financial Year 2024-25.

This comes out to be 13.04% of total Union Budget. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to receive the highest allocation among the Ministries.

The budgetary allocation to Defence for FY 24-25 is higher by approx.  one lakh crore (18.35%) over  the  allocation for the FY 2022-23 and 4.72% more than allocation of FY 23-24.

Of this, a major share of 27.67% goes to capital, 14.82% for revenue expenditure on sustenance and operational preparedness, 30.68% for Pay and allowances, 22.72% for defence pensions and 4.11% for civil organisations under MoD.

Exp. India, Oman ink pact for collaboration in defence sector

India and Oman has signed an agreement that would provide a framework for collaboration in new areas of defence engagement including procurement of military equipment.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was firmed up at a meeting of India-Oman joint military cooperation committee (JMCC) in Muscat.

Both sides discussed effective and practical initiatives to further boost bilateral defence engagements with focus on defence industries collaboration.

The two sides also inked an MoU pertaining to procurement of defence material and equipment which would provide a framework for defence collaboration in new areas.

Recently India signed MoUs with others countries

• India and Oman signed MoU on defence sector
• India and Oman signed MoU on IT Cooperation
• India and Cuba signed an MoU on digital public infrastructure collaboration
• India and France to jointly fund science research projects
• India and Mauritius collaborate on Rs 20 crore small satelliteproject

Exp. Govt to focus on vaccination against cervical cancer

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the government’s plans to focus on vaccination against cervical cancer for girls aged 9 to 14 as part of her Interim Budget 2024.

The FM also announced multiple other health-related schemes in her speech, including extending Ayushman Bharat cover to all Asha workers and Anganwadi workers and helpers.

Cervical cancer, which develops in a woman’s cervix, is the second-most common cancer among women in India.

It is caused by persistent infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV). India accounts for nearly a quarter of all cervical cancer deaths in the world.

Presently, the Serum Institute’s made-in-India vaccine against cervical cancer, CERVAVAC, is available in the private market for about Rs 2,000 per dose.

MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck Sharp and Dohme (known as Merck and Co, Inc in the US and Canada) continues to sell its HPV vaccine Gardasil 4 (quadrivalent vaccine) in India which is currently priced at Rs 3,927 per dose.

Exp. Tamil Superstar Vijay launches his political party

Tamil superstar Vijay has announced the name of his new political party “Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam”.

Vijay will contest 2026 Assembly Elections in Tamil Nadu, when the current term of MK Stalin-led DMK party ends.

The Tamil movie superstar is fondly called by his fans as Thalapathy, meaning General or Commander.

Exp. 97.50% of Rs 2,000 Notes Returned to System: RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has annouced nearly 97.5 per cent of the Rs 2,000 bank notes have been returned to the banking system, and only about Rs 8,897 crore worth of the withdrawn notes are still with the public.

On May 19, 2023 the RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 denomination bank notes from circulation.

The total value of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation, which was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023.

When the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 banknotes was announced, has declined to Rs 8,897 crore at the close of business on January 31, 2024,” the RBI said in a statement.

The Rs 2,000 bank notes were introduced in November 2016, following the demonetisation of the then-prevailing Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 bank notes.

Statements

(i) PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Surajkund International Crafts Mela – 2024 at Surajkund in Faridabad. (Incorrect)

(ii) This is 37th edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela. (Correct)

(iii) Tanzania is a partner country for the mela. (Correct)

(iv) Uttar Pradesh is the theme state. (Incorrect)

Exp. President Murmu inaugurated 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024

President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela – 2024 at Surajkund in Faridabad district, Haryana.

Tanzania is a partner country for the mela, which reflects India’s strong ties with the African Union. Gujarat is the theme state.

The Surajkund Fair will continue till February 18.  

Exp. LK Advani to be awarded Bharat Ratna

BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani will be honoured with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India.

This prestigious honour is a testament to Advani’s indelible contribution to Indian politics and society over several decades.

Lal Krishna Advani served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004. He is one of the co-founders of the BJP and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Advani is also the longest-serving Minister of Home Affairs and  the longest-serving Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

He was the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP during the 2009 general election.

He has been a member of both Houses of the Parliament between 1970 and 2019.

Born in Karachi, in present-day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, Advani through the years had served as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the longest period since its inception in 1980.

Exp. Abhinav Bindra selected as torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics

Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual gold medalist at the Olympic Games, has been selected as a torchbearer for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

He will be part of the Olympic torch relay to be held from April 16 to July 26.

Bindra, a member of the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), clinched the gold medal in the men’s 10m air rifle event at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

The inaugural lighting of the torch for the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay is scheduled for April 16, adhering to the ancient tradition, utilizing the sun’s rays, during a ceremony at the Olympia sanctuary in Greece.

The Olympic Flame will then journey from the Peloponnese to Athens, boarding the Belem to cross the Mediterranean Sea. On May 8, the flame will arrive in Marseille, marking the commencement of its extensive journey across France.

The torch relay is set to last 68 days, covering 65 territories, including five overseas territories. A total of 11,000 torchbearers have been selected throughout France, with 10,000 participating in the Olympic Torch Relay and 1,000 in the Paralympic Torch Relay.

The Paris Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, promising an exciting and symbolic event for athletes and enthusiasts worldwide

Exp. Maha Gaurav 2024 award presented to Nikhil Wagh by Maharashtra govt

Nikhil Mukund Wagh, who works as a Public Relations Officer at Goa Shipyard Limited, was given the “Maha Gaurav 2024” award.

This award was handed to him by Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, during a ceremony at Kaneri Math in Kolhapur.

The award is a big deal because it recognizes Nikhil’s great work in public relations.

Recent Awards

• The UK’s Blavatnik Awards – 3 Indian Scientist (Rahul R Nair, Mehul Malik, and Tanmay Bharat)
• Certified as a Top Employer 2024 in India by Top Employers Institute – NTPC Limited
• Female Wushu Athlete Of The Year – Naorem Roshibina Devi (Manipur)
• Excellence Award by Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) –Thiruvananthapuram Intl. Airport
• Best Product Design at Vishwakarma Awards – Satyam (IIT Guwahati’s scholar)

Exp. US State Department approves 31 armed drones to India

The US State Department has given the go-ahead for the possible sale of 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, related missiles, and equipment to India for nearly $4 billion.

This comes after years of discussions between the two nations about such a deal.

India has long expressed interest in buying large, armed drones from the United States, but certain bureaucratic hurdles have hindered progress towards finalizing the potential agreement.

Exp. 4 February – International Day of Human Fraternity

International Day of Human Fraternity is observed every year on 4 February.

The day serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty of unity and the strength found in diversity.

On December 21, 2020, International Day of Human Fraternity was established by the United Nations General Assembly.