Daily Current Affairs MCQs : 11 January 2024 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

The Chandubi Festival, an annual five-day celebration, recently took place along the Chandubi Lake in the Assam. This cultural extravaganza, starting on the first day of the New Year, showcases the rich local folk culture, ethnic cuisine, traditional handloom and dresses, as well as activities like boating. The festival serves a significant purpose by promoting eco-tourism in the biodiversity hotspot of Assam and aims to address the declining water level of Chandubi Lake. Not only does it contribute to the preservation of the waterbody, but it also plays a crucial role in generating livelihood opportunities for various tribes, including Rabhas, Garos, Gorkhas, and tea tribes, who sell local food items, homemade beverages, and traditional attire during the event.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) launched the “Ugram” assault rifle. The DRDO developed the rifle in collaboration with a private company and the Armament Research and Development Establishments (ARDE), a DRDO laboratory in Pune.  The “Ugram” is a 7.62 x 51 mm caliber rifle that weighs less than four kilograms and has a range of 500 meters. The name “Ugram” means “ferocious”. The rifle is intended to meet the needs of the military, paramilitary, and police.  The DRDO develops defense technologies and also supports other technologies and products. The DRDO has also developed other major systems and technologies, including aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, and missile systems.

Singapore’s Changi Airport has regained its title as the World’s Best Airport for the year 2023, according to the esteemed awards presented by Skytrax, an air transport research firm. After being surpassed by Qatar’s Hamad International Airport in the past two years, Changi Airport secured the top spot for the twelfth time, showcasing its enduring excellence. The Skytrax Awards, recognized as a significant benchmark in the aviation industry, acknowledge outstanding airport services and facilities.

India is set to chair UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee and host its 46th session in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024, marking a historic milestone for our nation. Vishal V Sharma, India’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, announced this decision. This decision stems from a proposal by Indian authorities, made in consultation with the UNESCO Director-General. The World Heritage Committee, comprising representatives from 21 member states, gathers annually to recognize global cultural and natural heritage. Their work contributes to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

The Red Ant Chutney of Mayurbhanj in Odisha has recently been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The application for registration was submitted by The Mayurbhanj Kai Society Ltd in 2020 under Class 30, as per the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. This unique chutney, also known as Kai Chutney, is rich in valuable nutrients such as proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B-12, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, and amino acids, contributing to immune system enhancement.

The National Health Authority (NHA) is introducing a new system to measure and grade hospital performance under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
The new initiative will introduce the concept of ‘value- based care’, where payment will be outcome based and providers will be rewarded according to the quality of the treatment delivered. The providers will be rewarded for helping the patients improve their health.

Bhitarkanika National Park, located in Odisha, reported an increase in the number of birds to 1,39,959 birds this year compared to 1,38,107 last year.
While the number of bird count increased, the diversity of species has decreased compared to last year. This year the National Park saw 140 species of birds compared to 144 last year. Many rare and endangered species were spotted this time.

Union Minister of State Science & Technology; Dr Jitendra Singh released the theme for the ‘National Science Day 2023’, titled “Global Science for Global Wellbeing”.
The National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ since 1986. On this day Sir C.V. Raman announced the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’.

The Reserve Bank of India recently released Annual Report of Ombudsman Schemes for 2021-22.  The Centralised Receipt and Processing Center (CRPC) was established by RBIunder the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme 2021.
As per the report, the volume of complaints received by the ombudsman schemes or consumer education and protection cells during the year 2021-22 increased by 9.39 per cent to 4,18,184. According to the Report, complaints relating to the digital modes of payment and transactions were the highest in number.

Kumarakom in Kottayam and Beypore in Kozhikode from Kerala have been selected for development under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme.
The two places are among 34 other destinations from 19 states and Union Territories selected under the scheme of the Ministry of Tourism. Kerala has many places declared under eco circuit, spiritual circuit, rural circuit, as part of the Swadesh Darshan scheme 1.0.