Daily Current Affairs MCQs : 24 February 2024 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

The CBI conducted raids related to alleged corruption in awarding a contract for the Kiru Hydel Project in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, focusing on the former Governor. The Kiru Hydel Power Project is a run-of-the-river scheme over the Chenab River, developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP), a joint venture between NHPC, JKSPDC, and PTC. The project aims to benefit several states and union territories in Northern India, with a 49%, 49%, and 2% shareholding, respectively.

Two Badami Chalukya temples, aged 1,300-1,500 years, and a 1,200-year-old label inscription were discovered in Mudimanikyam village, Telangana near the Krishna River. The Chalukyas ruled the Deccan from the 6th to 12th centuries, comprising the Badami Chalukyas and the sibling dynasties of the Western and Eastern Chalukyas. Pulakesi I founded the dynasty in 550, making Badami the capital. Pulakesi II expanded the empire, defeating Harsha and Vishnukundins, but later lost Vatapi to Pallava Narasimhavarman.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently launched four portals, including NaViGate Bharat, a bilingual platform by the New Media Wing. NaViGate Bharat serves as a unified gateway hosting government-related videos, simplifying access to developmental measures and citizen welfare initiatives. The platform empowers users with an interactive interface for searching, streaming, sharing, and downloading content, streamlining information retrieval from various sources into a single, reliable platform for both media and the public.

Indian and Sri Lankan coast guard ships recently joined the Maldives for Exercise Dosti 16, a trilateral coast guard exercise held every two years since 1991. Sri Lanka joined in 2012, and the 16th edition involves the Coast Guards of India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, with observers from Bangladesh. The exercise focuses on mutual operational capability, interoperability, and cooperation in scenarios like sea accidents and pollution. India’s participation includes ICGS Samarth, ICGS Abhinav, and ICG Dornier.

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has launched India’s largest drone pilot training facility. This program is aligned with PM’s Namo Drone Didi initiative. The program is also tailored for a variety of defense personnel. This initiative supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to position India as a prominent drone hub by 2030.

Japan became the first country to launch an electromagnetic railgun from an offshore vessel on October 17, 2023. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in collaboration with the Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), a division of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, successfully test-fired a medium-calibre maritime electromagnetic railgun from an offshore platform.

Kotak Mahindra Bank has received the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) approval to acquire a 100% stake in micro-lender Sonata Finance valued at approximately Rs 537 crore. This acquisition is expected to help Kotak Mahindra Bank expand its reach in the microfinance sector and offer a wider range of products and services to its customers.

Namo Bharat is the name of India's first semi-high-speed regional rail service. It was formerly known as RapidX. Namo Bharat is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to enhance regional connectivity in India. The project is on the cusp of revolutionizing regional travel and is a significant step towards improving India's transportation infrastructure.

The Indian Navy is all set to host the Mid-Planning Conference for MILAN 24 (Multilateral Naval Exercise- 2024) at Visakhapatnam from 19th February to 27th February 2024. This event follows a long-standing tradition of hosting the MILAN exercise, showcasing India’s commitment to fostering international maritime cooperation.

IRCTC has partnered with Zomato to offer pre-booked meals to railway passengers. This partnership will allow passengers to order food from a variety of restaurants and have it delivered to their train seats. This is a significant development for train travellers in India, as it will give them more options and control over their dining experience.