Current Affairs One - Liner : 24th & 25th March 2024

• National:
• Rajasthan launched India’s first Water Resources Information System Dashboard on March 16, 2024. The portal provides comprehensive data on the state’s water resources, including data on 805 dams and 326 rain gauge stations. It aims to improve water management and is particularly beneficial for farmers by providing real-time information about water availability.

• SAIC Motor and JSW Group announced a joint venture named ‘JSW MG Motor India Pvt Ltd’ on March 20, 2024. The venture aims to accelerate the growth of MG Motor operations in India with a focus on green mobility. It plans to increase production capacity, launch new products every three to six months, expand manufacturing footprint, and create significant employment opportunities.
• Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested on March 21, 2024, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case. His arrest has sparked protests and has been criticized by opposition leaders and his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He is in custody until March 28, 2024.
• The Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility in Thimphu, Bhutan, was recently inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of India and Bhutan. The hospital, built with the assistance of the Government of India, has 150 beds and houses advanced facilities for various medical departments. It is a symbol of the India-Bhutan partnership in healthcare.
• International:
• The Hong Kong security law, known as ‘Article 23’, was passed to address five types of crimes: treason, insurrection and incitement to mutiny, theft of state secrets and espionage, sabotage, and external interference. Despite facing criticism, it was passed unanimously by the city’s parliament and took effect on March 23, 2024.
• Banking:
• The Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) launched two gold loan products on March 21, 2024. The IOB Gold Powered Card offers instant access to a card linked to jewel loan overdraft accounts with loan amounts from ₹25,000 to ₹25 lakh. These products aim to provide customers with more flexibility and convenience in managing their financial needs.
• Science & Technology:
• Scientists from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University have discovered a new disease affecting pea crops, named “Witches’ Broom”. The disease is associated with the pathogen ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’. The American Phytopathological Society (APS), USA, has recognized and published this new disease.
• A new species of deep-sea isopod, Brucethoa isro, was discovered off the coast of Kollam in Kerala, India on March 20, 2024. The species was named in honor of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was found in the gill cavity of a marine fish and is the second species within this genus to be documented in India.
• Defence:
• On March 23, 2024, the Indian Navy concluded 100 days of maritime security operations under ‘Op Sankalp’. The operation was initiated due to the evolving maritime situation from the Israel-Hamas conflict. During this period, the Indian Navy addressed 18 incidents, saved over 110 lives, escorted 15 lakh tons of critical commodities, conducted nearly 1000 boarding operations, and seized more than 3000 kgs of narcotics.
• The Indian Army inducted seven indigenous Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems (IDD&IS) along the northern borders with China on March 21, 2024. These systems, produced by DRDO and Bharat Electronics, can detect drones within a range of 5 to 8 km and neutralize them through jamming (soft kills) and lasers (hard kills).
• Sports:
• Carlos Sainz of Ferrari clinched a remarkable victory at the Australian Grand Prix held at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. This win was particularly noteworthy as it came just two weeks after Sainz underwent appendicitis surgery.
• Important Days:
• The International Day of Nowruz is celebrated on March 21 every year. Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox. This festival is celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years.
• World Puppetry Day is celebrated annually on March 21 to honor the art of puppetry. The day was established in 2003 by the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA). The theme for World Puppetry Day in 2024 is “The Climate”. Celebrations include puppet shows, donations to puppeteers, and learning about puppetry.
• The International Day of the Unborn Child is observed on March 25th to honor and protect unborn children and to raise awareness about the dignity and value of human life. The day opposes abortion and promotes a culture of life and respect for human dignity. The theme for 2024 is “Honouring the Unborn”.
• The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is observed annually on March 25. It’s a day to recognize the dangers faced by UN staff, peacekeepers, and colleagues in the non-governmental community and the press.
• Appointments:
• Mary Kom was appointed as the Chef de Mission for the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024 by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on March 21, 2024.
• Awards & Honours:
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was honored with the prestigious Aviation Week Laureates Award on March 24, 2024. This recognition was for their significant achievements in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which marked a historic event by successfully landing on the Moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023.

Questions:

Q.1 What is the name of the new species of deep-sea isopod discovered off the coast of Kollam in Kerala, India?
a. Brucethoa NASA
b. Brucethoa Isro
c. Brucethoa SpaceX
d. Brucethoa blue origin
Q.2 Who was honored with the Aviation Week Laureates Award on March 24, 2024?
a. NASA
b. SpaceX
c. ISRO
d. European Space Agency