Current Affairs One - Liner : 8th March 2024

• National:
• The enrollment of farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has indeed increased by 27% in the financial year 2023-24. This increase has resulted in a record 40 million farmers enrolling in the scheme. Interestingly, 42% of the farmers who enrolled under the crop insurance scheme had not availed loans from the banks.

• The Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 was inaugurated in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh on 5th March 2024. The event, inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Kheloge To Khiloge’, aims to provide a platform for players from the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency. This year, the event includes sports like volleyball, kabaddi, cricket, basketball, and athletics, with separate categories for boys and girls. The target is to have 75,000 players participate.
• “Operation Kamdhenu” was launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on March 6, 2024. The operation is a comprehensive strategy aimed at curbing cattle smuggling in the region. It not only targets the smuggling activities but also aims to apprehend the masterminds behind these illicit operations.
• On March 1, 2024, the Karnataka government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) signed a Letter of Intent to establish a Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Karnataka. This centre, part of the WEF’s global C4IR Network, aims to foster industry-academia networks, research collaboration, and dialogue on AI ethics. It will also support AI startups in Karnataka.
• International:
• “India by the Creek” was a cultural festival held in Dubai from March 8-10, 2024. It celebrated the cultural ties between India and Dubai with performances and workshops by artists from both regions. The Consulate General of India presented the event in partnership with Teamwork Arts.
• Banking:
• The ‘PNB EMT Credit Card’ is a co-branded travel credit card launched by Punjab National Bank (PNB) and EaseMyTrip on March 5, 2024. It offers benefits like welcome vouchers, booking discounts, reward points, insurance coverage, and lounge access. The card has a joining fee of Rs. 2000, but no annual fee if used once each quarter.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Ring Plus Aqua Ltd’s proposed acquisition of a 59.25% stake in Maini Precision Products Ltd on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Maini Precision Products is a company that manufactures precision products for various industries.
• The Indian Banks’ Association and bank employee unions have agreed on a 17% annual wage hike. This will result in an additional yearly expenditure of approximately Rs 8,284 crore for public sector banks. In addition to the wage hike, it has been agreed to recognize all Saturdays as holidays, pending government notification.
• Committees:
• The 1st ‘Blue Talks’ meeting on Ocean Health and Governance was held on 29th February, 2024 in New Delhi, co-chaired by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), India. The meeting was co-partnered by the Embassy of France and Embassy of Costa Rica in India. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange good practices, seek recommendations from stakeholders, prepare for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), and address concerns over the ocean’s health.
• Govt. Schemes:
• The ‘Neengal Nalama’ (Are you fine?) scheme is a beneficiary outreach programme launched by the Tamil Nadu government in March 2024. This initiative is aimed at reviewing the implementation of flagship schemes and addressing the grievances of the public. A web portal was opened as part of the ‘Neengal Nalama’ scheme, allowing the Chief Minister and other officials to interact with beneficiaries of government schemes.
• Defence:
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is collaborating with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to deploy rescue teams along the India-China border. This initiative aims to prepare for disaster response operations in the Himalayan ranges. The plan involves establishing small teams of rescuers at ITBP outposts in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. The announcement was made on March 8, 2024.
• Sports:
• Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver, clinched victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The race, which marked the opening of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, was held at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. Verstappen’s dominant performance, beating his teammate Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, marked his 55th career victory and sent a strong message to his Formula 1 rivals.
• Important Days:
• The Jan Aushadhi Diwas (Generic Medicine Day) is annually observed across India on 7th March to create awareness about the importance of Generic Medicines and to highlight the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). On 7th March 2019, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi declared the 7th March of every year as Jan Aushadhi Diwas.
• Appointments:
• SAP has appointed Manish Prasad as the new President and Managing Director for the Indian Subcontinent on March 6, 2024. He succeeds Kulmeet Bawa and will be responsible for advancing SAP’s move to the cloud.
• Awards & Honours:
• Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and British Indian chef Asma Khan were honored at the India-UK Achievers Honours in London on March 3, 2024. Akhtar received the Living Legend Award, while Khan was recognized for her culinary work.

Questions:

Q.1 What is the primary aim of “Operation Kamdhenu”?
a. To curb drug trafficking
b. To curb cattle smuggling
c. To curb human trafficking
d. To curb illegal mining
Q.2 Who has been appointed as the new President and Managing Director for the Indian Subcontinent by SAP on March 6, 2024?
a. Kulmeet Bawa
b. Satya Nadella
c. Sundar Pichai
d. Manish Prasad