Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 20 2024

Ans (D)
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines.
“Sagar Aankalan” Guidelines focus on national benchmarking of Indian port’s performance.
They aim to map and benchmark the logistics performance and efficiency of Indian ports.
The guidelines also aim to harmonize standards, definitions, and performance with global benchmarks.
These guidelines play a crucial role in transforming the performance assessment of Indian ports and fostering their growth and development.

Ans (B)
The 14th Global Investment Immigration Summit was organized at the Shangri-la Hotel in New Delhi
Summit focuses on immigration programs like EB-5, Portugal Golden Visa, UK Business Immigration, and Europe Golden Visa.
BLS Global and Acquest Advisors organized the summit, assembling a diverse range of immigration experts worldwide.

Ans (A)
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Engineers India Limited (EIL) joined hands intending to enhance innovation and research in areas of green technologies.
Key research domains identified CO2 conversion to valuable chemicals for emissions reduction and economic opportunities.
Prof KK Pant – Director IIT Roorkee

Ans (D)
World Human Spirit Day is observed on 17 February each year.
It is a day to reflect on the human spirit and reconnect with our sense of awe and purpose.
The holiday was first established in 2003 by Michael Levy.
The significance is evident in the way it encourages mindfulness and meditation.
It is a day to recognize our humanity and to connect with our spiritual selves.

Ans (A)
Karnataka has emerged as the frontrunner in India’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure development, boasting the highest number of public charging stations according to Bureau of Energy Efficiency statistics.
Karnataka leads with 5,059 public EV charging stations, surpassing Maharashtra and Delhi.
Maharashtra follows with 3,079 stations, and Delhi with 1,886.
Uttar Pradesh leads in EV adoption with 7.45 lakh vehicles, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Nationally, there are 16,271 operational public charging stations, with 80 charge point operators.
Public sector undertakings have installed 4,994 charging stations, led by Indian Oil Corporation.

Ans (C)
NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the world’s first wooden satellite, dubbed the LignoSat probe.
Developed by Kyoto University scientists in partnership with Sumitomo Forestry, this innovative initiative aims to revolutionize spaceflight operations by prioritizing sustainability.
Constructed from wood sourced from magnolia trees, the LignoSat probe offers a biodegradable alternative to conventional spacecraft materials.
Magnolia wood, identified for its durability, emerged as the optimal choice after extensive timber profiling.

Ans (B)
The BAFTA Awards 2024 illuminated London’s Royal Festival Hall with a spectacular celebration of film, hosted by the renowned David Tennant.
“Oppenheimer” secured seven BAFTAs, including Best Film.
It was Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Best Film – Oppenheimer
Outstanding British Film – The Zone of Interest
Documentary – 20 Days in Mariupol
Animated Film – The Boy And The Heron
Director – Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer

Ans (A)
The 2024 edition of the Henley Passport Index has been published, offering significant insights into global mobility and soft power.
France secures the top spot on the Henley Passport Index, with its passport granting visa-free access to 194 countries.
Germany, Italy, Spain, and other European nations stand alongside France at the top ranks, showcasing the regional strength of the European Union.
India slips one rank down to 85th place, despite an increase in visa-free access for its citizens to 62 countries.
Pakistan maintains its position at 106, while Bangladesh slips from 101 to 102.
India’s maritime neighbor, Maldives, ranks 58th with visa-free access to 96 countries.

Ans (C)
ICICI Bank has appointed Mr Pradeep Kumar Sinha as the Non-Executive Part-time Chairman at its recent board meeting.
This decision follows the retirement of Mr G C Chaturvedi, the current Chairman, effective June 30, 2024.
Previously, he served in various capacities in the State of Uttar Pradesh before transitioning to the Government of India.
He also held significant roles in the Power and Oil & Gas Ministries for approximately 15 years.
He retired from the Prime Minister’s Office in March 2021 after 44 years of dedicated service to the nation.

Ans (D)
India is set to launch its first spy satellite developed by a domestic private player, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), in a SpaceX rocket by April.
This satellite, designed for discreet information gathering, will bolster the country’s defense capabilities by providing real-time monitoring and ground control.
Previously, Indian armed forces relied on foreign vendors for exact coordinates and timings.
Imagery captured by the TASL satellite will be shareable with friendly nations, enhancing regional security cooperation.
ISRO recently launched INSAT-3DS for meteorological studies, showcasing its diverse satellite capabilities.
Despite the success, the GSLV rocket series has faced reliability challenges, earning the nickname “naughty boy.”