Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 14th March 2024

1. Which Indian writer was awarded with the ‘Erasmus Prize’ 2024 for highlighting the climate change crisis?

A. Kiran Desai

B. Arvind Adiga

C. Arundhati Roy

D. Amitav Ghosh

• Indian writer Amitav Ghosh, aged 67, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Erasmus Prize’ in 2024 by the Premium Erasmianum Foundation of the Netherlands. Recognized for his passionate contributions in highlighting the global climate change crisis through literature, Ghosh will receive the award, with an incentive of 150,000 Euros, in person in November. The award, established in 1958, honors individuals or institutions making exceptional contributions to culture or scholarship, emphasizing the cultural dimensions of the climate crisis.

2. Recently, where was the Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman Campaign Event organized?

A. Ajmer

B. Jaisalmer

C. Bikaner

D. Jaipur

• The Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman Campaign Event in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on March 9, marked India’s 75^th Republic year. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal attended, joined by legal professionals, police officials, law students, and faculty. The event aimed to highlight the Constitution’s principles, fostering national unity.

3. NAMASTE Scheme is related to which one of the following group of workers?

A. Sanitation workers

B. Agricultural workers

C. Health workers

D. Construction workers

• The NAMASTE Scheme, led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, aims to eliminate manual engagement in hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning. Implemented by NSKFDC for three years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26) with a budget of 349.73 crores, the scheme provides entitlements for Sewer and Septic Tank Workers, including digital profiling, PPE kits, safety training and health insurance for entrepreneurship in the sanitation sector.

4. Sela Tunnel is located in which state?

A. Assam

B. Arunachal Pradesh

C. Maharashtra

D. Gujarat

• Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Sela Tunnel, world’s longest bi-lane road tunnel at 13,000 feet altitude in Arunachal Pradesh. Built by BRO under Project Vartak, construction started on April 1, 2019. It consists of two tunnels and 8.6 km of roads. It is vital for all-weather connectivity to Tawang, bordering China, reducing travel time by an hour.

5. Parrot fever caused by which one of the following agents?

A. Virus

B. Bacteria

C. Fungi

D. Protozoa

• Parrot fever, or psittacosis, has claimed five lives in a recent outbreak across Europe. Caused by bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci, it primarily affects birds but can infect humans through contaminated particles. Common in those close to birds, symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pains, and pneumonia-like symptoms. Severe cases may lead to complications, treated with antibiotics like doxycycline.

6. Right to Repair Portal is an initiative of which ministry?

A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

C. Ministry of Consumer Affairs

D. Ministry of Home Affairs

• The recent stakeholders meeting discussed the launch of India’s Right to Repair Portal by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Launched on National Consumer Rights Day 2022, the portal aims to combat e-waste by providing repair information across various sectors like automobiles, electronics, and farming equipment. It facilitates affordable repairs by OEMs or third-party repairers, promoting a circular economy.

7. What is the theme of ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2024’ campaign?

A. Valuing Water

B. Jal Shakti se Vikas

C. Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti

D. Source Sustainability for Drinking Water

• Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the fifth edition of “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi. Themed “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti,” the campaign highlights women’s pivotal role in water conservation.
• Launched under the National Water Mission, it collaborates with the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation. Additionally, two books were virtually launched, detailing the journey of sustainable water future and women’s contributions to the Jal Jeevan Mission.

8. Mahtari Vandana Yojana is launched by which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Chhattisgarh

C. Kerala

D. Maharashtra

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Mahtari Vandana Yojana in Chhattisgarh, aiming to empower women by providing Rs 1000 monthly through direct benefit transfer. The scheme targets eligible married women, including widows and divorced individuals, promoting economic independence, gender equality, and reinforcing women’s pivotal role in families. Over 70 lakh women in Chhattisgarh stand to benefit from this initiative, emphasizing financial security and inclusive support for women above 21 years as of January 1, 2024.

9. Recently, where was the ‘Naval Exercise Cutlass Express 2024’ held?

A. Mauritius

B. Madagascar

C. India

D. Seychelles

• INS Tir, the flagship of the First Training Squadron, recently joined Exercise Cutlass Express – 24 in Seychelles. Held from Feb 26 to Mar 08, 2024, the exercise aims to counter malign activities in East African coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean.
• Sponsored by US AFRICOM and led by US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US Sixth Fleet, it enhances maritime security, cooperation, and interoperability among participating nations. The Indian Navy, part of the exercise since 2019, actively engaged with participants from 16 friendly foreign countries in Maritime Interdiction Operations.

10. Recently, where was the MSME-Technology Center inaugurated by Union Minister Narayan Rane?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Maharashtra

C. Rajasthan

D. Gujarat

• Union Minister Narayan Rane inaugurated the MSME-Technology Centre in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, laying the foundation for its estimated Rs 182 Crore project. The event included the launch of Sindhudurg Audyogik Mahotsav and Self Employment Conclave.
• The Government of India plans to establish 20 new Technology Centres and 100 Extension Centres nationwide, enhancing technology access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. The Sindhudurg center will prioritize General Engineering and Food Processing, fostering growth opportunities in the region.

11. Recently, which players have clinched their second French Open Men’s doubles Badminton title?

A. Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth

B. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty

C. Anders Antonsen and Viktor Axelsen

D. Weng Hongyang and Lu Guangzu

• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won their second French Open men’s doubles badminton title on March 10. The Indian top seed beat Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei in straight games (21-11, 21-17). Rankireddy and Shetty previously won the title in 2022.

12. Sabroom Land Port is located in which state?

A. Tripura

B. Manipur

C. Nagaland

D. Mizoram

• The Prime Minister inaugurated the Sabroom Landport in Tripura along the India-Bangladesh border. Connected to Bangladesh’s Chittagong port via the Maitree Bridge on River Feni, it enhances passenger and cargo movement between the two nations.
• Land Ports, like the newly inaugurated Sabroom Landport, are designated areas on international borders, currently numbering 11 in India, facilitating customs clearance and transportation of goods and passengers across borders.