Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 23rd & 24th March 2024

1. SAKHI app is associated with which mission?

A. Chandrayaan 2 mission

B. Gaganyaan mission

C. Chandrayaan 3 mission

D. Aditya L1 mission

• The Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction (SAKHI) is a multi-purpose app developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and ISRO to help the crew of the Gaganyaan space flight mission with tasks, health monitoring, and communication. The app functions as a digital assistant and knowledge hub.

2. Recently, which space organization is planning to carry a ‘message in a bottle’ to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons in October 2024?

A. NASA

B. ISRO

C. JAXA

D. ESA

• In October 2024, NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will journey to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, aiming to uncover signs of life. It’s speculated there’s a salty lake beneath its icy crust. The spacecraft carries a metal plate featuring a poem by US Poet Laureate Ada Limón and over 2.6 million names etched on a silicon microchip. Notably, it also includes 103 waveforms representing the word “water” in various languages, including Hindi, showcasing an Indian connection.

3. Recently, who has been conferred the Nritya Kalanidhi Award 2024?

A. Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari

B. Jayshree

C. Neena Prasad

D. Vid Bragha Bessell

• Dr. Neena Prasad, a top exponent of Mohiniyattam, has been awarded the Nritya Kalanidhi Award in 2024. She has trained in multiple classical dance forms, including Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathakali. She has also received a PhD from Rabindra Bharati University and a post-doctoral fellowship from the University of Surrey.
• Prasad runs music academies in Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, including the Bharatanjali Academy of Indian Dances, and teaches students at her academies.

4. Which day is celebrated as ‘International Day of Happiness’ every year?

A. 18 March

B. 19 March

C. 20 March

D. 21 March

• The International Day of Happiness is celebrated on March 20th every year to promote happiness, mental health, and well-being. The United Nations General Assembly established the day on June 28, 2012, and it has been celebrated annually since then.
• It encourages balanced economic growth, sustainable development, and poverty reduction. The day underscores the importance of happiness for human survival and promotes human rights. In 2024, the UN invites global participation to spread joy and prioritize well-being.

5. Recently, National Commission for Women signed an MoU with which security force to control human trafficking?

A. Central Armed Police Force

B. Central Reserve Police Force

C. Railway Protection Force

D. Central Industrial Security Force

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in New Delhi in March 2024 to combat human trafficking in India. The MoU’s key objectives include working together to prevent human trafficking and rescue trafficked women.

6. What is the rank of India in the World Happiness Report 2024?

A. 125^th

B. 126^th

C. 127^th

D. 128^th

• In the 2024 World Happiness Report released by the United Nations on March 20th, Finland claimed the title of the happiest country for the seventh year in a row. According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, India ranks 126th out of 146 countries, this is the same as last year. India’s neighbors, however, rank higher than India, with China ranked 60th, Nepal ranked 93rd, Pakistan ranked 108th, Myanmar ranked 118th, Sri Lanka ranked 128th, and Bangladesh ranked 129th.

7. State of Global Climate Report is released by which organization?

A. World Health Organization

B. World Meteorological Organization

C. United Nations Environment Programme

D. United Nations Development Programme

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations’ (UN) climate agency, releases the State of the Global Climate report. The 2023 report confirms that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global average near-surface temperature 1.45 °Celsius (with a margin of uncertainty of ± 0.12 °C) above the pre-industrial baseline.

8. Recently, who has been appointed as the Ambassador of India to Russia?

A. Saurabh Kumar

B. Vinay Kumar

C. Amal Kumar Goswami

D. DB Venkatesh Varma

• Vinay Kumar, an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1992 batch, is appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Russia, currently serving in Myanmar. The Ministry of External Affairs announced his new assignment, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between India and Russia. The move highlights the strategic importance of diplomatic ties between the two nations amidst recent elections in Russia.

9. Recently, who won the ‘Saraswati Samman 2023’ for his work Roudra Sathwikam?

A. Vijay Tendulkar

B. Vasdev Mohi

C. Prabha Varma

D. Padma Sachdev

• Malayalam poet Prabha Varma won the 2023 Saraswati Samman for his work Roudra Sathwikam. The KK Birla Foundation selected Varma for the award, which is given annually to an outstanding literary work written in an Indian language. The award includes a citation, plaque, and 15 lakh rupees. Roudra Sathwikam is a 2022 poetic work that explores the conflict between power and politics, the individual and the state, and art and power.
• The Saraswati Samman is one of the most prestigious awards in India, and was established in 1991. The award is given to an Indian citizen for an outstanding literary work published in the last 10 years.

10. Which institute recently developed a method to extract valuable components from bauxite residue, promoting sustainability and circular economy?

A. IIT Madras

B. IIT Kanpur

C. IIT Bombay

D. IIT Roorkee

• Researchers at IIT Madras devised a method utilizing phosphoric acid to treat bauxite residue, commonly known as Red Mud. This process extracts valuable materials, including ceramics with notable dielectric and optical properties, suitable for electronic components and energy storage. Red Mud, a byproduct of aluminum production, harbors toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury. Its corrosive nature and high alkalinity pose significant threats to soil and ecosystems.

11. What is ‘KKL (R) 3’?

A. Salt tolerant paddy variety

B. Newly discovered plant disease

C. Asteroid

D. Black hole

• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute (PAJANCOA & RI) introduces KKL(R)3, its third paddy variety. Developed to address water scarcity during the kuruvai season, KKL(R)3 is salt tolerant, crucial for delta regions facing saline water issues. It matures in 110-115 days, tailored for the coastal delta region. Yielding 3,435-3,500 kg/ha in salt-affected areas and 6,420 kg/ha under normal conditions.

12. Which day is celebrated as ‘World Sparrow Day’ every year?

A. 20 March

B. 21 March

C. 22 March

D. 23 March

• World Sparrow Day is celebrated annually on March 20th. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the protection of sparrows and other birds that share our environment. The theme for World Sparrow Day 2024 is “I Love Sparrows”. This theme highlights the special connection between humans and sparrows.