Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 16, 2024

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: A

• Cuscuta dodder, an invasive weed, native to North America, is slowly choking the Chengalpet forests and Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, threatening the local vegetation, ecology and habitat of migratory birds.

ABOUT CUSCUTA DODDER

• Cuscuta dodder is a parasitic vine without roots.
• It is also known as Akashbel or Amarbel.
• This holoparasitic plant builds a canopy on the host plant and casts thousands of tendrils to form a dense spectacle before it strangles and eventually kills it.
• The seeds of Cuscuta are spheroid and have a hard, coat, which aids them to survive up to 50 years in dry storage and at least 10 years in the field.
• Legislation in 25 countries has listed the dodder as a ‘declared noxious weed’ with seeds and plant material denied entrance.
  • In United States, it is the only weed seed whose movement is prohibited in every state.
• Unlike root parasites, Cuscuta seeds do not require a specific stimulant to induce germination.
• In India, Cuscuta poses a serious problem in oilseeds, pulses and fodder crops in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Orissa, West Bengal and parts of Madhya Pradesh under rain fed as well as irrigated conditions.

ABOUT VEDANTHANGAL BIRD SANCTUARY

• Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, located at Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu.
• It is a 74 acre protected area, established in 1796 as the first ever bird sanctuary in India.
• This site is recognized internationally as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).

ANSWER: C

• The historic Qutub Shahi tombs in Hyderabad now has a digital twin.
• Hexagon, a reality technology solutions company, has used drone scanners to capture over 10.7 billion data points, representing the 10,000- square metre area.

ABOUT DIGITAL TWIN

• A digital twin is a digital model of an object, system or a process that acts the same as its real world counterpart.
• It helps companies and organisations to understand a physical object or a process well.
• It helps in testing a solution or a design in simulation using the digital twin, helping the developers save time and energy.

ABOUT QUTB SHAHI TOMBS

• These are erected in the memory of the departed kings of Golconda.
• They are located one kilometer north of Golconda Fort’s called Banjara Darwaza.
• Built by the Qutub Shahis, these tombs are considered to be among the oldest historical monuments of Hyderabad.
• They resemble Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles that makes use of grey granite, with stucco ornamentation and is a one-of-its-kind place in the world where the whole dynasty is buried at a single spot.
• Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s tomb
  • He was the 5^th king in Qutb Shahi dynasty.
  • It is one the grandest monuments in the Qutb Shah’s tombs complex at the foothill of Golconda, Hyderabad.
  • The majestic tomb built in 1602, is one of the largest tombs reaching a total height of 60 m.

ANSWER: D

• From 19^th February onwards, warships, military aircraft and delegations from Navies across the world will congregate at Visakhapatnam for MILAN 2024.
• The twelfth edition of this flagship event of the Indian Navy is expected to witness the participation of more than 50 nations, with nearly 20 of them also sending their ships or aircraft to be a part of the marquee gathering.
• MILAN, which translates into ‘meeting’ or ‘gathering’ or ‘confluence of people’ in Hindi, began in 1995 as a biennial multinational event under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar command till its tenth edition.
• It shifted to Visakhapatnam for the eleventh edition held in 2022.
• Vizag will also be the venue for MILAN 24 to be conducted under the Eastern Naval Command.
• The theme of the previous edition ‘Camaraderie–Cohesion–Collaboration’ has also been adopted for this one, thus making it an overarching vision of the MILAN.

ANSWER: B

• February 15^th is marked as International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD).
• International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is a global campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and its unique challenges, showing support for children and adolescents with cancer, survivors and their families worldwide.
• International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day was established in 2002 by Childhood Cancer International.

ANSWER: A

• Miss Earth India 2022, Vanshika Parmar, said that she had been made the ambassador of tourism for Himachal Pradesh.
• She would represent the state at the international level and present to the world a window on its unexplored scenic treasures, picturesque landscapes, rich cultural heritage and festivals.
• Vanshika was born at Tunhi village in Nadaun tehsil of Hamirpur district. Her father SK Parmar is an officer in the Indian Air Force.
• She is an Indian beauty pageant titleholder and was crowned Miss Earth India 2022 at the age of 19.