Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 25, 2025

Answer: c

Recognition:

• Recently named in Time Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” 2025.
• One of 13 women globally to receive this honor

Contributions:

• Identified a problem affecting women and worked on sustainable solutions.
• Led conservation efforts for the endangered Hargila bird also known as the Greater Adjutant Stork and its wetland habitat.

Profile:

• Wildlife biologist from Assam, born in the Kamrup region.
• Studied at Guwahati University with a Master’s in Folklore (specializing in Nomenclature Biology).
• Serves as the Director of YNN (Women in Nature Network) India.
• Member of the IUCN Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group.
• Recipient of prestigious awards including the Nari Shakti Puraskar (2017) and the Whitley Gold Award (2017, 2024).

About Time Magazine

• American media company founded in 1923.
• Began as a weekly news magazine; now a global multimedia platform.
• Known for recognizing influential figures through awards like “Person of the Year.”

Answer: b

• Recent research has revealed that a sinking oceanic slab beneath the Earth’s surface is exerting a downward pull on northern Iraq, signaling significant tectonic shifts in the region.
• Location: Situated in southwestern Iran.
• Extent & Orientation: Extends in a northwest-southeast direction from the border areas of eastern Turkey and northern Iraq to the Strait of Hormuz.
• Dimensions: Approximately 990 miles (1,600 km) in length and more than 150 miles (240 km) in width.

Answer: (a)

India has recently assumed the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) during the 13th Governing Council Meeting held in Malé, Maldives.

About Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation

• Established: Set up in 2003.
• Mandate: A unique regional fisheries body focused on enhancing livelihood opportunities and improving the quality of life for small-scale/artisanal fisher folk in the Bay of Bengal.
• Evolution: Evolved from the Bay of Bengal Programme of the FAO, established in 1979.
• Impact: Has set international benchmarks in executing small-scale fisheries programs, translating into measurable benefits for member countries.
• Membership: Current members are Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand as cooperating non-contracting parties.
• India’s leadership in BOBP-IGO is seen as opportunity to advance the national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

Answer: (a)

Kerala Launches Nayanamritham 2.0: World’s First Government-Led AI Eye Screening.

• Technology: Utilizes AI-powered fundus cameras.
  • AI for screening diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and AMD.
• Program Goals:
  • Faster diagnoses and timely referrals.
  • Expanded reach to Community Health Centers, Taluk Hospitals, and District Hospitals.
  • Enhance access to quality eye care, reduce the cataract backlog, and ensure early detection and treatment of eye disorders.
• Partnerships:
  • Partnered with health-tech company Remidio.
• Healthcare Impact:
  • Empowers healthcare providers with AI assistance.
  • Positions Kerala as a leader in healthcare technology integration.

Answer: (d)

The Lancet study has recently analysed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, offering valuable insights into global health trends and challenges

India-Related Suicide Death Rate Findings

• Overall Decline: The suicide death rate decreased from 18.9 per lakh population in 1990 to 13 per lakh population in 2021.
• Gender-Specific Trends:
  • Females: Declined from 16.8 in 1990 to 10.3 in 2021.
  • Males: Declined from 20.9 in 1990 to 15.7 in 2021.
• Most Vulnerable Section: In 2020, educated women in India exhibited the highest suicide death rates, with family problems identified as the most common factor.

Initiatives Responsible for Reducing Suicides

• Decriminalization: The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 removed criminal liability for suicide, replacing Section 309 of IPC.
• National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022): Targets a 10% reduction in suicide mortality by 2030.
• WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan (2013–2030): Emphasizes the importance of mental health for overall well-being.
• Additional Measures: National Mental Health Policy (2014), SDG target 3.4, and toll-free helplines like Manodarpan and KIRAN.

Answer: (b)

• Cultural Significance: Holds a uniquely special place in the hearts of Bengalis.
• Historical Origin:
  • India’s first-ever book fair was held in 1918 at College Street, Calcutta.
  • Organized by the National Council of Education (NCE).
• Purpose: Part of the NCE’s mission to promote the Swadeshi Movement.

Answer: c

• Launch: Elon Musk’s XAI unveiled Grok-3, its latest AI chatbot.
• Capabilities: Described by Musk as the “smartest AI on Earth.”
• Etymology: “Grok” derived from Robert Heinlein’s novel, “Stranger in a Strange Land.”
• Performance: Grok-3 reportedly outperformed leading AI models, including Google’s Gemini 2 Pro, DeepSeek V3, and OpenAI’s GPT-4o.