CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 February, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS

15 February, 2025

1.      PRADHAN MANTRI DHAN DHANYA KRISHI YOJANA (PM DDKY) –

•        The Finance Minister  announced PM DDKY in the Union Budget 2025 inspired by the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), which aims to uplift underdeveloped regions through convergence, collaboration, and competition.

Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PM DDKY)

•        Aims to support farmers in regions struggling with low crop yields and financial access

•        Budget Allocation: No separate allocation in the Budget. Funds will be drawn from existing schemes under:

•        Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare in collaboration with State Governments.

•        Department of Financial Services and NABARD assisting with farm credit data collection.

Objectives of PM DDKY:

•        Enhancing agricultural productivity through better farming practices.

•        Promoting crop diversification and sustainable agriculture.

•        Improving post-harvest storage at the Panchayat and block level.

•        Expanding irrigation facilities to ensure efficient water use.

•        Facilitating short-term and long-term credit for farmers.    

2.      CHEETAH CUBS BIRTH IN KUNO NATIONAL PARK –

3.      38TH NATIONAL GAMES 2025 CONCLUDES WITH GRAND CEREMONY –

•        The 38th National Games 2025 came to a grand conclusion in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, marking the end of an event that showcased India’s growing sports culture.

•        Hosted from January 28 to February 14, 2025, the Games emphasized sustainability under the theme ‘Green Games’, with initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. The event saw participation from over 10,000 athletes across 35 sports disciplines, making it one of the biggest sporting events in India.

4.      PM MODI RECEIVES STARSHIP HEATSHIELD TILE FROM MUSK –

•        On February 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at the Blair House in Washington, D.C. During this meeting, Musk gifted PM Modi a hexagonal ceramic heatshield tile that flew on SpaceX’s Starship test flight 5 in October 2024.

•        This exchange, which also included Modi gifting Musk’s children classic Indian books, symbolized a deeper engagement between India and Musk’s ventures in space, mobility, and technology.

5.      JURASSIC FOSSIL DISCOVERY IN CHINA REVEALS CLUES TO BIRD EVOLUTION –

•        A research team led by Professor Wang Min from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered two Jurassic-era bird fossils in Fujian Province, China.

•        These fossils, dating back approximately 149 million years, provide new insights into the early evolutionary history of birds. Published in Nature, this study challenges previous assumptions about bird evolution and suggests that birds were more diversified by the end of the Jurassic period than previously thought.

•        The discovery of Baminornis zhenghensis, the oldest short-tailed bird, pushes back the origin of this feature by nearly 20 million years, refining our understanding of avian evolution.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1    Where was the 2nd India-France AI Policy Roundtable held ?

          a) New Delhi

          b) Bengaluru

          c) Paris

          d) Mumbai

Q2.  What is the India’s rank in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024?

          a) 76

          b) 93

          c) 96

          d) 121

Q3.  In which category did India achieve the 22nd rank in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023?

          a) Infrastructure

          b) Logistics Competence

          c) Timeliness

          d) International Shipments

Q4.  With reference to Bird Flu, consider the following statements:

          1. All avian influenza viruses infect humans.

          2. There is one vaccine against H5N1.

          Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

          a) Only 1

          b) Only 2

          c) Both

          d) None of the above

Explanation-

          Statement 1 is incorrect because most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans, though certain strains like A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) have caused infections in humans.

          Statement 2 is incorrect as there is currently no vaccine specifically for H5N1.

Q5.  What is the significance of Thai poosam festival in Hinduism?

          a) It commemorates the birthday of Lord Murugan.

          b) It marks the victory of good over evil and the power of faith and wisdom in overcoming difficulties.

          c) It celebrates the marriage of Lord Murugan and Goddess Parvati.

          d) It honors the departure of Lord Murugan from the world.

Explanation-

•        Thai poosam is a Hindu festival that celebrates the occasion when Lord Murugan received a divine spear (vel) from his mother, Goddess Parvati, to defeat the demon Surapadma.

•        This event symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the power of faith and wisdom in overcoming difficulties. The festival is celebrated with fasting, prayers, processions, and acts of devotion to seek blessings and show gratitude to Lord Murugan.

Answer Key