Todays in History (February 15^th, 399 BC)

In 399 BC, the Greek philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death in Athens for corrupting the minds of the youth.

Summary of Today’s News

Grammy Awards

Context: Recently, Shakti, a fusion music group won the 66^th Grammy Award (2024) for Best Global Music Album for “This Moment”. It is Shakti’s third studio album, “This Moment,” it was released on 23^rd June 2023, marking their return after 46 years under the same name.

Key Points

• Grammy Award (originally named Gramophone Award) is a series of awards presented annually in the United States (US), started in 1959

• The honorees receive a golden statuette of a gramophone.
• It is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) or the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (LARAS), (LARAS only for recordings in Spanish/Portuguese languages).

India and Grammy Awards 2024

• Shakti, a fusion music group comprises tabla maestro Zakir Hussainand singer Shankar Mahadevan, John McLaughlin, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and Selvaganesh Vinayakram, won the 2024 Grammy for their album “This Moment.”
  • Described as an “unprecedented transcontinental collaboration,” Shakti brings together musicians fromboth Eastern and Western traditions, pioneering the blueprint for what is now recognized as world music.
• Zakir Hussaingot two two more Grammys at the ceremony.

1. One for the best global music performance with ‘Pashto’
2. Two for the best contemporary instrumental album ‘As We Speak,’.

• The album also features Indian flute playerRakesh Chaurasia, the nephew of the renowned flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia.

International Energy Agency (IEA)

Context: Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has released the Indian oil market outlook to 2030 report, which looks in-depth at how India’s role on the global oil market may evolve over the period by 2030.

• The Report looks at energy transition trends that may affect the demand for oil in different sectors and how these changes could impact the country’s energy security.

The Key Highlights of the Report

• India is projected to become thelargest source of global oil demand growth between now and 2030, surpassing China by 2027.

Key Points about the International Energy Agency

• TheInternational Energy Agency (IEA) has its headquarters in Paris, France.
• It was set up (in 1974) as an autonomous agency by member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)in response to the mid-1970s oil crisis.
• Most OECD members are high-income economies with a very high Human Development Index (HDI) and are regarded as developed countries. OECD members are democratic countries that support free-market economies.

Q1: With reference to Nazool Land, find the correct statement/s:

1. Nazool land is owned by the government.
2. But Nazool land is most often not directly administered as state property.
3. The state generally allots such land to any entity on lease for a fixed period, generally between 15 and 99 years.

 A: 1 only

B: 2 only

C: Both 1,2 and 3

D: Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Q2: Find the correct statement/s regarding National Creators Award:

1. It is the first-of-its-kind awards will be targeted at “Gen Z”.
2. Gen Z means the young generation hooked to the internet and social media.
3. The participants must be at least 21 years of age or above at the time of nomination.

 A: 1 and 2 only

B: 2 and 3 only

C: 1, 2 and 3

D: Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Q3: Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, recently seen in news is located in which of the following states?

A: Telangana

B: Karnataka

C: Tamil Nadu

D: Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (d)

Q4: Consider the following statements regarding Alaskapox and find the correct option.

1. It is an orthopox virus that was first discovered in Alaska, USA.
2. It is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the same genus (Orthopox virus) as smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox.
3. Orthopox viruses are zoonotic viruses that can infect various mammals, including humans.

A: Only 1

B: Only 1 and 2

C: All are correct

D: All are incorrect

Answer: (c)

Q5: With reference to Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), consider the following statements:

1. BAPS is a socio-spiritual Hindu faith with its roots in the Vedas.
2. It is based on the Vedic teachings propagated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
3. On 14^th February the Prime Minister of India will inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

Find the incorrect statement/s

 A: Only one

B: Only two

C: All three

D: None

Answer: (d)