International News
Kirsty Coventry Becomes First Female and African President of the International Olympic Committee
Kirsty Coventry, legendary Zimbabwean swimmer, made history as the first female and first African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its 130-year history. She secured a landslide victory with 49 out of 97 votes, defeating Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (28 votes) and Sebastian Coe (8 votes). Coventry’s election marks a new era of diversity and inclusivity in global sports leadership.
State News
Delhi Minister Launches Mobile Dental Clinics for Free Check-ups
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh launched six mobile dental clinics in collaboration with Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) to provide free oral healthcare, especially in underserved areas. Flagged off on World Oral Health Day, these state-of-the-art units feature modern dental chairs, portable X-ray machines, ultrasonic scalers, and sterilization units, offering fluoride treatments, sealants, and restorative procedures to ensure comprehensive dental care across Delhi.
Books & Authors News
Book ‘March of Glory’ Released to Celebrate India’s 1975 Hockey World Cup Victory
To mark the Golden Jubilee of India’s 1975 Hockey World Cup victory, the book ‘March of Glory’ was launched on March 18, 2025, at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi. Co-authored by K. Arumugam and Errol D’Cruz, it chronicles India’s journey to glory in Kuala Lumpur, featuring key match details, player quotes, and 250+ rare photographs. The launch event, attended by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, 1975 World Cup winners H. J. S. Chimni and Ashok Kumar, and other Olympians, highlighted the book’s role in preserving Indian hockey’s rich history.
Book on CMC Vellore ‘To the Seventh Generation’ Launched in Chennai
Dr. V.I. Mathan, former CMC Vellore director, launched the book “To the Seventh Generation: The Journey of Christian Medical College Vellore” in Chennai. The first copy was presented to Dr. Vikram Mathew (current CMC director) and the second to Dr. V.V. Bashi (SIMS, Vadapalani). The book chronicles CMC Vellore’s historical evolution, featuring insights from Ida Scudder, its founder.
Awards News
Hydrologist Günter Blöschl Wins 2025 Stockholm Water Prize
Günter Blöschl has been awarded the 2025 Stockholm Water Prize for his pioneering research in flood hydrology. Announced on March 20, 2025, the award recognizes his groundbreaking contributions to flood risk analysis and climate change research. A professor at Vienna University of Technology, Blöschl developed a global flood risk database and established a strong link between climate change and increasing flood frequency, improving flood prediction models to help communities prepare for extreme weather events.
Chiranjeevi Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by UK Government
Veteran Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by London-based think tank Bridge India at the House of Commons, UK Parliament, for his immense contribution to Indian cinema, cultural influence, and public service. The event, hosted by MP Navendu Mishra, saw attendance from MPs, Ministers, and Diplomats, recognizing Chiranjeevi’s unparalleled legacy and philanthropy.
Statue of Unity Sculptor Ram Sutar Conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan Award
Renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, best known for designing the Statue of Unity, has been honored with the Maharashtra Bhushan award, as announced by CM Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative Assembly on March 12, 2025. At 100 years old, he continues to shape India’s artistic heritage and is currently sculpting a Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar statue for Chaityabhoomi, Mumbai. He has also received the Padma Shri (1999) and Padma Bhushan (2016).
Vijay Sankar Honoured with Denmark’s Knight’s Cross
Vijay Sankar, Honorary Consul General of Denmark for Southern India and Chairman of The Sanmar Group, has been awarded the prestigious Knight’s Cross of the Order of Dannebrog by the King of Denmark for his outstanding consular services and contributions to Indo-Danish relations. The award was presented by Ambassador Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen at a ceremony in Chennai on March 18, 2025. The event also highlighted the Sankar family’s five-decade-long legacy, with three generations serving as Danish Consuls, including Vijay Sankar’s father, N. Sankar, and grandfather, K.S. Narayanan.
Sports News
Japan Becomes First Team to Qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup After Host Nations
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the host nations, securing its eighth consecutive appearance with a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on March 20, 2025. Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half, sealing the victory. Coach Hajime Moriyasu praised the team’s performance, while Bahrain coach Dragan Talajic acknowledged Japan’s strength. Elsewhere, Australia boosted its chances with a 5-1 win over Indonesia, and South Korea maintained its Group B lead with a 1-1 draw against Oman.
Khelo India Para Games 2025: Anthem, Mascot, and Logo Unveiled in New Delhi
The Khelo India Para Games 2025 will be held in New Delhi from March 20-27, 2025, across three venues, featuring 1,300+ para-athletes competing in six disciplines. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the official anthem, while Raksha Nikhil Khadse introduced the mascot ‘Ujjwala’, inspired by the house sparrow, symbolizing resilience. The Games logo, featuring Delhi landmarks, was unveiled by Devendra Jhajharia and Sminu Jindal. Top para-athletes, including Harvinder Singh and Praveen Kumar, will participate in this inclusive and dynamic event.
Science & Technology News
ISRO Develops High-Speed Microprocessors: Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201
ISRO, in collaboration with SCL Chandigarh, has developed Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201, India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessors for space applications, enhancing self-reliance in high-performance computing. Vikram 3201, qualified for space missions, supports floating-point arithmetic, is backward compatible with Vikram 1601, and was validated in the PSLV-C60 mission. Kalpana 3201, a SPARC V8 RISC microprocessor, follows the IEEE 1754 ISA, supports open-source software, and ensures high-speed processing for space operations.
Tata Communications Unveils Vayu – A Comprehensive AI Cloud Offering for Enterprises
Tata Communications launched Vayu, an AI-powered cloud solution designed to offer cost-effective, flexible, and intelligent enterprise cloud services. Integrating IaaS, PaaS, AI, security, and cloud connectivity, Vayu reduces multi-cloud complexities, offers 15-25% cost savings, eliminates data egress charges, and enhances workload performance. With no vendor lock-in and built-in FinOps automation, it simplifies cloud management while optimizing efficiency.
Important Days
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: 21st March
The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 21, 1965. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed on March 21, highlights progress in combating racism while addressing ongoing challenges. The 2025 theme focuses on reflecting on ICERD’s impact and future goals in global human rights policies.
World Poetry Day 2025, Date, Theme, History and Significance
World Poetry Day 2025, celebrated on March 21, highlights poetry’s role as a universal medium of expression. Established by UNESCO in 1999, the day promotes reading, writing, publishing, and teaching poetry while preserving cultural heritage and linguistic diversity. The 2025 theme, “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion,” emphasizes poetry’s impact on social harmony and cultural exchange. Originally, October 15 was informally recognized as Poetry Day, but UNESCO designated March 21 to unify global efforts in celebrating poetic creativity.
International Nowruz Day 2025: A Timeless Celebration of Renewal and New Beginnings
Nowruz 2025, the ancient Persian New Year, will be celebrated on March 20 or 21, aligning with the vernal equinox. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, it symbolizes renewal, unity, and the triumph of light over darkness. With a history of over 3,000 years, Nowruz originated as a Zoroastrian tradition and is now celebrated across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and beyond, bringing diverse communities together.
Down Syndrome and World Down Syndrome Day 2025
The 14th World Down Syndrome Day Conference will be hosted by Down Syndrome International at the United Nations headquarters in New York on March 21, 2025, with additional events in Geneva from March 20-22. Down syndrome, a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, affects physical, cognitive, and developmental abilities. With an incidence of 1 in 1,000 to 1,100 live births worldwide, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this condition each year.
World Day For Glaciers 2025: Know the Date and Role of Glaciers
The United Nations has declared March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers under resolution A/RES/77/158, alongside the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, to emphasize their crucial role and the urgent need for conservation. Glaciers, which store 69% of the world’s freshwater, regulate sea levels, support biodiversity, and act as climate indicators, are rapidly melting due to climate change, posing severe environmental risks.
International Day of Forests 2025: Significance and India’s Initiatives
The International Day of Forests 2025, celebrated on March 21, highlights the vital role of forests in food security and livelihoods, with the theme “Forests and Food”. Forests are crucial for oxygen production, food supply, medicinal resources, and supporting millions of livelihoods. Established by the United Nations in 2012, this day raises global awareness about forest conservation, encouraging sustainability efforts to protect these essential ecosystems.
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