🇮🇳 National News
Pankaj Kumar Singh, Delhi’s Health Minister, inaugurated six mobile dental clinics on the occasion of World Oral Health Day. The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) to deliver free dental services in underserved areas.
- Equipment – Each clinic features modern dental chairs, portable X-ray systems, ultrasonic scalers, and sterilization facilities.
- Services offered – Fluoride treatments, sealants, and restorative dental procedures.
- Goal – Enhance public oral hygiene, especially in areas lacking adequate healthcare access.
Initiative: Six mobile dental clinics launched in Delhi by Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh. Partner institution: Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS). Launched on World Oral Health Day. Services include free dental care including fluoride treatments, sealants, and restorative procedures.
A commemorative book titled March of Glory was officially launched on March 18, 2025, at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi, celebrating India’s historic victory in the 1975 Hockey World Cup held in Kuala Lumpur.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authors | K. Arumugam & Errol D’Cruz |
| Launch Venue | Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi |
| Launch Date | March 18, 2025 |
| Photographs Included | Over 250 rare photographs |
| Key Guests | Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey; 1975 champions H. J. S. Chimni & Ashok Kumar |
Book: March of Glory. Authors: K. Arumugam and Errol D’Cruz. Subject: India’s 1975 Hockey World Cup win in Kuala Lumpur. Features 250+ rare photographs and player testimonies. Launch presided over by Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India president.
Dr. V.I. Mathan, former director of Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, unveiled the book “To the Seventh Generation: The Journey of Christian Medical College Vellore” in Chennai.
- First copy recipient – Current CMC Director Dr. Vikram Mathew
- Second copy recipient – Dr. V.V. Bashi from SIMS, Vadapalani
- Content – Explores CMC Vellore’s legacy, evolution, and stories from its founder Ida Scudder
Book: To the Seventh Generation. Subject: History of CMC Vellore. Unveiled by: Dr. V.I. Mathan (former CMC director). Founder of CMC Vellore referenced: Ida Scudder. First copy given to current director Dr. Vikram Mathew.
Famed sculptor Ram Sutar, the artist behind the iconic Statue of Unity, has been conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan Award, announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on March 12, 2025. At 100 years old, Ram Sutar continues to contribute to Indian art.
- Current work – Sculpting a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for Chaityabhoomi, Mumbai
- Padma Shri – Awarded in 1999
- Padma Bhushan – Awarded in 2016
Award: Maharashtra Bhushan. Recipient: Sculptor Ram Sutar, age 100. Known for: Statue of Unity. Announced by CM Devendra Fadnavis on March 12, 2025. Previous honours: Padma Shri (1999) and Padma Bhushan (2016). Current project: statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for Chaityabhoomi.
🌐 International News
Hydrologist Günter Blöschl has been awarded the 2025 Stockholm Water Prize for his groundbreaking work in the field of flood hydrology. The award was announced on March 20, 2025.
- Affiliation – Professor at Vienna University of Technology
- Key contribution – Developed a worldwide flood risk database and advanced predictive models for extreme weather preparedness
- Research focus – Connecting rising flood incidents with global climate change patterns
Award: Stockholm Water Prize 2025. Winner: Günter Blöschl (Austria). Announced: March 20, 2025. Field: flood hydrology. Institution: Vienna University of Technology. Known for: global flood risk database and linking floods to climate change.
Legendary Telugu actor Chiranjeevi was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by UK-based think tank Bridge India at the House of Commons, recognizing his contributions to Indian cinema, cultural outreach, and philanthropy.
- Event organizer – MP Navendu Mishra
- Attendees – British MPs, ministers, and diplomats
- Awarding body – Bridge India, a UK-based think tank
Chiranjeevi becomes one of the few Indian cinema personalities honored at the UK House of Commons, reflecting the growing global recognition of Telugu film industry and Indian cultural soft power.
Award: Lifetime Achievement Award. Recipient: Actor Chiranjeevi. Venue: House of Commons, UK. Awarded by: Bridge India (UK think tank). Organized by MP Navendu Mishra.
Vijay Sankar, Honorary Consul General of Denmark in Southern India and Chairman of The Sanmar Group, was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Dannebrog — a prestigious Danish royal honour — at a ceremony in Chennai on March 18, 2025.
- Conferred by – The King of Denmark
- Presented by – Ambassador Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen
- Reason – Strengthening Indo-Danish relations
- Family legacy – Three generations of Danish consuls: K.S. Narayanan → N. Sankar → Vijay Sankar
Award: Knight’s Cross of the Order of Dannebrog (Denmark). Recipient: Vijay Sankar, Chairman, The Sanmar Group. Ceremony: Chennai, March 18, 2025. Presented by Danish Ambassador Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen. Family has served as Danish consuls for three generations.
👔 Appointments
Kirsty Coventry, a celebrated swimmer from Zimbabwe, has made history by becoming the first woman and first African to be elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) — a landmark moment in the IOC’s 130-year history.
| Candidate | Votes Received |
|---|---|
| Kirsty Coventry 🏆 | 49 |
| Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. | 28 |
| Sebastian Coe | 8 |
Coventry is simultaneously the first female and first African IOC President in the committee’s 130-year existence, marking a new era for inclusivity in global sports governance.
New IOC President: Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe). Firsts: first woman + first African. Votes secured: 49 out of 97. Runners-up: Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (28) and Sebastian Coe (8). IOC has existed for 130 years.
🔬 Science & Technology
ISRO, in partnership with SCL Chandigarh, has developed two indigenous 32-bit microprocessors — Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201 — marking a significant step in India’s self-reliance in space-grade computing technology.
| Processor | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Vikram 3201 | Qualified for space applications; supports floating-point arithmetic; compatible with Vikram 1601; tested on PSLV-C60 |
| Kalpana 3201 | Based on SPARC V8 RISC architecture; adheres to IEEE 1754 ISA; supports open-source software |
Both processors are indigenously designed, reducing India’s dependence on foreign space-grade chips. Vikram 3201 was flight-proven on the PSLV-C60 mission, validating its operational readiness.
Agency: ISRO + SCL Chandigarh. Processors: Vikram 3201 (space-qualified, tested on PSLV-C60) and Kalpana 3201 (SPARC V8 RISC, IEEE 1754 ISA). Both are 32-bit indigenous microprocessors. Significance: space computing self-reliance.
Tata Communications launched Vayu, a comprehensive AI-powered cloud platform tailored for enterprise efficiency, integrating infrastructure, AI tools, security, and cloud connectivity under a single suite.
- Services included – Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), AI tools, security frameworks, and cloud connectivity
- Cost savings – Estimated 15–25% reduction
- Key features – Zero data exit charges, FinOps automation, improved workload performance, no vendor lock-in
Product: Vayu. Company: Tata Communications. Type: AI cloud platform for enterprises. Offers: IaaS + PaaS + AI + security. Cost benefit: 15–25% savings. Features: zero data exit charges, FinOps automation, multi-cloud support.
📅 Important Days
Observed annually on March 21, this day marks global efforts toward eradicating racism and promoting equality. The 2025 observance is especially significant as it highlights the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
- 2025 theme focus – Reflecting on ICERD’s impact and envisioning future advancements in human rights advocacy
- ICERD anniversary – 60 years since adoption
Day: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Date: March 21. 2025 significance: 60th anniversary of ICERD. Focus: ICERD’s impact on global human rights. Convention full name: International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Celebrated annually on March 22, World Water Day 2025 emphasizes the vital importance of freshwater resources. The theme for 2025 is “Glacier Preservation”, proposed by the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC).
- Origin – First proposed at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro
- First observed – 1993
- International Year – Cooperation in the Water Sphere (2013)
- Ongoing decade – International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development (2018–2028)
World Water Day underscores the critical link between water access, poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. The 2025 focus on glacier preservation highlights the urgent threat climate change poses to freshwater reserves.
Day: World Water Day. Date: March 22 (since 1993). 2025 Theme: “Glacier Preservation”. Theme proposed by: IGRAC (International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre). Origin: 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Ongoing decade: 2018–2028 — Water for Sustainable Development.
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