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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
10th Edition of the Raisina Dialogue Held in New Delhi from March 17-19, 2025
The 10th edition of Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, took place from March 17 to 19, 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi . The event was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi and PM of New Zealand (NZ) Christopher Luxon who attended the event as the Chief Guest (CG).
- The conference is organized by New Delhi based Observer Research Foundation(ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA).
- The theme of the 2025 edition of the Raisina Dialogue is “Kālachakra – People, Peace, and Planet”.
i.The Dialogue also hosts the Raisina Ideas Pod in partnership with Firstpost, India’s premier international news platform owned by Network18 Group, featuring specially curated ministerial sessions and conversations of issues of global importance.
ii.During the Raisina Dialogue 2025 Union Minister S. Jaishankar, MEA held several high-level meetings with leaders from Latvia, Nepal, Georgia, Ukraine, Thailand and Maldives.
iii.During the Dialogue, Bisleri International Private Limited based in Mumbai(Maharashtra) in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), based in New Delhi introduced a book titled ‘Trading Blue Gold: A Blueprint for Water Credit Valuation in India’ in New Delhi..
About Observer Research Foundation(ORF):
President – Samir Saran
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1990
>> Read Full News
Kerala Establishes India’s First Senior Citizens Commission
On March 19 2025, Kerala became the first state in India to pass a dedicated legislation the ‘Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill, 2025’, after approval by the Kerala Legislative Assembly, for establishing a Senior Citizens Commission to ensure the protection of rights, welfare, and rehabilitation of the senior citizens in the state.
- The commission will be responsible for collaborating with different state departments to safeguard and promote the well-being of the elderly population.
About Senior Citizens Commission
i.Purpose :The newly formed commission will work to address problems faced by senior citizens, such as neglect, abuse, and loneliness, by giving advice and suggesting policies to improve their well-being.
- Additionally, the commission aims to utilize the skills and experiences of senior citizens for the benefit of society, promoting their active participation in the state’s development.
ii.Composition:The commission will have a Chairperson and at least four senior citizen members, including at least one woman and one person from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, all appointed by the government through an official notice.
- The commission will be based in Thiruvananthapuram(Kerala). It will receive administrative support from a government officer holding the rank of Additional Secretary or higher, who will serve as its secretary. The registrar will be a Joint Secretary-level officer from the Law Department, while financial matters will be managed by a Deputy Secretary-level officer from the Finance Department.
Note: According to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s India’s Ageing Report, 2023, those aged 60 years and above are projected to make up 22.8 % of the total population in Kerala by 2036.
About Kerala:
Chief Minister (CM)– Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Wildlife Sanctuaries – Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary
National Park (NP) – Silent Valley NP
14th Meeting of ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism held in New Delhi
The 14th meeting of Association of South East Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT) was held from March 19 to March 20, 2025, in New Delhi, Delhi. India and Malaysia, co-chaired this latest edition of ADMM-Plus EWG on CT for cycle 2024-27.
- During the conference, both India and Malaysia announced work plans for the activities planned for the cycle 2024-27and also, announced the conduct of Table-Top Exercise for EWG on CT in Malaysia in 2026 and Field Training Exercise in India in 2027.
Note: Myanmar and Russia, co-chaired the 13th meeting of ADMM-Plus EWG on CT for cycle 2021-2024.
Key Participants:
i.The meeting saw the participation of delegations from ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN nations i.e. Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR); Malaysia; Indonesia; Myanmar; Singapore; Thailand; Malaysia; the Philippines; and Vietnam and member states of ADMM-Plus Nations (China, the United States of America (USA), Russia, Australia, Japan and Republic of Korea (South Korea)).
ii.Also, Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary of International Cooperation (IC), Ministry of Defence (MoD), senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian Army (IA)’s CT division participated in the event.
Key Points:
i.The main focus of the discussions which were held during the two-day conference, was on framing a robust and comprehensive strategy to tackle the evolving threat of terrorism and extremism.
ii.The meeting was aimed at sharing the on-ground experience of the Defence Forces of ASEAN nations and its dialogue partners.
iii.While addressing the inaugural session, Rajesh Kumar, Secretary, MoD highlighted India’s efforts towards countering terrorism in the region like: adoption of Delhi Declaration during India’s chairmanship of CT committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2022.
About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):
Secretary-General- Dr. Kao Kim Hourn (Cambodia)
Headquarters- Jakarta, Indonesia
Established- 1967
Member states- 10
Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh Launched Bio-Sarthi & Bioeconomy Report; India’s Bioeconomy touched USD 165 billion in 2024
On March 21 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge,IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T) launched ‘India Bioeconomy Report 2025(IBER 2025)’ during the celebrations of 13th anniversary of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, Delhi.
- While addressing the event, Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh quoted that India’s bioeconomy saw a significant 16-times increase in 10 years of the last one decade, from USD 10 billion (in 2014) to USD 165 billion (in 2024).
i.He also launched BioSaarthi, a pioneering international mentorship initiative aimed to nurture biotech startups, for a period of 6 months.
ii.As per the report, the bioeconomy sector is contributing 4.25% to the overall India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The BioIndustrial segment accounts for nearly half of the total bioeconomy, contributing 47.2%, while biopharma follows with a contribution of 35.2%.
About Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC):
It is a non-profit Public Sector Enterprise (PSE), formed by the Department of Biotechnology(DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology(MoS&T), in 2012.
Chairman- Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
>> Read Full News
GoI Forms IMICF for Fintech Sector Development
In March 2025, the Government of India (GoI) has set up an Inter-Ministerial-Industry Committee on Fintech (IMICF) to address challenges in the fintech sector and develop strategies for its long-term expansion.
- The committee will submit a detailed report within three months of its first meeting, outlining key recommendations.
i.The committee will be chaired by Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and will include representatives from key government and regulatory bodies.
ii.The panel also includes Lalit Keshre, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Groww; Jitendra Gupta, Founder of Jupiter; Varun Dua, CEO of Acko General Insurance; Ajay Kaushal, Co-founder of BillDesk; Vishnu Pillai from KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler); and Ashish Garg from McKinsey & Company.
iii.The committee will examine challenges faced by fintech companies, review existing policies and regulations, and analyze global best practices in fintech governance.
- Based on these insights, the committee will develop a long-term vision strategy and propose recommendations to enhance the fintech ecosystem in India.
MeitY conducts IWBDC to Develops Indigenous Web Browser
In March 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has conducted the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC), a competition aimed to develop an indigenous web browser under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MeitY announced the winners of this challenge at an event organized by the MeitY in New Delhi, New Delhi. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Bangalore, Karnataka managed the initiative.
i.A total of 434 teams participated in the competition, which had three stages: Idea submission, Prototype development, Final product creation.
iv.The top winners were:
- Zoho Corporation – First Prize (Rs 1 crore)
- Team PING – Second Prize (Rs 75 lakh)
- Team Ajna – Third Prize (Rs 50 lakh)
- Jio Vishwakarma – special mention
ii.The new browser offers enhanced security with a built-in trust store, digital signing for authentication, and parental controls for child safety. It supports multiple Indian languages and works across Windows, iPhone Operating System (iOS), and Android platforms.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India and Bolivia Strengthen Bilateral Ties with Quick Impact Projects Agreement
In March 2025, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI) held a bilateral meeting with Celinda Sosa Lunda, Foreign Minister of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to enhance bilateral relations between India and Bolivia by signing an agreement on Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.
India-Bolivia Bilateral Ties:
i.The collaboration on Quick Impact Projects reflects a shared commitment to fostering economic growth and social inclusion.
ii.By focusing on immediate community needs, these projects aim to enhance the quality of life for Bolivian citizens and strengthen the foundation for a robust bilateral relationship between India and Bolivia.
iii.This development follows the meeting between EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, President of United Nations (UN) Climate Change COP30 (30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC) Amazonia and former Ambassador of Brazil to India.
- During the meeting, India assured its full support to Brazil’s leadership for ensuring a successful and result-driven COP30 summit.
About Bolivia:
President – Luis Arce Catacora
Capital: Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (administrative)
Currency – Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)
BANKING & FINANCE
IRDAI Appoints 5 New members to Enhance Insurance Advisory Panel
In March 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana) based Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) appointed 5 New members of experts from various sectors to improve regulatory decisions and strengthen the insurance sector’s overall framework in the Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC).
New Appointments to the IAC:
- Shri. M. R. Kumar, former Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- Shri. Dinesh Kumar Khara, former Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- Ms. Vishakha Mulye, Chief Executive Officer of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- Shri. Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- Ms. Alice Geevarghese Vaidyan, former Chairman and Managing Director of General Insurance Corporation Re (GIC Re), Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Notably, Mr. Dinesh Kumar Khara is also leading a high-level committee formed by IRDAI to review proposed amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938.
Role and Structure of the IAC:
i.The IAC is instrumental in advising IRDAI on regulatory matters concerning the insurance industry. It comprises members from various sectors, including commerce, industry, and consumer groups.
ii.The committee can have a maximum of 25 members, excluding IRDAI’s chairperson and other ex-officio members.
Regulatory Reforms of IAC:
IAC will submit its report within three months for review by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), as part of ongoing reforms that may include composite licenses for insurers and a possible increase in the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit to 100%.
Note:
The IAC was established in the year 2000 by the IRDAI under the provisions of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
Chairman – Debasish Panda
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
Established – 1999
RBI Data: ECBs Net Inflows Surged Over 2 times to USD 18.4 billion in 10MFY25
According to article titled ‘State of Economy’ published by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its March bulletin, net inflows from External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) have surged over 2 times, to USD 18.4 billion in 10 Months (from April, 2024 to January, 2025) of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), against FY24, amid declining costs of overseas fund raise.
- It further showed that ECB registrations and disbursements reached USD 47.3 billion and USD 42.3 billion, respectively, in 10MFY25, on a cumulative basis. These figures were significantly higher compared to those registered in the corresponding period of last year.
Key Findings:
i.Net Outflows: As per the RBI’s data, ECB outflows due to principal repayments reached at USD 23.9 billion in 10MFY25.
ii.Net Inflows in FY24: The data showed that net inflows under ECBs were USD 9.5 billion in FY24, significantly higher than the levels registered in FY23.
iii.Decline in SOFR: RBI’s data underscored about the persistent decrease in the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) since August 2024, which has contributed to a reduction in the overall costs of ECBs.
>> Read Full News
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
UK’s Prudential plc & HCL Group Announces JV for Health Insurance in India
In March 2025, the London, United Kingdom (UK) based Prudential plc, a global financial services group, has announced the establishment of a standalone health insurance company in India in partnership with New Delhi (Delhi) based Vama Sundari Investments Private Limited (Vama Delhi), a firm owned by the HCL Group promoter.
- Subject to regulatory approvals, Prudential Group Holdings, a subsidiary of Prudential plc, will hold a 70% stake in the joint venture (JV), while Vama Sundari Investments will own the remaining 30%.
- It aligns with India’s vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’
i.The health insurance JV will be led by Amar Joshi, CEO of Prudential India.
ii.The health insurance industry saw a 10.44% Year-on-Year(YoY) increase in gross direct premium income, reaching Rs 1 lakh crore in the first 10 months of Financial Year 2025(FY25), with standalone health insurers accounting for about one-third of the total. India currently has seven standalone health insurance companies.
iii.Prudential plc already operates in India through its JV with ICICI Bank, known as ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited, which is the third-largest private life insurer by premium in India after SBI Life Insurance Company Limited and HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited.
Note: As of February 2025, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit for the Indian insurance sector increased from 74% to 100%.
AIBI and MBAN Sign MoU to Strengthen Investment Banking
In March 2025, Association of Investment Bankers of India (AIBI), the apex body of investment bankers in India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nepal based Merchant Bankers Association of Nepal (MBAN).
i.The MoU aims to promote collaboration and mutual support to enhance capacity building, professional development, regulatory knowledge, and best practices among investment banking professionals in India and Nepal.
ii.The MoU will remain in effect for 3 years, with the option for mutual extension.
iii.The MoU also includes joint events, research collaboration, policy representation, exchange programs, and digital collaboration.
About Association of Investment Bankers of India (AIBI):
AIBI (formerly Association of Merchant Bankers in India (AMBI)) was recognized by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to establish professional standards, ensure efficient services, and set standard practices in investment banking.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Dr. Milind V. Dalvi
Headquarters – Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Founded – 1993
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Winners of Sahitya Translation Prize 2024: Total 22 Indian Languages have been Selected
In March 2025, the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi under the Chairmanship of its President, Madhav Kaushik approved the selection of 22 books in 22 languages for the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2024, during the meeting held at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi, Delhi.
- This year, no translation prize has been declared in the Urdu language and translation prize in Nepali and Sanskrit will be declared at later stage.
i.The books were selected based on the recommendations made by the selection committees of 3 members each in the concerned languages as per the rules and procedure framed for the purpose.
ii.The prize relates, to translations 1st published during the 5 years before to the year immediately preceding the year of Prize for Translation i.e. between January, 2018 and December 31, 2022.
iii.The recipient of the prize will receive an amount of Rs 50,000 and a copper plaque.
About Sahitya Akademi:
It is also known as India’s National Academy of Letters, formally inaugurated by the Government of India (GoI) in March 1954. It is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.
President- Dr. Madhav Kaushik
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
>> Read Full News
Córdoba, Fortaleza & Greater Manchester Honored at 2025 Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in France
On 21st March 2025, the three cities Córdoba (Argentina), Fortaleza (Brazil), and Greater Manchester (the United Kingdom, UK) were honoured at the 2025 Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit held in Paris, France for their significant efforts in preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and injuries.
- The awards recognised measurable improvements made by the three cities in tackling NCDs such as heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, and injuries which cause over 80% of global deaths, as per the the World Health Organization (WHO).
About The Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit 2025:
i.The Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit is an annual event that brings together global leaders to discuss and promote effective strategies for preventing NCDs and injuries in urban settings.
ii.The 2025 summit was held in Paris from March 18 to 21, 2025. The summit was co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the WHO, Vital Strategies, and the City of Paris.
iii.The summit hosted mayors and officials from 61 cities, including leaders from Bogotá (Colombia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Guadalajara (Mexico), Kampala (Uganda), Montevideo (Uruguay), Quito (Ecuador), and Santiago (Chile).
iv.The Partnership for Healthy Cities, launched in 2017, is a global network of 74 cities aimed at reducing NCDs and injuries. The network impacts over 300 million people globally and provides policy training through its Policy Accelerator initiative.
Achievements of the Cities:
i.Córdoba, Argentina: Implemented a healthy school food policy, eliminating sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods in all schools by 2026. So far, 26 schools and 15,000 students (out of 138,000) have benefited from this initiative.
ii.Fortaleza, Brazil: Established the city’s first legal framework for air quality surveillance in 2023. The decree ensures continuous monitoring of air pollutants and installed low-cost sensors to guide evidence-based policymaking.
iii.Greater Manchester, UK: Expanded outdoor smoke-free areas, including a 6.5-acre smoke-free park, and launched a toolkit and communication guide to assist National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. This initiative is being scaled through a broader smoke-free strategy.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Patrica E. Harris
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 2006
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Tunisian President Kais Saied appointed Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri as New PM
On March 21 2025, Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister(PM) Kamel Madouri and appointed Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri as the new head of the government. This marks the fourth prime ministerial change since Kais Saied assumed the presidency in July 2021.
- Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri becomes Tunisia’s second woman PM after Najla Bouden (October 2021–August 2023).
- Prior to this, she served as the Minister of Public Works and Housing.
About Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri:
i.Sarra Zenzri’s political career spans over 30 years in public administration, starting in 1989 as an engineer in the Ministry of Equipment, Housing, and Infrastructure, Bridges and Roads Department.
ii.Her political carrer began in 2018 when she was appointed as the Minister of Public Works and Housing in Tunisia.
iii.She served as the Minister of Equipment and Housing (2021–2024) and managed critical infrastructure projects.
iv.Sarra Zaafrani also served as Interim Minister of Transport from March 12 to August 25, 2024
Economic Challenges of Tunisia:
- Debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio: Approximately 80% (2024).
- Growth rate: 0.4% (2024).
- Unemployment: 16% (2024).
About Tunisia:
President – Kais Saied
Continent – Africa
Capital – Tunis
Currency – Tunisian Dinar (TND)
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Sworn in as Namibia’s 1st Female President
On 21 March 2025, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (72), a veteran politician was sworn in as Namibia’s first female and fifth president in a ceremony held at the Namibian State House in Windhoek, Namibia. The ceremony coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary.
- She succeeds outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, who had been serving as Interim President following the death of former President Hage Geingob (2015-2024) in 2024.
- Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who previously served as country’s 1st vice president between 2024-2025 and won the presidential elections in November 2024, securing 58% of the vote.
Note: In the 2024 elections, she became the first woman to be elected president of a Southern African country. She was the only woman among the 15 presidential candidates in the 2024 election.
About Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah:
i.Nandi-Ndaitwah was born on 29 October 1952 in Onamutai, Oshana Region. She is among the few women leaders on the African continent.
ii.She has been a Member of the Parliament (MP) of Namibia since 1990, and she is a member of the SWAPO Party Political Bureau, Central Committee, and Secretary for Foreign Relations of the Party.
iii.She served as Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare from 2000–2005.
iv.She became the Minister of Information and Broadcasting between 2005-2008, after which she was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
v.In 2012, she was assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in 2015, she was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations, carrying dual responsibilities.
vi.Nandi-Ndaitwah is only the second African woman to be directly elected as president, after Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
vii.The African continent’s only other female president at the moment is Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took up the role after her predecessor died in office in 2021.
About Namibia:
Capital– Windhoek
President– Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Currency– Namibian Dollar (NAD)
Bollywood Actor Ayushmann Khurrana Becomes ‘Fit India’ icon
In March 2025, Bollywood Actor Ayushmann Khurrana was named the official ‘Fit India Icon’ by Union Minister Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) during the inaugural ceremony of the first-of-its-kind Fit India Carnival event, a 3-day event emphasized the importance of fitness, held in New Delhi, Delhi.
- With this, Ayushmann has joined Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s Fit India Movement, launched in 2019 to inspire people to focus on their fitness and wellbeing.
ii.The Fit India Movement highlights various physical activities to spread fitness awareness and promotes fitness as a core aspect of daily life in India.
ii.The event also witnessed a launch of the book, “Benefits of Cycling”, curated by the experts from the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) team.
iii.In 2019, Ayushmann Khurrana was awarded the National Award for Best Actor of the Year for the movie Andhadhun. He shared the award with Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal for the movie URI: The Surgical Strike.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
Bain Capital to Acquire 18% Stake in Manappuram Finance for Rs 4,385 Crore
In March 2025, Boston, Massachusetts(the United States of America (USA)-based global private investment firm, Bain Capital,LP announced that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire joint control in Thrissur (Kerala)-based Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Manapurram Finance Limited(MFL), which is also India’s 2nd largest gold loan company.
- As per the deal, Bain Capital (Acquirer) will acquire 18% stake on a fully diluted basis through preferential allotment of equity worth Rs 4,385 crore and warrants at Rs 236 per share.
i.The acquirer will buy the above stake through its affiliates BC Asia Investments XXV Limited and BC Asia Investments XIV Limited (Bain Capital) in partnership with existing promoters, who will remain fully invested.
ii.The transaction will make it mandatory to open offer for the purchase of an additional 26% stake in the company on an expanded capital basis (excluding warrants), at the price of Rs 236 per share.
- Following the completion of acquisition, existing promoters will hold 28.9% while, Bain Capital will hold up to 41.7% stake in the company.
ENVIRONMENT
Uniyala keralensis: A Newly Plant Species Identified in Kerala’s Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve
In March 2025, Researchers have found a new plant species ‘Uniyala keralensis’ (family Asteraceae), in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is a dense shrub with light purple flowers and has been confirmed as a distinct species of the genus Uniyala, separating it from Vernonia.
- The species has been named after the State of Kerala. The finding of this plant was published in the journal Phytotaxa.
Discovery:
i.The researchers Ettickal Sukumaran Santhosh Kumar, and Sainudeen Shareef from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram first collected a specimen 27 years ago in 1998.
ii.Comparative studies confirmed that the specimen collected in 1998 differed enough from other Uniyala species to be designated as a new species.
iii.The genus Uniyala is named after plant taxonomist B.P. Uniyal, comprising 11 species distributed across Southern India and Sri Lanka.
About Uniyala keralensis:
i.The new species grows as a small to large shrub, reaching 1 to 3 meters(m) in height, bearing attractive light purple florets.
ii.It differs from related species (U. comorinensis and U. salviifolia) by having larger leaves, longer petioles, and fewer lateral veins. It flowers and fruits from August to April.
iii.The new species is found in open areas of the western mountain slopes of the ABR at elevations of 700 to 1,400 (m).
iv.The current population consists of nearly 5,000 individuals across 4 subpopulations in a 250 square km area.
Note: Uniyala keralensis is assessed as a Data Deficient (DD) under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Criteria (2024).
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Poetry Day 2025 – 21 March
The United Nations (UN’s) World Poetry Day is annually observed across the globe on 21 March to promote linguistic diversity and support endangered languages through poetry, a form of art that connects different cultures, languages, and generations.
- 21 March 2025 marks the observance of the 26th World Poetry Day.
- The 2025 theme for World Poetry Day is: “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion”.
Background:
i.In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), during its 30th General Conference in Paris (France) first proclaimed 21 March (the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere) of every year as World Poetry Day.
ii.The first-ever World Poetry Day was observed on 21 March 2000.
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Founded in– 1945
>> Read Full News
International Nowruz Day 2025 – March 21 
The United Nations (UN’s) International Nowruz Day is celebrated annually on March 21 to promote cultural exchange, peace, solidarity, and good neighbourliness.
- The day aims to foster cultural diversity and friendship among people and communities worldwide.
What is Nowruz?
i.Nowruz, also known as Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, or Nauryz, meaning “new day” in Persian (Farsi). It is the Persian New Year observed by over 300 million people globally including communities in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Kurdish, Turkic Uyghur, and Parsi groups.
ii.Nowruz is a 13-day festival that originated from the ancient religion Zoroastrianism, practiced in Persia (modern-day Iran) that celebrates the arrival of spring on the day of the spring equinox, usually between March 19th and 21st.
Significance:
i.Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, with its roots in the Balkans, Black Sea basin, Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
ii.The festival symbolises life in harmony with nature, respect for natural cycles, and the connection between labour and the cycle of renewal.
Background:
i.International Nowruz Day was proclaimed during the 64th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) under the agenda item of “culture of peace”.
ii.On February 23, 2010, the UNGA adopted Resolution A/RES/64/253, officially designating March 21 as International Nowruz Day.
iii.The inaugural celebration was held on 21 March 2010.
UNESCO’s Recognition:
i.Nowruz was inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) “Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in 2009.
ii.In 2016, several countries including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, extended their recognition to the UNESCO List.
Global Observance:
In 2025, the Nowruz festival was celebrated on March 20, but the UN has designated March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz to highlight its global observance and cultural importance.
Celebration in India:
The Parsi community in India celebrates Nowruz twice, following different calendar traditions.
- First Celebration (March 20, 2025): Observed according to the Solar Hijri calendar.
- Second Celebration (August 15, 2025): Observed by the Parsi community following the Shahenshahi calendar, which does not account for leap years.
World Down Syndrome Day 2025 – 21 March
The United Nations (UN’s) World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day observed annually across the globe on 21 March to raise public awareness of Down syndrome and advocate for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome.
- 21 March 2025 marks the observance of the 14th WDSD.
- The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2025 is ‘Improve Our Support Systems’.
Ribbon:
The Yellow and Blue Awareness Ribbon represents Down Syndrome.
Background:
i.The global awareness campaign was first observed in 2006 when the Down Syndrome Association Singapore on behalf of Down Syndrome International (DSi), launched and hosted the WDSD website (from 2006-2010).
ii.On 19 December 2011, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/66/149, proclaiming 21 March of every year as World Down Syndrome Day.
- The first-ever WDSD was observed on 21 March 2012.
International Day of Forests 2025 – March 21
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Forests (IDF) is observed annually across the globe on March 21 to celebrate all kinds of forests, emphasize the significance of trees and forests, and encourage efforts to safeguard them.
- The theme for IDF 2025 is “Forest and Foods,” highlighting the essential role forests play in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.
- The theme for each IDF is selected by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
Background:
i.On December 21, 2012, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/67/200, proclaiming March 21 as the International Day of Forests.
ii.The first IDF was celebrated on March 21, 2013.
iii.IDF is organized annually by the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with other partners.
About Transforming Forest Finance Report:
i.According to report, an estimated USD 460 billion annually is required to stop deforestation, but current funding falls short. Developing countries are facing a massive debt burden, which totals USD 11 trillion.
ii.In 2023, private financial institutions directed USD 6.1 trillion into sectors connected to deforestation, while governments contributed USD 500 billion through subsidies that had negative environmental impacts.
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UN’s firstever World Glacier Day – March 21 2025
The first World Glacier Day was celebrated on March 21, 2025, and it will be observed annually on the same date to raise awareness about glacier protection.It was established by the United Nations (UN) to highlight the immediate need to protect glaciers and address climate change. This day highlights the critical role glaciers play in sustaining ecosystems, freshwater supplies, and global climate stability.
- According to reports “State of the Global Climate 2024”, published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) with the support of the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), the years 2022 to 2024 saw the biggest loss of glacier ice ever recorded over a three-year period. During this time, all 19 glacier regions around the world lost ice.
- South Cascade Glacier in Washington,United States(US) honored as “glacier of the year”
- This initiative urges global action to safeguard the critical role of glaciers in sustaining freshwater resources, climate regulation, and life on Earth for future generations.
Background
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), through its resolution A/RES/77/158 in 2022, has declared March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers.
- The UNGA proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, aimed at raising global awareness about the alarming retreat of glaciers due to climate change. The observance is supported by UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the Government of Tajikistan.
About World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Secretary-General – Prof. Celeste Saulo
WMO Established: 1950
UN Specialized Agency Since: 1951
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