• PM Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Réduit, Mauritius.
• Funding: Established under a US$ 4.74 million grant as part of a 2017 MoU between India and Mauritius.
• Purpose: To train Mauritian civil servants and serve as a centre of excellence in public administration, governance studies, and research.
• Significance: Strengthens India-Mauritius ties, enhances capacity building, and aligns with India’s commitment to the Global South.
• Engagement: PM Modi also interacted with Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation(ITEC) and GoI scholarship alumni, reinforcing people-to-people ties.

• First Observed: 2008, to promote sleep health and raise awareness about sleep disorders.
• Date: Celebrated annually on the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox (falls on March 15, 2025).
• Significance: Highlights the importance of quality sleep, its impact on health, and the need for better sleep awareness.
• Theme for 2025: “Make Sleep Health a Priority” – emphasizing the essential role of sleep in overall well-being.
• Symbolism: The date aligns with the equinox, representing the balance needed in sleep patterns, just as day and night are equal.

• It is commemorated annually on March 15 to enhance global awareness of consumer rights and needs.
• Theme: A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles
• History: Officially recognized since 1983, this day highlights the importance of consumer rights worldwide.
• Significance: Aims to raise awareness about consumer rights, promote ethical business practices, and advocate for sustainable consumption.
• Organizers: Led by Consumers International, with participation from global organizations and national bodies like India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

• Pi Day 2025 will be celebrated on March 14 (3/14), symbolizing the mathematical constant π (pi ≈ 3.14).
• It honors the significance of pi in mathematics and science.
• The day typically features various activities such as:
  • Educational Events: Workshops and lectures to explore the significance of pi in mathematics and science.
  • Culinary Celebrations: Baking and sharing pies, playing on the homophone of “pi” and “pie”.
  • Mathematical Challenges: Competitions to memorize digits of pi or solve pi-related problems.

Airtel and SpaceX’s Starlink have announced a strategic partnership to provide satellite-based internet services in India, particularly in remote and underserved areas. However, the agreement is subject to SpaceX receiving regulatory approvals to operate in India.

Key Takeaways:

• India’s Stance on Starlink: While India has not yet approved Starlink due to security, privacy, and pricing concerns, the partnership with Airtel could facilitate its entry.
• Expansion of Satellite Internet: The collaboration aims to enhance Airtel’s telecom network and expand connectivity to rural communities, businesses, and public institutions like schools and health centers.
• Regulatory Considerations: India’s Telecommunications Act, 2023, allows for administrative spectrum allocation for satellite services, making partnerships like this crucial for nationwide broadband expansion.
• Strategic Importance: The move aligns with India’s digital inclusion goals, ensuring affordable and high-speed connectivity, while also strengthening Airtel’s satellite offerings, including its existing partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb.

A recent IQAir report ranks India among the most polluted countries, with 13 of the top 20 polluted cities globally. Byrnihat, on the border of Assam and Meghalaya is identified as the most polluted city.

Key Findings:

1. India’s Global Rank: 5th most polluted country (improved from 3rd in 2023).
2. 5 Levels: National average 50.6 µg/m³ (7% decrease), but Delhi remains highly polluted at 91.6 µg/m³.
3. Most Polluted Cities: Byrnihat, Delhi, Mullanpur, Faridabad, Loni, Gurugram, Noida, and others, exceeding WHO PM2.5 limits by over 10 times.

Health Impact:

5. Life expectancy reduced by 2 years due to air pollution.
6. 5 million deaths annually (2009–2019) linked to PM2.5 exposure (Lancet Planetary Health study).
7. Severe health risks: Respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and cancer due to fine particulate matter penetrating the lungs and bloodstream.

On March 8, The Economist released its Glass-Ceiling Index, ranking 29 countries that are part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),on women’s workplace conditions, while the day is also globally observed as International Women’s Day, highlighting women’s achievements and the ongoing fight for gender equality.

Glass-Ceiling Index: Basis of Ranking

• Evaluates factors such as education, workforce participation, pay gap, women in leadership (management, boards, government), childcare costs, and parental leave policies.

Key Insights from the 2024 Ranking

1. Sweden replaced Iceland as 1, excelling in gender equality at work.
2. Iceland dropped to 2nd place due to a decline in women in management roles (from 39.6% to 36.8%).
3. Women’s workforce participation rose to 66.6% (up from 65.8%), though still lower than men’s 81%.
4. Women on corporate boards increased to 33%, signaling progress in leadership.
5. Women’s representation in parliaments averaged 34%, with:
6. Britain at 41% (notable increase).
7. Japan at 16% (slight improvement).
8. USA at 7% (decline).
9. South Korea improved to 28th place, its first rise in 11 years.

Turkey ranked lowest, struggling with deep-rooted societal norms restricting women’s career growth.

• Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal inaugurated GRIDCON 2025 on March 9, 2025, in New Delhi.
• Organiser:Organized by POWERGRID under the Ministry of Power.
• Theme: “Innovations in Grid Resilience”, focusing on renewable energy integration, grid stability, smart asset management, and digital transformation.
• Key Discussions: AI-driven grid solutions, energy storage, automation, and cybersecurity to enhance power infrastructure.
• Exhibition: Showcasing next-gen power technologies, smart metering, and green hydrogen solutions.
• Significance: Aims to drive grid modernization, policy formulation, and India’s transition to a low-carbon economy

On International Women’s Day 2025, the newly elected BJP government in Delhi introduced the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, offering ₹2,500 per month to financially disadvantaged women.

Key Aspects of the Scheme

• Open to women aged 21 to 60 with an annual income of ₹3 lakh or less.
• The Delhi government has earmarked ₹5,100 crore for the scheme’s rollout.
• Designed to support women from economically weaker backgrounds.

Application & Execution

• A dedicated online portal will soon be launched for applications.
• A monitoring committee, headed by CM Rekha Gupta, along with ministers Kapil Mishra, Ashish Sood, and Pravesh Verma, will oversee its implementation.
• Impact & Importance:The initiative seeks to promote gender equality and financial empowerment, ensuring a better quality of life for women from underprivileged sections of society.

The United States has withdrawn from the Loss and Damage Fund, meant to aid developing nations facing climate change impacts. The move has drawn criticism, particularly from the African Group of Negotiators, citing US historical responsibility.

About the Loss and Damage Fund

• Established during COP27 (2022) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
• The Loss and Damage Fund provides financial aid to vulnerable nations affected by climate change.
• It addresses economic and non-economic losses, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss.
• The fund supports the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming and enhancing climate adaptation efforts in developing countries.

US Contributions & Impact:

• The US contributed $17.5 million to the fund, part of a $750 million global pledge.
• The withdrawal raises concerns about financial support for small island states and developing countries most affected by climate change