• Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 57th National Day celebrations of Mauritius as the Chief Guest.
• Mauritius President H.E. Dharambeer Gokhool conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K), the highest civilian honor of Mauritius, on PM Narender Modi.
• This is the first time an Indian leader has received this prestigious award.

1.

Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Care Earth Trust, recently became the first Indian to receive the Ramsar Award for ‘Wetland Wise Use’ for her outstanding contributions to sustainable wetland management.

Award Significance:

• Recognizes contributions to sustainable wetland management.
• Established under the Convention on Wetlands.
• Categories: Wise Use of Wetlands, Innovation, and Influencing Policy.

Key Contributions of Jayshree Vencatesan:

• Led conservation of Pallikaranai Marsh, Chennai.
• Documented 337+ species of flora and fauna.
• Transformed wetlands from wastelands to ecological assets.

Recognition & Impact:

• Awarded on International Women’s Day, highlighting women’s role in environmental conservation.
• Strengthens global efforts in wetland protection and sustainability.

India is the world’s second-largest arms importer (2020-24), after Ukraine, as per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report..

Key Findings:

• Ukraine: Largest importer due to war (100-fold rise in imports).
• India: 2nd largest importer, despite a 9.3% decline (vs. 2015-19).
• China: Dropped out of the top 10 importers for the first time since 1990-94.
• Pakistan: Imports up 61%, with 81% from China.

Europe: Imports surged 155% due to geopolitical tensions.

India’s Defense Imports:

• Russia: Still top supplier, but share fell to 36% (from 55% in 2015-19).
• France: Major supplier, with 28% of its exports to India.

Key deals:

• 36 Rafale jets, 6 Scorpene submarines
• Upcoming: 26 Rafale-M jets, 3 more submarines

Global Arms Export Trends:

• USA: Dominates with 43% global share.
• Russia: Exports down 64%, now at 7.8% (behind France’s 9.6%).
• Italy: 6th largest exporter (4.8% share).
• 35 nations supplied arms to Ukraine since 2022.

About SIPRI:

• Established: 1966, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Focus: Research on arms trade, conflict, security.
• Significance: Analyzes military trends & global defense policies.

The 6th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and the 4th edition of Exercise BONGOSAGAR between the Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy commenced on March 10, 2025, in the Bay of Bengal and will continue until March 12, 2025.

Background

• India and Bangladesh have conducted joint naval exercises since 2018, strengthening regional maritime security.
• Previous BONGOSAGAR-23 & CORPAT-23 were held in November 2023, featuring patrolling, tactical drills, and humanitarian assistance exercises.

Participating Naval Forces

• Bangladesh Navy: BNS ABU UBAIDAH (warship) & maritime patrol aircraft
• Indian Navy: INS RANVIR (warship) & helicopter

Objectives

• The exercises aim to enhance maritime security, combat illegal activities, and strengthen operational coordination between the Indian and Bangladesh navies.
• They also focus on intelligence sharing, tactical drills, and humanitarian assistance (HADR) operations to ensure regional stability..

• 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.