DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: March 12, 2025

Commonwealth Games Federation Renamed As Commonwealth Sport.

Tags: International News

Why in the news?

• The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)  changed its name to Commonwealth Sport.

Important points:

• The decision to change its name was announced on the occasion of Commonwealth Day March 10.
• “From Commonwealth Day 2025 onwards, the Commonwealth Games Federation will be known as Commonwealth Sport," the governing body of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games said in a media release.
• “The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is changing its public brand name to Commonwealth Sport. 
• This brand development signifies the organisation’s transition from a ‘Sports Federation’ to a ‘Sports Movement’.
• Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir said, “The brand name Commonwealth Sport demonstrates a stronger, more unified purpose that resonates with our audience on a deeper level."
• The ‘Commonwealth Games Federation’ will be retained as the name of the legal entity only.
• Meanwhile, King Charles, the Patron of Commonwealth Sport, will officially launch the inaugural Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton Relay for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day .

Jio signs deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer Starlink internet services in India

Tags: Science and Technology

Why in the news?

• Jio Platforms  said it has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink’s internet services to India.

Important points:

• Jio and SpaceX, so far, had been on the opposite side of the debate on how spectrum for satellite communication should be assigned to companies – with Jio calling for an auction, but SpaceX insisting on the administrative route. 
• Through this agreement, theparties will leverage Jio’s position as the world’s largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic and Starlink’s position as the world’s leading low Earth orbit satellite constellation operator to deliver reliable broadband services across the country, including the most rural and remote regions of India.
• Apart from offering Starlink equipment in its retail outlets, Jio will also establish a mechanism to support customer service installation and activation. 
• Starlink complements JioAirFiber and JioFiber by extending high speed internet to the most challenging of locations in a quick and affordable manner.
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India’s Ashokan Edict Sites, Chausath Yogini Temples among six new additions to UNESCO's tentative list

Tags: Reports

Why in the news?

• A set of six properties , including some considered serially, such as Ashokan Edict Sites and Chausath Yogini Temples spread across multiple states have been added to India's tentative list by the UNESCO's World Heritage Centre.

Important points:

• Addition to the World Heritage Centre's tentative list is mandatory if a property is to be nominated for inscription to the World Heritage List in future.
• The six properties added to the tentative list include Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh; Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Telangana; serial nomination of Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (multiple states); serial nomination of Chausath Yogini Temples (multiple states); serial nomination of Gupta Temples in north India (multiple states), and the palace-fortresses of the Bundelas in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the statement said.
• With these additions, India now has 62 sites on the tentative list.The 'tentative list' is an inventory of properties each country intends to consider for UNESCO nomination.
• "The Chausath Yogini Temples have 64 images of Yoginis in their individual shrines with intricate stone carvings circularly arranged. These temples are mostly situated on hilltops. 'Yogini' refers to a female practitioner of yoga and 'chausath' is the Hindi word for the number 64. 
• The Yoginis are 64 in number and hence called the Chausath Yogini. They are a group of forest spirits and mother goddesses," reads a description on the UNESCO website.
• "It is this embodiment of both alluring and threatening qualities, as well as the large number of goddesses from the group that identifies them as Yoginis," it reads.
• At present,a total of 43 properties from India are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including 35 in the 'Cultural' category, seven in 'Natural' and one in 'Mixed' category.
• India hosted a World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time in 2024, during which the Moidams  the mound-burial system of the Ahom Dynasty in Assam -- was accorded the coveted UNESCO tag.

SCCL signs pact with BHEL for setting up 800 MW thermal power plant

Tags: Science and Technology

Why in the news?

• SCCL signs pact with BHEL for setting up800 MW thermal power plant near Jaipur in Mancherial in 40 months.

Important points:

• On completion, the new plant is expected to contribute Rs.300 cr. p.a. profit to SCCL in addition to Rs. 450 cr p.a. being contributed by an existing 1,200 MW project.
• The Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) on March 11, 2025, signed an agreement with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) for executing the work of its new 800 megawatt ultra super critical thermal power plant planned on the premises of the existing 2×600 MW project at Pegadapalli near Jaipur in Mancherial district in 40 months.

Dr. Sridhar Mitta Receives Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tags: Person in news

Why in the news?

• Dr. Sridhar Mitta is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing five decades of contributions to technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 

Important points:

• His journey began at Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL), where he worked on critical defense and space projects, setting the stage for a lifelong pursuit of technological problem-solving.
•  The introduction of the innovative "Lab on Hire" model,which enabled multinational corporations to leverage Wipro's research and development (R & D) expertise, was a step toward putting Indian IT on the world map.
• Beyond Wipro and with the flame of entrepreneurship burning bright, Dr. Mitta Co-founded e4e Inc., an initiative that helped Indian entrepreneurs access Silicon Valley's infrastructure, creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration. With EnThink Inc., he worked on building a semiconductor intellectual property (IP) design and licensing startup that supported global markets.
• One of the most personally meaningful ventures for Dr. Sridhar Mitta has been NextWealth Entrepreneurs Pvt. Ltd. With a team of like-minded co-founders, they set out to show that IT services could thrive beyond big cities, creating opportunities in India's small towns. 
• NextWealth was founded on a vision--to use technology as a bridge to opportunity, nurture talent, and foster community growth. Today, NextWealth has created over 5,000 jobs across 11 delivery centers, with a strong focus on empowering women and fresh graduates in small towns.
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