DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: March 13, 2025

INS RANVIR PARTICIPATES IN EXERCISE BONGOSAGAR 2025

Tags: Defence

Why in the news?

• The India-Bangladesh Naval Exercise Bongosagar 2025 and Coordinated Patrol was conducted inBay of Bengal this week.

Important points:

• The exercise saw participation ofINS Ranvir from Indian Navy and BNS Abu Ubaidah from Bangladesh Navy.
• The exercise enhanced interoperability between the two navies, facilitating collaborative responses to shared maritime security challenges.
• The exercise provided the opportunity for both navies to develop closer links in tactical planning, coordination and information sharing for undertaking seamless maritime operations. 
• The exercise has strengthened coordination and confidence between the two navies thereby improving the ability to undertake coordinated operations and respond swiftly and effectively against emerging threats at sea.
• The enhanced synergy of naval operations between the two navies is the testament to the shared commitment of countering global security challenges towards security and stability in the region promoting Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative of India.
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India-Chile 1st JWG meeting on Agriculture held.

Tags: International Relations

Why in the news?

• The 1st Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Agriculture was held between India and Chile on 12th March 2025 in virtualmode.

Important points:

• The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (IC), Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfares and Mr. Gabriel Layseca, Director of the Department of International Affairs, Bureau of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA). 
• These include the Digital Agriculture Mission, the Women-led Development initiatives such as the Lakhpati Didi Program and Krishi Sakhi, as well as efforts to empower farmers through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• Both countries, with their rich experience in agriculture, have the potential to complement each other in boosting agricultural productivity, promoting rural development, and improving farmers' welfare. 
• He further noted that this meeting marks a significant step toward deepening and strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Chile, setting the stage for even greater collaboration in the future.
• Both sides discussed key issues related to market access, cooperation in horticulture, capacity building in the areas of extension, and research collaboration among other issues.
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Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav inaugurates the Yoga Mahotsav-2025.

Tags: Festivals

Why in the news?

• Yoga Mahotsav 2025, a curtain raiser to International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, was inaugurated by Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Delhi today.

Important points:

• To mark the 11th edition of IDY, Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav also released 10 Unique Signature events, reinforcing India’s global leadership in Yoga.
• The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, as the nodal ministry for IDY, has taken the lead in organising 10 successful editions of IDY, which have found great enthusiasm and worldwide support. 
• Following the footprints, this year, Yoga Mahotsav-2025 is being organised to promote various dimensions of Yoga and to kindle a mass movement to promote health, well-being, and peace across the globe. 
• It is worth mentioning that the 100-day countdown is an important event in the observation of IDY every year. The event formally marks the beginning of the journey towards 11th IDY -2025.
•  The Ayush Minister also released ‘The International Day of Yoga Handbook, 2025, Version 1.0’ in response to early public interest and demand from IDY event organisers for guidance to facilitate preparatory activities for the International Day of Yoga 2025.
• The one-day Yoga Mahotsav 2025 covered a range of activities, including three theme-based technical sessions on Science behind Common Yoga Protocol, Anti-Obesity Campaign: Role of Yoga and the Decadal Year of IDY Celebrations.
• Yoga Mahotsav 2025 sets the stage for a revolution in health and well-being, with India leading the charge in making Yoga a way of life worldwide. Over the past decade, IDY has showcased India’s dedication to making Yoga a global phenomenon. 

Mauritius confers its highest honour ‘Order of the Star and Key of Indian Ocean’ on PM Modi

Tags: Awards

Why in the news?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi  was bestowed with the topmost honour of Mauritius, the "Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean".

Important points:

• Mr. Modi is the first Indian to receive the honour, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
•  It is the 21st international honour bestowed upon Mr. Modi by a foreign country.
• Mr. Modi reached Mauritius early on Tuesday and he called on the President of Mauritius Dharambeer Gokhool at the State House. 
• As a special gesture Mr. Modi handed over Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards to President Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Gokhool. President Gokhool hosted a state lunch for the Indian PM.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam visit the Ayurveda Garden in the State House, established in collaboration with the Government of India.
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India's First Exploration Licence Auction and AI-Driven Mineral Targeting Hackathon

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Government of Goa, organized a landmark event graced by Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, and Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant. 

Important points:

• This event marked the launch of India's first-ever auction of Exploration Licences (ELs), a significant reform aimed at unlocking the nation's untapped critical and deep-seated mineral resources.
• The program also featured a Roadshow on the 5th Tranche of Auction of Critical Mineral Blocks and the inauguration of AI Hackathon 2025, focusing on 'Mineral Targeting using AI'.
• Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant jointly launched the auction of 13 Exploration Licence blocks, covering critical minerals such as Rare Earth Elements (REE), Zinc, Diamond, Copper, and Platinum Group Elements (PGE).
• This initiative, facilitated through a transparent online bidding process, is set to accelerate systematic mineral exploration, enhance private sector participation, and reduce import dependency.
• This reform will accelerate the discovery of critical and deep-seated minerals, boost investor confidence, and pave the way for a self-reliant, future-ready mineral ecosystem aligned with India’s clean energy and industrial ambitions."
• As part of the event, the Hackathon on "Mineral Targeting using Artificial Intelligence" was inaugurated by Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. 
• The initiative aims to leverage AI-driven techniques and geoscience data to identify new mineral-rich zones, particularly concealed and deep-seated deposits.
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