DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: March 3, 2025

INDIAN NAVY'S FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON REACHES PHUKET DEEP SEA PORT.

Tags: Defence

Why in the news?

• As part of the ongoing training deployment of the First Training Squadron (1TS) to South East Asia, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and ICGS Veera arrived at Phuket Deep Sea Port, Thailand.

Important points:

• The ships were accorded a warm welcome by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) amidst fanfare of the RTN band. Senior Officer, 1TS, Capt Anshul Kishore along with Commanding Officers of the ships called on Rear Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Commander, Third Naval Area Command. 
• During the port call, the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy will engage in a series of dynamic activities aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and enhancing operational synergy. 
• The visit includes professional interactions, yoga sessions, cross training visits, friendly sports fixtures, Naval band performance, and PASSEX.
• The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy have maintained a close and friendly relationship, which has strengthened over the years. 
• The visit reinforces better understanding and enhanced interoperability between the two Navies.

Centre grants Navratna status to IRCTC and IRFC.

Tags: Economy/Finance

Why in the news?

• The central government has awarded Navratna status to two public sector companies ,Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC).

Important points:

• With the latest addition, the country now has26 Navratna companies.
• IRCTC, a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Railways, reported an annual turnover of Rs 4,270.18 crore in financial year 2023-24, a profit after tax of Rs 1,111.26 crore, and a net worth of Rs 3,229.97 crore.
• Similarly, IRFC, another CPSE under the Ministry of Railways, reported an annual turnover of Rs 26,644 crore, a profit after tax of Rs 6,412 crore, and a net worth of Rs 49,178 crore in FY 2023-24.
• Navratna status grants these companies greater operational and financial autonomy, allowing them to make investments of up to Rs 1,000 crore without needing central government approval.
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97th Academy Awards 2025

Tags: Awards

 Why in the news?

• The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. 

Important points:

• Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’ wins the top prize at this year’s Academy Awards, bringing the film’s total win tally upto 5 including a win for Mikey Madison for Best Actress. 

Full list of winners

• Best Picture: “Anora”
• Best Actress: Mikey Madison, “Anora”
• Best Actor: Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
• Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
• Best Director: Sean Baker, “Anora”
• Best Cinematography: Lol Crawley, “The Brutalist”
• Best Animated Feature: “Flow”

About Oscar Awards:

• The Oscars are widely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the film industry. 
• The major award categories, known as the Academy Awards of Merit, are presented during a live-televised Hollywood ceremony in February or March. 
• It is the oldest worldwide entertainment awards ceremony.

First-ever survey finds over 6,300 river dolphins in country.

Tags: Environment

Why in the news?

• Thefirst population estimation of riverine dolphins in India has revealed the presence of 6,327 dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus river systems, according to a government report. 

Important points:

• As part of'Project Dolphin', a comprehensive survey was conducted for the first time to estimate the population of river dolphins across eight states -- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Punjab.
• Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of dolphins at 2,397, followed by Bihar 2,220, West Bengal 815, Assam 635, Jharkhand 162, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh 95, and Punjab 3.
•  The Ganges river dolphin, known for its unique features, is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
• A small population of the Indus river dolphin, a close relative of the Ganges river dolphin, is found in the Indus river system in India.
• According to the report titled 'Population Status of River Dolphin in India', it is one of the world's largest freshwater surveys, covering the entire range of the Ganges river dolphin in the Ganga and Brahmaputra, as well as the Indus river dolphin in the Beas river.
• The survey estimated 6,327 Ganges river dolphins (range: 5,977-6,688) and three Indus river dolphins. 
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Project Dolphin on August 15, 2020, to conserve dolphins and other aquatic ecosystems.

Jay Shah Honored with Icon of Excellence Award

Tags: Awards

Why in the news?

• Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council, has been honored with the prestigious Icon of Excellence award at the 14th Edition of the FILA 2025.

Important points:

• This award recognizes his outstanding contributions to cricket administration.
• Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been honored with the prestigious Icon of Excellence award at the14th Edition of the Forbes India Leadership Awards (FILA 2025).
• This award recognizes his outstanding contributions to cricket administration, his efforts to bring new ideas into the game, and his role in making cricket more inclusive and competitive worldwide.

Jay Shah, the Youngest Chairman of the ICC:

• At just 36 years old, Jay Shah became the youngest chairman of the ICC in history.
• He has worked hard to make cricket more popular across the world, ensuring its financial stability and introducing changes that benefit players, teams and fans.
•  His smart decision-making and modern approach have helped cricket grow to new heights.
• His leadership and dedication helped Indian cricket grow, paving the way for his appointment as ICC chairman. Now, he is focused on making cricket more popular globally and building strong international partnerships.

Icon of Excellence Award Winner:

• Jay Shah received the Icon of Excellence Award at a grand event held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
• The award was presented by Harsh Mariwala, chairman of Marico Limited, and KVS Manian, MD & CEO of Federal Bank. Many important leaders from different industries attended the event, celebrating individuals who have made a big impact in their fields.
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