STATE NEWS

Indore to Launch India's First PPP Green Waste Processing Plant

• Indore is set to launch India’s first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) green waste processing plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.

• The plant will be built on a 55,000 sq. ft. plot in Bicholi Hapsi.

• It will process green waste like wood, branches, leaves, and flowers.

• The initiative is expected to generate ₹3,000 per tonne for Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).

• The processed waste will be turned into wooden pellets, providing a sustainable coal alternative.

• Indore generates around 30 tons of green waste daily, which will be sent to this facility.

• Waste from key institutions will be collected through a fixed fee structure.

• Astronomical Industries Private Limited has partnered with IMC to convert waste into sawdust.

DEFENCE

VARUNA 2025: Strengthening India-France Naval Cooperation

• The 23rd edition of the India-France bilateral naval exercise, VARUNA 2025, commenced on March 19, 2025.

• The exercise will run until March 22, 2025, featuring a series of maritime drills and complex maneuvers

• Participating forces include INS Vikrant, French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine.

• Advanced air defence drills and fighter exercises will be conducted, including mock air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K.

• Anti-submarine warfare drills will focus on enhancing underwater domain awareness.

• VARUNA 2025 offers a platform for both navies to collaborate on ensuring maritime peace and security.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

NDTL 2025 Conference: Advancing Anti-Doping Science and Overcoming Challenges

• Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister, inaugurated the NDTL Annual Conference on March 19, 2025.

• The theme of the conference focused on “Anti-Doping Science: Innovations and Challenges.”

• Dr. Mandaviya highlighted India's commitment to fostering clean and fair sports competition.

• He proposed introducing doping awareness education in school curricula and launching rural awareness campaigns.

• Key discussions revolved around new doping detection technologies and evolving banned substances.

• The conference addressed emerging threats such as untraceable substances and strategies to combat them.

• Interactive sessions and panel discussions provided a platform for sharing knowledge and strengthening anti-doping efforts.

• The event reinforced India’s dedication to global anti-doping standards and promoting a doping-free sports culture.

India Innovation Summit: Pioneering Solutions to End TB

• The India Innovation Summit on "Pioneering Solutions to End TB" was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre.

• India’s National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) marked a key achievement by identifying 26.07 lakh TB cases in 2024.

• Since 2015, India has reduced its TB incidence rate by 17.7%, from 237 to 195 cases per lakh population by 2023.

• TB-related deaths have dropped by 21.4% during this period.

• The summit, organized by the Department of Health Research (DHR), ICMR, and CTD, saw participation from over 1,200 delegates from academia, healthcare, and industry.

• More than 200 innovative solutions were showcased during the event.

• The summit's goal is to foster collaboration and integrate cutting-edge solutions into national TB programs.

• India is committed to achieving its target of eliminating TB by 2025.

SPORTS

4th Edition of Snow Marathon Lahaul: Asia’s Highest Snow Marathon

• The 4th Snow Marathon Lahaul will take place on March 23 at an altitude of 11,000 feet.

• This is Asia’s only snow marathon and the world’s highest, held in Sissu, Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district.

• Over 300 participants from across India will compete in four categories: 42 km (Full Marathon), 21 km (Half Marathon), 10 km, and 5 km.

• Previous editions saw strong participation from the Indian Army and Navy.

• This year, the Indian Air Force Adventure Team will send 20 runners, and the Indian Army will field 25 elite runners, including athletes from Ladakh Scouts, Dogra, and Kumaon Regiments.

• Paramilitary forces like ITBP and SSB will also join the competition.

• The event is organized by Col (retd) Arun Natrajan, with founder Gaurav Schimar emphasizing its environmental message.

NATIONAL NEWS

Election Commission to Link Voter IDs with Aadhaar

• The Election Commission of India will begin the process of linking Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) with Aadhaar numbers for those who have voluntarily provided them.

• Technical consultations with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will begin soon to facilitate the process.

• The Election Commission clarified that under Article 326 of the Indian Constitution, voting rights are granted only to Indian citizens, while Aadhaar is solely for identity verification.

• A meeting was held in New Delhi with the Chief Election Commissioner, election commissioners, the Union Home Secretary, UIDAI officials, and technical experts to discuss the linkage.

• The decision to link EPIC with Aadhaar will follow the provisions of Article 326 of the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Supreme Court ruling in WP (Civil) No. 177/2023.

• As of September 2023, 66.23 crore voters have voluntarily submitted their Aadhaar numbers.

• India currently has around 99.2 crore voters.

Centre and WhatsApp Collaborate to Combat Digital Frauds and Cyber Threats

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has partnered with WhatsApp to extend Meta’s ‘Scam Se Bachao’ safety campaign to fight online scams and spam.

• The collaboration aims to educate citizens on identifying and reporting fraudulent communications to boost digital safety.

• The initiative will involve train-the-trainer workshops for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), and field units.

• WhatsApp and DoT will work to integrate citizen services from the Sanchar Saathi initiative into the WhatsApp platform, enhancing its outreach.

• The collaboration also includes the use of DIP data through the DoT’s Digital Intelligence Unit to address telecom resource misuse linked to cybercrimes and financial fraud.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Peru Declares State of Emergency in Lima Amid Surge in Violence

• The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in Lima following a surge in violence, including the death of popular singer Paul Flores.

• On March 16, Flores, a renowned cumbia musician, was killed after unknown assailants opened fire on the bus he was traveling in.

• The rise in violence, including extortion rackets, prompted President Dina Boluarte to declare the emergency.

• The 30-day emergency order applies to Lima and the neighboring Callao province, giving authorities the power to deploy the military.

• The declaration comes after weeks of escalating violence linked to criminal groups targeting businesses, especially transport companies.

• Recent arrests of gangs have been reported, though criminal activity continues to rise.

• Peru has previously declared states of emergency in response to increased criminal activity or social unrest.

• Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, located in the western part of South America. The country's currency is the Sol.