Daily Current Affairs- 15th March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 15th March 2025

Railways to dig ponds under Mission Amrit Sarovar to fight water scarcity

In the News: The Indian Railways has embarked on a significant initiative to combat water scarcity by participating in the government's Mission Amrit Sarovar, focusing on the construction and rejuvenation of water bodies near railway sites.

Mission Amrit Sarovar Overview:

• Launch: Initiated in April 2022, the mission aims to construct or rejuvenate 75 ponds per district across India.
• Progress: As of October 2024, over 68,000 ponds have been completed, enhancing both surface and groundwater availability.

Indian Railways' Involvement:

• Responsibilities:
  • Desilting and excavating existing water bodies.
  • Constructing new ponds in areas adjacent to railway sites.
• Implementation Strategy:
  • Collaboration with district administrations to identify suitable locations for these water bodies.
  • Utilization of excavated soil in railway embankments, promoting resource efficiency and reducing waste.
• Coordination: The Rural Development Ministry will oversee the coordination between Indian Railways and other relevant authorities to ensure effective implementation.

Trump Administration Proposes Travel Ban

In the News: The Trump administration is considering implementing a new set of travel restrictions, informally referred to as "Trump Travel Ban 2.0," which could affect citizens from up to 43 countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Proposed Structure of the Ban:

• Three-Tier Classification: The countries are categorized into three groups based on the severity of the proposed restrictions:
  1. Full Visa Suspensions: This tier includes 11 countries, such as Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea, where citizens may face complete bans from entering the United States.
  2. Partial Visa Suspensions: A second group of 10 countries, including Eritrea and Myanmar, may experience restrictions on specific visa categories, such as tourist or student visas, with certain exceptions.
  3. Conditional Restrictions: The third group comprises 22 countries, including Pakistan and Belarus, which could face partial suspensions unless they address identified security deficiencies within 60 days.
• Rationale Behind the Ban: The administration cites national security concerns, aiming to prevent individuals from regions with inadequate security protocols from entering the U.S. This move aligns with President Trump's previous efforts to enhance immigration vetting processes.
• Current Status: As of now, these proposals are under internal review and have not been finalized. The list of affected countries and the specifics of the restrictions may change pending further discussions among senior administration officials.
• Historical Context: This initiative follows the administration's earlier travel bans targeting specific countries, primarily with majority Muslim populations, which faced legal challenges but were eventually upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Peruvian Farmer files landmark Climate case against German Company

In the News: Peruvian farmer and mountain guide, Saúl Luciano Lliuya, has initiated a landmark legal case against German energy company RWE, alleging that the company's greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to climate change, thereby increasing the risk of glacial melting and potential flooding in his hometown of Huaraz, Peru.

Background:

• Location: Huaraz, a city in the Peruvian Andes, is situated below the Palcacocha glacier lake.
• Risk: Due to rising global temperatures, the Palcacocha lake has expanded significantly, heightening the threat of a glacial lake outburst flood, which could devastate Huaraz and affect approximately 50,000 residents.

Legal Basis:

• Claim: Lliuya asserts that RWE, as one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases, bears partial responsibility for the climatic changes endangering his community.
• Specifics: He is demanding €17,000 from RWE, corresponding to the company's alleged 0.47% contribution to global industrial greenhouse gas emissions, to fund local flood protection measures.

Legal Proceedings:

• Initiation: The lawsuit was filed in 2015 in Germany, where RWE is headquartered.
• Current Status: After initial dismissal, the case is now proceeding at the Higher Regional Court of Hamm, Germany.

Implications:

• Precedent: A ruling in favor of Lliuya could establish a significant precedent, potentially holding corporations accountable for their proportional contributions to climate change.
• Global Impact: Such a decision may pave the way for similar lawsuits worldwide, compelling major polluters to assume financial responsibility for climate-related damages.

Ranjani Srinivasan, the Indian student who self-deported after visa revocation

In the News: Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian national and doctoral student at Columbia University, recently self-deported from the United States following the revocation of her student visa by the U.S. Department of State.

Background:

• Academic Profile: Srinivasan was pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban Planning at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP). Her academic journey includes:
  • Bachelor of Design from CEPT University in India.
  • Master’s in Design from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.
  • Phil from Columbia University.
  • Fulbright Nehru and Inlaks Scholarships recipient.
  • Research focus on the political economy of development, spatial politics of land, and sociology of labor.

Visa Revocation:

• Date: March 5, 2025.
• Reason: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited her alleged involvement in activities supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, and for "advocating for violence and terrorism." 

Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched their second Women's Premier League (WPL) title

In the News: ‘On March 15, 2025, the Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched their second Women's Premier League (WPL) title by defeating the Delhi Capitals (DC) by 8 runs in a thrilling final at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Match Highlights:

• Mumbai Indians Innings: After being invited to bat first, MI posted a total of 149 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a pivotal role, scoring a commanding 66 runs off 44 balls, which included several boundaries. Her innings provided stability and momentum to the team's total.
• Delhi Capitals' Response: In pursuit of the target, DC managed to score 141 for 9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 8 runs. Despite efforts from their batters, they couldn't overcome the disciplined bowling attack of MI.
• Key Bowling Performance: Natalie Sciver-Brunt was instrumental with the ball for MI, claiming three crucial wickets for 30 runs in her four-over spell. Her performance played a significant role in restricting DC's chase.
• This triumph marks MI's second WPL title in three seasons, underscoring their dominance in the tournament. They had previously won the inaugural edition of the WPL in 2023, also against Delhi Capitals at the same venue.

National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025

In the News: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released the draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025, aiming to uphold integrity and fairness in Indian sports by addressing age-related discrepancies.

Salient Features:

1. Mandatory Age Verification & Digital Locking: Athletes must submit three essential documents during registration. Once verified, their age is securely recorded in a centralized digital database to prevent future alterations.
2. Medical Examination for Age Discrepancies: In cases of age disputes, medical examinations using the TW3 method, MRI scans, and general physical and dental assessments will be conducted. AI-based bone assessments are also being piloted. Disputes can be appealed to a designated medical panel.
3. Uniform Penalties for Violations: First-time offenders face a two-year competition ban and forfeiture of titles or medals. A second violation results in a lifetime ban and possible legal action. Coaches and officials found guilty will also face suspension and debarment.
4. Whistle-blower Mechanism: A confidential platform will be established for anonymous reporting of age fraud, with a reward system to encourage genuine reports.
5. Amnesty Program for Self-Disclosure: A six-month window allows athletes to voluntarily declare their correct age without penalties. They will undergo a performance review and be reassigned to the appropriate age group.
6. Two-Tier Appellate Mechanism: Athletes can appeal age determination disputes first to a Regional Appellate Panel and, if necessary, to the Central Appeals Committee (CAC), whose decision is final.
7. Role of Integrity/Compliance Officers: National Sports Federations (NSFs) will appoint officers to ensure adherence to the code, including verifying age documents and reporting violations.
8. Dedicated National Database: A centralized digital portal linked with the National Sports Repository System (NSRS) will securely store all age verification data, complying with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
9. QR-Enabled ID Cards: Post-verification, athletes receive ID cards with QR codes, accessible digitally via the DigiLocker platform, mandatory for participation in events.
10. Public Accountability & Transparency: A monitoring framework will ensure effective implementation, with NSFs and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) required to submit regular compliance reports to the Ministry.

Applicability: The draft NCAAFS applies to all athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and support personnel involved with recognized NSFs, SAI, sports boards managed by central government departments and PSUs, NGOs, NSPOs, and other entities promoting sports development. 

 

India one of four nations to demonstrate satellite docking and undocking: ISRO Chairman

In the News: India has achieved a significant milestone in space technology by successfully demonstrating satellite docking and undocking capabilities through the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx).

Key Highlights:

• Elite Group Membership: With this accomplishment, India joins an exclusive group of nations—comprising the United States, Russia, and China—that have demonstrated both satellite docking and undocking technologies.
• Mission Overview: SpaDEx involved two satellites, designated as 'Chaser' and 'Target,' each weighing approximately 220 kilograms. These satellites were launched on December 30, 2024, using ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60).
• Docking Achievement: On January 16, 2025, ISRO successfully executed the docking of the two satellites, marking India's entry into the realm of in-space docking capabilities.
• Undocking Success: Following extensive preparations, including over 120 computer simulations, ISRO achieved the undocking of the satellites on March 13, 2025, at 9:20 AM IST, on the first attempt.
• Technological Advancement: Mastering satellite docking and undocking is crucial for various future missions, including satellite servicing, space station operations, and complex interplanetary endeavors.
• Future Missions: This capability lays the groundwork for ambitious projects such as India's planned space station, Gaganyaan (the crewed space mission), and other deep-space exploration initiatives.
• ISRO's Commitment: ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan emphasized the organization's dedication to advancing space technologies, noting that the successful undocking was achieved after meticulous planning and numerous simulations to ensure precision and safety. 

India-Bangladesh Naval Exercise Bongosagar 2025

The India-Bangladesh Naval Exercise Bongosagar 2025 was conducted in March 2025 in the Bay of Bengal, aiming to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two nations' navies.

Participating Vessels:

• Indian Navy: INS Ranvir, a guided-missile destroyer.
• Bangladesh Navy: BNS Abu Ubaidah, a frigate.

Exercise Components:

• Surface Firing Exercises: Both navies conducted live-fire drills to enhance combat readiness.
• Tactical Maneuvers: Coordinated ship movements to improve joint operational tactics.
• Underway Replenishment: Practices for refueling and resupplying ships at sea to extend operational range.
• Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Operations: Joint boarding exercises to counter maritime threats like piracy and smuggling.
• Communication Drills: Exercises to enhance information sharing and coordination.

Significance:

• Strengthening Bilateral Ties: The exercise underscores the commitment of both nations to collaborate on maritime security, fostering trust and mutual understanding.
• Enhancing Regional Security: By improving interoperability, the navies are better equipped to address shared maritime challenges, contributing to stability in the Bay of Bengal region.
• Supporting the SAGAR Initiative: The exercise aligns with India's "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR) vision, promoting collective maritime security.