Daily Current Affairs- 23rd March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 23rd March 2025

 

Shaheed Diwas 2025

In the News: On March 23, 2025, India observed Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs’ Day) to honour the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who were executed by the British colonial rulers in 1931 for their revolutionary role in India’s freedom struggle.

• Date Observed: March 23 every year
• Why It’s Observed: To pay tribute to the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar, who were hanged in Lahore Central Jail (now in Pakistan) on March 23, 1931.
• Event Context: They were convicted for the assassination of British officer P. Saunders in 1928, carried out as retaliation for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai during a police lathi charge.
• Legacy: Bhagat Singh and his comrades became national symbols of courage and sacrifice. Their writings, ideas, and fearless commitment continue to inspire generations.
• 2025 Commemoration: Various programmes were organized across India, including in Punjab, Delhi, and Maharashtra, with tributes paid at Shaheed Smarak memorials, cultural events, and educational institutions.
• Government Tributes: President, Prime Minister, and state leaders issued statements and shared tributes on social media to honour their bravery. 

Purple Fest 2025

In the News: The Purple Fest 2025 was held on March 21, 2025, at Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Amrit Udyan, New Delhi. Organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the event aimed to promote inclusivity and empowerment for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities). 

• Attendance: Approximately 23,500 participants, including Divyangjan, their families, and supporters, attended the fest.
• Activities: The fest featured cultural performances, adaptive sports like blind cricket and wheelchair basketball, literary discussions, and exhibitions showcasing the talents of persons with disabilities. 
• Corporate Collaborations: Partnerships with organizations such as Tata Power, American India Foundation (AIF), Hans India, and Tech Mahindra Foundation focused on education, skilling, employment, and accessibility initiatives for Divyangjan. 

BPCL Inaugurates Floating Solar Power Plant at Kochi Refinery

In the News: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has inaugurated a floating solar power plant at its Kochi Refinery, marking a significant advancement in sustainable energy initiatives.

• Inauguration Date: The floating solar power plant was inaugurated on March 21, 2025. 
• Inaugurated By: The inauguration ceremony was led by Sarada Muraleedharan, Chief Secretary of the Government of Kerala.
• Capacity: The floating solar power plant has an installed capacity of 3.2 MW AC.
• Location: The plant is installed on the rainwater harvesting ponds within the premises of Kochi Refinery.
• Area Covered: The solar panels cover 8 acres of the available 19-acre waterbody at the refinery’s rainwater harvesting ponds. 
• Investment: BPCL has invested approximately ₹28.93 crore in this green energy initiative. 
• Environmental Impact: The facility is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 5,672 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. 
• Additional Initiatives: BPCL is also developing a 150 TPD Municipal Solid Waste to Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant near the Brahmapuram waste dumping yard, aiming to convert municipal waste into bioenergy and organic fertilizers. 

Maharashtra Government's Initiative to Construct Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in Agra

In the News: On March 21, 2025, the Maharashtra government announced plans to construct a grand memorial honouring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, at the site where the Maratha warrior king was historically held under house arrest by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

• Purpose of the Memorial: The memorial aims to commemorate the valour and strategic acumen of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, particularly highlighting his daring escape from house arrest in Agra—a significant event in Maratha history.
• Formation of Expert Committee: An expert committee comprising historians and subject matter experts has been established under the chairmanship of the Maharashtra Minister of Tourism Shambhuraj Desai to oversee the planning and execution of the memorial project.
• Responsibilities Assigned to the Tourism Department: The Maharashtra Tourism Department has been designated as the nodal agency responsible for land acquisition, funding allocation, and coordination of all activities related to the memorial's construction. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will serve as the implementing body for the project.
• Features of the Memorial: The proposed memorial is envisioned to include a museum, audio-visual programs, and documentaries equipped with modern facilities to educate visitors about the life and achievements of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• Significance of the Location: The selected site in Agra holds historical importance as it is the place where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was detained by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb before his legendary escape, which is celebrated as a testament to his ingenuity and bravery. 

North India's First Nuclear Project: Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant

In the News: The Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant, officially known as the Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP), is under construction in Gorakhpur village, Fatehabad district, Haryana.

• Capacity: The plant is designed to have four units, each with a capacity of 700 MWe, totaling 2,800 MWe upon completion.
• Reactor Type: It will utilize Indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (IPHWR-700), a design developed by Indian scientists.
• Project Phases:
  • Phase I: Comprises Units 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 700 MWe.
  • Phase II: Will include Units 3 and 4, each also with a capacity of 700 MWe.
• Timeline:
  • Construction for Units 1 and 2 commenced in 2018.
  • The first unit is anticipated to be operational by June 2028.
  • The second unit is expected to follow in 2029.
• Cooling Source: The plant's cooling requirements will be met by the Bhakra Main Line Canal, ensuring efficient thermal regulation.
• Significance: This project marks the first nuclear power facility in North India, contributing to the region's energy infrastructure and supporting India's commitment to expanding its nuclear energy capacity. 

Record High Migrant Deaths in 2024

In the News: In 2024, migrant fatalities reached unprecedented levels, with at least 8,938 deaths recorded globally, marking the deadliest year on record for migrants worldwide.

• Regional Breakdown:
  • Asia: Approximately 2,788 deaths occurred on Asian migration routes, making it the most perilous region for migrants in 2024.
  • Mediterranean Sea: The Mediterranean remained a deadly passage, with 2,452 recorded migrant deaths.
  • Africa: African migration routes accounted for 2,242 deaths.
  • Caribbean: A record 341 migrant deaths were reported in the Caribbean region.
  • Europe: Europe witnessed 233 migrant deaths.
  • Darién Gap: The treacherous Darién crossing between Colombia and Panama saw a record 174 deaths.
• Violent Deaths: Notably, 10% of the recorded migrant deaths in 2024 were due to violent incidents, including shootings.
• Underreporting Concerns: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) cautions that the actual death toll is likely higher, as many fatalities go unreported or undocumented.

Günter Blöschl Wins Stockholm Water Prize 2025

In the News: Renowned hydrologist Professor Günter Blöschl has been awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2025 for his groundbreaking contributions to flood risk reduction and water resource management.

• Award Significance: The Stockholm Water Prize is the world's most prestigious water award, presented annually by the Stockholm Water Foundation in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• Presentation Ceremony: The prize will be officially presented to Professor Blöschl by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during World Water Week in Stockholm in August 2025.
• Laureate's Profile: Professor Günter Blöschl is affiliated with the Vienna University of Technology, where he serves as the head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management.
• Research Contributions:
  • Flood Risk Reduction: Professor Blöschl's research has significantly advanced the understanding of flood patterns and scaling, leading to improved flood risk management strategies.
  • Regional Process Hydrology: He is recognized as the founder of regional process hydrology, a field that examines hydrological processes at regional scales to better predict and manage water-related hazards.
  • Sociohydrology: As a co-founder of sociohydrology, Professor Blöschl has explored the dynamic interactions between human societies and water systems, enhancing the integration of social factors into hydrological models.
• Notable Achievements:
  • 500-Year Flood Database: He developed a comprehensive flood database spanning 500 years, providing invaluable insights into long-term flood trends and aiding in the development of more effective adaptation strategies.
  • Climate Change Impacts: His work has illuminated the significant impacts of climate change, land use, and hydraulic structures on flood occurrences, emphasizing the need for context-specific solutions in flood management.