Current Affairs - March 21, 2025 Current Affairs

The six mobile dental clinics were launched by Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh to provide free oral healthcare services to residents. These clinics were flagged off at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) in New Delhi, with the aim of enhancing access to dental care, particularly in underserved areas like slums.

The book ‘March of Glory’ was launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of India's historic victory in the 1975 Hockey World Cup. It details the journey of the Indian hockey team, including key matches, player quotes, and over 250 rare photographs, documenting their path to glory in Kuala Lumpur. The launch event was attended by various hockey legends and enthusiasts, with Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey emphasizing the importance of the book in preserving the rich history of Indian hockey for future generations.

Vijay Sankar, the Honorary Consul General of Denmark for Southern India and Chairman of The Sanmar Group, was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Dannebrog by the King of Denmark. This prestigious honour recognized his exceptional consular services and significant contributions to strengthening Indo-Danish relations. The award was presented at a ceremony held in Chennai on March 18, 2025. This recognition also highlights the Sankar family's longstanding association with Denmark’s consular services, spanning three generations.

The Delhi Police launched the 'Shishtachar' initiative with 30 squads patrolling hotspots to tackle eve-teasing and harassment in public spaces. The squads, consisting of both male and female officers, focus on law enforcement, victim protection, and public awareness, without imposing cultural morality. This initiative aims to prevent harassment, intervene in unsafe situations, and promote community collaboration to ensure women’s safety in New Delhi, showcasing the city’s commitment to addressing issues related to women's safety in public spaces.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the host nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico). This achievement was secured with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain on March 20, 2025, at Saitama Stadium. Goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo in the second half helped Japan secure its spot in the tournament, marking its eighth consecutive World Cup appearance. Coach Hajime Moriyasu emphasized the need for further improvement, while Bahrain's coach praised Japan's strength and predicted a strong performance in the World Cup.

India sent $1 million worth of machinery to Suriname to boost the Passion fruit industry as part of its development partnership with the country. This initiative is aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and strengthening bilateral relations between India and Suriname. This step highlights India's involvement in agricultural development across various countries. Suriname, located in South America, benefits from India's assistance in improving its agricultural infrastructure.

SEBI reduced the minimum investment for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,000. This change aims to make social impact investing more accessible to a broader audience, allowing more people to contribute to non-profit organizations listed on the SSE. ZCZP instruments enable donations to these organizations while promoting social initiatives. This initiative helps encourage greater participation in funding social causes, making it easier for individuals to engage in impactful investments.

BPCL launched the 'Emerge' cohort under the Ankur Fund to support startups in the Energy Efficiency and City Gas Distribution (CGD) sectors. The initiative focuses on startups with Proof of Concept (PoC) or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) solutions in Oil & Gas, especially those utilizing AI-driven energy management, predictive maintenance, and heat recovery. Since 2016, BPCL Ankur has funded 30 startups with Rs. 28 crores, contributing to innovation and development in the energy sector. This reflects BPCL’s ongoing commitment to fostering advancements in energy efficiency and sustainability.

World Day for Glaciers is celebrated on March 21, as declared by the United Nations through resolution A/RES/77/158. This day aims to raise awareness about the critical role glaciers play in our ecosystem, including their contributions to freshwater storage, regulating sea levels, and supporting biodiversity. It also emphasizes the urgent need for glacier conservation due to the threats posed by climate change, which is causing glaciers to melt at an alarming rate.

World Poetry Day is celebrated globally on March 21 to emphasize the importance of poetry as a universal medium of expression. Established by UNESCO in 1999, the day promotes the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching of poetry, while acknowledging its role in preserving cultural heritage and fostering peace. The theme for World Poetry Day 2025 is “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion,” reflecting poetry’s role in encouraging social harmony and cultural exchange. March 21 was chosen by UNESCO to unify global efforts in celebrating the art of poetry.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21. This day commemorates the tragic Sharpeville Massacre that occurred on March 21, 1960, in South Africa, during a peaceful protest against apartheid laws. The day highlights progress made in combating racial discrimination and acknowledges the ongoing challenges. The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), a key treaty in the fight against racism.

IDFC FIRST Bank launched the ACE feature on its mobile banking app, designed to assist customers with DIY mutual fund investing. This feature offers access to over 2,500 mutual funds, providing detailed information on fund categories, historical performance, holdings, and expert ratings. ACE delivers a premium user experience by integrating public data, insights, and a seamless investment journey, allowing customers to make informed and efficient investment decisions. This initiative aims to enhance customer experience in the growing space of mutual fund investments.

The International Day of Forests is celebrated globally on March 21 each year. In 2025, the theme for the day is "Forests and Food," which highlights the significant connection between forests and food security, as well as their crucial role in providing resources such as fruits, seeds, and wild meat for communities worldwide. The day aims to raise awareness about forest conservation, sustainability, and their vital contributions to the environment and human well-being. The United Nations established this day in 2012 to encourage action toward protecting forests.