Current Affairs 17 March 2025 By GkSeries

March 17, 2025

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Current Affairs 17 March 2025 By GkSeries

Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 17 March 2025, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

India Shines with 33 Medals at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025

India truly shone at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin, Italy, bringing home an impressive total of 33 medals. The Indian team displayed incredible talent and determination across a range of winter sports, clinching 8 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze medals. The final day of the event was especially noteworthy, as India added 12 more medals to their impressive haul.

India’s Medal-Winning Performance

Snowshoeing – A Strong Finish

Snowshoeing has emerged as one of India’s top disciplines at the Special Olympics, with the team proudly securing a total of 10 medals in this category. On the last day, they added four more medals to their collection:

• Silver Medals: Vasu Tiwari, Shalini Chauhan, and Tanya in the 25m Snowshoeing competition.

• Bronze Medal: Jahangir in the same event.

These accomplishments, along with the previous six medals in Snowshoeing, truly highlight the athletes’ hard work and perseverance.

Alpine Skiing – A Dominant Display

India’s Alpine Skiing team demonstrated outstanding control and technique, winning 10 medals in this sport.

Silver Medals:
- Radha Devi (Intermediate Slalom, F01 category)
- Nirmala Devi (Intermediate Slalom, F04 category)
- Abhishek Kumar (Novice Slalom, M02 category)

This performance solidified India’s growing prowess in competitive skiing.

Cross Country Skiing – Strength and Stamina

India’s athletes also shined in Cross Country Skiing, a physically demanding discipline.

Bronze Medal: Akriti in the 100m Classical Technique (F02 category).

Her ability to sustain a rigorous pace across long distances demonstrated her exceptional stamina and resilience.

Floorball – A Team Effort

India’s Women’s Traditional Floorball Team put up a commendable fight, securing a bronze medal. Their strong coordination and strategy played a key role in their success.

Final Medal Distribution

India’s 33 medals were distributed across different sports as follows:

Snowshoeing – 10 medals
Alpine Skiing – 10 medals
Snowboarding – 6 medals
Short Track Speed Skating – 4 medals
Cross Country Skiing – 2 medals
Floorball – 1 medal

Maharana Pratap’s Descendant Arvind Singh Mewar Dies at 81

Arvind Singh Mewar, a proud descendant of the legendary Rajput king Maharana Pratap and the chairman of the HRH Group of Hotels, passed away at 81 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on March 16, 2025, after a long illness. His passing marks the end of a significant era for the House of Mewar, known for its dedication to preserving Rajput heritage and enhancing tourism in Udaipur.

Key Highlights

Name: Arvind Singh Mewar
Age: 81
Date of Death: March 16, 2025
Place of Death: Udaipur’s City Palace
Cause of Death: Prolonged illness

Contributions and Legacy

Promoted Mewar’s cultural heritage and tourism in Udaipur
Built the HRH Group of Hotels as a corporate entity
Chairman of Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation
Former Ranji Trophy cricketer for Rajasthan (1945-46)
Polo player and founder of The Udaipur Cup in the UK
Avid pilot with solo microlight flights across India
Played a key role in preserving the Mewar dynasty’s legacy

National Vaccination Day 2025: Date, History, Significance and Impact

National Vaccination Day, celebrated every year on March 16, is an important occasion that showcases India’s commitment to public health through immunization. It reminds us of the ongoing efforts needed to wipe out diseases that can be prevented by vaccines and emphasizes the necessity of achieving universal vaccination coverage.

As we honor National Vaccination Day 2025, let’s take a moment to appreciate India’s incredible progress in immunization, the milestones reached, and the path forward to protect the health of future generations.

History of National Vaccination Day

The origins of National Vaccination Day date back to March 16, 1995, marking a watershed moment in India’s healthcare history. On this day, the first dose of the oral polio vaccine was administered under the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme, a nationwide initiative aimed at eliminating polio from the country.

Significance of National Vaccination Day

National Vaccination Day is more than just an observance; it plays a critical role in shaping India’s public health policies. The day serves three primary purposes:

1. Raising Awareness on Vaccination

One of the main goals of National Vaccination Day is to spread awareness about how crucial vaccines are in stopping serious diseases. There are many illnesses, like measles, tetanus, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and diphtheria, that can be avoided with timely immunization. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of regular and necessary vaccinations for everyone, from kids to adults.

2. Acknowledging Healthcare Workers

Healthcare professionals truly are the backbone of every immunization program. From doctors and nurses to paramedics, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers, these dedicated individuals work tirelessly to ensure that vaccines are administered smoothly, even in the most remote areas. National Vaccination Day is a time to honor their unwavering commitment and recognize the vital role they play in making India a healthier nation.

3. Promoting Community Participation in Immunisation Drives

For an immunization program to truly succeed, it needs the community to get involved. National Vaccination Day is a great way to motivate people to join vaccination efforts, helping to achieve widespread coverage and herd immunity. This is especially crucial in rural areas, where myths, misinformation, and a lack of awareness can really get in the way of the immunization process.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates First-Ever Fit India Carnival

The Fit India Carnival, a pioneering three-day event centered around fitness and wellness, was inaugurated on March 16, 2025, by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) in New Delhi. This event is designed to encourage people to focus on physical fitness, mental wellness, and making healthier lifestyle choices. The celebration was enhanced by the presence of Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, wrestling champion Sangram Singh, wellness expert Mickey Mehta, former WWE wrestler Shanky Singh, and Guinness World Record holder Rohtash Chaudhary, who all added their star power to the occasion.

Key Highlights

Inauguration by

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports.
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN), New Delhi.
Date: March 16-18, 2025 (Three-day event).

Star Participants

Ayushmann Khurrana (Fit India Icon)
Sangram Singh (Wrestling Champion)
Mickey Mehta (Wellness Expert)
Shanky Singh (Former WWE Wrestler)
Rohtash Chaudhary (Guinness World Record Holder)

Key Activities and Performances

Martial arts demonstrations: Kalaripayattu, Gatka, and Mallakhamb.
Fitness challenges: Rope skipping, arm wrestling, push-up, squat competitions, and cricket bowling.
Free health assessments by the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR), including nutrition and psychological consultations.
Launch of the book “Benefits of Cycling” by NCSSR.
‘Fitness through Dance’ cultural segment to promote fitness in an engaging way.
Q&A session with fitness icons.

Union Minister’s Vision

Promote sports as a culture and fitness as a movement, similar to Sundays on Cycle initiative.
Expand the Fit India Carnival to other cities and towns across India.

Hockey India Awards 2024: Check Complete List of Winners

The Hockey India Annual Awards 2024 was an incredible event that celebrated the best of the best in Indian hockey. Taking place in New Delhi, this prestigious ceremony was especially significant as it marked both the centenary of Indian hockey and the 50th anniversary of India’s 1975 Men’s Hockey World Cup triumph.

The night was all about honoring the remarkable achievements of Indian players, shining a light on their hard work and commitment to the sport. The top accolades went to Harmanpreet Singh and Savita Punia, who each received the Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of the Year in their respective categories.

Complete List of Hockey India Awards 2024 Winners

Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year: Savita Punia
Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year: Amit Rohidas
Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year: Hardik Singh
Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year: Abhishek
Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21): Deepika
Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under 21): Araijeet Singh Hundal
Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year (Women): Savita Punia
Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year (Men): Harmanpreet Singh
Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award: 1975 World Cup Winning Team

Honoring the Legacy: The 1975 World Cup Winning Team

This year’s Hockey India Awards were particularly special, celebrating the 50th anniversary of India’s unforgettable 1975 Men’s Hockey World Cup victory. In a touching tribute, the members of that legendary team were honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event brought together iconic players from the 1975 squad, such as Leslie Fernandez, Onkar Singh, Ashok Diwan, BP Govinda, Kaliah PE, Brigadier HJS Chimni, VJ Phillips, Ashok Kumar, Aslam Sher Khan, and Brigadier Harcharan Singh. Their impact on Indian hockey is unmatched, making this award a truly deserving recognition of their remarkable achievement.

Valueattics Reinsurance Becomes India’s First Private Reinsurer, Ending GIC Re’s Monopoly

In a significant milestone, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has awarded Valueattics Reinsurance, backed by Prem Watsa and Kamesh Goyal, the inaugural private reinsurance license in India. This development is a game-changer for the reinsurance sector, breaking GIC Re’s monopoly that has been in place since 1972. The approval was given during Debasish Panda’s final board meeting as IRDAI Chairperson on March 12, 2025.

Key Highlights

India’s First Private Reinsurer

Valueattics Reinsurance becomes the first private reinsurer in India.
Backed by Prem Watsa’s Fairfax Financial Holdings (through FAL Corporation) and Kamesh Goyal’s Oben Ventures LLP.

Current Reinsurance Market in India

GIC Re, a public-sector entity, was the only reinsurer in India until now.
13 foreign reinsurance branches (FRBs) like Munich Re, Swiss Re, and Lloyd’s of London operate in India.

Significance of IRDAI’s Approval

Marks a major reform in the insurance sector, promoting competition and efficiency.
Valueattics received the “R2” approval, a step closer to commencing operations.
The company will begin with an initial paid-up capital of ₹210 crore.

Challenges and Opportunities for Valueattics Reinsurance

Reinsurance is a capital-intensive business requiring technical expertise and IRDAI-approved ratings.
Will need to expand capital strength as it enters the international market.
Opportunity to offer full-spectrum risk coverage through its Go Digit group (general insurance, life insurance, and reinsurance).

GIC Re’s Current Status

Holds the “first right to refusal” and obligatory cession rights.
39% of GIC Re’s domestic earnings come from obligatory business and 61% from non-obligatory business.

IRDAI’s 129th Board Meeting Decisions (March 12, 2025)