NATIONAL NEWS

Punjab Government Launches Project Hifazat

The Government of Punjab launched Project Hifazat to protect women from violence on the eve of International Women's Day.

The Project was launched by Punjab’s Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur in Chandigarh

International Women’s Day is observed every year on 8th March. The theme of the 2025 International Women’s Day is “ For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”

The project aims to protect women and children from violence by providing immediate assistance from government departments.

It provides a dedicated helpline number, ‘181’, which the victim can call for help.

The initiative aims to improve the response mechanism of the government departments to report of violence against women through better inter-departmental coordination.

It also aims to remove the fear of women from reporting cases of violence and harassment at home, the workplace or at any place.

The Project Hifazat of the Punjab government has been integrated with Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya of the central government.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Razorpay Enters Singapore

Bengaluru-based fintech firm Razorpay has announced its expansion into Singapore, marking its second market in Southeast Asia after

This move aligns with Singapore’s vision for a cashless and innovation-driven economy and aims to support digital transformation in the region.

Razorpay's AI-driven solutions promise to reduce cross-border transaction costs by 30-40% for businesses.

Razorpay is introducing a suite of payment solutions in Singapore, including:

Agentic-AI and RAY, which enhance operational efficiency through intelligent automation.

A payment gateway, cross-border solutions, and real-time financial analytics.

Razorpay will work closely with banks, financial institutions, and regulators to ensure compliance and seamless integration into Singapore’s financial ecosystem.

Businesses in Singapore can now access Razorpay's services for faster settlements, reduced costs, and AI-driven efficiency.

BANKING

HDFC Bank Launches Project HAKK

HDFC Bank has introduced Project HAKK (Hawai Anubhavi Kalyan Kendra) to support Indian Air Force (IAF) pensioners, veterans, and their families by providing essential services and financial empowerment.

HDFC Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Air Force (IAF), represented by the Assistant Chief of Air Staff – Accounts & Air Veterans, and CSC Academy.

25 centres will be established across various Air Force units, including New Delhi, Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Pune, Secunderabad, Guwahati, Jodhpur, and Chandigarh.

In collaboration with CSC Academy (under Common Service Centre E-Governance Limited), the bank will provide financial literacy and skill development training for veterans and their families, empowering them to become financially independent.

Defence personnel, ex-servicemen, and their families can avail 500+ G2C (Government to Citizen) and B2C (Business to Customer) services, including Aadhaar services, NPS (National Pension System), PAN Card application, passport services, and bill payment services.

This initiative reflects HDFC Bank’s commitment to supporting the defence community by ensuring easy access to essential financial services and training programs.

HDFC Bank, Indian Army and CSC Academy to Expand Project NAMAN

HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, along with the Indian Army and CSC e-Governance, has renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand Project NAMAN – A Tribute to Veterans to 26 Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV) locations.

Project NAMAN aims to provide support and services to Army veterans, their families, and next of kin.

The CSC Centres, operated by Army veterans or their families, will offer pension-related services, Government to Citizen (G2C) services, and Business to Consumer (B2C) services within defence establishments.

In the second phase, Project NAMAN will expand to 26 DIAV locations across Rajasthan, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Bihar, Odisha, and New Delhi.

The first phase, launched in September 2023, established Common Service Centres (CSCs) at 14 DIAV locations.

HDFC Bank, through its Parivartan programme, aims to enhance economic inclusiveness for defence service veterans and their families by providing skill development and training in financial products and services.

The individuals managing the CSCs will receive a monthly monetary grant for the initial 12 months to support their operations.

TMB Revises Lending Rates

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) has announced a revision in its Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR)and Repo Linked Lending Rate (RLLR), effective March 7, 2025.

The bank has reduced the one-year MCLR to 9.60% from the previous 9.75%, while the RLLR has been revised down to 9.25% from 9.45%.

The decision follows the bank’s ongoing adjustments to its lending rates, reflecting changes in market conditions and internal cost structures.

The revised rates are expected to impact various loan products linked to the MCLR and RLLR benchmarks.

MCLR is the minimum interest rate at which a bank is willing to lend to its customers.

RLLR is a lending rate that is directly linked to the repo rate set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

DEFENCE

2025 TROPEX Exercise of Indian Navy

The mega Indian Navy’s 3 month long Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) concluded.

The biennial Tropex exercise, which commenced in January 2025 after the successful conclusion of the Sea Vigil Exercise, focused on the enhancement of the Indian Navy’s combat capability across the Indian Ocean especially in the Arabian Sea and Bay Of Bengal Theater.

The exercise was conducted in both harbour and sea phase.

The exercise included AMPHEX,an Amphibious Exercise , a Joint Work Up Phase focused on precise delivery of ordnance on target, Cyber and Electronic Warfare, and a Tactical Phase.

The TROPEX exercise is mainly an Indian Navy exercise with participation by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard units.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality and Education Through Technology

Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), has been awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality and Education Through Technology’ at the Vibrant Bharat Global Summit 2025.

The award was presented by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Shekhawat in recognition of Dr. Bose’s pioneering contributions to integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology into hospitality education and tourism.

Adding to the significance of the event, Dr. Bose also launched his latest book, "Harmonizing Human Touch and AI in Tourism and Hospitality", which tells the evolving role of AI in the industry.

He was recognized for his pioneering work in blending AI with tourism and hospitality.

SPORTS

Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship

The Indian women's Kabaddi team defeated Iran to win their fifth Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship title.

The Indian team defeated the host, Iran, 32-25, in the final of the 6th Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship 2025, held in Tehran on 8th March 2025.

The Indian Kabaddi team, led by Sonali Shingate, entered the 6th edition of the Asian Kabaddi Championship as a defending champion.

The Asian Kabaddi Federation is the governing body of men’s and women's Kabaddi in Asia.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day 2025 is celebrated on 8th March 2025.

In 1869, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton started the National Women’s Suffrage Association to fight for women's rights

Clara Zetkin proposes a Women's Day celebration, and International Women's Day is celebrated annually from this point forth, which is a day for Women in 1911.

In 1965, the women’s liberation movement fought for politics, work, the family, and sexuality, and all women were given the right to vote.

In the 2000s, with the help of the internet, the message of feminism became unified with a focused direction.