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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of Angola President Joao Lourenco’s Visit to India from May 1-4, 2025President of the Republic of Angola, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco was on his four-day official visit to India from May 1 to 4, 2025, at the invitation of President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu, to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several Ministers, senior officials, business houses, media etc.

• This visit marks the first bilateral visit of President Lourenco, who assumed office in 2017, and the first visit of a President of Angola to India after 38 years.

Highlights of the visit:
i.He met Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and held a high-level delegation talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

• During the meeting PM Narendra Modi announced USD 200 million as Line of Credit (LOC) for the modernisation of Angola’s armed forces

ii.During the state visit of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to India, India and Angola signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors:
iii.Republic of Angola joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement and became the 123rd member of the ISA.
>> Read Full News

India’s Mining Sector Achieves Record Production in FY25; Iron Ore Grows by 4.3%In May 2025, the Ministry of Mines(MoM) released its provisional data, India’s mining sector witnessed a strong growth in Financial Year 2024-25(FY25), after reaching record production levels in the FY24.

• Key minerals such as iron ore, manganese ore, and bauxite, along with non-ferrous metals like aluminium and copper, have registered significant Year-on-Year(YoY) growth, reaching record production levels.
• This growth trend indicates a strong economic activity in user sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive and machinery.

Note: India is the 2nd largest Aluminium producers, among top-10 producer in refined copper and 4th largest iron ore producer in the world.
Production Highlights in FY25:
i.According to the provisional data, iron ore production reached 289 million metric tons (MMT) in FY25, surpassing the previous record of 277 MMT in FY24, marking a growth of 4.3%.
ii.Manganese ore production also reached a new high in FY25, rising by 11.8% to 3.8 MMT, surpassing the previous record of 3.4 MMT achieved in FY24.
iii.Production of Bauxite has also risen by 2.9% to 24.7 MMT in FY25 slightly up from 24 MMT in FY 2023-24.
iv.In the same period, lead concentrate production grew by 3.1%, reaching 393 thousand tonnes (THT), up from 381 THT recorded in FY 2023-24.
Non-Ferrous Metals:
i.Non-ferrous metals are metals or alloys that do not contain significant amounts of iron.
ii.In the non-ferrous metal sector, primary aluminium production increased from 41.6 lakh ton (LT) in FY24 to 42 LT during FY25.
iii.Also, refined copper production saw a robust growth of 12.6%, reaching 5.73 LT in FY25 from 5.09 LT in FY24 .
About Ministry of Mines(MoM):
Union Minister – G. Kishan Reddy (Constituency – Secunderabad, Telangana)
Minister of State(MoS) – Satish Chandra Dubey (Rajya Sabha – Bihar)

IA Received New Batch of Russian-origin ‘Igla-S’ Shoulder-fired Air Defence Missiles In May 2025, the Indian Army (IA) has received fresh batch of the Russian-origin ‘Igla-S missiles’, are portable, shoulder-fired weapons, designed to neutralize low-flying threats such as helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and low-speed aircraft, especially in forward areas and mountainous terrain.

• These missiles have been procured as part of an Rs 260 crore contract signed by the Government of India (GoI) under the emergency procurement powers.
• Apart from these missiles, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), in coordination with IA has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to buy 48 launchers, 48 night vision sights, 85 missiles, and one missile test station for the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)- Next Generation (NG).

i.The Igla-S man-portable air defence systems were assembled in India by Ahmedabad(Gujarat) based Adani Defence Systems And Technologies Limited(ADSTL).
ii.Igla-S is an upgraded version of the Igla missiles which have been in use in Indian defence system  since 1990s. This new version of Igla missile offers better resistance to countermeasures and enhanced seeker accuracy.
iii.It is capable of engaging targets maximum 6 kilometer (km) away and at altitudes of maximum 3.5 km.
>> Read Full News

INCOIS Launched ‘Submarine Cable Project’ at Andaman & Nicobar IslandsIn May 2025, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has launched ‘Submarine Cable Project’ to improve long-term monitoring of the Indian Ocean.

• This project is backed by international scientific collaboration and is designed to enhance the understanding of oceanographic patterns, seismic movements, and tsunami risks in the region.

i.A 150-kilometre(km)-long submarine cable will be installed off the coast of Wandoor in the Andaman and Nicobar(A&N) Islands.
ii.The infrastructure will comprise two science nodes along the cable, equipped with oceanographic and geophysical sensors positioned at water depths ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 metres(m).
About Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS):
Director – Dr. Balakrishnan Nair T.M
Headquarteres – Hyderabad, Telangana
Established – 1999
>> Read Full News

MoE Approved to Establish IIFT’s New off Campus Centre at GIFT City, GujaratIn May 2025, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has approved the establishment of an off-campus centre of New Delhi (Delhi)-based Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City- International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-IFSC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

• The newly approved centre will be established in accordance with the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023.

i.The approval was granted by MoE under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, signify a major step in expanding India’s capacity for specialized education in international trade.
ii.This approval for new campus centre comes after IIFT successfully complied with the conditions outlined in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued in January 2025.
iii.Monarch Networth Capital IFSC Private Limited has received the Certificate of Registration (CoR) to operate as a Registered Fund Management Entity (FME)(Retail) from Gandhinagar (Gujarat)-based International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
About Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT):
It was established in 1963 under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), which is dedicated to capacity building in international trade.
Chancellor- Sunil Barthwal
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
About Ministry of Education (MoE):
Union Minister- Dharmendra Pradhan (Constituency- Sambalpur, Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jayant Chaudhary (Rajya Sabha- Uttar Pradesh, UP); Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (Constituency- Balurghat, West Bengal, WB)
>> Read Full News

India AI mission partners with Intel India to bolster AI capabilities and skilling
In May 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Intel Technology India Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India AI, National Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to advance AI capabilities and skill development across the country.

• The MoU aims to empower young individuals, professionals, startups, and public sector leaders with AI competencies, to develop and apply AI skills for social impact and good governance.

Key Initiatives of the Partnership:
The collaboration focuses on four key programmes:
i.YuvaAI, aims to equip school students with AI knowledge through the ‘Intel AI for Youth’ program, while higher education students will be trained for employability through the ‘Intel AI for Future Workforce’ initiative.
ii.StartupAI, will provide technical, business and market access mentorship to early-stage companies through individual and group workshops hosted by the ‘Intel Startup’ Program.
iii.IndiaAI Dialogues and ‘Intel Digital Readiness for Leaders Programme’ initiative will offer workshops and immersive sessions to enhance AI policy understanding among public sector leaders.
iv.Bhashini, the government’s language translation platform, will be integrated into AI-powered Personal Computers (PCs) in classrooms. This will improve the learning outcomes.

AP Signs MoU with CLA to Establish India’s First Transmedia Entertainment City
In May 2025, the Government of Andhra Pradesh(AP)signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mumbai (Maharashtra) based CreativeLand Asia(CLA) Limited to conceptualize and operationalize ‘Creatorland’, India’s first Transmedia Entertainment City, in Amaravati, AP.

• The announcement was made during the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit 2025 (WAVES 2025) held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Key Features of  Creatorland:
i.Investment: The project is expected to attract investments ranging from Rs 8,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore over the next 5–6 years.
ii.Infrastructure: Creatorland will encompass immersive theme parks, advanced gaming zones, esports arenas, and global cinema co-production zones. A significant component will be the Virtual Studio Complex, equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based real-time rendering and volumetric capture technologies.
iii. Skill Development: The establishment of Creatorland Academy aims to train over 10,000 youth annually in areas such as Visual Effects (VFX), AI, gaming, and immersive storytelling.

• The initiative is projected to generate over 1.5 lakh employment opportunities across entertainment, technology, and tourism sectors.

Chhattisgarh CM Lays Foundation for India’s First AI-Based Data Centre Park in Nava Raipur
In May 2025, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister(CM) Vishnu Deo Sai laid the foundation stone for India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Data Centre Park in Sector-22 of Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

• The project is set to be developed and operated by Indore (Madhya Pradesh) based RackBank Datacenters Private Limited.

i.The Data Centre Park will span 13.5 acres (approximately 5.5 hectares), with 2.7 hectares designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated exclusively to AI-based services.
ii.The first phase will commence with a capacity of 5 MegaWatts (MW), with plans to expand up to 150 MW. An additional investment of approximately Rs 2,000 crore is anticipated as the project scales.
iii. The facility will house Graphics Processing Unit(GPU) based high-end computing infrastructure, live data streaming, Artificial Intelligence (AI) processing, and data analytics services. It aims to provide advanced services in fields such as AI, HealthTech, Defence, FinTech, and data analytics.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

INS Sharda Participates Inaugural India-Maldives HADR Exercise in Maldives In May 2025, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll in Maldives to participate in the inaugural Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise scheduled from May 4-10, 2025.

• This joint exercise highlights the strengthening defence and maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives and aligns with India’s regional maritime vision “MAHASAGAR” (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

Objectives of the Exercise:
The HADR exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

• It will focus on:Disaster Response Coordination, Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations, Medical Assistance, Logistical Support, Joint Drills, Training Sessions and Community Engagement during simulated natural disaster scenarios

About MAHASAGAR initiative:
The MAHASAGAR initiative, unveiled by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi in March 2025 during his visit to Mauritius, stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

• This strategic vision builds upon the 2015 SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, expanding its scope to foster deeper cooperation among Global South nations across various domains.

India-Maldives Defence Cooperation:
i.India is the primary training partner of MNDF, having trained over 1,500 personnel in the last decade.
ii.India has also conducted over 630 medical evacuations (MEDEVACs), Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, and air surveillance missions since 2019, and supports MNDF with infrastructure like the Composite Training Centre, Coastal Radar System, and “Ekatha” harbor (2023).
About Maldives:
President – Mohamed Muizzu
Capital – Malé
Currency – Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)

Nicaragua Withdraws from UNESCO over a Press Freedom Award 2025In May 2025, the Nicaraguan government withdrew from Paris (France)-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the United Agency (UN) agency, that promotes education, science and culture and also works for the preservation of exceptional cultural and natural heritage worldwide.

• This withdrawal is a reaction to the United Nations (UN) agency announcement of Nicaragua’s exiled La Prensa newspaper as winner of the 2025 UNESCO/ Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day(May 3).
• Also, this departure of Nicaragua is a major blow for the organisation that is in the crosschairs of the United States of America (USA) President Donald Trump.

Points to Note: 
i.Nicaragua joined the UNESCO in 1952 and was one of its 194 member states.
ii.As per UNESCO’s constitution, Nicaragua will officially terminate its 74-year old membership on December 31, 2026.
About La Prensa:
i.La Prensa or officially known as La Prensa- El Diario de los Nicaraguenses (The Nicaraguan People’s Journal) was founded in 1926, based in the country’s capital Managua.
ii.Since 2021, following the imprisonment and expulsion of its leaders from the country as well as confiscation of its assets, La Prensa has continued to work online, with most of its team in exile and operating from Costa Rica, Spain, Mexico, Germany and the USA.
About UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize:
The award was instituted in 1997, recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to defending and promoting press freedom, particularly under dangerous or challenging circumstances.

• The prize is named in honour of Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in 1986 due to his fearless journalism and outspoken criticism of drug cartels.

About Nicaragua:
President- José Daniel Ortega Saavedra
Capital- Managua
Currency- Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)

BANKING & FINANCE

Goldsikka Unveils India’s first AI-powered Gold Melting ATM
In May 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana) based Goldsikka Limited announced the launch of its revolutionary innovation, India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered gold melting Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

• The state-of-the-art ATM machine offers the ability to buy, sell, exchange, lease, digitize, and monetize gold and gold jewellery.

About the AI-powered Gold Melting ATM:
i.The machine offers an integrated Augmented Reality (AR) experience, which allows users to virtually try on Jewellery before making a purchase.
ii.Through the ATM, with zero human interference, a customer can purchase gold through credit or debit card and sell gold.
iii.In the process of selling gold, when the customer deposits gold in the machine, it will be melted. The purity and the value of pure gold will be displayed on the machine. Once the customer accepts the value displayed, the amount will be transferred to the customer’s bank account.
iv.The process of depositing and selling gold can take about 30 minutes, when the machine takes the photograph of the depositor verifies Aadhar card and ID proof.
v.If any crime record is found involved in the transaction, the ATM machine will hold back the gold and automatically report to the police.
Note: In 2022, Goldsikka launched India’s first real time Gold ATM.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Moody’s cuts India’s GDP forecast to 6.3% in 2025In May 2025, New York, United States of America(USA) based Moody’s Ratings, formerly Moody’s Investors Service, released its Global Macro Outlook 2025-26 (May update). It revised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for 2025 downward to 6.3%, from the earlier estimate of 6.5%.

• This adjustment reflects concerns over global economic uncertainties, including heightened USA policy unpredictability, trade restrictions, and escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan .
• It has retained its GDP growth projection for 2026 at 6.5%, following an estimated expansion of 6.7% in 2024.

Key Highlights:
i.In its May 2025 update of the Global Macro Outlook 2025–26, Moody’s Ratings revised the global GDP growth forecast downward to 1.9% for 2025 and 2.3% for 2026, citing heightened policy uncertainty, escalating trade tensions, and geopolitical risks as primary factors influencing the slowdown.
ii.Despite some easing of tariffs, ongoing policy uncertainty and trade frictions, particularly between the USA and China are expected to affect global trade and investment, impacting G-20 economies.
iii.Additional risk factors include ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, heightened South China Sea tensions and instability in financial markets.
iv.Moody’s indicates these factors could restrict liquidity availability and increase capital expenses,potentially destabilising economic conditions further.
v.The rating agency anticipates that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will implement additional reductions to benchmark policy rates in 2025 to bolster domestic economic growth.
About Moody’s Ratings:
President– Michael West
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1909

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Togo Elected Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové as its First President Under New Parliamentary SystemIn May 2025, the Parliament of Togo (Togolese Republic), a West African country, elected Jean-Lucien Kwassi Lanyo Savi de Tové as the first President under Togo’s new parliamentary system for a four-year term. He was elected unanimously by 150 members present in the bicameral Parliament (National Assembly and Senate), which comprises 174 seats.

• This follows a major constitutional reform in May 2024 that transitioned Togo from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary form of governance.
• He succeeded  Faure Gnassingbé who was sworn in as the President of Togo’s Council of Ministers, the most powerful role under the new framework.

About Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové :
i.Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové’s political journey began in 1967 when he was appointed Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a military coup.
ii.After the legalization of multiparty politics in Togo, Savi de Tové founded the Party of Democrats for Unity (PDU), which later merged into the Pan-African Patriotic Convergence (CPP) in 1999, where he served as first vice-president .
iii.From 2005 to 2007, he served as Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts under Prime Ministers Edem Kodjo and Yawovi Agboyibo.
iv.In 2009, he was appointed president of the Permanent Framework for Dialogue and Consultation (CPDC).
About the New Parliamentary System:
i.Togo’s constitutional amendment was passed in April 2024 and came into effect in May 2024, marking a shift from a semi-presidential system in place since independence.
ii.The President of the Republic of Togo is elected by the Parliament for a ceremonial four-year term, renewable once.
iii.The Chairman of the Council of Ministers is now the head of government with executive authority over domestic and international affairs.

• The chairman is selected from the majority party or coalition in Parliament and holds office for a six-year term.

iv.A 12-month transition period was provided, during which the outgoing president retained executive powers.
About Togo (Togolese Republic):
President – Jean-Lucien Kwassi Lanyo Savi de Tové
Capital – Lomé
Currency –West African CFA franc (XOF)

GoI Terminates K.V. Subramanian as IMF ED (India);Appoints Parameswaran Iyer as Interim EDThe Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, terminated Krishnamurthy Venkata (K.V.) Subramanian as Executive Director (ED) for India at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 30 April 2025.

• His three-year tenure, which began in November 2022, was ended six months early, without any official reason given. He represented India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan at IMF.
• Parameswaran Iyer, the current ED for India at the World Bank (WB) has been appointed as the interim ED to represent India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka at the IMF.

About K.V. Subramanian:
i.K.V. Subramanian served as the 17th Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Government of India (GoI) from 2018 to 2021, becoming the youngest person to ever hold this role.
ii.He also served on expert committees of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
iii.He served as a member of the Board of Directors at Bandhan Bank Limited, the National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM), Pune (Maharashtra), and RBI Academy.
About Interim ED appointment:
i.This leadership change occurs just days before a critical IMF Board meeting scheduled for May 9, 2025 to review:

• A USD 1.3 billion climate resilience loan for Pakistan
• The first assessment of Pakistan’s ongoing USD 7 billion bailout package.

About International Monetary Fund (IMF):
Managing Director (MD) – Kristalina Georgieva
Headquarters – Washington DC, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 1944
Member nations – 191

FSIB Recommends Sanjay Joshi as CMD of OICL
In May 2025, the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), under the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance(MoF), recommended Sanjay Joshi, a 1989-batch officer, for the role of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) at New Delhi (Delhi)-based Oriental Insurance Company Limited (OICL).

• This recommendation follows the retirement of R.R. Singh in February 2025. Subsequently, Amit Misra, Executive Director (ED) of OICL, was appointed as the acting CMD for a three-month term starting March 1, 2025.
• Sanjay Joshi appointment awaits approval from the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. If approved, he will serve until 31 August 2027, when he turns 60.

i.Sanjay Joshi, the current General Manager (GM) at Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based United India Insurance Company Limited (UIICL).
ii.With over three decades of experience in the general insurance sector, he has served in various capacities, including Branch and Divisional Head across multiple regional offices, and has been part of the Large Corporate Cell (LCC) in Delhi.
iii.At UIICL’s Head Office, he held positions such as Deputy General Manager(GM) and Chief Grievance Officer(CGO), contributing to product development and regulatory compliance.

SPORTS

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri Secures 3rd Consecutive Victory at 2025 Miami Grand PrixOn May 4, 2025, Oscar Piastri, an Australian Formula One (F1) driver representing the United Kingdom (UK)-based McLaren clinched his fourth win of the 2025 F1 season at the Miami Grand Prix (GP), held at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, the United States of America (USA).

• This victory marked Oscar Piastri’s third consecutive win, following triumphs in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
• This victory marked Piastri’s sixth career win and the first time a McLaren driver has achieved three consecutive wins since Mika Häkkinen in 1997-1998.

Key Highlights:
i.Starting from fourth position, Oscar Piastri overtook pole-sitter Max Verstappen on lap 15 to seize the lead. He maintained his position to finish first, 4.630 seconds ahead of teammate Lando Norris.
ii.Despite an early setback that pushed Lando Norris down to sixth position, he made a strong recovery and secured second place, ensuring a 1-2 finish for McLaren.
iii.George Russell, Mercedes driver secured third place, overtaking Verstappen during a pit stop exchange on lap 27.
iv.Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver, who started from pole position, finished fourth after being overtaken by both McLaren drivers and Russell.
Top 3 Positions in F1 Miami Grand Prix 2025:

About Miami Grand Prix:
i.The Miami Grand Prix is a F1 race that debuted during the 2022 F1 season, held at the Miami International Autodrome, a circuit constructed around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA.

• The circuit, designed by Apex Circuit Design, features a 5.412 kilometers (km) (3.363 miles) track with 19 corners and three Drag Reduction System (DRS) zones, offering high-speed straights and challenging turns.

Note: The next race in the 2025 F1 season is the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, which will take place at Imola, Italy from 16 to 18 May 2025.

OBITUARY

Padma Shri Awardee K V Rabiya Passed AwayIn May 2025, Kerala’s pioneering literacy advocate and Padma Shri Awardee Kariveppil Rabiya passed away at Tirurangadi in Kerala.

• She was celebrated for her unwavering commitment to adult literacy and women’s empowerment, despite facing significant health challenges throughout her life.

About K V Rabiya:
i.Kariveppil Rabiya, born on 25 February 1966 was a differently abled social worker Malappuram, Kerala.
ii.At the young age of 17, while in her first year at college, her legs were crippled by polio.
iii.In June 1990, Rabiya, a prominent figure in Kerala’s literacy movement, launched an adult literacy campaign in Tirurangadi in Malapuram, Kerala.
iv.In 1994, she founded Chalanam, an organization that drove social transformation for thousands of people in her native Vellilakad village and beyond.
v.Rabiya was celebrated as Kerala’s Aksharaputri (daughter of letters) for her pivotal role in the State’s total literacy movement.
vi.Played a key role in making Malappuram India’s first e-literate district through the Akshaya project
Awards and Honours:
i.She was honoured with the National Youth Award (1993) from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD), marking her first national recognition.
ii.She also received Kannagi Sthree Shakti Award (1999), United Nations Development (UNDP) Award (2000) and Joseph Mundaserry Award (2010).
iii. In 2022 Padma Shri , India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for her exceptional contribution to social work and education.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of the Midwife 2025 – May 5The International Day of the Midwife (IDM) is an annual global observance held on 5 May to honor the vital contributions of midwives in ensuring maternal and newborn health.

• The IDM celebration was led by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).
• The theme of IDM 2025 is : “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis”. 

Background:
i.The International Day of the Midwife (IDM) was proposed at the 1987 ICM conference in the Netherlands.
ii.First IDM was celebrated on 5 May 1991.
About International Confederation of Midwives (ICM):
The International Midwives’ Union (IMU), the forerunner of the ICM was founded in 1922 in Belgium. In 1954, the IMU changed its name to the ICM with its head office in London, United Kingdom (UK).
President- Sandra Oyarzo Torres
Headquarters– The Hague, The Netherlands(since 1999)
>> Read Full News

World Hand Hygiene Day 2025 – May 5World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD) is a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated annually on May 5 to raise awareness about the importance of understanding and practicing proper hand hygiene at the right moments to help prevent a wide range of infectious diseases.

• The theme for WHHD 2025 is “It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene”

Background:
i.The WHHD aligns with the’ SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands’ campaign, which aims to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by promoting evidence-based hand hygiene practices globally.
ii.This campaign originated from the WHO First Global Patient Safety Challenge: Clean Care is Safer Care in 2009.

• The 2025 campaign marks the 17th anniversary of this global initiative, reinforcing nearly two decades of efforts to improve hand hygiene standards in healthcare settings worldwide.

>> Read Full News

African World Heritage Day 2025 – May 5African World Heritage Day (AWHD) is annually observed across the globe on 5 May to promote awareness about Africa’s unique cultural and natural heritage and to advocate for its protection, preservation, and transmission to future generations.

• 5th May 2025 marks the 10th observance of African World Heritage Day

Background:
i.African World Heritage Day was officially proclaimed on 19th November 2015 during the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO.
ii.The first ever AWHD was observed on 5th May 2016.
iii.As of 2025, UNESCO has listed 147 World Heritage Sites in Africa. However, nearly 39% of these are listed as ‘in danger’, mainly due to conflicts, climate change, and lack of funding.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General (DG) – Audrey Azoulay
Established – 1945
Headquarters – Paris, France
>> Read Full News

World Cartoonist Day 2025 – May 5World Cartoonist Day is observed globally on May 5 to honor the contributions of cartoonists in shaping societal perspectives through art, humor, and social commentary.

• This day celebrates the legacy of iconic cartoonists and their role in entertainment and commentary for over a century.

Background:
i.The day traces its roots to 5th May 1895, when Richard Felton Outcault’s comic strip Hogan’s Alley (later The Yellow Kid) debuted in the New York World newspaper. This marked the first commercially successful cartoon in history.
ii.In 1946, the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) was established in Winter Park, Florida, the United States of America (USA) by cartoonists like Gus Edson and Clarence D. Russell, who entertained soldiers during World War II (1939–1945).
iii.The National Cartoonists Day, initiated in 1999 by co-chairpersons Polly Keener and Ken Alvine, was inspired by Richard Outcault’s full-colour cartoon Hogan’s Alley.
Iconic Cartoon Characters:
Some globally recognised cartoon characters include:

• Mickey Mouse: A symbol of Walt Disney’s legacy.
• Tom and Jerry: A classic American series.
• Bugs Bunny: A Warner Brothers creation for Looney Tunes.
• SpongeBob SquarePants: A popular animated character.

Contributions of Indian Cartoonists
i.R.K. Laxman:

• Created ‘The Common Man’ and comic strip ‘You Said It’.
• Honored with Padma Bhushan (1973) and Padma Vibhushan (2005), both in the field of Arts.

ii.Keshav Shankar Pillai (Shankar):

• Pioneered political cartoons in India, contributing to publications like Shankar’s Weekly.

iii.Mario Miranda:

• Known for illustrations in The Times of India and The Illustrated Weekly of India.
• Awarded Padma Shri (1988) in the field of Literature and Education and Padma Bhushan(2002) in the field of Arts.

iv.Pran Kumar Sharma:

• Created Chacha Chaudhary, one of India’s most iconic comic characters.

Technological Evolution in Cartooning:
i.Shift from 2 Dimension(D) to 3D:Early cartoons relied on hand-drawn frames. Today, software like Adobe Animate and Blender enable advanced 3D animations.
ii.Impact: Enhanced visual storytelling in films (e.g., Pikachu in Pokémon) and improved accessibility via digital platforms.
About National Cartoonists Society (NCS):
President –  Karen Evans
Headquarters – Florida, the United States of America(USA)
Founded – 1946

STATE NEWS

Meghalaya Hosts Strawberry Festival 2025 to Promote Agro-Tourism and Rural Livelihoods
The Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with Shilong (Meghalaya) based Meghalayan Age Limited (MAL); the Departments of Tourism and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Meghalaya hosted the 2-day Strawberry Festival 2025 from May 2-3, 2025.

• The festival was celebrated across three key locations in Meghalaya: Sohliya in Ri-Bhoi district, Syntung in East Khasi Hills, and Darechikgre in West Garo Hills.
• The event was inaugurated by Vibhor Agarwal (Indian Administrative Service, IAS), the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of West Garo Hills.

i.The festival aimed to promote agro-tourism, support rural livelihoods, and showcase Meghalaya’s growing strawberry cultivation, which saw a production of 1,220 metric tonnes(MT) in 2024, compared to 1,196 MT in 2023.
ii.Visitors to the festival can engage in strawberry picking, explore picturesque strawberry fields, and take part in diverse activities such as workshops on winemaking and local cuisine, trekking, strawberry-based baking sessions, local strawberry wine tasting, and culinary tasting experiences.

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