Current Affairs 19 June 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates India’s Largest Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal at ManesarOn June 17, 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), and Ministry of Electronics & Information (MeitY), inaugurated India’s largest Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s Manesar  plant in Haryana.

• The event was attended by Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana; Rao Narbir Singh, Minister of Industry, Government of Haryana; Mukesh Sharma local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), and Hisashi Takeuchi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Managing Director (MD) of Maruti Suzuki India Limited.

Key points:
i.During the event, Union Minister  Ashwini Vaishnaw  announced the introduction of 100 new Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains and 50 Namo Bharat passenger trains to enhance regional rail connectivity and passenger services.
ii.He also confirmed that Haryana’s rail network has been fully electrified and unveiled plans to modernise the railway factory located in Sonipat.
Specifications of Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal:
i.Capacity: It can load up to 4.5 lakh automobiles annually, making it one of India’s highest-capacity automobile rail hubs.
ii.Infrastructure:

• 10 kilometers (km) dedicated rail link connecting Manesar facility to Patli railway station in Haryana..
• Part of the 121.7-km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, developed by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC).

iii.Investment: The terminal is built under the Prime Minister (PM) Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a total investment of Rs. 800 crore, comprising Rs. 684 crore by the HRIDC and Rs. 116 crore by Maruti Suzuki India.
iv.Environmental Benefit: Will reduce 175,000 tonnes(t) of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and save 60 million litres of fuel annually at full capacity.
Railway Transformation & Passenger-Centric Reforms:
i.The annual railway budget rose from Rs. 24,000–25,000 crore (pre-2014) to Rs. 2.5 lakh crore (2025).
ii.In Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24), Indian Railways(IR) carried approximately 720 crore passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight (World’s second-largest freight volume).
iv.Effective 1 July 2025, a new reform in Tatkal ticket booking will allow only Aadhaar-authenticated and Know Your Customer (KYC)-verified users to book tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window.

Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav Presided over 1st Assembly of IBCA in New DelhiIn June 2025, Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) presided over the 1st Assembly of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) held in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The Assembly, apex body of the IBCA, was attended by Ministerial delegation from 9 countries: Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, and Kazakhstan.

i.Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav was unanimously elected as the President of the IBCA by the Assembly, while, S.P. Yadav was elected as the Director General (DG) of the IBCA.
ii.The Assembly endorsed key documents, including the proceedings of the 1st International Steering Committee meeting of IBCA, which was held in April 2024; approved the Workplan, Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and the manual of Staff and financial regulations of the IBCA.
About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC):
Union Minister- Bhupendra Yadav (Constituency- Alwar, Rajasthan)
Minister of State (MoS)- Kirtivardhan Singh (Constituency- Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>>Read Full News

Union Minister Amit Shah Launches ICR-ER, NDEM Lite 2.0, Flood Hazard Zonation Atlas in AssamIn June 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), launched the Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR-ER), National Database for Emergency Management Lite 2.0 (NDEM Lite 2.0) and Flood Hazard Zonation Atlas of Assam to enhance real-time response, coordination, and flood mitigation efforts across India.

• The platforms were launched at the two-day Annual Conference of Relief Commissioners, Secretaries of Disaster Management, and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) held in Guwahati, Assam.

Key Platforms Launched:
i.The ICR-ER will prompt real-time response to disasters across India by streamlining satellite data to rescue agencies. It enables instantaneous situational awareness and coordinated response.
ii.The NDEM Lite 2.0 is a centralized digital system that facilitates coordination among disaster response forces, especially in remote areas.
iii.The atlas of Assam will guide flood control authorities to realise the goal of flood mitigation by providing real-time data related to floods, their impact, and water levels in rivers.
About Assam:
Chief Minister (CM) – Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor –Lakshman Prasad Acharya
Capital – Dispur, Guwahati
National Park (NP) – Nameri NP, Raimona NP
>>Read Full News

First India–US Special Forces Exercise ‘Tiger Claw 2025’ Held in UPThe inaugural edition of the joint special forces exercise “Tiger Claw” between the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Garud Commandos and the United States Air Force (USAF) concluded successfully at the Garud Regimental Training Centre(GRTC) at Chandinagar, Baghpat district,in Uttar Pradesh(UP).

• Tiger Claw 2025 was conducted at various locations across North India from 26 May to 10 June 2025.
• During the joint exercise, the two forces engaged in mutual exchange of best practices in Special Operations, expanding partnership, and joint training between IAF and USAF to develop interoperability.

About Exercise Tiger Claw:
i.In the name “Tiger Claw”, ‘tiger’, the national animal of India symbolizes strength, agility and courage, and a ‘Claw’ is sharp, decisive and lethal, indicating the nature of Special Forces Operations which are focused, swift, and tactical.
ii.Several institutional exchange and training programmes between the armed forces of the two countries were conducted at various levels.
iv.The key drills, include Airfield seizure, hostage rescue, combat free-fall insertions, and precision strikes.
Note: The IAF and USAF conduct several other Air Force Exercises, including the bilateral Cope India, and participate in other multinational drills such as Tarang Shakti and Red Flag.
About Garud Commandos Force:
i.The Garud Commando Force was formed in February 2004, serves as the elite special operations unit of the IAF and is named after the mythological bird ‘Garuda’.
ii.Garud commandos are directly recruited and undergo one of the longest and toughest training regimens, lasting up to three years.

• This includes a 72-week basic course, followed by intensive training in airborne operations, demolition, jungle and snow survival, diving, and advanced combat.

About Indian Air Force (IAF):
Chief of the Air Staff(CAS) – Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1932

MoA&FW to Launch CROPIC: AI-Powered Scheme for Crop MonitoringIn June 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) plans to launch CROPIC (Collection of Real Time Observations & Photo of Crops), a study to gather crop information using field photographs and Artificial Intelligence(AI) based models.

• The project is initially planned as a pilot study for the Kharif 2025 and Rabi 2025-26 seasons, with a nationwide rollout expected from 2026.

About CROPIC:
i.CROPIC is an initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) with a dual purpose of monitoring crop health and stress and automation of crop loss assessment and payment of claims to affected farmers using computer vision technology and photo-analytic models.
ii.Initially, it will be rolled out in at least 50 districts per season.
iii.The Fund for Innovation And Technology (FIAT) under PMFBY will be used for funding CROPIC.
>>Read Full News

GOI Approved Third Electronic Cluster for Tamil Nadu
In June 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B) and Ministry of Railways (MoR) announced the Central Government’s approval for a third Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) in Tamil Nadu(TN) via a virtual address at an event hosted by Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Madras in Chennai, TN.
i.The Government of India(GOI) has been promoting electronic manufacturing in TN, with projects on mobile phones, laptops and servers.
ii.In March 2025, two EMCs worth Rs. 1,112 crores were approved for TN.

• These facilities are expected to produce components for consumer durables and Information Technology (IT) hardware, catering to both domestic and international markets.

iii.The first two clusters in Pillaipakkam, Kanchipuram, and in Manalur, Thiruvallur, were approved under the Electronics Manufacturing Components (EMC) 2.0 scheme.
iv.Vaishnaw also highlighted TN emergence as a railway manufacturing hub, producing high-strength wheels for locomotives and Vande Bharat trains at a facility near Chennai, backed by Indian Railways(IR).
Note: Tamil Nadu has achieved USD 14.65 billion in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) as the highest electronics exporter in India.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNCO3) Held From June 09 to 13, 2025 in Nice, France – Part-IIIn June 2025, 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNCO3) concluded in Nice, France. The 5-day conference brought 15,000 participants, including over 60 Heads of State and Government.

• The conference culminated in the adoption of the “Nice Ocean Action Plan”, featuring a high-level political declaration titled “Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action”, reaffirming global commitment to protecting marine ecosystems and accelerating actions under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)14 (Life Below Water).

i.Union Minister of State (MoS) (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), representing India at the conference, urged all countries for global ocean pact and also unveiled significant strides made by India in deep-sea exploration, marine plastic clean-up, and sustainable fisheries.

• He Launched the ‘SAHAV’ portal, a digital platform for ocean data access, developed to enhance ocean-related decision-making.

ii.The Coalition of Emerging Ocean Leaders (CEOL), a global alliance of youth and Early-Career Professionals (ECOPs) working across science, policy, innovation and civil society, was officially launched at UNCO3.
iii.At UNCO3, Ursula Von der Leyen, President of Brussels (Belgium) based European Commission (EC) announced the 1st-ever European Ocean Pact and an investment of EUR 1 billion to support ocean conservation, marine science and sustainable fishing practices.
iv.Moetai Brotherson, President of French Polynesia, announced the establishment of the world’s largest Marine Protected Area (MPA), encompassing the territory’s entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering nearly 5 million square kilometers (over 1.9 million square miles).
>>Read Full News

EIU Global Liveability Index 2025: Denmark’s Copenhagen Most Liveable City, Syria’s Damascus Least Liveable CityOn 17 June 2025, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released the Global Liveability Index 2025, ranking Copenhagen (Denmark) as the most liveable city in the world, ending the three-year reign of Vienna (Austria).

• Austria’s Viennadropped to 2nd position, while Switzerland’s Zurich retained its 3rd position in the 2025 list.
• Damascus (Syria) remains the least liveable city in the world.

Note: No Indian city is ranked on the 2025 list of the top 10 liveable cities in the world.
About EIU’s Global Liveability Index:
i.The EIU Index ranks 173 cities across the world by assessing which location offers the best and worst living conditions.
ii.The annual index ranks cities based on 30 qualitative and quantitative indicators, which are broadly classified into 5 categories:

• Stability: Evaluating crime rates, terrorism, and policies
• Healthcare: Access to health systems, hospitals, and medications
• Culture and environment: Air quality, cultural activities, etc.
• Education: Quality and access to education
• Infrastructure: Transport systems, housing, utilities, telecommunications

iii.The average liveability score across the 173 cities in the index was the same as last year, at 76.1 out of 100.
>>Read Full News

UNGA Establishes International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures, Elects UNCITRAL MembersOn 16 June 2025, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/79/L.93 during its 79th plenary meeting held in New York, United States of America (USA), proclaiming 4 December of each year as the International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures, starting from 2025.

• The day raises global awareness about the adverse effects of unilateral economic, financial, or trade restrictions enforced outside the framework of international law and the UN Charter.
• The resolution was passed by a recorded vote of 116 in favor, 51 against, and 6 abstentions (Bahamas, Kazakhstan, Panama, Paraguay, Türkiye, and United Arab Emirates (UAE)).Venezuela, on behalf of the 16-member Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, proposed the resolution.

Note: “Coercive” means using force or threats to make someone do something against their will.
Key Provisions of the Resolution:
i.Call to Action: Urges states to refrain from imposing measures that impede economic and social development, especially in developing countries.
ii.Commemoration: The UN Secretary-General will organize awareness campaigns, and an annual informal plenary meeting will be held at UN Headquarters in New York (USA) starting December 4, 2025.
iii.Global Participation: Invites UN Member States, civil society, and international organisations, including the African Group and the Group of 77 (G77) and China, to observe the day.
UNGA Elects Ukraine & Netherlands to UNCITRAL:
On 16 June 2025, the UNGA elected Ukraine, representing the Eastern European Group, and the Netherlands as new members of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

• They were elected for a six-year term, commencing on 7 July 2025 and ending before the 64th UNCITRAL session in 2031.
• The elections occurred via restricted ballot, and for the Netherlands, a secret ballot was bypassed due to the mismatch between candidates and available seats.

About United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL):
UNCITRAL is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), mandated to facilitate international trade and investment by promoting the harmonisation and unification of global trade laws.
Director General (DG) – Anna Joubin-Bret
Headquarters – Vienna, Austria
Established – 1966

Pakistan Appointed Chair of the 1988 TSC & Vice-Chair of 1373 CTCIn June 2025, Pakistan has been appointed as Chair of the 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee (TSC); Vice-Chair of 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) as part of its 2025-26 term as non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• Apart from it, Pakistan has been appointed co-chair of the Informal Working Groups on Documentation and on the General UNSC Sanctions Issues.

i.Asim Aftikhar Ahmad (Pakistan) has been appointed as chair of TSC for the period ending on December 31, 2025.

• While, Russia and Guyana have been appointed as two Vice-Chairs of TSC for 2025.

ii.Algeria has been appointed as Chair of 1373 CTC, while France, Pakistan and Russia have been appointed as its Vice-Chairs.
iii.As per the list of chairs of the subsidiary bodies of the UNSC, Denmark has been appointed as Chair of 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UNSC; while Russia and Sierra Leone have appointed as its Vice-Chairs.
About United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
President – Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett from Guyana (As of June 2025)
Headquarters- New York City, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 1945
>>Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Anuradha Thakur Appointed as First Woman Secretary of DEAIn June 2025, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced the appointment of Anuradha Thakur as the first woman Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), effective from 1 July 2025. She will succeed Ajay Seth, who retires on 30 June 2025.

• Currently serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the DEA, she will be responsible for shaping India’s economic policies, preparing the national budget, and collaborating with global financial institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• The appointment was formalized through notification S.O. 2700(E) issued under the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992.

Board Memberships:
1.SEBI:
i.Anuradha Thakur will serve as an ex-officio part-time member on the SEBI Board from 1 July 2025, representing the DEA.
ii.SEBI Board Composition: 

• Chairperson: Tuhin Kanta Pandey
• Three full-time members: Ananth Narayan G, Amarjeet Singh, and Kamlesh Chandra Varshney
• Three part-time ex-officio members:RBI Deputy Governor – Rajeshwar Rao; Department of Economic Affairs Secretary – Ajay Seth (to be replaced by Anuradha Thakur); Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MoCA) Secretary – Deepti Gaur Mukerjee

2.RBI Central Board:
i.She is also expected to be inducted as an ex-officio member of the Central Board of the RBI, replacing Ajay Seth.
ii.She will join Nagaraju Maddirala, Financial Services Secretary, as the second government nominee on the board.
iii.Two ex-officio members from the GoI

• Economic Affairs Secretary – Ajay Seth (to be replaced by Anuradha Thakur)
• Financial Services Secretary – Nagaraju Maddirala

About Anuradha Thakur:
i.Anuradha Thakur is a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Himachal Pradesh (HP) cadre.
ii.She served as Additional Secretary in MCA, where she managed the Prime Minister(PM)’s Internship Programme and initiatives under the Companies Act, 2013.
iii.She was the Director of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).
iv.At the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), MoF, she led Air India disinvestment; launched HARAT Bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF); formalized National Monetisation Pipeline.
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
Chairman – Tuhin Kanta Pandey
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established – 1992

Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador for Esports World Cup 2025
In June 2025, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) based Esports World Cup Foundation has announced Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Riyadh-based Al Nassr, a football club, as the Global Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, to be held in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, 2025.

• Through this partnership, the organization aims to unlock its reach beyond traditional sports audiences and bridge the gap between sports and competitive gaming.

Key Points:
i.As a global ambassador, Ronaldo will lead EWC’s international campaign and participate in key activities throughout the seven-week event at Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ii.He will also appear as playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of 25 major tournaments in featured in EWC 2025.
Note: EWC is an annual international esports tournament series run by the Esports World Cup Foundation, a Non-Profit Organization.

• It features a multi-game, multi-platform format, offering clubs and players the opportunity to showcase their skills across diverse competitions.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI Approvals on June 17, 2025On June 17, 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following proposals:
i.Approved the acquisition of at least 99.44% of the equity and preference shareholding (on a fully diluted basis) of Gurugram (Haryana) based Ecom Express Limited (Ecom), valued at Rs.1,407 Crores, by Gurugram based Delhivery Limited (Delhivery). The entire transaction of the acquisition involves cash.

• This move represents a major consolidation in India’s e-commerce logistics sector and is aimed at enhancing Delhivery’s last-mile delivery and fulfillment capabilities.

ii.Approved Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Mahindra & Mahindra(M&M)’s acquisition of a 58.96% stake in Nawanshahr(Punjab) based SML Isuzu Limited(SMLI), formerly known as Swaraj Mazda Limited, for Rs.555 crore. The CCI granted its approval under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
iii.The acquisition will be completed through two separate transactions.

• M&M purchased the entire 43.96% stake from Promoter, New Delhi (Delhi) based Sumitomo Corporation India Private Limited.
• It also purchased 15% stake held by public shareholder, Isuzu motors.

About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Chairperson – Ravneet Kaur
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 2003
>>Read Full News

ENVIRONMENT

New Species of Jumping Spider ‘Spartaeus karigiri’ Discovered in Southern IndiaIn June 2025, the researchers from Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN) discovered a new species of jumping spider named ‘Spartaeus karigiri’, belonging to the Spartaeinae subfamily of the Salticidae (jumping spider) family, in the rocky terrain of Karigiri (Elephant Hill), Devarayanadurga, Karnataka.

• Spartaeus karigiri, named after its discovery site in Karigiri, Karnataka.

i.This is the first time the genera Spartaeus and Sonoita, previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa, have been recorded in India.
ii.Also, Nishant Chauhan, a committee member of the Satpura Biodiversity Conservation Society (SBCS), discovered a new flowering plant species, Portulaca bharat, belonging to the genus Portulaca (subgenus Portulaca, section Neossia), in the rocky, semi-arid slopes of the Aravali hills near Galtaji temple, Jaipur, Rajasthan, adding to India’s list of endemic flora.
iii.The genus Portulaca comprises around 153 species globally, of which 11 are reported from India, including 4 that are endemic.
About Zoological Survey of India (ZSI):
Director- Dhriti Banerjee
Headquarters- Kolkata, West Bengal(WB)
Established – 1916
>>Read Full News

SPORTS

U Mumba Clinches Their Maiden Ultimate Table Tennis Title
In June 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based franchise, U Mumba Table Tennis (TT) , clinched their first maiden Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) title with a dominant win 8-4 win against the Jaipur Patriots in the 6th UTT final at EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

• This tournament was held from May 31 to June 15, 2025, featuring 8 teams across India.

i.Akash Pal was named Indian Player of the Final, Bernadette Szocs received Foreign Player of the Final honours  and Jeet Chandra was awarded the “Shot of the Final”
ii.Harmeet Desai (Dempo Goa Challengers) and Bernadette Szocs were awarded Male and Female Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of UTT Season 6, respectively
iii.The champion U Mumba earned Rs 60 lakh, while Jaipur Patriots received Rs 40 lakh, and semifinalists Dabang Delhi TTC and the Challengers took home Rs 17.5 lakh each.
About Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT):
i.Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) is India’s premier professional table tennis league, established to promote the sport and develop Indian talent on a global platform.
ii.It was launched in 2017 by 11Sports, an initiative of Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Vita Dani, co-owner of Chennaiyin FC (Indian Super League team) under Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).

OBITUARY

Renowned ISRO Scientist & Tamil Science Writer Nellai Su. Muthu Passed Away
On June 16, 2025, Nellai Su. Muthu, a renowned Tamil science writer and former scientist of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), passed away in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala at the age of 74. He was born on 10th May 1951 in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu (TN).
About Nellai S. Muthu:
i.He served as a Senior Scientist at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), ISRO’s launch centre located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
ii.He worked closely with former President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and contributed significantly to India’s space research and science communication in Tamil.
iii.He authored more than 70 books across genres, including science, children’s literature, poetry, history, translation, and criticism. Some of his notable books include:

• ‘Sevvayil Ulvetkkaiyum Nal Vaaippum’ (Exploration and Fortune in Mars)
• ‘Vinveli 2057’ (SKY 2057) – Received the Best Book Award in Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, and Chemistry categories for the year 2000.
• ‘Arivuttum Vigyaana Vilaiyaatu’ (Science Tricks That Provide Knowledge) – Won the Best Book Award in Children’s Literature for the year 2004.
• ‘Einsteinum Andaveliyum’ (Einstein and Space) – Awarded in the Biography and Personal History category for the year 2005.

Awards & Recognitions:
i.He was honoured with the Kavimamani Award by the World Tamil Poets Association of Malaysia.
ii.He received the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) award from the Government of India (GoI) in 2004 for popularising science through his books and media contributions.
iii.He received the Mahakavi Bharathi Aiynthamizh Award under the Ariviyal Tamil (Scientific Tamil) category from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (TN).
iv.He also received the Pal Maruthuvar G. Sitrambalanar Award for his work ‘Evurthiyiyal’.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Kathak Exponent Mangala Bhatt Passed Away
On June 16, 2025, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award-winning Kathak dancer Mangala Bhatt passed away in Hyderabad (Telangana) at the age of 62. She was born in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) in 1963.

• She was a leading figure in the Indian classical dance community and was trained under Pandit Durga Lal of the Jaipur Gharana, a prominent school of Kathak.

i.Mangala Bhatt, along with her husband, Raghav Raj Bhatt, co-founded Aakruti Kathak Kendra in 1990 in Hyderabad, where they trained thousands of Kathak students for over three decades.
ii.She was recognised for combining Kathak with diverse global art forms, such as jazz drums, flamenco, ballet, and painting, promoting cross-cultural artistic expression.
iii.In 2019, she was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, one of India’s highest recognitions for practising artists, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama, under the Ministry of Culture (MoC), Government of India (GoI).
iv.In May 2020, she also received the Telangana State Award.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2025 – June 18The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for Countering Hate Speech is observed annually on June 18 across the globe to combat the rising spread of discriminatory rhetoric and to foster intercultural dialogue and tolerance.

• The theme for 2025 is “Hate Speech and Artificial Intelligence Nexus: Building coalitions to reclaim inclusive and secure environments free of hatred”, which highlights the dual role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool that can both amplify and counter hate speech across digital and social platforms.

Background:
i.On 21 July 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/75/309, proclaiming 18 June of every year as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, based on the framework of the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
ii.The first International Day for Countering Hate Speech was observed on June 18, 2022.
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary General (SG) – António Guterres
Headquarters – New York (United States of America, USA)
Established – 1945
>>Read Full News

Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2025 – June 18The United Nations(UN’s) Sustainable Gastronomy Day (SGD), celebrated every year across the globe on 18 June,to spotlight the importance of sustainable agrifood systems.

• Led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this day emphasizes the role of gastronomy in fostering environmentally friendly and culturally rich food practices.

Background:
i.On 21 December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/71/246, proclaiming 18 June as Sustainable Gastronomy Day(SGD).
ii.The first observance took place in 2017, recognizing gastronomy as a cultural expression linked to global diversity.
Sustainable Gastronomy Week (SGW) 2025:
i.To broaden the reach of SGD, the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Initiative launched Sustainable Gastronomy Week (SGW) in 2024.
ii.The 2025 edition of SGW will be observed from 16 to 22 June 2025, engaging young chefs from 30 countries to promote sustainable cooking.
>>Read Full News

World Autistic Pride Day 2025 – June 18World Autistic Pride Day was observed globally on 18 June every year to promote self-advocacy, acceptance, and neurodiversity among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

• The day highlights the importance of pride for autistic individuals and its role in creating inclusive societies.

Theme:
i.The theme for World Autistic Pride Day 2025 is “Unapologetically Autistic”.
ii.Which emphasizes embracing one’s authentic identity without conforming to societal expectations. It also aims to challenge outdated stereotypes, celebrate neurodiversity, and promote global pride and self-advocacy.
Symbol :
The Rainbow Infinity Symbol represents infinite diversity and the unique strengths of autistic individuals.
Background:
i.The first Autistic Pride Day was celebrated in 2005 in Brazil, initiated by the organisation Aspies For Freedom (AFF) to create awareness about autism and to highlight both the commonalities and differences among individuals with autism.
ii.18th June was chosen as the observance date, as it marks the birthday of the youngest member of AFF during its formation.
iii.The day is led and organised by autistic individuals themselves, modeled on the LGBTQIA+ pride movement, to assert autonomy and representation.
Note: In 2004, the World Health Assembly (WHA) passed a resolution titled “Comprehensive and Coordinated Efforts for Managing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD),” emphasizing the need for integrated global strategies to address ASD.
About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
ASD is a neurological and developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, learning, and social interaction. It typically presents during the first two years of life.

• According to global estimates, 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with ASD, with a higher prevalence among boys than girls.

Significance and Global Observance:
i.Self-Advocacy: Unlike Autism Awareness Month (April), which is often led by non-autistic entities, this event centers autistic voices, promoting pride over pity.
ii.Activities: Global events include art exhibitions, educational workshops, and online campaigns (e.g., #AutisticPride).
iii.Impact: Advances intersectionality by acknowledging diverse identities (e.g., gender, culture) within the autistic community and advocates for accessible workplaces and education.

International Picnic Day 2025 – June 18International Picnic Day was observed across the globe every year on 18 June to celebrate the joy of picnicking, a leisurely activity that involves enjoying meals outdoors with family and friends.

• The day is widely recognized as an opportunity to promote leisure, relaxation, bonding with nature, and quality time with loved ones.
• It fosters community engagement through gatherings, games, and shared meals, promoting a deeper connection with the environment.

Background:
i.The roots of International Picnic Day trace back to the French Revolution (1789–1799), when France’s royal parks were opened to the public.
ii.This marked a turning point in social traditions, allowing people to gather outdoors freely, laying the foundation for what became the first picnic celebrations.
History:
i.The origin of the word “picnic” is traced to the French term “pique-nique”, which referred to informal gatherings where each guest contributed a dish or drink.
ii.During the 19th century in England, picnics evolved into elaborate social gatherings, as reflected in literature like that of Jane Austen, with multi-course cold meals becoming the norm.
iii.A notable historical event associated with picnics is the Pan-European Picnic of August 1989, held at the Austrian-Hungarian border.

• This peaceful demonstration played a significant role in the eventual fall of the Iron Curtain and the end of communism in Eastern Europe.

Note: In 2009, the Guinness World Record(GWR) for the largest picnic was set in Lisbon, Portugal, with over 22,000 participants and a picnic line stretching over 600 meters.

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