Current Affairs 8 May 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

First Edition of WAVES 2025 Held in Mumbai; Garners Rs 1328 crores Business DealsPrime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, WAVES 2025, at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The four-day event, organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B) in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra(GoM), held from May 1-4, 2025.

• WAVES 2025 was held under the tagline “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries.”

Highlights:
i.During the WAVES 2025, PM Modi released special postage stampsto honour five great personalities of Indian cinema. These included filmmaker Guru Dutt, director Raj Khosla, filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, actress P. Bhanumathi and music composer Salil Chowdhury.
ii.At WAVES 2025, the MoI&B organised the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) for the first time, with the support from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and with ministerial participation from over 50 countries.

• During the GMD, 77 countries adopted the 13-point ‘WAVES Declaration’, focusing on promoting the responsible use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

iii.At WAVES 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MoI&B, announced the launch of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT), a National Centre of Excellence (CoE) backed by Jio Star based in Mumbai.
iv.WAVES 2025 was concluded with remarkable success, recording business transactions totaling Rs.1,328 crore across various sectors.
>> Read Full News

Union Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu Granted In-Principle Approval for Greenfield Airports in Rajasthan, OdishaIn May 2025, Union Minister KinjarapuRammohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted in-principle approval for the setting up of greenfield airports in Kota (Rajasthan) and Puri (Odisha).

• These approvals are aligned with the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to the common man.
• This approval reflects the Government of India (GoI)’s commitment to expand and strengthen air connectivity across the country.

Note:  Greenfield airports are aviation facilities built from scratch on previously undeveloped or empty land.
Key Points:
i.The airport will be developed in 2 phases with a total investment of Rs.1,507 crore.

• The proposed airport in Kota city, which is known as a major educational and industrial hub, will cater to the increasing population and economic activity in the Hadoti region.
• This development marks a significant milestone in the infrastructure development of Kota and the Government’s commitment to make air travel accessible to all.

ii.The airport will be developed in 3 phases across 1,164 acres, with a total investment of Rs.5,631 crore.

• Puri, one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in India and home to Lord Jagannath, will provide a major boost to religious tourism, regional development, and overall connectivity in the region.

About Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA):
Union Minister- Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu (Constituency- Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, AP)
Minister of State (MoS)–Murlidhar Kisan Mohol (Constituency- Pune, Maharashtra)

NMCG Approved Key Projects for Ganga Rejuvenation in 62nd EC Meeting in New DelhiIn May 2025, the 62ndExecutive Committee (EC) Meeting of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) held under the chairmanship of  Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director-General (DG) of NMCG in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The meeting was primarily focused on sustainability in river rejuvenation. During the EC meeting, key projects for Ganga Rejuvenation have been approved that align with the mission’s objectives of ecosystem restoration across the Ganga basin.

i.The EC approved the ‘Conserving and Sustainably Managing NathmalpurBhagad (Wetland) in Bhojpur district, Bihar’, will be developed with an estimated cost of Rs 3.51 crore. This project is the 5th wetland being undertaken under NGP.
ii.The EC has also approved funding of total Rs 34.50 lakh for the ‘Capacity Building Initiatives for making water-sensitive cities in the Ganga Basin’ Project.
About Ministry of JalShakti (MoJS):
Union Minister- Chandrakant Raghunath  Patil (Constituency- Navsari, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)- V. Somanna (Constituency- Tumkur, Karnataka); Raj Bhushan Choudhary (Constituency- Muzaffarpur, Bihar)
>> Read Full News

Govt Boosts Inland Waterways for Logistics Movement, Signs Agreement With Rhenus GroupIn May 2025, The Noida, Uttar Pradesh based Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for National Waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the global logistics major Rhenus Group (Germany) to boost the inland waterways sector of India.

• This MoU facilitates Rhenus Logistics India Pvt. Ltd. to launch scheduled barge operations across key National Waterways (NWs) in India.
• This partnership also aims to integrate global best practices into the Indian Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem.

Key Highlights:
i.Under this MoU, Rhenus will introduce 100 barges in a phased manner in the NWs, starting with 20 barges and 6 pushers in the first phase, aiming to handle over one million tonnes of cargo annually by the end of 2025.
ii.The MoU will introduce Inland Waterways Transport solutions and barge scheduled services, with plans to expand to 100 barges in the coming years.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways:
Union Minister – Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency – Dibrugarh, Assam)
Minister of State (MoS) – Shantanu Thakur (Constituency – Bangaon, West Bengal, WB)
>> Read Full News

MoRTH rolls out cashless treatment scheme 2025 for road accident victimsIn May 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has notified ‘Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025’, nationwide, under which they will be entitled to cashless treatment up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per accident per person.

• The Scheme has come into force with effect from May 5, 2025 for “Any person being a victim of a road accident arising out of the use of a motor vehicle, occurring on any road”.
• To support the nationwide rollout of the scheme, the government has allocated Rs.272 crore for the Financial Year 2025–26(FY26).

About Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025:
i.The National Health Authority(NHA) will be the implementing agency for the programme, in coordination with police, hospitals and State Health Agencies etc.

• Each state’s Road Safety Council will act as the nodal agency, coordinating with the NHA for hospital onboarding, treatment facilitation, and payment processing.

ii.The scheme aim is to deliver life-saving treatment within the golden hour, when prompt medical intervention can avert severe injury or death.
iii.The scheme covers treatment for a maximum of 7 days from the date of the accident. Treatment is available at designated hospitals across India, including both government and private facilities.
iv.Also, as per the scheme, the treatment (Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025) at a hospital other than a designated hospital shall be only for stabilisation purposes.
v.The scheme is open to everyone, regardless of their category or income, and aims to save lives by ensuring timely medical care in emergencies.
About Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH):
Union Minister- Nitin Jairam Gadkari (Constituency – Nagpur, Maharashtra)
Minister of State (MoS) –Ajay Tamta (Constituency –Almora, Uttarakhand); Harsh Malhotra(Constituency –East Delhi, Delhi)

TN Tops India’s Textile Exports in FY25 with USD 7.99 Billion ContributionIn April 2025, Tamil Nadu (TN) emerged as India’s leading textile exporter in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), contributing USD 7.99 billion, which accounts for 26.81% of India’s total textile exports valued at USD 36.61 billion.

• This reflects a notable growth from FY24, where TN’s exports stood at USD 7.15 billion with a 20.78% share.
• In FY25, Gujarat ranked as the second largest textile exporter with USD 5.64 billion, followed by Maharashtra in third place with USD 3.83 billion.

Key Export Categories:
i.Readymade Garments: Largest share at USD 15.99 billion.
ii.Cotton Products: USD 12.06 billion (yarn, fabrics, made-ups, handlooms).
iii.Man-Made Textiles: USD 4.87 billion (yarn, fabrics, made-ups).
iv.Others: Handicrafts, carpets, jute.
Factors behind TN’s success:
i.The Tiruppur knitwear cluster (Tiruppur, TN) significantly contributed to TN’s export performance, with exports worth USD 4.69 billion (approximately Rs. 40,000 crore) in FY25.

• This cluster, known for its comprehensive supply chain from yarn production to garment finishing has attracted global buyers due to its efficiency and sustainability practices.

ii.Tirupur’s price competitiveness and sustainability focus attract global brands.
iii.European Union (EU) to end Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for Bangladesh by 2027, prompting buyers to shift to India.
About Tamil Nadu (TN):
Chief Minister (CM)– Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin
Governor– Ravindra Narayan Ravi
Capital – Chennai
Ramsar Sites – Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Therthangal Bird Sanctuary

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

UNDP HDR 2025:  India Climbs Three Steps to 130; Iceland topsOn 6th May 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released a report titled“Human Development Report (HDR) 2025– A matter of choice: people and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence” with the theme “Harnessing Digital Transformation to Advance Human Development”.

• India is ranked at 130 in 2023 Human Development Index (HDI), with score of 0.685, moving three places higher from 133 in 2022 with a score of 0.676.
• Iceland has secured the top position globally witha HDI score of 0.972. It is followed by Norway(0.970) and Switzerland – 0.970.

Key Findings:
i.India’s life expectancy rose from 58.6 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2023, reaching a new high.
ii.As per the report, the average years of schooling have increased from 8.2 in 1990 to 13 years in 2023.
iii.The Gross National Income (GNI) of India, increased over 53%, from USD 2,167.22 in 1990 to USD 9,046.76 in 2023.
About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
Administrator – Achim Steiner
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America(USA)
Establishment – 1965
>> Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI Sets Rs 1 Crore Minimum Investment, Mandatory Demat for Securitised Debt InstrumentsIn May 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated minimum investment threshold or ticket size of Rs 1 crore for the issuance of Securitised Debt Instruments (SDIs) for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-regulated originators and unregulated entities engaged in securitization activities.

• It is now mandatory to have at least 3-year operating experience for originators. .
• SEBI issued these new rules for SDIs by amending the ‘issue and listing of securities debt instruments and security receipts’ rules.
• These new norms aim at ensuring originators maintain interest in underlying assets, promoting market stability and investor confidence.

Key Changes:
i.SEBI has clarified that for originators which are not regulated by RBI, the minimum investment threshold for subsequent transfers will be Rs 1 crore.
ii.As per SEBI’s rules, public offers for SDIs will remain open for at least 3 days and maximum 10 days, subject to the condition that advertisement requirements aligned with SEBI’s regulations for non-convertible securities.
iii.SEBI has also introduced ‘Investor Charter’ for Know Your Customer (KYC) Registration Agencies (KRAs) providing the comprehensive details of the services offered to investors along with their rights and grievance redressal mechanism.
>> Read Full News

Haryana Cabinet Approves Rs 474 Crore AI Development ProjectIn May 2025, the Haryana Cabinet, led by Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini, has approved the three year Haryana Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development Project (HAIDP), backed by the World Bank(WB) for 2025-28.

• The total outlay of the project HAIDP is Rs. 474.39 crore.
• The cabinet has also approved the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 to manage and externally aided initiatives like HAIDP.

About Haryana AI Development Project (HAIDP):
i. HAIDP is envisioned as a strategic intervention, with an aim to position Haryana as a national hub for AI-enabled development.
ii.The project has a funding pattern of 70:30 between the WB and the Haryana government.
iii.The key components of the project include the establishment of critical infrastructure such as the Global Artificial Intelligence Centre (GAIC) in Gurugram, Haryana and the Haryana Advanced Computing Facility (HACF) in Panchkula, Haryana.
iv.The project also focuses on skill development and workforce transition for over 50,000 professionals in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science.
v.In Addition, the project will enable AI integration into Public Administration, service provision, and promote AI-based startups through incubation and shared infrastructure.
vi.The project will adopt the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing instrument, wherein fund disbursement will be linked to the achievement of Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs), independently verified by an appointed agency.
Approval of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV):
i.To ensure effective implementation and cross-sectoral coordination of externally aided projects, SPV was established under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. It will operate as a not-for-profit company.
iii.The Haryana State Electronic Development Corporation Limited (HARTRON) of Haryana will act as the Nodal Agency, responsible for managing all modalities and procedures related to the incorporation of the SPV.
About Haryana:
Chief Minister (CM) – Nayab Singh Saini
Governor – Bandaru Dattatraya
Capital – Chandigarh
National Parks(NP) – Sultanpur NP, Kalesar NP

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Pulitzer Prize 2025: NYT wins 4, Reuters wins for US Fentanyl InvestigationIn May 2025, The Pulitzer Prize Board announced the winners of 109th Pulitzer Prize (2025) under the categories such as: Journalism, Books, Drama and Music, and Special Citations.

• This year, The New York Times (NYT) won 4 awards in different categories of Pulitzer Prize. With this, NYT increased its total Pulitzer prize to 139, a record high since the awards started in year 1917.
• It is followed by the New Yorker magazine which secured 3 awards in   categories like: commentary, feature photography and audio reporting, mainly in recognition of their coverage of overseas wars.

i.Currently, Pulitzer Prize is presented in 24 categories which are broadly classified as: Journalism (15), Letters, Drama and Music (8), and Special Citation (1).
ii.Renowned American Photographer Doug Mills (NYT) won in the category  of ‘Breaking News Photography’  for capturing the attempted assassination of then- the United States of America (USA)Presidential candidate Donald Trump on July 13, 2024 in Pennsylvania (the USA).
>> Read Full News

Renowned Entrepreneur-Social Activist Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom Conferred the International Buddha Peace Award 2025In May 2025, Renowned social worker and entrepreneur from Mumbai (Maharashtra), Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom was conferred with the International Buddha Peace Award 2025 by Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam during a grand ceremony organised by Maitri Peace Foundation in Guwahati, Assam.

• Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom, Managing Director(MD of Care Takers Exterior and Interior Private Limited, received this award in recognition of his exceptional social activism and leadership in the building repairs and restoration industry.
• Other than Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom, eminent structural engineer Dr. Munir Khan, founder of Avon Consulting Engineers was also bestowed with the award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to social initiatives promoting sustainable development and community welfare.

About Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom:
i.He is the Managing Director (MD) of Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Care Takers Exterior and Interior Private Limited.
ii.In February 2025, he was honored with the Public Service Award by Governor of Himachal Pradesh (HP) during a ceremony at the Creator and Business Excellence Awards 2025.
iii.He has previously received several honors for his social work, including the Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Award and recognition from the governors of Maharashtra and Telangana.
About Dr. Munir Khan:
i.During his long-career as structural engineer, Dr. Munir Khan has spearheaded more than 1,500 structural audits and the restoration of over 300 buildings.
ii.Some of his noted projects were undertaken across various cities of Maharashtra like: Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Bhayandar, among others.
iii.In September 2024, he was honoured with the International Buddha Peace Award from Jishnu Dev Varma, Governor of Telangana.

• He was also awarded with the Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award by C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra in October 2024.

About International Buddha Peace Award:
i.The award was  established in 2009, organised annually by Maitri Peace Foundation, a non-government voluntry organisation.
ii.The award recognizes the individuals who have made extraordinary efforts to promote peace both inside or outside of their communities.
iii.Dr. Rashmi Saluja, Chairperson of the Global Trade & Technology Council of Indi (GTTCI) was among the key recipients of the award  in year 2024.

Union Minister L Murugan Conferred 10th National Community Radio Awards in MumbaiOn May 3,2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr. L Murugan, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B), honoured 12 outstanding Community Radio Stations (CRS), with 10th National Community Radio Awards, at the 8th National Community Radio Conference at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The event was organized by the MoI&B and Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), on the sidelines of World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025.
• The conference brought together representatives from more than 400 CRS across the country on one platform to provide an opportunity for dialogue and collaboration.

Note: As of April 2025, a total of 531 community radio stations are operational across India.
10th National Community Radio Station Awards:
The 10th National Community Radio Station Awards consists of 12 awards under 4 categories such as Thematic awards, Most Innovative Community Engagement Awards, Promoting Local Culture Awards and Sustainability Model Awards.

• These prestigious awards recognize the Outstanding CRS from various states across Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu(TN), Odisha, Uttarakhand and Karnataka.

About Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B):
Union Minister – Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS) – Dr. L. Murugan (Rajya Sabha – Madhya Pradesh, MP)
>> Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Friedrich Merz Becomes Germany’s 10th ChancellorOn May 6, 2025, Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and lawyer, was elected as the 10th Chancellor of Germany. He secured the majority with 325 votes out of 630 seats in the second round of voting.

• In the first round of secret ballot voting, he failed by six votes, receiving 310 votes, with the need for a majority of 316 votes, the threshold for winning the election.
• The President of Germany, Frank- Walter Steinmeier, approved Friedrich Merz as Chancellor at Bundestag, Berlin, Germany.

Key points:
i.Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, which won an election in February 2025, was in alliance with Social Democrats. The coalition had a total of 328 seats.
ii.Merz is the first Chancellor to lose Bundestag vote since Germany’s independence.
iii.He is the oldest Chancellor to assume office since Konrad Adenauer, the first post-war German head of government.
About Friedrich Merz:
i.Joachim Friedrich Martin Josef Merz, born on 11 November 1955 born in Brilon, an area of North-Rhine Westphalia in West Germany, served in German Army before embarking on his political career.
ii.Merz served as a Member of the Parliament (MP) from 1989 to 1994, he was a member of Bundestag from 1994 to 2009.
iii.In 2004, he took a break from his political career and embarked on his legal career. He worked as a corporate lawyer, becoming a senior counsel at Mayer Brown and served on the boards of different companies.
iv.He returned to politics in 2018 and became CDU leader in 2021.
About Germany:
President – Frank-Walter Steinmeir
Capital – Berlin
Currency – the Euro (EUR)

Prakash Magdum appointed as MD of NFDC
On May 5, 2025, Prakash Magdum, a 1999-batch officer of the Indian Information Service (IIS), assumed charge as the Managing Director (MD) of the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B), Government of India (GoI).

• He succeeded Prithul Kumar, who served as the previous MD of NFDC.

i.Prior to this appointment, Prakash Magdum served as the Additional Director General (ADG) at the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) in Ahmedabad (Gujarat).
ii.He was a director of the Pune (Maharashtra)-based National Film Archive of India (NFAI), where he spearheaded the National Film Heritage Mission.
iii.He was also a registrar of the Pune based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

AMSL Acquires IDL Explosives for Rs 107 Crore to Strengthen Defence Manufacturing
In May 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana) based Apollo Micro Systems Limited (AMSL), through its wholly owned subsidiary Apollo Defence Industries Private Limited (ADIPL), signed a Share Purchase Agreement(SPA) to acquire 100% equity stake in IDL Explosives Limited from Hyderabad based GOCL Corporation Limited, a part of the Hinduja Group, for a total consideration of Rs 107 crore.

• The acquisition involves the purchase of 78.65 lakh equity shares at Rs 136.04 per share. The transaction is expected to be completed within two to three months, subject to regulatory and corporate approvals.

i.This strategic acquisition enables AMSL to integrate high-energy materials into its defence manufacturing pipeline, enhancing its capabilities in artillery, missile systems, and high-impact weapon domains.
ii.It aligns with the company’s vision to become a Tier-I Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for weapon systems, supporting the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by offering indigenously developed defence solutions.
iii.IDL Explosives, established in 2010 in Hyderabad, has a legacy of over 64 years in manufacturing bulk and packaged explosives, primarily serving the mining and infrastructure sectors.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DRDO and IN Successfully Test Indigenously Developed MIGM
In May 2025, New Delhi(Delhi) based the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI), and the Indian Navy (IN) successfully conducted combat firing (with reduced explosive payload) of the indigenously designed Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM).

• This system aims to enhance IN’s defense against modern stealth ships and submarines, offering advanced detection and engagement capabilities.

i.MIGM is an advanced underwater naval mine designed and developed by Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) based Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), in collaboration with Pune (Maharashtra) based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and Chandigarh (Punjab & Haryana) based Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL).
ii.Visakhapatnam based Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Apollo Microsystems Limited (AML) are the production partners of MIGM.

SPORTS

Indian Table Tennis Duo Clinches U-19 Boys Doubles Title at WTT Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025
In May 2025, Indian Table Tennis Players Ankur Bhattacharjee and Abhinandh Pradhavadhi clinched the U-19 Boys’ Doubles title at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025 held at Fashion Island, Bangkok, Thailand, defeating South Korea’s Lee Jungmok and Choi Jiwook 3-1 in the final.

• They secured a 3-1 win over Australia’s Won Bae and India’s Priyanuj Bhattacharyya in the opening round, then fought back from 0-2 to defeat Japan’s Kazuki Yoshiyama and Iran’s Benyamin Faraji 3-2 in the quarter-finals.

i.In the U-19 girls’ doubles, India’s Syndrela Das and Divyanshi Bhowmick won silver medal after a loss to Thailand’s Wirakarn Tayapitak and Phatsaraphon Wonglakhon in the final.
ii.Divyanshi Bhowmick had an impressive run in the U-15 girls’ singles, clinching the silver medal after a 1-3 defeat to China’s Liu Ziling in the final.
iii.In the U-15 girls’ doubles, the Indian pair of Riana Bhootia and Ananya Muralidharan won silver medal.
iv.In the U-19 boys’ singles, Ankur Bhattacharjee advanced to the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over South Korea’s Lee Seungsoo but lost 0-3 to Japan’s Kazuki Yoshiyama.
Note: The total prize money in WTT Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025 is USD 15,000.

FC Goa Wins Kalinga Super Cup 2025 Defeating Jamshedpur FC
In May 2025, The Football Club(FC) team FC Goa (FCG) defeated Jamshedpur FC (JFC) 3-0 in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 final at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (Odisha), securing their second title in the tournament’s history.

• This victory makes FC Goa the first club to win the Super Cup twice, having previously clinched the title in 2019.
• The tournament is organized by the New Delhi(Delhi) based All India Football Federation (AIFF) and serves as India’s premier domestic knockout football competition.
• The win also marked FC Goa’s first title under head coach Manolo Márquez, bringing his tenure at the club to a perfect close.

i.Spanish midfielder Borja Herrera scored a brace for FC Goa, netting goals in the 23rd and 51st minutes.
ii.Serbian forward Dejan Drazic added a third goal in the 71st minute, sealing the comprehensive win.
iii.Borja Herrera was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding performance.
iv.With this victory FC Goa qualifies for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2 (ACL2) Playoffs, marking their return to continental football after 4 years.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International No Diet Day 2025 – May 6International No Diet Day (INDD) was observed on 6th May globally to promote body acceptance, challenge diet culture, and raise awareness about the dangers of weight discrimination and fatphobia.

• This annual observance encourages individuals to embrace their bodies, irrespective of shape or size, and to foster a healthier relationship with food and self-image.

Symbol:
INDD is symbolized by a light blue ribbon, representing body acceptance, eating disorder awareness, and the ongoing fight against diet culture.
Origin of INDD:
i. INDD was founded in 1992 by Mary Evans Young, a British feminist and director of Diet Breakersto raise awareness about the dangers of dieting and to promote self-acceptance.
ii.The first No Diet Day was observed on May 5, 1992.

• Mary Evans Young organized a picnic in London’s Hyde Park, the United Kingdom (UK), attended by a small group of women aged 21 to 76. They wore stickers reading “Ditch That Diet” to symbolize freedom from restrictive eating.

iii. However, in 1993, the date of INDD was shifted to May 6 to avoid overlapping with Cinco de Mayo celebrations, ensuring the movement could stand out with its own unique identity.
iv.Initially observed in the United Kingdom (UK), the movement soon gained global momentum. Today, International No Diet Day is recognized in countries across the world, particularly in the United States (US), Canada, Australia, and several regions of Europe and Asia, encouraging people everywhere to reject harmful beauty standards and embrace body positivity.
Goals of INDD:
INDD aims to promote a healthier, more inclusive perspective on body image and nutrition. The key goals of INDD include:

• Promoting body acceptance and diversity across all shapes, sizes, and identities.
• Raising awareness about the physical and psychological risks associated with restrictive dieting.
• Encouraging a positive and balanced relationship with food and body image.
• Challenging fatphobia and weight-based discrimination in society and media.
• Debunking harmful diet myths while advocating for intuitive eating and self-care.

World Asthma Day 2025 – May 6World Asthma Day(WAD) is annually observed across the globe on the first Tuesday of May, is a global initiative led by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to raise asthma awareness and improve care.

• The WAD 2025 was observed on May 6, 2025.
• The theme for WAD 2025 is “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL.”

Background: 
i.World Asthma Day was first observed in 1998 during the inaugural World Asthma Meeting in Barcelona, Spain, with participation from over 35 countries.
ii.The day is strategically placed in May, aligning with seasons (spring/fall) when asthma symptoms often exacerbate due to environmental factors and is also recognized as World Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month.
About Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA):
Managing Director (MD) & Chair –  Arzu Yorgancioglu(Turkey)
Headquarters – Wisconsin, The United States of America (USA)
Launched – 1993
>> Read Full News

Border Roads Organisation Raising Day 2025 – 7 MayThe Border Roads Organisation (BRO) annually celebrates its Raising Day on 7 May to commemorate the establishment of the BRO in 1960 to honour the dedicated service of BRO personnel and to reaffirm the organisation’s commitment towards the development and maintenance of strategic road and bridge infrastructure in India’s border areas.

• 7th May 2025 marks the 66th observance of the Raising Day of BRO.

Background:
i.BRO was established on 7th May 1960 with the primary objective of securing India’s borders and developing critical infrastructure in the remote and strategic regions of northern and northeastern states of India.
ii.In 1985, the BRDB was re-constituted and placed under the chairmanship of the Defence Minister, aligning it more closely with national security priorities.
iii.In over 6 decades, it has executed over 62,214 kilometre(km) of roads, constructed 1,005 bridges, built 7 tunnels, and developed 21 airfields across India.
iv.It completed a total of 125 infrastructure projects worth Rs.3,611 crore in the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24)
>> Read Full News

World Athletics Day 2025 – May 7World Athletics Day is annually celebrated across the globe on May 7, to raise awareness among children and young people, about the importance of fitness and encourage them to play sports, especially athletics. The day emphasizes, significance of sports and its beneficial effects on mental and physical health.

• The annual observance is led by the World Athletics Organization.
• The theme for the World Athletics Day 2025 is “Relay Around the World Challenge”.

Background:
i.IAAF, the international governing body for the sport of track and field athletics, introduced World Athletics Day as a social responsibility titled “Athletics for a Better World”.
ii.IAAF was established on July 17, 1912, in Stockholm, Sweden.
Kids Athletics Day:
Kids Athletics Day is annually observed across the globe on May 7 to encourage kids to play sports, especially athletics from an early age.
Kids’ Athletics Day is an important feature of the World Kids’ Athletics Programme, a free and exciting programme to inspire children and young people across the world.
About World Athletics:
President – Sebastian Coe
Headquarters – Monaco
Establishment – 1912
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