Current Affairs - February 13, 2025 Current Affairs

Haryana launched the ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ campaign to boost soil health and promote sustainable farming. The initiative includes collecting soil samples from every acre of farmland across the state over the next 3-4 years. As part of the campaign, farmers are receiving Soil Health Cards to help them make informed decisions regarding soil fertility, nutrient management, and crop productivity. The state has already collected millions of soil samples, set up new testing labs, and introduced digital platforms to aid farmers in monitoring soil health.

India's industrial output growth slowed to 3.2% in December 2024, compared to 5% in November. This slowdown was primarily driven by weaker performance in the manufacturing and mining sectors. While the manufacturing sector grew by 3% and mining by 2.6%, electricity generation showed a positive performance with a 6.2% increase. Despite these sectoral variations, the overall industrial output growth decelerated, raising concerns for the nation's economic momentum as it headed into 2025.

National Productivity Day is celebrated annually on February 12 in India to raise awareness about the importance of productivity in driving economic growth, sustainability, and innovation. It is organized by the National Productivity Council (NPC) and marks the beginning of a week-long celebration from February 12 to 18. The day also emphasizes the need to enhance efficiency across industries, with a special focus on startups and intellectual property protection in 2025. Additionally, it commemorates the establishment of the NPC on this date in 1958.

The memoir 'I Am a Soldier’s Wife: The Life and Love of Toni Lidder' was written by Geetika Lidder, the wife of Brigadier LS Lidder. The book is a tribute to her husband's remarkable journey as both a soldier and a devoted family man. Geetika Lidder’s writing captures the essence of his leadership, bravery, and humanity, offering personal insights into his life. The memoir also reflects on Geetika's own resilience after the tragic 2021 helicopter crash, making it a deeply emotional and inspiring account of love and loss.

Sri Lanka launched five Sinhala-translated Jataka Tales books. These books were unveiled on Nawam Poya Day by Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita Thero and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Dr Satyanjal Pandey. The event also included the distribution of 5,000 copies of the books to Dhamma schools, emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting Buddhist heritage. The initiative reflects a significant cultural collaboration between Sri Lanka and India, supported by the publication of Amar Chitra Katha.

The first Regional Dialogue on the Global Coalition for Social Justice will be hosted in India, specifically in New Delhi. The event, taking place on February 24-25, 2025, will be inaugurated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and will focus on the role of responsible businesses in fostering inclusive and sustainable societies. Over 80 partners, including international figures like ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, are expected to participate, further emphasizing India’s role as the host for this significant event.

The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (AFAF) is being held in New Delhi from February 12-14, 2025. This forum focuses on "Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific" and brings together over 1,000 delegates from 24 countries, including researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders. India, being the second-largest global producer of fish and aquaculture, is hosting the event for the second time. The event highlights India's significant role in the global fisheries and aquaculture industry.

Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian opener, was named as one of the four event ambassadors for the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9. Along with Dhawan, other notable ambassadors include Pakistan's Sarfaraz Ahmed, Australia's Shane Watson, and New Zealand's Tim Southee. Dhawan’s inclusion highlights his significant contribution to Indian cricket, and his role as an ambassador helps promote the prestigious tournament globally.

'Elecs Korea 2025' began in Seoul, which is the capital city of South Korea. This is important because large-scale conferences, especially those involving global and local companies, are typically hosted in major cities like Seoul, which offer the infrastructure, accessibility, and prominence necessary to support such events. This event focuses on advanced power technologies and innovations in the energy sector, making Seoul an ideal location for such a significant conference.

World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13th, a date chosen to commemorate the establishment of UN Radio in 1946. The event was first proposed by Spain in 2010 and officially recognized by UNESCO in 2011. The 2025 theme, "Radio and Climate Change," underscores radio’s vital role in raising awareness about climate issues and encouraging sustainable practices. The first World Radio Day celebration took place in 2012, marking the global importance of radio in communication and education.

The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kancheepuram has partnered with ERNET India to establish a joint research laboratory focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT). This collaboration formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to enhance research and development in cutting-edge technologies. The lab will validate the functionality of various IoT solutions, advancing real-world applications. The partnership strengthens IIITDM Kancheepuram’s role in driving technological innovation and academic-industry collaboration in key areas such as IoT, sensors, connectivity, and data management.

Dr Madhavankutty G has been appointed as the Chief Economist of Canara Bank, effective from January 2025. With over 20 years of experience in economic research, banking, and corporate sectors, he will be instrumental in shaping the bank's economic strategies. Dr. Madhavankutty's expertise will guide the bank's decision-making, providing valuable economic insights and policy recommendations. Prior to this role, he held senior positions at the Bank of India, Aditya Birla Group, and The Times Group.

Muskan Rana is from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where she has made significant achievements in gymnastics. At the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, she won the gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics, furthering J&K's legacy in the sport. Muskan has also earned several accolades in national championships, including one gold, two silver, and one bronze. Her success continues the tradition of strong performances from J&K gymnasts, following the achievements of Bavleen Kaur.

The AIFF has chosen Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong to host India’s FIFA window matches in March. India will play a friendly match against the Maldives on March 19 and face Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers on March 25. This is significant as it marks the first senior international matches at the stadium since its refurbishment. Shillong, known for its passion for football, provides a fitting venue for these important fixtures in Indian football.

International Darwin Day is celebrated on February 12th. This date marks the birthday of Charles Darwin, the renowned naturalist whose groundbreaking work on the theory of evolution revolutionized biology. The day not only celebrates his birthday but also honours his significant contributions to science, particularly his theory of evolution as outlined in "On the Origin of Species." The event serves to promote scientific thinking and recognize Darwin's enduring influence on modern biology.