Current Affairs - April 29, 2025 Current Affairs

India achieved a historic milestone by clinching 83 gold medals at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship, held at the KD Jadhav Arena in New Delhi. The championship, which concluded on April 27, 2025, saw participation from 21 countries, making India's dominance particularly noteworthy. India not only topped the medal tally by a significant margin but also demonstrated its deep cultural and athletic roots in yogasana. The event featured global recognition of yogasana as a competitive sport, and India's overwhelming performance reinforced its leadership in the discipline, further promoting yogic practices on an international scale.

During the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, President Droupadi Murmu honoured 71 individuals with the Padma Awards. These prestigious civilian awards—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri—recognize outstanding contributions across various fields, including art, public service, sports, science, and literature. Notable recipients this year include filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, actor S. Ajith Kumar, and late singer Pankaj Udhas. The wide-ranging backgrounds of the awardees reflect India's commitment to honouring excellence and dedication in diverse spheres of public life, both within the country and internationally.

International Dance Day is celebrated every year on April 29, a date chosen by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the official partner of UNESCO in the performing arts. Established in 1982, this observance highlights the universality of dance as an art form and aims to bring people together across cultures through movement and expression. Each year, a distinguished figure from the world of dance is invited to deliver a message that reflects the importance and transformative power of dance. For 2025, the honour of writing the message has been given to renowned dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov.

The 11th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting was presided over by Brazil, highlighting the country’s role in shaping the global discourse on pressing labour issues. During this meeting, member nations adopted a declaration that addressed the dual challenges of artificial intelligence's growing role in the workplace and the impact of climate change on employment trends. Brazil’s leadership in this context underscores its commitment to facilitating multilateral cooperation among BRICS countries to prepare labour forces for future disruptions and transformations in the global job market.

The 53rd meeting of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters was hosted in Hyderabad by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under ISRO. This event marked a significant moment as ISRO assumed leadership of the Charter for a six-month term starting April 2025. The Charter is a collaboration among global space agencies to provide satellite data in response to natural and man-made disasters. Hosting the meeting in Hyderabad not only showcased India’s space capabilities but also emphasized the city’s growing importance as a hub for technological and scientific collaboration on an international scale.

Bhutan hosted the 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting with India in Thimphu from April 24 to 25, 2025. The bilateral meeting focused on reinforcing customs cooperation, streamlining trade processes, enhancing digitisation, and improving border infrastructure. Bhutan, a landlocked nation, relies heavily on India for trade, with approximately 80% of its overall commerce conducted with its southern neighbour. With ten operational land Customs Stations along the West Bengal and Assam borders, efficient customs procedures are crucial for Bhutan’s economy. The meeting highlighted the mutual commitment to secure, modern, and technology-driven trade facilitation between the two countries.

Liverpool secured their 20th English League title by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1, clinching the 2024–25 Premier League championship with four matches remaining in the season. The triumph was a significant achievement under new manager Arne Slot, who led the team to success in his debut season. Star player Mohamed Salah played a pivotal role throughout the campaign, contributing 28 goals and 18 assists. This dominant performance not only reflected Liverpool’s strength on the field but also reaffirmed their historic status in English football by equaling Manchester United’s record of 20 top-flight league titles.

Mark Carney, a distinguished figure in global finance, has been elected as the next prime minister of Canada. He gained international recognition by becoming the first non-British governor of the Bank of England in its 300-year history. Prior to that, he played a crucial role in leading Canada through the 2008 financial crisis as the governor of the Bank of Canada. His unique blend of economic leadership and public service positioned him as a strong candidate for national leadership, culminating in his successful run for the highest political office in Canada.

Madhya Pradesh has been approved for the ₹2,100 crore PM MITRA Textile Park, a significant initiative under the central government’s plan to strengthen India’s textile sector. Spanning 2,100 acres, the park will feature advanced infrastructure including a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant, solar-powered energy systems, and Built-To-Suit (BTS) units tailored to industry needs. The project is expected to draw major investments, generate employment, and enhance India's competitiveness in global textile markets. This development highlights Madhya Pradesh’s strategic role in supporting the country’s industrial and economic growth through sustainable and modern manufacturing practices.

Fali Nariman’s book "Beyond the Courtroom" delves into key aspects of India’s constitutional law, particularly focusing on Article 368, which deals with the procedure for amending the Constitution. The book traces the article’s evolution through judicial interpretations and its relationship with the Basic Structure Doctrine—a principle established by the Supreme Court to ensure that certain fundamental aspects of the Constitution remain unaltered. Nariman, a legendary constitutional jurist, provides deep insights into these legal frameworks, reaffirming the delicate balance between parliamentary power and constitutional integrity. The work is both a legal reflection and a philosophical journey.

IIT Kanpur is playing a pivotal role in the development and launch of Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) phones in India, in partnership with HMD Global and Tejas Networks. This innovative technology enables multimedia content, including OTT and television broadcasts, to be delivered directly to mobile devices without relying on Wi-Fi or mobile data. The initiative is aimed at expanding access to digital content across diverse population segments and aligns with the 'Make in India' vision by promoting indigenous technological solutions. IIT Kanpur’s involvement brings strong research capabilities and technical expertise to the project, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in applied innovation.

Kotak Mahindra Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with the Government of India, through the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), to promote financial literacy and investor protection. This collaboration, formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding, will leverage Kotak’s extensive digital and physical infrastructure—such as ATMs, mobile apps, websites, and social media—to display educational content. The initiative is designed to raise awareness about responsible investing, financial fraud prevention, and investor rights, and is scheduled for rollout in the 2025–2026 financial year. Importantly, the program imposes no financial burden on IEPFA, highlighting its cost-effective and impactful approach.