Current Affairs - August 11, 2025 Current Affairs

The Maharashtra Government has announced plans to enhance 60 prison libraries by providing each with one bookcase and one bookrack under the Matching Fund Scheme of the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emphasised the importance of fostering a reading culture among inmates to encourage personal growth, improve knowledge, and instil a positive outlook. This step is part of broader prison reform measures aimed at rehabilitation through education, enabling prisoners to utilise their time productively and prepare for a constructive life after release.

The ‘Nari Adalat’ was launched in Sikkim by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang during Amma Samman Diwas at Rongpo. This unique initiative serves as a community-based forum led entirely by women to deliver informal justice in rural and semi-urban regions. Instead of relying on the formal court system, it uses a flexible, dialogue-driven approach to resolve disputes, making justice more accessible, timely, and sensitive to local cultural contexts. The system aims to empower women, strengthen community bonds, and reduce the challenges faced by people in navigating lengthy and complex legal procedures.

The ‘Baaj Akh’ Anti-Drone System (ADS) was launched by the Punjab Government in Tarn Taran to tackle drug smuggling from across the border using drones. This advanced system can swiftly neutralise any drones entering Indian territory from hostile areas. Initially, three units have been deployed, with six more planned soon. The ADS will be strategically placed from Pathankot to Fazilka, acting as a second line of defence in close coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), thereby enhancing border security and curbing the inflow of illegal substances.

The World Lions Day 2025 on August 10 state-level celebration took place in Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat, where Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated and laid the foundation for projects worth ₹179 crore. A key highlight was the designation of the Barda area as the second habitat for lions in the state. Remarkably, lions have naturally returned to Barda Dungar after a gap of 143 years. Gujarat’s lions, especially the Asiatic lions of the Gir forest, are seen as a source of national pride, and these initiatives aim to strengthen their conservation and expand their safe habitats for future generations.

In 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) certified Kenya free of human African trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness, marking a major victory in public health. This achievement makes Kenya the 10th country to eliminate the disease as a public health challenge, following decades of dedicated efforts in tsetse fly control, improved diagnostics, effective treatment, and community awareness campaigns. The disease, caused by protozoa transmitted via tsetse flies, can be fatal if untreated. Kenya’s success builds on its earlier milestone of eliminating Guinea worm disease in 2018 and reinforces Africa’s broader drive to eradicate neglected tropical diseases through coordinated strategies.

World Sanskrit Day, also known as Vishva-Samskrita-Dinam, is observed annually to honour the legacy of Sanskrit, one of the world’s oldest and most influential languages. In 2025, it will be celebrated on August 9, which coincides with Shravan Purnima as well as traditional festivals like Raksha Bandhan and Upakarma in various parts of India. The day is dedicated to promoting Sanskrit learning, preserving its cultural richness, and inspiring younger generations to appreciate its historical and contemporary significance. Events such as shloka recitations, workshops, and competitions are organised to make the celebration engaging and educational.

India’s first Animal Stem Cell BioBank was inaugurated at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) in Hyderabad by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. This advanced facility, spanning 9,300 sq ft and costing ₹1.85 crore, is equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure such as stem cell culture units, 3D bioprinting, bacterial culture labs, cryostorage, and high biosafety standards. It is designed to revolutionise animal health, regenerative medicine, and agricultural productivity through research in disease modelling, reproductive biotechnology, and tissue regeneration. The inauguration also included the launch of five breakthrough veterinary technologies aimed at improving livestock health and combating antimicrobial resistance.

Maharashtra has become the first state in India to roll out ‘Disha Abhiyan’, a state-wide initiative ensuring uniform and quality education for students with intellectual disabilities. Implemented across 453 special schools, the programme features a standardised curriculum developed by the Jai Vakil Foundation and certified by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID). Drawing on over 80 years of expertise in special education, it includes global best practices, research-backed teaching strategies, and vocational training modules. This initiative aims to eliminate disparities in teaching quality, promote independence, and align with the nation’s inclusive development vision for 2047.

ICICI Bank, India’s second-largest private sector lender, has announced a significant hike in its Minimum Average Balance (MAB) requirements for metro, urban, semi-urban, and rural branches, effective August 2025. This revision marks the first such steep increase among private banks, with metro and urban branches seeing the MAB raised from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, semi-urban from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000, and rural from ₹2,500 to ₹10,000. The policy also introduces stricter penalties for non-maintenance and revised cash transaction limits. This move has sparked discussions on the rising banking cost burden, especially when many public sector banks are reducing or waiving similar charges.

BEML Limited, a state-owned engineering and manufacturing company under the Ministry of Defence, secured its first international rail-metro contract from Malaysia. Valued at USD 1 million, the project involves retrofitting and reconditioning Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) System to enhance operational efficiency and extend service life. This milestone marks BEML’s entry into the global rail and metro services market, expanding its presence beyond India. With established expertise in defence, aerospace, mining, construction, and rail sectors, BEML’s success in Malaysia strengthens India’s footprint in international infrastructure projects and opens new opportunities in South-East Asia and other global markets.

INS Tamal, the Indian Navy’s newest stealth frigate, commissioned in Russia on 1 July 2025, concluded a three-day port visit to Casablanca, Morocco, from 6–9 August 2025. The visit featured joint naval exercises, bilateral discussions with senior Moroccan naval officials, cultural exchanges, and sports events aimed at fostering camaraderie and operational cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Moroccan Navy. Upon departure, INS Tamal conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Morocco’s Ship Mohammed VI, enhancing interoperability and communication skills. This engagement highlights India’s commitment to strengthening maritime diplomacy and expanding its defence partnerships in North Africa.

Ramesh Budihal created history by winning the bronze medal in the open men’s event at the Asian Surfing Championships 2025, held on the beaches of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. This remarkable feat marks India’s first individual medal at the continental surfing championships. The event was also significant because it was the first time India hosted the prestigious competition. Surfing, which made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, is steadily gaining popularity in the country, and Budihal’s achievement is expected to inspire more athletes to take up the sport and compete at an international level.