Current Affairs - October 23, 2025 Current Affairs

Ningol Chakouba is a traditional festival celebrated in the northeastern state of Manipur, symbolizing the deep bond between married women and their brothers. Observed on the second day of the Meitei month of Hiyangei, the festival involves married women (Ningols) visiting their parental homes, where they are warmly welcomed and treated to a grand feast (Chakouba). The celebration reflects the values of love, respect, and family unity deeply rooted in Manipuri culture. Beyond its social significance, Ningol Chakouba also reinforces community harmony and preserves the rich cultural heritage of Manipur through shared familial traditions.

Karthik Narain, a seasoned technology executive and former CTO of Accenture, has been appointed as the Chief Product and Business Officer at Google Cloud. In this role, he will oversee product and engineering teams across cloud, AI, developer tools, and Applied AI, while also leading the go-to-market strategy and collaborating with the public sector division. Narain’s appointment strengthens Google Cloud’s leadership team amid intense competition with AWS and Microsoft Azure. With over 25 years of experience in enterprise systems, AI, and cloud innovation, he is expected to accelerate Google Cloud’s global growth and drive AI-driven digital transformation for enterprise customers.

Chennai has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian city to fully implement a Real-Time Flood Forecasting and Spatial Decision Support System (RTFF & SDSS) in October 2025. This initiative enhances the city’s ability to predict and manage floods with greater accuracy, thereby improving disaster preparedness and resilience against climate-induced challenges. Funded through the World Bank’s Project Development Grant Fund (PDGF), the system integrates weather data, river flow patterns, and urban drainage models. It positions Chennai as a pioneering example of how technology can strengthen urban flood management and protect vulnerable communities.

Coal India Limited (CIL) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to establish a Centre for Sustainable Energy. This collaboration aims to promote advanced research and development in clean energy technologies, low-carbon innovations, and repurposing of coal mines for sustainable applications. The initiative aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving a balanced and environmentally responsible energy transition. By combining CIL’s industry experience with IIT Madras’s research expertise, the partnership seeks to create scalable solutions that can contribute to reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency across sectors.

Kerala is poised to make history by becoming India’s first state to be officially declared free of extreme poverty on November 1, 2025. This achievement is the result of the state’s comprehensive Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme, launched in 2021, which identified and assisted families living in severe economic distress. Through targeted welfare initiatives, social inclusion measures, and effective governance, Kerala has significantly improved the living standards of its most vulnerable citizens. The declaration, to be made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram, highlights Kerala’s continued leadership in social welfare and equitable development.

Mole Day is observed annually on October 23 from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m., symbolizing Avogadro’s Number, 6.02 × 10²³, which is a fundamental constant in chemistry. The celebration helps students and enthusiasts appreciate the significance of the mole concept in understanding atomic theory, chemical reactions, and quantitative analysis. Named after Amedeo Avogadro, whose pioneering work laid the foundation for modern chemistry, Mole Day often includes educational activities, experiments, and themed events. In 2025, the theme “MOLEassic Park” highlights the fun and engaging way in which science education can connect with broader cultural references.

Gangotri Dham is one of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites located in the state of Uttarakhand. Situated in the Uttarkashi district, it is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and marks the origin of the holy River Ganga. Each year, the temple closes for the winter season during the Annakut festival, and the idol of Goddess Ganga is ceremonially moved to Mukhba village, her winter abode. The temple reopens in summer, attracting thousands of devotees who seek spiritual blessings in the serene Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.

The 42nd IndianOil SERVO Surjit Hockey Tournament is taking place in Jalandhar at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium. This prestigious tournament, conducted in a league-cum-knockout format, spans 10 days and features 12 competitive teams, including IndianOil Mumbai, Indian Navy Mumbai, and RCF Kapurthala. Played under floodlights, the event not only highlights the sporting culture of Jalandhar but also provides a platform for emerging and seasoned hockey players to showcase their skills. Known for its strong hockey heritage, Jalandhar continues to be a significant hub for field hockey tournaments and talent development in India.

Saudi Arabia has officially abolished the kafala system, marking a historic reform in its labour laws. The kafala system had long been criticized for giving employers excessive control over foreign workers, including the ability to confiscate passports, restrict job mobility, and deny exit permits. By ending this system, Saudi Arabia aims to improve workers’ rights, attract skilled foreign labour, and align its policies with global labour standards. This reform also supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to modernise the kingdom’s economy and enhance its global reputation as a fair and progressive employer.

Neeraj Chopra, India’s celebrated javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medallist, has been conferred the honourary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. Having joined the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar in 2016, he rose through the ranks to become Subedar and later Subedar Major. Neeraj’s outstanding achievements include prestigious honours such as the Arjuna Award (2018), Khel Ratna (2021), Padma Shri (2022), and Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2022). This recognition highlights his exemplary contributions to Indian sports and his embodiment of discipline, patriotism, and excellence both on and off the field.

The Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order was first introduced in 2011 under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It was later amended and reintroduced as the VOPPA Order, 2025. The 2011 version served as the foundational regulatory framework governing the production, processing, and distribution of edible oils in India, ensuring quality control, fair trade practices, and consumer protection. The 2025 amendment builds upon this framework by introducing mandatory registration for all participants in the edible oil supply chain.

The Indian Army has raised new Bhairav Battalions along with specialised drone platoons to strengthen its rapid-response and high-mobility warfare capabilities. Each Bhairav Battalion consists of around 250 personnel and is designed to operate between regular infantry and Special Forces. These units will enhance surveillance, strike precision, and adaptability during surprise operations along India’s borders with China and Pakistan. The concept of the Bhairav Battalions and drone platoons evolved from operational lessons learned during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, reflecting India’s growing emphasis on technology-integrated military readiness.