Current Affairs - Persons

Kalpana Soren, a Member of Legislative Assembly from Jharkhand, received the ‘Women Empowerment Trailblazers Award’ at the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women Empowerment Annual Summit and Felicitation 2026 held in New Delhi. The award recognised her impactful work in promoting women-led development and grassroots empowerment initiatives in Jharkhand. She dedicated the honour to the women of her state, emphasising their courage and role in shaping society. She also highlighted the importance of uplifting marginalized women and encouraging entrepreneurship among women as key drivers of social and economic change.

Bhupathiraju Anmish Varma, a mountaineer from Visakhapatnam, achieved a remarkable feat by setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest ascent of the seven volcanic summits. He completed this challenging expedition in just 92 days, 4 hours, and 45 minutes. His journey began with Mount Elbrus in Russia and ended with Mount Sidley in Antarctica. The expedition required immense physical endurance and mental strength, as he faced extreme weather conditions, logistical challenges, and difficult terrains, especially in Antarctica, making his accomplishment truly exceptional.

Bhumika Shrestha created history by becoming Nepal’s first female transgender Member of Parliament in March 2026. She was elected through the proportional representation system after the Rastriya Swatantra Party secured a major victory. At 38, her inclusion in the House of Representatives marked a significant step toward inclusivity and equal representation in Nepal’s political landscape. Previously an LGBTQ+ rights activist, she has long advocated for the rights of gender and sexual minorities. Her journey from gaining legal recognition of her identity to entering Parliament symbolises progress for marginalised communities in the region.

Mayank Chakraborty, a 16-year-old International Master, achieved the milestone of becoming India’s 94th Grandmaster by securing his final norm at the 8th Grandmaster Tournament in Sweden. He delivered an outstanding performance, finishing first with 7 out of 9 points and maintaining an unbeaten streak in crucial rounds. By crossing the required FIDE rating of 2500, he officially earned the Grandmaster title. This achievement is particularly significant as he is the first player from Assam and the North East region to attain this prestigious title, marking a historic moment for Indian chess and inspiring young talents from the region.

Krishnan Raghavan, popularly known as Kitna, was posthumously honoured with the Padma Shri 2026 for his significant contribution to preserving and promoting the Kurumba painting tradition. Belonging to the Kurumba tribal community of Kerala, he dedicated his life to showcasing indigenous art forms that reflect tribal life, mythology, and nature. His efforts brought national recognition to this unique art style, which is known for its use of natural pigments and symbolic motifs. The award acknowledges his role in safeguarding cultural heritage and promoting awareness of tribal artistic traditions across the country.