Current Affairs - Persons

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.

Rahul Bhatia, the Founder and Managing Director of IndiGo, assumed the role of interim CEO after Pieter Elbers resigned on March 10, 2026. The resignation followed a major operational crisis in December 2025 that resulted in over 5,000 flight cancellations and widespread passenger distress. The disruption was mainly due to severe crew shortages linked to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules. The situation also drew strong regulatory scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). To address the crisis, Rahul Bhatia stepped in as interim CEO with the aim of restoring operational stability, strengthening company culture, and ensuring better operational performance and reliability for the airline.

Safeena Husain, the founder of the non-profit organisation Educate Girls, was included in TIME magazine’s Women of the Year 2026 list for her impactful efforts in promoting girls’ education in rural India. Her initiative has helped bring more than 2 million out-of-school girls back into the education system. What began in 2007 with work in about 50 villages in Rajasthan has expanded significantly to over 25,000 villages across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. In 2025, Educate Girls also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for community leadership. Her work highlights the importance of grassroots initiatives in improving educational access for marginalised girls.