Current Affairs - Persons

Hungarian-British writer David Szalay won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel "Flesh", marking a historic win as the first author of his background to receive the honour. The novel is celebrated for its minimalist prose and powerful exploration of class, ambition, and masculinity. It follows a man’s rise from a modest Hungarian housing estate to the sophisticated world of London’s elite, reflecting themes of identity and power. Alongside the prestigious recognition, Szalay received a £50,000 cash prize, earning global literary acclaim and cementing his place among contemporary literary greats.

Sheetal Devi, an 18-year-old para-archer from Jammu and Kashmir, made history by becoming the first Indian para-athlete to join the able-bodied national archery team. Born with phocomelia, a condition that left her without arms, she adapted her technique to shoot using her legs and shoulders. Her remarkable performances—winning medals at the Asian Para Games, World Championships, and Paralympics—earned her a spot in the compound women’s team for the Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah. Her selection reflects a monumental step toward inclusivity, merit-based recognition, and breaking barriers in Indian sports.

Zohran Mamdani was elected as the Mayor of New York City on 4 November 2025, marking a historic moment in American urban politics. He became the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first person of South Asian descent, and the youngest individual in over a century to hold the post. Born in Uganda to Indian-origin parents, Mamdani’s progressive platform emphasised social equity through measures like free bus services, universal childcare, rent freezes, and higher minimum wages. His election represents a generational shift, greater diversity in city leadership, and the growing influence of progressive politics in major U.S. cities.

Shri Sanjay Garg, a 1994-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, has taken charge as the Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) from 1 November 2025. With over three decades of administrative experience, he has contributed significantly to policy formulation, planning, and implementation across various national sectors. Prior to this role, he served as Additional Secretary at the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and as Secretary at ICAR, where he led digital transformation initiatives, including the expansion of the Kisan Sarathi portal aimed at empowering farmers through real-time advisory services.

Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis sensation, reclaimed the ATP World No. 1 ranking by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets—6-4, 7-6 (4)—in the 2025 Paris Masters final. This victory marked Sinner’s first Paris Masters title and extended his impressive indoor winning streak to 26 matches. With this win, he surpassed Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP rankings, consolidating his dominance during the 2025 season. Sinner’s consistency, particularly in indoor tournaments like Vienna and Paris, showcased his exceptional form, tactical maturity, and mental resilience, cementing his position among the elite players shaping the new era of men’s tennis.