Current Affairs - Persons

Shubman Gill etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first Indian and Asian Test captain to score a double hundred in England, achieving the feat at Edgbaston. This remarkable performance also saw him break the record for the highest individual score by an Indian on English soil, previously held by Sunil Gavaskar, who scored 221 runs at the Oval in 1979. Gill's double century not only surpassed Gavaskar's record but also went beyond the 193-run mark set by Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan at Lord’s in 2011, making it a historic moment for Asian cricket.

Teghbir Singh, a six-year-old from Punjab, made history by becoming the youngest mountaineer to scale Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in both Russia and Europe, standing at 18,510 feet (5,642 metres). His achievement marks a significant milestone in mountaineering, given the physical and mental challenges posed by such an elevation. Teghbir’s accomplishment not only set a world record but also followed his earlier success in August 2024, when he became the youngest Asian to scale Mt Kilimanjaro. His achievements at such a young age showcase exceptional determination, preparation, and endurance in extreme conditions.

R. Praggnanandhaa emerged as India’s top-ranked chess player following his victory at the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 held in Tashkent. The 19-year-old Grandmaster secured 5.5 points in the round-robin stage and won the tiebreaks to clinch the title. This marked his third major classical title of the year and elevated his live FIDE rating to 2778.3, pushing him to World No. 4. With this achievement, he surpassed fellow Indian stars D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, becoming the highest-rated Indian chess player in live rankings. His ascent highlights his remarkable consistency and growing dominance in global chess.

Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic medallist and one of India’s most celebrated athletes secured the Javelin Throw title at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 meet held in the Czech Republic. At 27 years old, he achieved a winning throw of 85.29 metres in the one-day event, earning the gold medal. This performance also marked his second consecutive victory in international competition, reaffirming his consistency and elite status in the field of athletics. Neeraj’s success continues to inspire aspiring athletes and brings international recognition to India’s growing presence in track and field sports.

Dangeti Jahnavi, hailing from Palakollu in Andhra Pradesh, has made history as the first Indian to complete NASA’s International Air and Space Program. Her outstanding achievement has earned her a place in the 2029 mission to Titan’s Orbital Port Space Station, a pioneering space infrastructure project. Jahnavi’s journey is a testament to the global recognition of Indian scientific talent and the increasing role of Indian professionals in international space collaborations. With a background in Electronics and Communication Engineering and support from her family living abroad, her story reflects the determination and excellence required to reach the frontiers of space exploration.