Current Affairs - Persons

Sudarsan Pattnaik, a renowned sand artist from Odisha and a Padma Shri awardee, has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Fred Darrington Sand Master Award. The award was presented to him at the Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival held in Dorset, England. Known for his intricate and socially impactful sand sculptures, Pattnaik's work has gained global recognition. This award highlights his decades-long contribution to sand art and marks a significant achievement not just for him but also for Indian art on the international stage.

Om Birla will lead India's delegation at the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent. He will address the general debate on 'Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Justice' and engage in discussions on global parliamentary issues. The delegation, which includes senior MPs and Secretaries-General of both Houses, will also have the opportunity to meet global counterparts and the Indian community in Uzbekistan.

Shubhanshu Shukla is the Indian pilot designated to board the Axiom-4 Mission, which is a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission will use a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched by a Falcon 9 rocket. Shubhanshu Shukla is also one of the four designated astronauts for the Gaganyaan Mission and will become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS. This marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts.

N Chandrasekaran has been appointed to the IMF’s Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship & Growth to contribute to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity. The other options are notable figures related to the IMF or economic history Kristalina Georgieva is the IMF Managing Director, while John Maynard Keynes and Harry Dexter White are founders associated with the Bretton Woods system.

Kamal Haasan has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) Media and Entertainment Committee South. This appointment was announced during the FICCI’s Media and Entertainment Business Conclave South Connect 2025 in Chennai. Known for his influential career as an actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, Haasan’s leadership is expected to bring valuable insights and drive growth in India’s media and entertainment sector. His vision includes transforming the industry into a $100 billion sector, promoting regional collaborations, and enhancing India’s global presence in animation and VFX.