Current Affairs - Persons

Shirley Botchwey was appointed as the 7th Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations on April 1, 2025, becoming the first African woman to hold this prestigious position. A Ghanaian politician and diplomat, she has had a distinguished career in foreign affairs, national security, and business. Her election at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 in Apia, Samoa, marks a historic milestone for the Commonwealth. As Secretary-General, she will lead efforts to promote democracy, human rights, and sustainable development across member nations.

Narender Berwal, an Asian Games bronze medallist, will lead the 10-member Indian men's boxing team at the inaugural World Boxing Cup in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. This tournament is significant as it is the first event hosted by World Boxing since it received provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee in February and the inclusion of boxing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Berwal’s leadership highlights his prominence in the boxing arena and his confidence in his abilities to represent India on this global platform.

Sunil Kumar won the bronze medal in the 87kg Greco-Roman category at the 2025 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Amman, Jordan, defeating Jiaxin Huang from China. This achievement marks his fifth senior medal at the Asian Championships, adding to his previous silver in 2019 and a Greco-Roman gold in 2020. Sunil’s continued success further strengthens India’s presence in Greco-Roman wrestling at the international level.

Sanjay Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), was elected as a Bureau Member of United World Wrestling (UWW)-Asia during the UWW-Asia General Assembly held in Amman, Jordan, on March 24, 2025. Singh secured 22 out of 38 votes, reflecting strong support from the Asian wrestling community. His election is a significant achievement for Indian wrestling, enhancing India’s international presence and contributing to the development of the sport in Asia. This milestone highlights the global recognition and growth of Indian wrestling.

Vinod Kumar Shukla, a prominent Hindi writer, was awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award for his exceptional contributions to Hindi literature. At 88 years old, he became the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive this prestigious recognition. Known for his unique writing style and emotional depth, Shukla’s works include short stories, poetry, and essays. His recognition marks a significant achievement for the state of Chhattisgarh, as he is the first from there to be honoured with India's highest literary award, adding to his legacy as a significant figure in Hindi literature.