Current Affairs - Persons

Annu Rani, India’s reigning Asian Games champion, won the women’s javelin throw event at the International Wiesław Maniak Memorial in Poland with a season-best throw of 62.59 metres. Her performance outclassed Turkey’s Eda Tugsuz and Australia’s Lianna Davidson, who took silver and bronze, respectively. Rani’s first throw of 60.96m had already secured her the lead, and her second throw extended it to a new season-best. This victory places her among the world’s top 15 female javelin throwers in 2025 and boosts her chances of qualifying for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, renowned as the Father of India’s Green Revolution, was honoured at the Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Swaminathan’s pioneering work in developing high-yield wheat varieties transformed India from a food-deficient nation to a self-sufficient one within a short span. Inspired by the Bengal famine of 1942–43, his lifelong mission focused on eradicating hunger and empowering farmers. The three-day conference celebrated his vision of an “Evergreen Revolution,” promoting sustainable, science-led agriculture to ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers across India.

Union Minister Annpurna Devi inaugurated SheLeads II, a two-day workshop organised by the UN Women India Country Office in New Delhi. SheLeads is the flagship capacity-building programme of UN Women, designed to enhance gender equality in political and public leadership. The initiative focuses on equipping women with essential leadership skills, strong networks, and the confidence to assume leadership positions. By inaugurating this event, Annpurna Devi reinforced the government’s support for women’s empowerment, aiming to strengthen female representation and leadership across various sectors in India’s political and public life.

Kabak Yano, a celebrated mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh, successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters, as part of her Seven Summits mission. This achievement adds to her impressive record, which already includes conquering Mount Everest. Yano’s feat highlights the spirit of adventure and determination prevalent in India’s North East, while also advancing the cause of women’s representation in extreme sports. Governor KT Parnaik, who flagged off her expedition, praised her perseverance and courage. Her journey continues as she aims to climb the remaining peaks in the prestigious Seven Summits challenge across all continents.

Divya Deshmukh made history by winning the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, defeating veteran Koneru Humpy in the final held in Batumi, Georgia. At just 19 years old, Divya showed exceptional maturity and composure, especially in the rapid tiebreaks, where she capitalised on a key endgame error by Humpy. This victory not only earned her the prestigious World Cup title but also granted her the Grandmaster title, making her the fourth Indian woman to achieve this feat. Her win marks a generational shift in Indian women’s chess and symbolises the rise of young talent on the global stage.