Current Affairs - Persons

Caitlin Sandra Neil, a 19-year-old Indian-American born in Chennai, was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey. Currently a second-year student at the University of California, Davis, Caitlin is passionate about women's empowerment and literacy. She aspires to make a positive impact in her community while pursuing a career in web design, modelling, and acting. Her win highlights her commitment to both social causes and personal growth, reflecting her vision for the future.

Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma has been reappointed as Nepal's ambassador to India by President Ramchandra Paudel, based on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. This marks his second term in this critical diplomatic position, with his previous tenure running from March 2022 to July 2024. His reappointment reflects confidence in his expertise and experience in fostering Nepal-India relations. Concurrently, Dr Netra Prasad Timsina was appointed as Nepal's Resident Ambassador to Malaysia, indicating Nepal’s focus on strengthening its diplomatic engagements in the region.

Pranav Venkatesh, a Grandmaster from Chennai, achieved a historic double victory by winning the FIDE World U-18 Youth Rapid and Blitz Chess titles in Slovenia. He secured gold with 9.5 points in the Rapid category, outperforming competitors like Alexander Khripachenko and Roman Pyrih. In the Blitz category, he dominated with an impressive 19.5 points, leaving Russia's Dmitry Mochalov behind. This landmark achievement underscores Pranav's exceptional talent and marks a significant moment in Indian chess history.

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's most accomplished spinners, retired from international cricket after a stellar 14-year career. He concluded his journey with 537 Test wickets, ranking as India's second-highest Test wicket-taker and achieving 37 five-wicket hauls. Ashwin's versatility and tactical brilliance made him a key match-winner across 287 international matches, leaving a lasting legacy in cricket.

Dommaraju Gukesh became the youngest chess world champion in 2024 at the age of 18. He defeated the defending champion, Ding Liren, in a tough three-week-long match in Singapore. Gukesh’s victory shattered the previous record held by Garry Kasparov, making him the youngest to ever win the World Chess Championship. His journey to the title was marked by hard work, resilience, and remarkable focus, showcasing his determination to reach the pinnacle of the chess world.