Current Affairs - Persons

Sumathi Dharmawardena, a Sri Lankan legal expert, has taken over as the new independent chair of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), succeeding Sir Ronnie Flanagan who led the unit for 14 years. Dharmawardena brings a strong background in sports corruption investigations and legal representation, including roles with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). As the ACU's Independent Chair, he will oversee and lead the unit responsible for maintaining the integrity of cricket, guiding the General Manager on integrity, and ensuring effective strategies to prevent corruption across international cricket. His expertise in overseeing high-profile investigations and prosecutions under the Prevention of Offences relating to the Sports Act makes him well-equipped to tackle sports corruption.

National Unity Day is celebrated on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a pivotal role in uniting India after independence. The 'Run for Unity' event, initiated by Prime Minister Modi in 2015, aims to promote unity and development, reflecting Patel's vision for a strong and cohesive India. Patel's legacy includes the unification of 550 princely states, laying the foundation for modern India. His contributions were recognized with the construction of the world's tallest statue in Kevadia, Gujarat, as a tribute.

Renowned director Francis Ford Coppola, celebrated for his influential films like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2025 AFI Life Achievement Award. This honour recognizes his significant contributions to American cinema and his lasting impact on filmmaking. The award ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre, will support AFI's educational programs and will be broadcast on TNT and Turner Classic Movies, allowing fans and aspiring filmmakers to celebrate Coppola’s achievements and his influence on cinematic history.

Manika Batra achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the quarterfinals of the WTT Champions Montpellier 2024 tournament. Ranked 30th globally, Batra showed exceptional skill, defeating higher-ranked opponents, including world No. 14 Bernadette Szocs of Romania and Lily Zhang of the USA. Although she lost to China's Qian Tianyi in the quarterfinals, her impressive performance marked a significant breakthrough for Indian table tennis.

Vishvajit Ramchandra More made a remarkable achievement by securing a bronze medal in the 55 kg Greco-Roman category at the Under-23 Wrestling World Championship. He triumphed over Adam Ulbashev with a score of 14-10, demonstrating his exceptional wrestling skills. This victory showcases India's growing presence in international wrestling competitions. The championship also saw other notable performances, including Ali Abdollah Ahmadi Vafa winning gold and Rashad Mammadov taking silver in the same category. Vishvajit's bronze medal win is a testament to India's rising talent in wrestling.