Current Affairs - Persons

Srihari LR, a 19-year-old chess player from Chennai, became India’s 86th Grandmaster by securing his third and final GM norm at the Asian Individual Chess Championship held in Al-Ain, UAE. He crossed the required 2500 Elo rating and remained unbeaten in the first 8 rounds of the championship, defeating notable Grandmasters like Abhijeet Gupta and Pranav V. Trained under GM Shyamsundar at Chess Thulir Academy, Srihari’s achievement highlights India’s growing strength in chess and its focus on nurturing young talent. This milestone continues India’s legacy as a rising global chess powerhouse.

Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic gold-winning javelin thrower, was honoured with the rank of honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. This prestigious recognition was conferred to celebrate his exceptional achievements in athletics and his role in inspiring the nation. Having won gold at the Tokyo Olympics (2020), silver at the Paris Olympics (2024), and a world championship title in 2023, Neeraj has become a symbol of national pride. Formerly serving as a Subedar Major in the Indian Army, this honorary title reflects the government's initiative to acknowledge civilians who bring glory to the nation. His award became effective from April 16, 2025.

Sonu Sood was recognized with the Humanitarian Award at the 72nd Miss World Festival held in Hyderabad on May 31, 2025. He was honoured for his extensive relief work during the COVID-19 pandemic, including assistance to migrant workers and students. His organization, the Sood Charity Foundation, has made impactful contributions across multiple areas such as healthcare, education, skill development, and disaster relief. These efforts have earned him widespread admiration and this notable recognition by the Miss World Organisation.

Virat Kohli has officially retired from Test cricket after a remarkable 14-year career that redefined India’s presence in the format. With 123 Test matches, 9230 runs, and 30 centuries to his name, Kohli ranks among the greatest in Indian cricket history. As captain, he brought an aggressive, fitness-focused style that elevated India to the No. 1 Test team and led them to a historic series win in Australia. Though recent form saw a dip, especially in the 2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his contributions with both bat and leadership have left an indelible mark on the sport.

Anahat Singh, a 17-year-old Indian squash player, will represent India in the women's category at the World Squash Championships 2024-25 in Chicago. She earned her place in the tournament by winning the Asian Qualifiers held in Malaysia. As India’s top-ranked women’s squash player, Anahat is set to face world No. 28 Marina Stefanoni in the first round. The other names mentioned—Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, Ramit Tandon, and Velavan Senthilkumar—are members of the men’s squad.