Current Affairs - Persons

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.

Rani Rampal, renowned as the "Queen of Indian Hockey," has brought an end to her remarkable 15-year international hockey career. With 254 international matches and 120 goals under her belt, Rani leaves behind a legacy of outstanding achievements. Her leadership and scoring prowess guided India to numerous milestones, including a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Rani's accolades include the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and the Padma Shri, solidifying her status as one of India's greatest female hockey players. Her retirement marks the end of an era in Indian women's hockey.

Glasgow, Scotland, has been selected to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, marking the city's return as host after a 12-year hiatus. The 2026 Games will feature a streamlined sports program, focusing on 10 disciplines, including athletics, swimming, and gymnastics. Notably, popular sports like hockey, badminton, wrestling, and shooting will not be included. Glasgow's experience in hosting major international events, including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, makes it an ideal location for this prestigious sporting event. The city's infrastructure and expertise will ensure a successful and memorable Games.

M.K. Ranjitsinh, a renowned conservationist from India, authored the book "Mountain Mammals of the World," published by Penguin Random House. With a career spanning decades, Ranjitsinh has been instrumental in shaping India’s wildlife conservation efforts, including his role in Project Tiger and protecting endangered species like the barasingha. His book offers a comprehensive guide to 62 species and 78 subspecies of large mammals found in some of the world's most remote mountain ranges. Through his literary work, he shares scientific insights, personal stories, and stunning visuals from his conservation journey.