Current Affairs - Persons

Rithvik Bollipalli, from India, partnered with Colombia's Nicolas Barrientos to win the Chile Open 2025 men’s doubles title in Santiago. They defeated the top-seeded Argentine pair, Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez, with a 6-3, 6-2 scoreline. This victory made Bollipalli the first Indian to win an ATP title on Latin Clay, adding to his previous achievement of winning the 2024 Almaty Open.

Heart Lamp is a short story collection by Kannada author Banu Mushtaq, which has been longlisted for the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025. This is a historic achievement, as it is the first time that a Kannada work has made it to the long list. The collection contains 12 short stories set within Muslim communities in southern India, originally published between 1990 and 2023. The judges have praised the book’s storytelling, calling it “witty, vivid, colloquial, moving, and excoriating.” This marks a significant step for Kannada literature on the international stage, showcasing its depth and cultural richness.

Indian squash legend Saurav Ghosal won the Sydney Classic 2025 title, marking a remarkable return to professional squash after coming out of retirement. He defeated Egypt’s Abdelrahman Nassar in straight games during the final on February 23. This victory added to Ghosal’s illustrious career, bringing his total number of PSA titles to 11, further cementing his legacy in the sport.

Virat Kohli made history by becoming the fastest batter to reach 14,000 runs in ODI cricket. He achieved this milestone during the ICC Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan in Dubai. Kohli is only the third player in ODI history to score 14,000 runs, joining the ranks of legendary players Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. Kohli is also known for holding the record for the most ODI centuries (50), further solidifying his place as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the format.

Kash Patel made history by becoming the first Indian American to be sworn in as the FBI Director. He was confirmed by a 51-49 Senate vote. Patel, who has a background as a former public defender and top defence official, vowed to restore trust in the FBI while ensuring transparency and accountability. His leadership focuses on refocusing the agency on national security and fair law enforcement, marking a significant step in diversifying leadership within prominent U.S. government institutions.