Current Affairs - Persons

Arjun Erigaisi achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the world's No. 2 spot in live chess ratings on November 7th. His victory over Alexey Sarana in Round 3 of the Chennai Grand Masters tournament propelled him to a live rating of 2805.8, surpassing renowned players Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura. Currently, only Magnus Carlsen ranks above Erigaisi, with a rating of 2831.0 points. This accomplishment underscores Erigaisi's exceptional skill and positions him among the global chess elite. Notably, he also became the 16th player in history to reach 2800 rating points, demonstrating his rapid rise in the chess world.

Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, retained his position as India's top philanthropist for the third time in five years. In FY 2024, he donated Rs 2,153 crore, significantly contributing to various causes. The EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 reported a substantial increase in total donations, reaching Rs 8,783 crore from 203 philanthropists. Nadar's philanthropic efforts have made a lasting impact on Indian society, cementing his status as a leading philanthropist. His contributions have inspired others to follow in his footsteps.

Tanushree Pandey secured the Silver Medal at the World Soft Tennis Championship held in Jingshan, China. In the final match, she faced a close defeat against Chiang Min Yu of Chinese Taipei with a score of 3-4. Earlier, Tanushree demonstrated exceptional skill by defeating her Japanese opponent 4-3 in the semifinals. Her achievement brings pride to India, showcasing her talent and determination in the sport. Tanushree's silver medal win highlights India's growing presence in international soft tennis competitions.

Prof. Sreeram Chaulia's book, "Friends – India's Closest Strategic Partners," offers a nuanced perspective on India's foreign relations and strategic partnerships. The book explores India's relationships with seven key partners, providing historical and contemporary insights into the country's rising global position. Launched at an event attended by prominent figures, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, this comprehensive work sheds light on India's foreign policy and its pursuit of goodwill and cooperation with other nations, embodying the philosophy of "Vishwa Mitra" or "World Friend."

Harmeet Desai made history by securing dual titles at the WTT Feeder Caracas in Venezuela. He demonstrated exceptional skill, winning the Men's Singles title with a convincing 3-0 victory over France's Joe Seyfried. Additionally, Desai partnered with Krittwika Roy to clinch the Mixed Doubles title, edging out Cuba's Jorge Campos and Daniela Fonseca Carrazana 3-2 in a thrilling final. Desai's impressive performance underscores India's rising prominence in international table tennis, showcasing the country's growing talent and competitive edge in the sport. This achievement is a testament to India's thriving table tennis ecosystem.