Current Affairs - Persons

The 25th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards will be hosted in Jaipur from March 7 to March 9, 2025. The event will celebrate its silver jubilee and will include the introduction of the IIFA Digital Awards, which will honour achievements in digital entertainment, films, and OTT content. Jaipur was selected as the host city following a memorandum of understanding between the Rajasthan Tourism Department and IIFA, making it the centre of attention for this prestigious event.

Rhea Singha, a 19-year-old model from Gujarat, won the title of Miss Universe India 2024 in Jaipur, triumphing over 51 other candidates. This victory not only highlights her modeling prowess but also positions her as India’s representative at the upcoming global Miss Universe competition in Mexico. Rhea expressed immense gratitude during her winning speech, acknowledging the hard work and inspiration drawn from previous winners. Her achievement emphasizes the growing recognition of Indian beauty and talent on an international platform, making her a significant figure in the realm of beauty pageants.

Nazira Banoo, hailing from Lato, Kargil in Ladakh, won the gold medal in the under-30 Poomsae category at the 1st Khelo India Women’s Taekwondo League held in Vadodara, Gujarat. The event, organized by the Taekwondo Federation of India and Khelo India, brought together participants from across India. Nazira’s victory not only earned her the gold medal but also secured her qualification for the Khelo India Women’s League Nationals Phase-III, which will take place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has been selected to pilot the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025, marking a historic achievement as the first Indian astronaut to embark on this journey. The Ax-4 mission, a collaborative effort between India and the United States, will also see renowned astronaut Peggy Whitson commanding the mission. During his time aboard the ISS, Shubhanshu will conduct five experiments, contributing to scientific research and the growing presence of India in space exploration.

John Marshall played a pivotal role in unveiling the mysteries of the Indus Valley Civilisation. As the then-Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), he made the historic announcement of the discovery on September 20, 1924. This revelation sparked widespread interest and paved the way for further excavations and research. Marshall's contribution remains significant in understanding the Harappan civilisation, which spans across India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. His announcement marked the beginning of a century-long exploration into this ancient civilization's secrets and significance.