“AWARDS”

President Murmu Receives City Key of Honour

President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Portugal on April 7, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic relationship between India and Portugal, especially as both nations celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations. The visit emphasized cultural ties, technological collaboration, and mutual aspirations as knowledge-based economies. Her receipt of the prestigious ‘City Key of Honour’ from the Mayor of Lisbon, along with her participation in a state banquet hosted by the Portuguese President, H.E. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, reflected the warmth and strategic importance of the bilateral relationship.

“SPORTS”

Virat Kohli Becomes First Indian to Score 13,000 Runs in T20 Cricket

Virat Kohli, one of the most consistent and celebrated batters in modern-day cricket, etched his name into the history books once again by becoming the first Indian cricketer to complete 13,000 runs in T20 cricket. The landmark was achieved during an IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Max Verstappen Triumphs at the Japanese GP for Fourth Consecutive Win

Max Verstappen clinched his first victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Japanese Grand Prix. After enduring race-long pressure from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Verstappen’s performance secured him his fourth consecutive win, extending his dominance in the season. Verstappen’s incredible pole position qualifying lap, beating Norris by just 0.012 seconds, set the stage for his victory. The win was also a significant milestone for Red Bull, marking their last race with Honda power in Japan.

Hitesh Gulia First Indian Boxer to Win Gold at the World Boxing Cup

India’s boxing contingent made a remarkable debut at the 2025 World Boxing Cup held in Foz Do Iguacu, Brazil. In a stunning performance, Hitesh Gulia emerged as the first-ever Indian boxer to win a gold medal at this prestigious event. His victory was made even more special as he became the only Indian boxer to clinch gold at the World Boxing Cup.

“APPOINTMENT”

SC Collegium Recommends Justice Arun Palli as Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court

Supreme Court collegium made a significant recommendation for the appointment of Justice Arun Palli as the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh High Court. This recommendation follows the upcoming retirement of the current Chief Justice, Tashi Rabtan, on April 9, 2025. Justice Palli, a senior judge from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, brings a wealth of experience in law, including expertise in civil, criminal, constitutional, industrial, and labor laws.

“NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

West Bengal Secures GI Tags for Nolen Gurer Sandesh

West Bengal has achieved a significant milestone in preserving and promoting its cultural heritage by securing Geographical Indication (GI) tags for seven new products, including the iconic Nolen Gurer Sandesh and Baruipur guavas. This recognition will provide global recognition to these traditional items, boosting the state’s local economy and enhancing its cultural identity. These GI tags highlight West Bengal’s rich heritage, spanning from sweets and agriculture to textiles and handicrafts.

India Ranks 36 in Network Readiness Index

India has made notable progress in its ability to adopt and integrate frontier technologies, with its ranking improving significantly on the global network readiness index. According to the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report by UNCTAD, India ranks 36th out of 170 nations, marking a substantial improvement from its previous ranking of 48th in 2022. This progress is a result of multiple factors, including improvements in ICT deployment, research and development (R&D) activity, industrial capacity, and finance, with a particular emphasis on AI and nanotechnology. The report highlights that India is part of a group of developing countries outperforming expectations, and is also a key player in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).