“IMPORTANT DAYS”

18 June- International Picnic Day

International Picnic Day is celebrated every year on 18 June to encourage people to step outdoors, spend quality time with family and friends, and enjoy a natural meal. Though not an officially recognised holiday by any government, it is widely observed in many parts of the world as a simple, joyful celebration of leisure and togetherness.

18 June – Autistic Pride Day

Autistic Pride Day is celebrated every year on 18 June to recognise the dignity, rights, and unique identity of people with autism. It emphasizes self-advocacy, acceptance, and the celebration of neurodiversity, shifting the focus from “curing” autism to embracing it as a different way of thinking and experiencing the world. The day was first initiated by the Aspies for Freedom (AFF) group in 2005, and has since been observed globally by autistic individuals, families, and advocacy groups.

“DEFENCE”

India-France Joint Exercise ‘Shakti 2025’ Begins in France

A 90-member Indian Army contingent, led by troops from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, has departed for France to take part in the eighth edition of the India-France joint military exercise ‘Shakti’, scheduled from June 18 to July 1, 2025, at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie. This biennial engagement between the two nations focuses on enhancing counter-terror cooperation, sub-conventional operations, and military interoperability in semi-urban terrain, under the UN Charter’s Chapter VII mandate.

“APPOINTMENTS”

Anantha Chandrakasan Becomes First Indian-Born Provost of MIT

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has appointed Professor Anantha Chandrakasan as its next Provost, making him the first Indian-born academician to hold the prestigious position. A pioneer in electrical engineering and computer science, Chandrakasan will take charge on July 1, 2025, succeeding Cynthia Barnhart. In this role, he will guide MIT’s academic affairs, financial planning, and strategic initiatives.

“NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

Govt Launches ₹3000 FASTag Annual Pass for Private Vehicles

In a significant move aimed at easing toll payments and enhancing highway travel convenience, the Government of India has launched a FASTag-based Annual Pass for ₹3,000, exclusively for private vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans. Starting August 15, 2025, this scheme allows up to 200 trips or one year of travel, whichever comes first, and is designed to reduce costs, eliminate disputes at toll booths, and promote seamless, digital-first toll collection across National Highways.

Maharashtra Makes Hindi ‘General’ Third Language in Schools

The Maharashtra government has issued a revised directive stating that Hindi will be “generally” taught as a third language from Classes 1 to 5 in all Marathi and English medium schools, as part of the implementation of the State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. While the policy allows opting for other Indian languages, this option is conditional, leading to criticism from language activists and opposition leaders who have accused the government of reintroducing Hindi through the backdoor after earlier public resistance.

Starlink Gets Licence Nod in India as Airtel and Jio Join Hands with SpaceX

In a major boost to India’s digital infrastructure, Elon Musk’s Starlink has received a formal license to operate satellite-based internet services in the country. Announced by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the development marks a significant step in bridging India’s digital divide, especially in remote and underserved areas. This comes after Indian telecom giants Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel announced partnerships with SpaceX in March 2025 to deploy Starlink services across the country.

Maruti Suzuki Opens India’s Largest In-Plant Railway Siding at Manesar

In a major step towards sustainable logistics and greener transportation, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has inaugurated India’s largest in-plant automobile railway siding at its Manesar facility in Haryana. Developed with an investment of ₹452 crore, the project is aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and aims to significantly cut carbon emissions and fuel consumption by enhancing rail-based vehicle dispatch.