IMPORTANT DAYS

Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2025 observed on May 9

• Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2025 will be observed on 9th May, marking his 164th birth anniversary.

• The celebration coincides with the 25th day of the Bengali month Boishakh, usually falling in April or May.

• Tagore, a renowned poet, thinker, and Nobel laureate, is honored with titles like ‘Gurudev,’ ‘Kabiguru,’ and ‘Biswakabi.’

• His contributions in literature, music, and art have had a lasting impact on Indian culture and beyond.

• Born on 7th May 1861, he was the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore, a Brahmo Samaj leader.

• He became the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.

• Tagore composed over 2000 songs, collectively known as ‘Rabindra Sangeet.’

• Mahatma Gandhi bestowed the title “Gurudev” upon him, and his birth anniversary is also called Pachishe Boishakh in Bengali tradition.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

80th Victory Day Parade Held in Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

• On May 9, Russia celebrated its 80th Victory Day with a grand parade in Moscow led by President Vladimir Putin.

• Victory Day marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany and is one of Russia’s most significant national holidays.

• The event highlights Russia’s pride and global influence, commemorating the sacrifice of 27 million Soviet lives during World War II.

• President Putin, Russia’s longest-serving leader since Stalin, was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio, and other dignitaries.

• This was the fourth Victory Day parade since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

• India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar attended the event at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi.

• Dr. Jaishankar emphasized the enduring importance of the 1945 victory over fascism.

• The parade showcased Russia’s ongoing commitment to honoring its World War II legacy amid current geopolitical tensions.

SPORTS

Rohit Sharma Announces Retirement from Test Cricket: Key Highlights

• Rohit Sharma has officially retired from Test cricket, ending his notable career in the longest format.

• He took over as India’s Test captain in 2022 and led the team in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final against Australia.

• Since debuting in 2013, Rohit played 67 Tests, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.6, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries.

• His highest Test score is 212, achieved against South Africa in Ranchi in October 2019.

• Rohit was part of India’s historic Test series win in Australia during the 2020-21 tour and played in two World Test Championship finals.

• He had already retired from T20 Internationals after captaining India to the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory.

• Rohit will continue as India’s ODI captain despite retiring from Tests and T20Is.

• In 2024, he was honored as captain of the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year.

SAFF Under-19 Championship 2025 Kicks Off in Arunachal Pradesh

• The SAFF U-19 Football Championship 2025 began on May 9 in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh.

• The tournament features six South Asian nations competing for the title.

• India faced Sri Lanka in the opening match at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia.

• Group A includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives; Group B has India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

• The championship final is set to take place on May 18.

• This is the 7th edition of the regional U-19 football tournament organized by the South Asian Football Federation.

• Bangladesh won their first title in 2024 by beating Nepal 4–1 in the previous final.

• India remains the most successful team, having won the championship three times since its inception in 2015.