SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

India Charts Bold Space Vision at International Conference on Space 2025

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh opened the International Conference on Space 2025, centered on the theme of leveraging space for innovation, policy, and global development.

• India outlined key space ambitions, including the launch of a Bharatiya Space Station by 2035 and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

• The conference highlighted the historic achievement of Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first country to successfully land near the Moon’s south pole.

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station was acknowledged as a milestone for the Indian Air Force in space exploration.

• Future Indian missions will target celestial bodies like Mars, Venus, and asteroids, alongside the human spaceflight project Gaganyaan.

• The emergence of over 300 startups working on satellites, launch systems, and related technologies was recognized as crucial to India’s growing space sector.

• Key international partnerships, including NASA-ISRO’s NISAR and the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 mission with Japan, reflect India’s expanding global space collaboration.

PM Modi to Lead 2025 Combined Commanders’ Conference

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025, scheduled to take place in Kolkata.

• The three-day event, organized by the Indian Armed Forces, will commence on 15 September 2025.

• During the conference, the Prime Minister will also launch a major health initiative.

• This year’s theme, "Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future," highlights a renewed focus on military modernization, reforms, and readiness for future challenges.

• The event will bring together senior military commanders and key policymakers to discuss national security and evolving defence strategies.

• Strategic dialogues will centre on enhancing the armed forces’ ability to respond swiftly and effectively to complex global threats.

• On 17 September, the Prime Minister will also launch the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, aimed at improving healthcare access for women and children.

• Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda announced that 75,000 health camps will be set up nationwide, primarily at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and community health facilities.

• The campaign will focus on delivering essential services and raising awareness about maternal and child health as part of India’s broader push for inclusive healthcare.

SPORTS

India Clinches Asia Cup Hockey 2025 and Secures Spot in 2026 World Cup

• India lifted the Asia Cup Hockey title after defeating South Korea 4-1 in the final held in Bihar on 7 September.

• This win marked the end of an eight-year title drought for India in the continental tournament.

• The victory also ensured India’s direct qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.

• Sukhjeet Singh opened the scoring with a goal in just 31 seconds — the fastest of the tournament.

• Dilpreet Singh contributed with a brace, while Amit Rohidas scored India’s fourth goal.

• South Korea's only goal came from Dain Son in the 51st minute of the match.

• Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each Indian player, while Malaysia secured third place by defeating China 4-1.

India to Host 28th Asian Table Tennis Team Championships in Bhubaneswar

• The 28th edition of the ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis Team Championships will be held in Bhubaneswar from October 11 to 15, as confirmed by the Table Tennis Federation of India.

• The tournament will feature separate team competitions for men and women and will act as a qualifying event for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships.

• A total of 13 teams from each category will earn direct entry into the 2026 global event based on their performance.

• This marks the first time that Odisha will host an Asian-level table tennis championship, adding to the state’s growing sports legacy.

• Bhubaneswar, known as India’s sports capital, was the host city for the 2019 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships.

• The tournament will adhere to international regulations and is expected to attract top-ranked Asian teams, including China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

• Alongside major contenders, rising teams from South Asia and the Middle East will also participate, showcasing the region’s growing competitiveness in the sport.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Literacy Day 2025 Observed with Focus on Digital Inclusion

• International Literacy Day is celebrated annually on 8 September to highlight the importance of literacy as a basic human right.

• The 2025 edition marked the 58th year since the day was first observed, aiming to support global literacy efforts for sustainable development.

• This year’s theme, ‘Promoting literacy in the digital era’, emphasized bridging the digital divide to enhance learning opportunities.

• UNESCO first proclaimed the observance of this day on 26 October 1966, with the inaugural celebration held in 1967.

• Since 2015, International Literacy Day has been part of the UN’s broader agenda to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

• In 2025, a global conference took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to examine the role of digital technologies in shaping future literacy.

• The day serves as a global reminder of the urgent need to ensure literacy for all in an increasingly digital world.