IMPORTANT DAYS

World Homoeopathy Day 2025 Celebrated on April 10.

• World Homoeopathy Day is commemorated annually on April 10, honouring the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the German founder of homeopathy, born in 1755.

• For 2025, a special two-day conference is being held on April 10–11 at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

• The event is being organized under the Ministry of AYUSH, in collaboration with CCRH, NCH, and NIH, bringing together key stakeholders in the homeopathic community.

• The conference theme, ‘अध्ययन, अध्यापन एवं अनुसंधान’, highlights the core pillars of homeopathy—learning, teaching, and research.

• This national event serves as a platform to discuss advancements, foster academic dialogue, and promote innovation within the field.

• In 2024, the conference was hosted in New Delhi and graced by the presence of President Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

STATE NEWS

Ladakh Hosts Apricot Blossom Festival 2025 to Promote Eco-Tourism

• The Apricot Blossom Festival 2025 kicked off on April 10 in Ladakh, covering apricot-growing regions in Leh and Kargil.

• Modeled after Meghalaya’s Cherry Blossom Festival, the event was introduced in 2020 to highlight Ladakh’s spring beauty and promote sustainable tourism.

• This year, more villages are participating, with celebrations in Kargil starting April 11 in Sanjak and concluding on May 4 in Tar village.

• Tar village, awarded Best Tourism Village 2024 (Responsible Tourism), is a key highlight of the festival.

• Held during the blooming season, the festival showcases Ladakh’s pink-and-white apricot blossoms to attract early-season tourists.

• The initiative aims to extend Ladakh’s tourist season by spotlighting scenic, lesser-explored destinations in April.

National Tribal Youth Festival 2025 Celebrated in Mizoram to Honour Tribal Heritage and Freedom Fighters

• The National Tribal Youth Festival is being held at the State Tribal Resource Centre in Kelsih, near Aizawl, Mizoram, from April 8 to April 11, 2025.

• Organized to mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, the festival celebrates tribal legacy and instills a spirit of patriotism among the youth.

• The event showcases a rich blend of traditional and contemporary cultural performances, described as a “Mosaic of Cultures.”

• Notable acts include performances by renowned Mizo artists and members of the Mizo Zaimi Insuikhawm (MZI).

• Cultural troupes from the Mizo Cultural Organisation and other regional groups display the vibrancy of Mizo heritage.

• Guitarist Imnainla Jamir from Nagaland and performer Vawnchawi Vaiphei from Manipur are among the special guests contributing to the festival’s diverse musical offerings.

AWARDS

Banu Mushtaq’s ‘Heart Lamp’ Becomes First Kannada Work Shortlisted for International Booker Prize 2025

• ‘Heart Lamp’, a short story collection by Karnataka-based writer, lawyer, and activist Banu Mushtaq, has been shortlisted for the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025.

• This marks a historic moment as it is the first Kannada-language book to be shortlisted for this global literary honour.

• The English translation of the work was done by Deepa Bhashthi, helping bring the collection to an international audience.

• Comprising 12 stories originally written between 1990 and 2023, the book stood out for its rich, emotional, and colloquial storytelling style.

• Judges praised the book for its vivid portrayal of interpersonal and community tensions, blending humour and poignancy.

• Selected from six international entries, ‘Heart Lamp’ is now in competition with literary works from around the globe.

• The International Booker Prize, formerly the Man Booker International Prize, recognizes books translated into English and celebrates both the author and the translator.

NATIONAL NEWS

Poshan Pakhwada 2025: Strengthening Nutrition and Community Health Through Mission Poshan 2.0

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development is observing the 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada from April 8 to April 22, 2025.

• Celebrated under the umbrella of Mission Poshan 2.0, the initiative emphasizes improved nutrition and community health through active public participation.

• This year’s campaign places special emphasis on the first 1,000 days of life—from conception to a child’s second birthday—crucial for lifelong physical and cognitive development.

• Ensuring proper nutrition during this foundational phase contributes to better educational outcomes, long-term productivity, and higher income prospects.

• Poshan Pakhwada 2025 also aims to promote the use of the beneficiary module in the Poshan Tracker App to enhance digital monitoring and outreach.

• Another focal point includes addressing malnutrition via the CMAM (Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition) module.

• The celebration also spotlights healthy lifestyle choices to combat the growing issue of childhood obesity.

• The initiative reinforces the government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate malnutrition and promote a healthier future for children and communities alike.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

Global Technology Summit 2025 Begins in New Delhi with Focus on Possibilities

• The 9th Global Technology Summit (GTS) 2025 began on April 10 in New Delhi, running till April 12 under the theme ‘Sambhavna’, meaning possibilities.

• The summit explores the role of emerging technologies in driving inclusive growth, enhancing digital governance, and fostering global partnerships.

• Co-hosted by Carnegie India and the Ministry of External Affairs, GTS is India’s premier platform on geo-technology since its inception in 2016.

• The event features over 40 sessions, including ministerial talks, expert panels, and strategic discussions.

• More than 150 speakers from over 40 nations are participating to address global technology opportunities and challenges.

• The GTS Young Ambassadors program enables students and young professionals to engage in discussions on AI ethics, digital futures, and international tech policies.

India-Russia Deepen Economic Ties with Six New Strategic Initiatives

• India and Russia have finalized six key initiatives aimed at boosting bilateral investments and economic ties.

• The developments took place during the 8th India-Russia Working Group meeting on Priority Investment Projects, held in New Delhi.

• The discussions cantered on enhancing collaboration through joint ventures in mutual interest areas.

• An India-Russia Investment Forum was also organized alongside the meeting, attracting over 80 participants including business leaders, start-ups, and government officials.

• Priority sectors identified for investment include pharmaceuticals, IT, steel, aviation, infrastructure, and fertilizers.

• The two nations continue to share strong strategic ties, with Russia being a key defense partner and ally in platforms like BRICS, SCO, and G20.

• The partnership, elevated in 2010 to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” continues to expand through such collaborative efforts.