IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of the Girl Child 2025 celebrated on October 11.

• The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated globally on October 11 each year to highlight girls’ rights and empowerment.

• The 2025 theme is “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis.”

• The UN General Assembly proclaimed this observance on December 19, 2011, to draw attention to the challenges faced by girls worldwide.

• The day emphasizes the importance of education, equality, and human rights for girls.

• In India, National Girl Child Day is marked every year on January 24 to promote similar goals.

• Around 133 million girls remain out of school, and many adolescent girls face barriers to education and employment.

• Studies show that 1 in 4 married girls aged 15–19 have faced intimate partner violence, reflecting the urgent need for stronger protection and inclusion.

NATIONAL NEWS

123rd Birth Anniversary of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan

• India paid heartfelt tribute to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan on his 123rd birth anniversary on October 11, 2025.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured his legacy and his pivotal role in safeguarding India’s democracy.

• Born on October 11, 1902, Jayaprakash Narayan passed away on October 8, 1979.

• Fondly known as “JP” or “Lok Nayak,” he remains a symbol of people’s power and democratic values.

• He was a prominent leader in the Quit India Movement and later launched the Sarvodaya and JP Movements.

• His “Total Revolution” campaign called for sweeping political, social, and economic reforms.

• JP was widely admired for standing up against Indira Gandhi’s government during the Emergency period.

• In recognition of his lifelong service, he was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1999.

Three Indian Ports Declared Green Hydrogen Hubs under National Mission

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has recognised Deendayal, V.O. Chidambaranar, and Paradip Ports as Green Hydrogen Hubs.

• This move is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aimed at making India a global centre for green hydrogen production and exports.

• The initiative marks a key milestone in India’s shift toward clean and sustainable energy.

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that Indian ports will act as drivers of innovation in clean energy under PM Modi’s vision.

• The hub model follows a cluster-based development approach to address logistical and infrastructure challenges.

• Updated guidelines for Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters and Green Hydrogen Hubs were issued on June 27, 2025, providing a roadmap for development.

• Identified projects will receive policy and financial support through central and state-level schemes aligned with the mission.

• The initiative is expected to attract green investments, promote energy self-reliance, and help India reach net-zero emissions by 2070.

Centenary Celebration of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 100-year celebration of the RSS at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

• To mark the milestone, he released a commemorative postage stamp and coin honouring the organisation’s century-long contribution.

• The event was celebrated as a moment of national pride and historical remembrance.

• PM Modi described the RSS’s journey as a symbol of sacrifice, service, and discipline.

• Founded in 1925 in Nagpur by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the RSS aimed to foster unity and cultural awareness.

• The organisation was established on Vijayadashami, symbolising strength and renewal.

• After Dr. Hedgewar, Guruji (M.S. Golwalkar) carried forward the mission of national service.

• In his Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi called the RSS’s century-long service “unprecedented and inspiring.”

Deepika Padukone Named India’s First Mental Health Ambassador

• On World Mental Health Day (10 October), actor Deepika Padukone was appointed as the first Mental Health Ambassador by the Union Health Ministry.

• The initiative aims to spread awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health nationwide.

• Deepika will work with the ministry to design strategic programs that ensure equal access to mental healthcare.

• Her appointment aligns with the 10th anniversary of her charitable organisation, The Live Love Laugh Foundation.

• Founded in 2015, the foundation focuses on educating and supporting people dealing with mental health challenges.

• Deepika’s own journey with depression motivated her to take up this cause and challenge social stigma.

• The ministry hopes her influence and advocacy will strengthen India’s mental health outreach.

• The move marks a significant step toward integrating mental well-being into India’s public health framework.

CCRAS Launches SPARK–4.0 to Promote Research in Ayurveda

• The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has launched SPARK–4.0, the fourth phase of its Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken for 2025–26.

• The initiative seeks to foster scientific thinking and research aptitude among undergraduate Ayurveda (BAMS) students.

• A total of 300 students from National Commission for Indian System of Medicine–recognized colleges will be chosen for the program.

• Each participant will receive a ₹50,000 research grant, distributed as ₹25,000 per month for two months.

• The program aims to bridge classical Ayurvedic principles with modern research techniques.

• Since its inception, 591 students from 289 colleges across 20 states have benefitted from the SPARK initiative.

• SPARK–4.0 aligns with CCRAS’s vision to strengthen traditional medicine research and encourage innovation in the Ayush sector.

STATE NEWS

PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone for Nagaland’s First Integrated Aqua Park

• On 11 October 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Integrated Aqua Park at Tzudikong, Mokokchung district in Nagaland.

• The event was held under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in attendance.

• This marks Nagaland’s first Aqua Park, designed as a centre for fisheries and aquaculture development.

• The park will focus on fish and fish seed production, supporting the growth of the state’s fisheries sector.

• It will serve as a resource and training hub, ensuring access to quality inputs and better market linkages for farmers.

• The project aims to empower local youth by creating new employment opportunities in fisheries and allied industries.

• The initiative aligns with India’s broader goal of sustainable aquaculture and rural economic development.