AWARDS

Sahitya Akademi Announces 2025 Yuva and Bal Sahitya Puraskar Winners

• On June 18, 2025, Sahitya Akademi declared the winners of its Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar across various Indian languages.

• A total of 23 young writers were selected for the Yuva Puraskar, with no award presented in the Dogri language this year.

• Notable Yuva Puraskar winners include Advait Kottary (English), Parvati Tirkey (Hindi), Latshmihar (Tamil), and Prasad Suri (Telugu).

• Suprakash Bhuyan (Assamese), Sudeshna Moitra (Bengali), R. Dileepkumar (Kannada), and Akhil P. Dharmajan (Malayalam) were also recognized.

• The Bal Sahitya Puraskar was awarded to 24 writers for their contributions to children’s literature.

• Nitin Kushalappa MP received the award for English for his work "Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold."

• Sushil Shukla (Hindi), Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay (Bengali), K. Shivalingappa Handihal (Kannada), and Vishnupuram Saravanan (Tamil) were among the Bal Puraskar winners.

• Each awardee will receive a copper plaque and a cash prize of ₹50,000, presented at a special upcoming ceremony.

• The final selection was approved by the Executive Board, chaired by Sahitya Akademi President Madhav Kaushik.

• Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution, promotes and publishes literature in 24 Indian languages, including English.

APPOINTMENTS

Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki: A Historic Naval Appointment

• Yashasvi Solanki has become the first woman naval officer to serve as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

• She represents the Indian Navy among the five ADCs appointed to the President—comprising one each from the Navy and Air Force, and three from the Army.

• As the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the President is supported by these ADCs in official and ceremonial duties.

• Solanki, originally from Haryana, began her naval journey in 2012 through the Short Service Commission in the Logistics Branch.

• After her selection in April, she underwent a rigorous month-long orientation before assuming the ADC role on May 1.

• The role of an ADC includes acting as a key military aide, ensuring seamless communication between the President and defense forces.

• She also plays a crucial part in managing the President’s day-to-day engagements and coordinating high-level functions.

• As principal liaison officer, Solanki’s position demands precision, discipline, and close coordination with various branches of the government and military.

Aliawati Longkumer Appointed as India’s New Envoy to North Korea

• India has appointed Aliawati Longkumer as its new Ambassador to North Korea, marking a return to full diplomatic engagement after four years.

• A 2008-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Longkumer is currently posted in Paraguay and will soon assume his new role in Pyongyang.

• This move follows the reopening of India’s embassy in North Korea in December 2024, after its closure in July 2021 due to COVID-19.

• The previous Indian ambassador to North Korea was Atul Malhari Gotsurve.

• Prior to reopening, Indian authorities carried out detailed security and counter-surveillance evaluations.

• India ceased all trade with North Korea in 2017 to align with UN sanctions but maintained diplomatic relations.

• The decision to re-establish high-level ties comes amid strategic concerns involving North Korea’s support for Pakistan’s missile program.

• Longkumer’s appointment is seen as a significant diplomatic step in navigating sensitive regional dynamics.

SPORTS

Mondo Duplantis Sets New Pole Vault World Record in Stockholm

• Olympic champion Mondo Duplantis set a new world pole vault record of 6.28m at the Stockholm Diamond League.

• This marked the 12th time Duplantis has broken the world record in his career.

• The historic vault came in front of an electrified home crowd at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium.

• His previous record of 6.27m was set earlier in the year at the All Star Perche meet in France.

• The 25-year-old Swede is having a stellar 2025, with a World Indoor Championship title and the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award already under his belt.

• Australia’s Kurtis Marschall secured second place with a 5.90m vault.

• Menno Vloon from the Netherlands finished third, while France’s Renaud Lavillenie came fourth on countback.

• Olympic medalists Sam Kendricks and Emmanouil Karalis tied for eighth with best jumps of 5.60m.

Chennai to Host Inaugural Hockey India Masters Cup 2025

• Chennai is set to host the first-ever Hockey India Masters Cup from June 18 to 27, 2025, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.

• Organised by the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, the tournament will include men's (40+) and women's (35+) veteran categories.

• A total of 12 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams will compete in group stages, followed by knockout rounds and finals.

• The event will showcase legends of Indian hockey, including Olympian Adam Sinclair (Tamil Nadu) and Sudha Chaudhari (Haryana).

• Notable former national players like Pritam Siwach, Sita Mehta, Suman Lata Chumbak, and Nishi Chauhan will represent Haryana in the women’s division.

• Men’s teams are divided into four pools, with states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chandigarh, and Haryana leading each group.

• Women's teams are grouped into Pool A and Pool B, featuring teams from Himachal, Haryana, Odisha, and others.

• The championship aims to celebrate hockey veterans and revive competitive spirit among former national and state players.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan: India’s Largest Tribal Empowerment Drive

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, aiming to empower tribal communities through inclusive development.

• Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram described the campaign as a major stride toward fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of Antyodaya—uplifting the last person in society.

• Introduced under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, the initiative celebrates tribal heritage while ensuring essential services reach their doorsteps.

• The campaign is being implemented across 549 tribal-majority districts and 207 PVTG-dominated districts, covering over 1 lakh villages and habitations between June 15 and 30, 2025.

• Localized benefit saturation camps are being organized to bring government schemes directly to tribal households.

• Services provided include Aadhaar updates, Ayushman Bharat card distribution, and Jan Dhan account openings.

• Enrolments under PM-Kisan, pension plans, and various welfare schemes are also a part of the campaign’s outreach.

• The initiative aims to ensure access to scholarships, insurance, skill development, and livelihood opportunities for tribal citizens at the grassroots level.