STATE NEWS
Neetu Chandra & Kranti Prakash Jha Chosen as Bihar SVEEP Icons
• The Election Commission of India has selected actors Neetu Chandra and Kranti Prakash Jha as SVEEP ambassadors for Bihar.
• Their appointment is part of efforts to raise electoral awareness ahead of the upcoming state assembly polls.
• They will participate in awareness drives to improve voter education and turnout across digital and offline platforms.
• Neetu Chandra, hailing from Patna, is an actress known globally and also recognized for her sporting and artistic background.
• Bhagalpur-born Kranti Prakash Jha has starred in movies like MS Dhoni and Samrat Prithviraj.
• SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) is the ECI’s core outreach initiative.
• It utilizes creative media strategies to inform citizens and promote their involvement in democratic processes.
• Maithili Thakur, a renowned folk singer, had previously served as Bihar’s SVEEP icon in 2023.
DEFENCE
India Conducts Series of Strategic Missile Test Launches
• India has successfully launched the Prithvi-II and Agni-I missiles from Odisha’s Chandipur range under the Strategic Forces Command.
• All mission objectives and operational standards were met during the trials.
• Prithvi-II is capable of delivering a 500 kg payload over a 350 km range.
• Agni-I boasts a striking capability of up to 900 km with a 1,000 kg warhead.
• Both are integral to India’s strategic nuclear deterrence posture.
• In a separate test, the Akash Prime missile was launched in Ladakh on July 16.
• Designed for high-altitude warfare, Akash Prime is equipped with an advanced RF seeker.
• The Defence Ministry emphasized its enhanced performance near the LAC.
Akash Prime Upgrade Enhances Indian Air Defence
• The Akash Prime air defence system achieved success during live trials in Ladakh, neutralizing high-speed aerial threats.
• The upgraded system is built to operate efficiently above 4,500 meters elevation.
• It now includes an indigenous radio frequency seeker for better targeting precision.
• Enhancements were implemented after user input to align with battlefield needs.
• DRDO and the Indian Army’s air defence unit co-developed the system.
• Major contributions came from Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
• This comes after Indian success in Operation Sindoor, highlighting growing self-reliance in defence tech.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the collaborative efforts that made the test a success.
SPORTS
Lakshmi Jadala Qualifies for 2027 Special Olympics in Egypt
• Lakshmi Jadala, a top para-athlete in Asia with an intellectual disability, has qualified for the 2027 Special Olympics in Cairo.
• He claimed gold at the 2025 National Para Lawn Tennis Championship held in Gwalior.
• Competing in the U-17 division, he remained undefeated, winning all his matches in straight sets.
• At just 15 years old, Jadala’s gameplay showed exceptional consistency and technique.
• His victory places him among India’s most promising para sports talents.
• This achievement represents a significant milestone for Indian athletes in global para sports.
• His journey continues to inspire others with disabilities to pursue sports.
• Jadala's success adds to India’s growing profile in international inclusive sports.
Sujeet Kalkal Clinches Gold in Budapest Wrestling Tournament
• Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal emerged victorious in the men’s 65 kg freestyle category at the prestigious 2025 Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial in Hungary.
• He delivered a strong 5-1 win over seasoned Azerbaijani wrestler Ali Rahimzade, a multiple-time European medalist, in the final bout.
• This victory marks India’s first gold medal in this year’s international wrestling Ranking Series.
• Meanwhile, India’s Rahul added to the medal tally with a bronze in the 57 kg division after defeating Germany’s Niklas Stechele.
• Indian athletes participated across multiple formats including men’s and women’s freestyle, as well as Greco-Roman wrestling.
• The event, hosted in Budapest, features elite wrestlers from across the world and continues until July 20.
• Sujeet’s gold has injected fresh enthusiasm into India’s wrestling community.
• His success reflects India’s rising dominance and growing impact in international wrestling competitions.
AWARDS
Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Recognizes Top Clean Cities
• President Droupadi Murmu honoured the winners of the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Indore emerged as the cleanest city for the eighth consecutive time, followed by Surat and Navi Mumbai, forming the elite Super Swachh League.
• Noida ranked highest among cities with populations between 3–10 lakh; Ahmedabad led among larger cities.
• Prayagraj was declared the Best Ganga Town for its sanitation work during Mahakumbh 2025.
• A total of 78 accolades were distributed, recognizing cities like Jabalpur and Visakhapatnam for worker safety initiatives.
• The "One City, One Award" approach ensured equal opportunity for all cities.
• A new mentorship program titled "Swachh City Partnership" was unveiled to help weaker cities learn from high performers.
