IMPORTANT DAYS
World Rainforest Day 2025 celebrated on June 22
• June 22 is observed every year as World Rainforest Day to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect and conserve tropical rainforests.
• This global observance was initiated by the Rainforest Partnership, with its first edition held in 2017.
• The day unites environmental activists, NGOs, and citizens around the world to highlight the critical role of rainforests in maintaining ecological balance.
• Major rainforests like the Amazon, Congo Basin, Sundaland, Atlantic Forest, and the Guinean Forests of West Africa are among the most ecologically significant.
• Covering only 6% of Earth’s land surface, rainforests support exceptional biodiversity with over 750 species of trees, 400 bird species, and 150 butterfly species.
• These ecosystems contribute approximately 20% of the world’s oxygen and absorb around 7.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
• Rainforests are essential for regulating global climate, and they also provide freshwater, as well as food items like coffee, spices, and fruits.
• Their preservation is vital not only for environmental sustainability but also for climate resilience and global health.
International Olympic Day 2025 Observed on June 23
• Every year on June 23, the world celebrates International Olympic Day to honor the creation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.
• This special day encourages people across all age groups to engage in sports and adopt active, healthy lifestyles, reflecting the Olympic ideals of excellence, friendship, and respect.
• The theme for Olympic Day 2025, “Let’s Move,” promoted global physical activity and inspired people to lead more dynamic lives.
• The tradition began with the first Olympic Day celebration on 23 June 1948, proposed by Dr. Gruss during the IOC's 1947 meeting in Stockholm.
• In India, the celebrations were spearheaded by Olympic legends Abhinav Bindra and P.V. Sindhu, creating nationwide enthusiasm.
• Partnering with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and Reliance Foundation, the IOC organized events across India under the engaging campaign #LetsMove +1, India!
• Citizens were encouraged to adopt a “Plus One” habit, committing to add one new form of physical activity to their daily lives.
• The day served as a reminder of the power of sport to unite people, foster well-being, and celebrate the spirit of the Olympics around the globe.
SPORTS
Neeraj Chopra Triumphs at Paris Diamond League 2025
• Neeraj Chopra claimed the Paris Diamond League 2025 men's javelin title with a top throw of 88.16m on his very first attempt.
• This marks his first Diamond League win in two years, following his previous victory in Lausanne in June 2023.
• Julian Weber of Germany finished second with a best of 87.88m, while Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva secured third place at 86.62m.
• Chopra’s subsequent attempts included throws of 85.10m and 82.89m, while three middle throws were fouls.
• Despite Weber’s earlier wins over Chopra in Doha (91.06m) and Poland (86.12m) this year, Chopra made a strong comeback in Paris.
• In the Doha meet, Chopra had thrown an impressive 90.23m, but finished second behind Weber.
• Since his last win in 2023, Chopra has consistently performed well, finishing runner-up in six Diamond League events.
• The final standings in Paris included Keshorn Walcott (4th – 81.66m), Anderson Peters (5th – 80.29m), Julius Yego (6th – 80.26m), Andrian Mardare (7th – 76.66m), and Remi Rougetet (8th – 70.37m).
Carlos Alcaraz Secures Second Queen’s Club Title Ahead of Wimbledon 2025
• Carlos Alcaraz clinched his second Queen’s Club title on 22 June 2025, defeating Jiri Lehecka in a tight three-set final: 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2.
• With this win, Alcaraz has now lifted five trophies in 2025, including victories in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, and the French Open.
• The Queen’s Club triumph extended his winning streak to 18 matches, the longest of his career so far.
• He joins Feliciano Lopez as the only Spaniards to win Queen’s twice, underlining his growing dominance on grass.
• Alcaraz’s grass-court strength first emerged in 2023, when he won both Queen’s and Wimbledon, signaling his adaptability across surfaces.
• With an 11–1 match record at Queen’s, he now looks forward to chasing his third consecutive Wimbledon title, starting 30 June 2025.
• The Queen’s Club Championships, held in West Kensington, London, is a historic grass-court tournament that acts as a key lead-up to Wimbledon.
• 2025 Queen’s champions include Carlos Alcaraz (Men’s Singles), Tatjana Maria (Women’s Singles), Neal Skupski & Michael Venus (Men’s Doubles), and Asia Muhammad & Demi Schuurs (Women’s Doubles).
STATE NEWS
Uttar Pradesh Leads Nation in Digital Procurement via GeM Platform
• Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the top-performing state in digital public procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), with transactions totaling ₹65,227.68 crore between FY 2020–21 and FY 2024–25.
• In FY 2024–25 alone, the state executed over 72 lakh orders, collectively valued at ₹5.43 lakh crore.
• GeM, since its inception, has recorded over 2.9 crore transactions, with a total transaction value crossing ₹14 lakh crore.
• The platform hosts more than 11,000 product categories and supports services across 330 segments, enabling comprehensive procurement solutions.
• UP demonstrated steady growth in procurement—rising from ₹4,622.16 crore in FY 2020–21 to a peak of ₹20,248 crore in FY 2023–24, with a slight dip in FY 2024–25.
• The Urban Development Department topped procurement charts in the state with purchases worth ₹11,588.28 crore, followed by the Health Department (₹9,257.14 crore) and IT & Electronics Department (₹8,241.60 crore).
• In November 2024, UP updated its procurement regulations to align with GFR 2017 and GeM’s standard terms, ensuring uniformity and compliance across departments.
• These reforms led to the complete integration of GeM, creating a streamlined, transparent, and efficient digital procurement ecosystem across the state.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES
Om Birla Inaugurates National Conference of Estimates Committees in Mumbai
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the National Conference of Estimates Committees in Mumbai and also unveiled the 75th Anniversary Souvenir of the Parliamentary Estimates Committee.
• The two-day conference includes participation from Chairpersons and members of Estimates Committees from both Parliament and State/UT legislatures.
• The event focuses on the role of Estimates Committees in evaluating budget estimates and promoting fiscal responsibility.
• The conference theme highlights the importance of efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness in government administration.
• Key dignitaries addressing the event include Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh, and Prof. Ram Shankar Shinde, Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
• Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Estimates Committee, will also present his insights during the discussions.
• The conference aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among committees to enhance oversight on public spending.
• The closing session will feature a valedictory address by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, marking the conclusion of the event.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
“Wings to Our Hopes – Volume II” Showcases President Murmu’s Second-Year Speeches
• On 23rd June, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled “Wings to Our Hopes – Volume II”, a compilation of 51 speeches by President Droupadi Murmu from August 2023 to July 2024.
• The volume has been curated by Rashtrapati Bhavan and published by the Publications Division under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• This edition reflects the President’s vision on governance, inclusivity, and the aspirations of a modern India, following the narrative established in the first volume.
• The release event took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with the presence of ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L. Murugan.
• The book is available in both Hindi and English, along with digital editions to ensure wider public access.
• The Publications Division, known for its significant contributions to public literature, has compiled the book with meticulous research and editorial effort.
• As a key government publishing body, it continues to produce works on history, culture, literature, and significant national personalities.
• For over eight decades, the division has been instrumental in documenting landmark speeches by India’s Presidents and Prime Ministers for archival and educational purposes.
