SPORTS
The Memory League World Championship 2025
• Vishvaa Rajakumar, a 20-year-old Indian student, won the Memory League World Championship 2025.
• He memorized 80 random numbers in 13.50 seconds and 30 images in 8.40 seconds to claim victory.
• The competition is a prestigious online memory challenge featuring top-ranked players.
• Rajakumar, a student at Manakulavinayagar Institute of Technology, Puducherry, holds the No. 1 rank with 5,000 points, as per the Memory League website.
• The tournament ran from 5 January to 2 February 2025 with 16 elite competitors battling in a double-elimination format to determine the champion.
Kohli Becomes Fastest to 14,000 ODI Runs
• Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs.
• He reached this milestone in 287 innings during a Champions Trophy match against Pakistan on 23rd February 2025 in Dubai.
• Before the match, he needed just 15 runs to achieve this record.
• Pakistan set a target of 242 in 50 overs, and Kohli’s unbeaten 100 led India to a 6-wicket victory.
• With this win, India secured a semi-final spot in the 9th ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
NATIONAL NEWS
Asia’s first global hyperloop competition
• IIT Madras hosted Asia’s first Global Hyperloop Competition (GHC) 2025 from Feb 21-25.
• The event took place at "Discovery", IIT Madras' Satellite Campus in Thaiyur.
• 150 industry experts from around the world participated.
• Organized by IIT Madras, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, and SAE India, with support from the Ministry of Railways and the Government of India.
• The competition aimed to bring together global talent, industry leaders, and researchers to drive innovation and real-world application of hyperloop technology.
• Hyperloop, considered the fifth mode of transportation, operates in a near-vacuum tube, enabling speeds beyond 1000 km/h due to reduced air resistance.
DEFENCE
‘Dharma Guardian’ 2025
• The 6th India-Japan Military Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ began on 24th January 2025 in Japan.
• The exercise is being conducted at East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area from 24th February to 9th March 2025.
• Dharma Guardian, an annual infantry-level exercise, has been held since 2018, alternating between India and Japan.
• The 5th edition (2024) took place at Mahajan Field Range, Rajasthan, India, in February-March.
APPOINTMENT
Shaktikanta Das Appointed Principal Secretary-2 to PM Modi
• Shaktikanta Das appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Modi.
• Appointment approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Tenure begins on assuming charge and lasts co-terminus with PM’s tenure or until further orders.
• Das, a retired IAS officer (Tamil Nadu cadre), was the 25th RBI Governor.
• He also served as India’s G-20 Sherpa and was a 15th Finance Commission member.
• PK Mishra, a retired IAS officer (Gujarat cadre), is the current Principal Secretary to the PM.
STATE NEWS
Witness protection scheme launched by Haryana government
• Haryana launched the Witness Protection Scheme 2025 to safeguard witnesses.
• The scheme aligns with the state's implementation of three new criminal laws.
• It applies to witnesses in cases punishable by death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment of seven years and above.
• Covers offences under Sections 74-79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
• Witnesses are classified into three categories based on threat level:
Category A: Threat to life of the witness or their family.
Category B: Threat to safety, reputation, or property.
Category C: Moderate threats, including harassment or intimidation.
PM Modi Unveils Madhya Pradesh’s Industrial Policies at Global Investors Summit
• Global Investors Summit (GIS) inaugurated by PM Modi on February 24 in Bhopal.
• Newly built tent city near Kaliyasot Dam hosted international guests.
• Investors, industrialists, NRIs, and start-ups attended the event.
• PM launched Madhya Pradesh’s industrial policies and addressed stakeholders.
• Two-day summit featured sessions on pharma, logistics, skill development, tourism, MSMEs, and more.
• International discussions included Global South Country Conference, Latin America & Caribbean Session, and partner country meets.
• Three major industrial exhibitions were showcased:
✓ Auto Show
✓ Textile & Fashion Expo
✓ "One District-One Product" (ODOP) Villa
AWARDS
Manohar International Airport Wins Prestigious NSCI Golden Trophy
• Manohar International Airport (GOX) becomes India’s first airport to receive the ‘Sarvashrestha Suraksha Puraskar (Golden Trophy)’ in the Service Sector category.
• Award presented at the NSCI Safety Awards 2024 ceremony at The Lalit, Mumbai.
• Developed and operated by GMR Goa International Airport Ltd. (GGIAL).
• Recognized for outstanding Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) performance and commitment to workplace safety.
• Proactive safety measures and a zero-incident record played a key role in achieving this honor.
• Awarded by the National Safety Council of India (NSCI), under the Ministry of Labour, Government of India.
