IMPORTANT DAYS

National Sports Day 2025 observed on August 29

• India celebrates National Sports Day annually on August 29 to honour the birth anniversary of hockey icon Major Dhyan Chand.

• Major Dhyan Chand—dubbed the "Hockey Wizard"—steered India to Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936.

• The 2025 theme for the day is “Sport to Promote Peaceful and Inclusive Societies.”

• The day aims to highlight the role of sports in building unity, discipline, and fitness.

• It also serves as a tribute to Major Dhyan Chand’s immense contribution to Indian hockey.

• This year’s celebration is a three-day nationwide sports initiative, running from August 29 to 31.

• Fit India Mission, along with various sports bodies, is organizing the event in 2025.

• The Fit India Movement was launched on this day in 2019 to promote active living across the country.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

National Conference on SC/ST Welfare Committee 2025 Held in Odisha

• A two-day national conference on SC/ST welfare began on August 29 in Bhubaneswar, marking its first edition outside New Delhi.

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla officially inaugurated the event, bringing national attention to Odisha’s role in hosting.

• Key attendees at the event included Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, Union Ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

• The conference is being attended by nearly 30 members of the Parliamentary Committee and more than 240 participants from various regions of the country.

• Discussions are centered on the vital role of parliamentary and legislative institutions in promoting the welfare and rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

• Key topics include constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and state-level initiatives for tribal development.

• Odisha is showcasing its rich cultural legacy through traditional art, craft, and textile exhibitions.

• The event underlines inclusive development through parliamentary engagement and grassroots efforts.

🇮🇳 Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit's Engagement at CHODs 2025 in Thailand

• Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff of India, participated in the Chiefs of Defence Conference (CHODs) 2025 held in Thailand from August 26 to August 28 .

• He held bilateral talks with Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, strengthening India-US defence engagement.

• Lt. Gen. Thai Dai Ngoc of Vietnam was among the key leaders Dixit interacted with to discuss regional strategic interests.

• Discussions emphasized enhancing maritime collaboration and joint operational capabilities.

• The sessions also explored emerging defence partnerships, particularly in technology and innovation.

• Cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, and maritime security were key themes addressed at the multilateral event.

• The conference highlighted the value of professional military exchanges and shared security frameworks among regional forces.

ECONOMY NEWS

India's Industrial Output Sees 3.5% Growth in July 2025

• Industrial production rose by 3.5% in July 2025, marking the highest monthly growth since March’s 3.9%.

• The manufacturing sector led the recovery, expanding by 5.4%, up from 3.7% in June.

• Electricity output inched up by 0.6%, while mining recorded a sharp decline of 7.2%.

• Infrastructure and construction goods output surged by 11.9%, reflecting strong investment activity.

• Consumer durables grew by 7.7% and intermediate goods rose by 5.8% year-on-year.

• Capital goods production saw a 5% increase, signaling improved industrial demand.

• Primary goods fell by 1.7%, and consumer non-durables posted minimal growth at 0.5%, pointing to sluggish segments.

DEFENCE

India Joins Multinational Military Drill ‘Exercise Bright Star 2025’ in Egypt

• India is sending over 700 personnel from its Armed Forces and Integrated Defence Staff to take part in Exercise Bright Star 2025.

• The drill is being held in Egypt from August 28 to September 10, marking the 19th edition of this major military event.

• Bright Star 2025 involves 43 nations, with 13 contributing troops and 30 participating as observers.

• The exercise underscores India’s expanding presence in global defence collaborations and regional security frameworks.

• Launched in 1980 as a US-Egypt bilateral drill, it has since grown into a large-scale multilateral exercise.

• Conducted biennially, the event is jointly hosted by Egypt and the United States.

• Organized under US Central Command, the exercise aims to boost interoperability, military readiness, and regional stability among allies.