NATIONAL NEWS

National Fish Farmers Day 2025 Celebrated at ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar

The 25th National Fish Farmers' Day 2025 was celebrated on 10 July 2025 at the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar. 

The function was organised by the Department of Fisheries, Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

The National Fish Farmers Day is observed on 10th July every year since 2001 to recognise the contribution of the fish farmers and the aquaculture sector in the country’s economy.

On this day in 1957, Professor Hiralal Chaudhary and Dr K.H. Alikunhi successfully induced the breeding of Indian Major Carps in the country.

The success of Professor Hirala Chaudhary and Dr K.H. Alikunhi revolutionised the inland aquaculture in the country. 

Carp fish were mainly caught in the rivers or ponds, but due to the work of Professor Hirala Chaudhary and Dr K.H. Alikunhi, these fish can be reared and cultivated in fish farms, dramatically increasing their production.

To commemorate the singular achievement of the doyen of the Indian fisheries sector, Professor Hirala Chaudhary and Dr K.H. Alikunhi, the National Fish Farmers Day is observed in India on 10th July.

DEPwD and Sri Aurobindo Society Signed MoU

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has entered into an MoU with Sri Aurobindo Society (SAS) in New Delhi to roll out ‘Project Inclusion’—a capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening inclusive education across India.

It aligns with Sections 16, 17, and 47, which mandate inclusive education for children with disabilities.

It builds capabilities of educators, rehabilitation professionals, school counsellors, general teachers, and other stakeholders to reinforce the inclusive education ecosystem.

SAS will deploy ‘Project Inclusion’ via its Rupantar mobile app and web platform, ensuring wide accessibility.

It offers structured training modules, issues e-certificates on completion, and fosters awareness of innovative inclusive teaching methods and assistive tools.

SAS commits to ongoing R&D activities to continually enhance inclusive pedagogy and resources.

The project will extend to geographically challenging regions like Leh, under the Department’s dedicated Leh Inclusion Initiative.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

United Arab Emirates Introduces New Golden Visa

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a new Golden Visa that offers long-term residency without investment in property or

This is part of a “nomination-based visa policy”, where applicants can get the visa by paying a one-time fee of AED 100,000 (approx. Rs 23.3 lakh).

The original Golden Visa programme was launched in 2019 for investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals.

In 2022, the UAE reduced the property investment requirement to AED 2 million, making it more accessible.

The new visa is open to professionals such as scientists, educators, nurses, digital creators, and maritime experts, who must meet eligibility criteria like 15 years of experience or accredited recognition.

Applicants must pass strict background checks, including anti-money laundering screening and social media evaluations.

The application is currently open to Indian and Bangladeshi nationals via VASCO centres.

The initiative supports the India-UAE CEPA agreement and highlights the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Suriname Becomes First Amazon Region Nation Certified Malaria-Free

Suriname became the first country in the Amazon region to receive malaria-free certification from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on June 30, 2025.

This achievement follows nearly 70 years of sustained efforts by the Surinamese government and people to eliminate malaria across its rainforests and diverse communities.

With Suriname’s inclusion, 46 countries and 1 territory have been certified as malaria-free by WHO, including 12 countries in the Region of the Americas.

WHO grants malaria elimination certification when a country demonstrates, beyond reasonable doubt, that indigenous transmission has been interrupted nationwide for at least the past 3 consecutive years.

DEFENCE

Navy Inducts HSL made First Indigenous Diving Support Vessel ‘Nistar’

The public sector defence company Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has delivered the first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel, ‘Nistar’, to the Indian Navy at a ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 

Nistar, which in Sanskrit means crossing, escaping, or liberation, will enhance the Navy's rescue capability in the event of submarine accidents. 

Nistar will be a mothership that will tow a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) to the site where a submarine has sunk due to an accident or other reasons.

Until now, the Indian Navy has used foreign-made ships for this purpose.

Nistar is 118 meters long with a tonnage of around 10,000 tonnes.

The ship, with an indigenous content of 75%, has been built under the Government of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India campaign.

Equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles, Nistar is capable of undertaking Diver Monitoring and Salvage Operations up to a depth of 1000 meters in the sea or ocean.

The side diving stage of the ship can undertake diving operations to a depth of up to 75 meters.

The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) is a specialised underwater vehicle used to rescue personnel from distressed/ sunken submarines. 

A mother ship tows the DSRV to the rescue site and dives to the spot where the submarine has sunk.

The DSRV mates with the sunken submarine through a hatch, creating a corridor for the crew of the sunken submarine to enter the DSRV.

AWARDS & PRIZES

PM Modi Honoured with Namibia’s Highest Civilian Honour in Windhoek

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest civilian award of Namibia -Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis during his first State visit to Namibia.

This was the fourth civilian award conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to five countries - Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia- from 2-9 July 2025. 

Except Argentina, all four countries have conferred their highest civilian award on Prime Minister Modi.

Prime Minister Modi visited Namibia on 9th July 2025, where he held a state-level meeting with Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and addressed the Namibian Parliament. Two agreements /memorandum of understanding were signed between the two countries during the visit.

PM Modi is the first Indian to receive the honour.

V.Vedachalam Honoured with Tamil Wikki Suran Award

Veteran archaeologist and epigraphist V. Vedachalam was presented with the Tamil Wikki Suran Award in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, marking 51 years of service in the field of Tamil archaeology and history.

At 75 years old, he continues to inspire students, scholars, and the public with his discoveries and commitment to uncovering and preserving Tamil heritage.

Vedachalam holds an MA in Tamil Literature and a PG Diploma in Archaeology and Epigraphy.

His first major project was at Karur, the ancient Chera Kingdom capital, where he helped uncover parts of the fort wall.

Among the earliest to recognize the importance of Keeladi, a site linked to the Sangam Age. Even after retirement, he continued daily site visits.

SPORTS

Magnus Carlsen Clinches SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz 2025 Title in Zagreb

World number one Magnus Carlsen won the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz 2025 in Zagreb, securing victory with one round to spare.

The tournament, part of the Grand Chess Tour, featured top international competitors, including India’s D Gukesh, who impressed by finishing third at just 19 years old.

The Super United Rapid & Blitz combines two fast-time-control formats Rapid and Blitz and contributes points toward the season standings.

Carlsen confirmed his championship by drawing with R. Praggnanandhaa in the penultimate round and then defeating Ivan Šarić in the final round.

He finished with a total of 22.5 points out of 36, demonstrating consistent dominance across both formats.

Wesley So of the USA claimed second place with 20 points, closing strongly in the final nine Blitz games but falling short of Carlsen.

India’s D Gukesh, the reigning World Champion, excelled in the Rapid segment, recovered in Blitz to score 4/9, and ended with 19.5 points, including a draw against Carlsen using the Berlin Defense.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

V.S. Ravi Launches ‘Confessions of a Shakespeare Addict’ in Hyderabad

Retired IPS officer V.S. Ravi unveiled his new book “Confessions of a Shakespeare Addict” at a literary gathering in Hyderabad.

The book is a personal narrative of his enduring passion for William Shakespeare, reflecting on the playwright’s influence across Ravi’s life and career.

V.S. Ravi is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and a well-known literary columnist, particularly recognized for his articles in The Hindu Sunday Magazine.

The work captures Ravi’s reflections on Shakespeare’s plays and poems, with personal stories that showcase how literature shaped his worldview.

He recalled reciting Hamlet verses to Nobel Laureate C.F. Powell during a drive, illustrating his deep engagement with Shakespeare.

The book was published by Diwakar and launched in the presence of the author's wife, Jayanthi, and several literature enthusiasts.