NATIONAL NEWS

New Akashvani Kendra to Be Established in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

The Central Government has announced the establishment of a new Akashvani Kendra (radio station) in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, aimed at enhancing regional radio services and ensuring timely dissemination of information.

The initiative was revealed during a meeting between Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Murugan and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

The radio station will be set up as part of the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which focuses on strengthening radio and TV infrastructure across India.

The Akashvani Kendra will improve radio access in rural and remote areas of Madhya Pradesh, ensuring better public communication and outreach.

The decision was a result of discussions between central and state leaders, aimed at boosting media infrastructure and information services in the state.

The Ujjain centre will play a role in preserving local heritage, broadcasting government schemes, and offering educational and entertainment programs.

The BIND scheme ensures that even remote villages can receive vital information, news, and cultural content through Akashvani and Doordarshan

Carnac Bridge Renamed as Sindoor Bridge

The historic Carnac Bridge in Mumbai has been rebuilt and renamed as Sindoor Bridge, in a move to honour Operation Sindoor, India’s military mission against terrorist camps.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the bridge, marking both a symbolic and infrastructural transformation

The renaming celebrates the valour of Indian soldiers and commemorates the success of Operation Sindoor, India’s recent anti-terror operation in Pakistan.

The former name, Carnac Bridge, was linked to James Rivett-Carnac, a British Governor accused of oppressing Indian rulers. The change reflects an effort to remove colonial-era symbols, as highlighted by Prabodhankar Thackeray’s writings.

NESTS in Collaboration with United Nations Children's Fund India Launched TALASH

The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), in collaboration with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)India, has introduced TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub)—India’s first national programme dedicated to supporting tribal students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

Students will undertake NCERT-based tests to identify their aptitudes and interests, leading to personalized Career Cards.

Modules on problem-solving, communication, and emotional management to foster self-esteem will build life skills and confidence.

Counselling sessions and tailored suggestions will help students to explore and choose suitable career paths.

189 teachers from 75 EMRSs trained through e-learning to deliver the TALASH curriculum.

Government Plans to Shift Health Claims Portal to Finance Ministry

The Finance Ministry (FinMin) is seeking to take control of the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), currently managed by the Health Ministry, to improve transparency in health insurance claims and reduce consumer grievances.

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) under FinMin is coordinating with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for this transfer.

The objective is to create a single platform connecting insurance companies, healthcare providers, and insured individuals for better regulation under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

NHCX facilitates streamlined healthcare access and claims by linking insurance companies, healthcare providers, and government insurance scheme administrators.

The move aims to address issues such as hospitals inflating bills for insured patients, thus improving transparency and making the claims process more robust.

This initiative will improve bargaining power of both hospitals and insurers, reducing errors in tariff negotiations.

IRDAI is the regulatory authority overseeing insurance and reinsurance in India, ensuring fair treatment of policyholders and maintaining financial soundness.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

IESA Industry Excellence Award 2025

Telangana has been awarded the prestigious IESA Industry Excellence Award 2025 in the State Leadership – Battery Manufacturing

The award was presented during the 11th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) held, in New Delhi, recognizing the state’s exceptional efforts in clean energy promotion and battery technology development.

The award was received by S.K. Sharma, Director of Electronics and EV&ESS, the award acknowledges Telangana’s leadership in battery production and energy innovation.

Telangana’s rise in the sector is driven by its progressive initiatives like the Telangana EV and Energy Storage Policy and the Telangana Renewable Energy Policy.

The state has emerged as a key centre for battery production, electric vehicle (EV) assembly, and energy storage systems.

Special zones have been established to attract investment and promote the development of a complete battery and EV component supply chain.

The award was part of India Energy Storage Week 2025, a major clean energy and storage industry event, affirming Telangana’s status as a national leader in advanced energy manufacturing.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Chairperson of National Medical Commission

The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, Government of India, has appointed noted Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr Abhijat Sheth as the new chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

He will replace Dr Suresh Gangadhar, who resigned from his post due to poor health.

Dr Abhijat Sheth has been appointed for a term of four years from the date he assumed the charge or till attaining the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.

Dr Abhijat Sheth is a renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon and is presently the President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences and is also the Director of Medical Services at Apollo Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences conducts the entrance examinations for the post-graduate and super-specialisation medical courses in the country.

He has practised both in India and the United Kingdom. He has published more than 20 articles in prestigious medical journals.

 

SPORTS

Wimbledon 2025 Men's and Women's Singles Titles

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy and Iga Swiatek of Poland won the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively, at the 2025 Wimbledon Tennis Championships. It was the first-ever singles title for both Sinner and Swiatek at Wimbledon.

The 138th edition of the All England Championship, also known as the Wimbledon Championship, was held at Wimbledon in England from June 30 to July 13, 2025.

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam that is played on grass, and in a calendar year, it is the third after the Australian Open and the French Open.

Jannik Sinner was appearing in his first Wimbledon singles final and faced Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. Both players clashed in the 2025 French Open singles final, where Alcaraz narrowly defeated Sinner.

In the 2025 Wimbledon final, which was billed as a revenge match, Jannik Sinner defeated World No.1 Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Iga Swiatek of Poland won her first Wimbledon singles female title by defeating Amanda Anisimova of the USA 6-0,6-0 in the final in just 57 minutes..

It was the first Grand Slam final for Amanda Anisimova.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025

The English football club Chelsea defeated the UEFA Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of France 3-0 in the final to win the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States of America, on 13 July 2025.

World football governing body FIFA organised the 21st FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States from 14 June to 13 July 2025.

For the first time of 32 football clubs from six continents participated in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day is celebrated every year on May 12.

Nurses Day is celebrated to praise the Nurses who contribute their work to the Society. International Nurses Day is to commemorate the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) announced the theme for International Nurses Day 2025 as "Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies".

In 1953, US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare officer Dorothy Sutherland contacted US President Dwight.D.Elsenhower to celebrate “Nurses Day”.

Since 1965, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has celebrated this day.

From January 1974, May 12 was officially declared “International Nurses Day”.

On this special day, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) distributed the Nurses Day kit to the people to know the importance of nurses.

In Bangladesh the number of nurses is half of the number of doctors.

 

OBITUTARY

Veteran Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao Garu

Iconic Telugu film actor Kota Srinivas Rao Garu passed away on 13 July 2025 in Hyderabad after a prolonged illness. He was 83 years old.

He was suffering from age-related complications and was ill for a considerable period.

Kota Srinivas Rao Garu made his name in Tollywood (the Telugu film industry) as a versatile actor who played roles ranging from villain to lead actor and comedian.

Kota Srinivas Rao was born in Kankipadu, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, in 1942. He joined the State Bank of India (SBI) before entering the Telugu film industry.

Since college days, he was interested in theatres and continued this passion, even joining the SBI.

He entered Tollywood with his first feature film, Pranam Khareedu, which was released in 1978.

During his film career, he appeared in 750 films, including eight Kannada films, 30 Tamil films, 10 Hindi films, and one Malayalam film.