Exp. Fifth FPV ‘Achal’ built by Goa Shipyard Ltd Launched for ICG

‘Achal’, the fifth Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) in a series of eight being constructed by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), was ceremoniously launched in Goa by Smt. Kavita Harbola in the presence of Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard), Additional Director General Anil Kumar Harbola.

Designed and constructed under stringent dual-class certification from the American Bureau of Shipping and Indian Register of Shipping, the FPV features over 60% indigenous content. The vessel measures 52 meters in length and 8 meters in breadth, with a displacement of 320 tons. Powered by a CPP-based propulsion system, the vessel can reach a top speed of 27 knots.

Built at a total cost of Rs 473 crore, the project has also provided a significant boost to local industry by generating substantial employment and supporting MSMEs engaged in production activities at various factories and within GSL.

Exp.  Navy’s Yashasvi Solanki Becomes First Woman Aide-De-Camp To President

Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki has been appointed as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, becoming the first woman officer from the Indian Navy to hold the prestigious position.

The President of India chooses five ADCs – one from the Navy, one from the Air Force, and three from the Army.

Yashasvi Solanki hails from Haryana and joined the Indian Navy in 2012. She has served under the Short Service Commission in the Logistics Branch.

She joins the ranks of pioneering women, like Squadron Leader Manisha Padi, who was appointed as ADC to the Governor of Uttarakhand in 2023;

Lt. Gen. Punita Arora, the first woman to hold the rank of Lieutenant General in the Indian Army and also Vice Admiral in the Navy; and Air Marshal Padmavathy Bandopadhyay, the first woman Air Marshal and aviation medicine expert.

Exp. India with four medals finishes 3rd at the Munich ISSF World Cup 2025

India concluded its campaign at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich with a total of four medals – two gold and two bronze – securing 3rd position on the medal table behind China and Norway.

Gold medals were won by Suruchi Singh in the women’s 10m air pistol event and the duo Arya Borse/Arjun Babuta in the 10m air rifle mixed team event.

Bronze medals went to Sift Kaur Samra in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions and Elavenil Valarivan in the women’s 10m air rifle event.

The Munich World Cup (8–15 June 2025) was the third ISSF World Cup of the season, following events in Buenos Aires and Lima. The next leg is scheduled to be held in Ningbo, China, from 7–15 September 2025.

Exp. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga hosts ‘Yoga Bandhan’

The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, hosts ‘Yoga Bandhan’ as a highlight of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 celebrations.

This initiative reflects India’s dedication to fostering global cooperation through institution-to-institution connections in Yoga, advancing collective well-being and cultural exchange.

‘Yoga Bandhan’ will unite prominent Yoga leaders from across the globe, including academicians, practitioners, authors, trainers, and studio founders, to promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen international partnerships.  

Exp. PM Modi Conferred Cyprus’s Highest Civilian Honour – Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the highest civilian honour of Cyprus, by President H.E. Nikos Christodoulides.

PM Modi dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion people of India and highlighted the strong and warm bilateral relations between India and Cyprus.

He emphasized that the honour reflects India’s global philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The World is One Family), promoting peace and progress worldwide.

Recent Awards

• Srimanta Sankardeva Award – Dr. Sonal Mansingh (for Cultural Contributions in Assam)
• Dostoevsky Star Award – Javed Akhtar (for his influence on ‘cultural dialogue’)
• Global Leadership Award by USISPF – Kumar Mangalam Birla
• American Music Award (AMA) at the 51st AMA held in Los Angeles – Raja Kumari
• International Booker Prize 2025 – Kannada author Banu Mushtaq (for short collection – Heart Lamp)
• Miss World 2025 Sports Challenge Medal Winners
  • Gold: Eliise Randmaa (Estonia)
  • Silver: Aurélie Joachim (Martinique)
  • Bronze: Emma Morrison (Canada)

Exp. Arun Srinivas Appointed as Managing Director and Head of Meta India

Meta Platforms has appointed Arun Srinivas as the new Managing Director and Head for Meta in India, effective from July 1, 2025.

Srinivas has been serving as Director and Head of Ads Business for Meta India since 2022, focusing on strategic areas like AI, Reels, and Messaging.

 His appointment follows Meta’s expansion of Sandhya Devanathan’s role — she now oversees Southeast Asia in addition to her responsibilities in India. Srinivas will continue to report to her in his new role.

Recent Appointments

• Part-Time Member of Sixteenth Finance Commission – T Rabi Sankar (replace Ajay Narayan Jha)
• Director of Prime Minister’s Museum and Library – Ashwani Lohani
• Chairman and MD of TVS Motor – Sudarshan Venu (replace Sir Ralf Speth) effect from Aug 2025
• Chairman of Economic Advisory Council to PM – S Mahendra Dev (replace Suman Bery)
• Chairman of Fertilizer Association of India – Sailesh Mehta (replace N Suresh Krishnan)

Exp. Amitabh Kant resigns as G20 Sherpa after serving govt for 45 years

Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO and retired 1980-batch IAS officer, stepped down as India’s G20 Sherpa after serving in the role for three years, beginning in July 2022.

Kant expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the trust placed in him and for accepting his resignation, calling it the end of a 45-year-long career in public service.

Kant stated that he is now looking to explore new opportunities and will focus on supporting free enterprise, startups, think tanks, and academic institutions as part of his next chapter.

Exp. For the 1st time, UK’s foreign intelligence agency to be led by woman

The UK’s foreign intelligence agency, MI6, will be led by a woman for the first time in its 116-year history.

Blaise Metreweli, who joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, will become the 18th chief of the organisation, taking over from Richard Moore later this year.

 Metreweli, who currently oversees technology and innovation at the agency, said she was proud and honoured to have been asked to lead.

Recent Appointment in Foreign

• President of the 80th session of UNGA – Annalena Baerbock
• President of MCC – Former England selector England’s Ed Smith (replace Lord King of Lothbury)
• South Asia Envoy for COP-30 Climate Summit in Brazil – Arunabha Ghosh Appointed
• Chairman of BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry – Harvansh Chawla named
• Foreign Minister of Canada – Hindu Origin Anita Anand

Exp. 17 June – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year to raise awareness about international efforts to combat land degradation and promote land restoration.

 Theme 2025 – Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities

Exp. Wholesale inflation falls to 14-month low in May

India’s wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation eased to a 14-month low of 0.39 per cent in May, down from 0.85 per cent in April, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Food inflation dropped to 1.72 per cent from 2.55 per cent, while primary articles saw a contraction of 2.02 per cent.

 The fuel and power segment registered deflation at 2.27 per cent, and inflation in manufactured products slowed to 2.04 per cent.

The ministry attributed the positive inflation rate to rising prices in food products, chemicals, and transport equipment. WPI reflects wholesale-level price changes, differing from CPI which measures consumer-level price variations.

Recent WPI-based Wholesale inflation in India

• January 2025 – 31%
• February 2025 – 38%
• March 2025 –05%
• April 2025 –85%
• May 2025 –39%

Exp. U Mumba clinches their maiden Ultimate Table Tennis title

Mumbai-based franchise, U Mumba, clinched their maiden Ultimate Table Tennis title with a dominant 8-4 win over the Jaipur Patriots in the Season 6 grand finale.

Early victories by Lilian Bardet and Bernadette Szocs gave U Mumba a strong start, before Szocs teamed up with Akash Pal to sweep the mixed doubles 3-0, putting them on the brink of victory.

Teenager Abhinandh PB then sealed the title with a clutch game win in the fourth match. For their contributions in the final, Akash Pal and Bernadette Szocs were named the Indian and Foreign Player of the Final. Jeet Chandra was awarded the Shot of the Final.

Exp. ICC announces schedule for Women’s ODI WC 2025

The 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup will be held from 30th September to 2nd November across India and Sri Lanka, with India as the official host and Sri Lanka hosting Pakistan’s matches due to political tensions.

India will kick off its campaign against Sri Lanka on 30th September at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, while the high-voltage India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for 5th October at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Defending champions Australia will begin their title defence against New Zealand in Indore on 1st October. The round-robin stage concludes on 26th October, with semifinals on 29th and 30th October, and the final on 2nd November.

 The eight participating teams are: India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, promising an action-packed global cricketing showdown.