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Current Affairs 13 February 2025
1. J&K’s Muskan Rana Won Gold at 38th National Games
Jammu and Kashmir’s Muskan Rana clinched a gold medal at the
38th National Games, showcasing her exceptional talent in para sports. Competing in the women's para athletics event, she delivered a stunning performance to secure the top podium finish. Her victory highlights the growing prominence of para-athletes from J&K on the national stage. Muskan’s dedication and rigorous training played a crucial role in her success. This achievement serves as an inspiration for aspiring para-athletes across the country.
38th National Games, showcasing her exceptional talent in para sports. Competing in the women's para athletics event, she delivered a stunning performance to secure the top podium finish. Her victory highlights the growing prominence of para-athletes from J&K on the national stage. Muskan’s dedication and rigorous training played a crucial role in her success. This achievement serves as an inspiration for aspiring para-athletes across the country.Foot notes:
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Team Silver Medal: Muskan Rana, along with her teammates Manya, Vaibhavi Sharma, and Jagriti Thakur, won a silver medal in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Team event, securing 231 points.
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Individual Achievements: Although Muskan Rana didn't win an individual gold medal at the 38th National Games, she has had success in previous events, including winning one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal at the Khelo India Youth Games 2024.
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J&K's Medal Tally: With Muskan Rana's team silver medal, Jammu and Kashmir's total medal count at the 38th National Games stands at 10, including 3 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
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Gymnastics Academy: Muskan Rana trains at the Gymnastic Academy of J&K Sports Council, which has produced several talented gymnasts and has been accredited as a Khelo India Academy for Gymnastics.
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Future Prospects: With her impressive performance, Muskan Rana is expected to bring more laurels to Jammu and Kashmir in future national and international competitions.
2. Greece elects Constantine Tassoulas as President
Greece has elected Constantine Tassoulas as its new President,
marking a significant political transition. Tassoulas, a veteran politician, previously served as the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament. His election reflects broad support from the ruling party and key political factions. He is expected to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and economic stability. Tassoulas succeeds Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Greece’s first female President.
marking a significant political transition. Tassoulas, a veteran politician, previously served as the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament. His election reflects broad support from the ruling party and key political factions. He is expected to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and economic stability. Tassoulas succeeds Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Greece’s first female President.Foot notes:
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Election Results: Constantine Tassoulas was elected President of Greece with 160 votes out of 274 MPs present. The main opposition candidate, Tasos Giannitsis, received 34 votes.
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Controversy Surrounding Election: Tassoulas' election has sparked protests due to his failure to address the 2023 train crash in Greece. Despite opposition, he secured the support of 160 lawmakers.
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Background and Experience: Tassoulas is a seasoned politician with a background in law and culture. He has served as the President of the Hellenic Parliament and has been a member of the New Democracy party since 2000.
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Ceremonial Role: As President, Tassoulas will hold a largely ceremonial role, succeeding Greece's first female president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou. His swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for March 13, 2025.
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Political Implications: Tassoulas' election is seen as a strategy by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to solidify his political influence. The conservative New Democracy party holds a narrow majority, and Tassoulas' appointment underscores the significant political dynamics at play.
3. Pankaj Tripathi Joins Audio Story Platform Velvet as Co-founder
Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi has joined the audio storytelling
platform Velvet as a co-founder. This collaboration marks his entry into the world of digital storytelling, where he aims to bring engaging narratives to a wider audience. Velvet focuses on immersive audio experiences, blending storytelling with rich sound design. Tripathi’s involvement is expected to enhance the platform’s creative direction and content quality. His deep connection with storytelling and love for literature make him a perfect fit for this venture.
platform Velvet as a co-founder. This collaboration marks his entry into the world of digital storytelling, where he aims to bring engaging narratives to a wider audience. Velvet focuses on immersive audio experiences, blending storytelling with rich sound design. Tripathi’s involvement is expected to enhance the platform’s creative direction and content quality. His deep connection with storytelling and love for literature make him a perfect fit for this venture.Foot notes:
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New Role: Pankaj Tripathi has joined Velvet, a cinematic audio stories platform, as a co-founder to help grow its user base with cinematic audio content.
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Platform's Goal: Velvet aims to create a unique space for listeners to experience engaging, imaginative, and cinematic audio content, predominantly in Hindi, with plans to expand to English and regional Indian languages.
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Founding Team: Tripathi joins co-founders Vikas Kumar, Akshat Saxena, Varad Bhatnagar, and Sharib Khan, with a shared vision to elevate India's rich oral storytelling tradition.
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Content and Reach: Velvet offers exclusive content, collaborating with actors, writers, and voice artists, and has already reached over 1 million listeners through distribution partners like Josh App and Future Today Group.
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Tripathi's Vision: The actor emphasizes the power of audio storytelling to evoke emotions and transport listeners into a world of imagination, while preserving and promoting India's cultural heritage.
4. Netcore Cloud appoints Nishant Arora as Senior Vice President of Marketing
Netcore Cloud has appointed Nishant Arora as the Senior Vice
President of Marketing. Arora brings extensive experience in brand strategy, digital marketing, and growth initiatives. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening Netcore Cloud’s global presence and driving marketing innovation. His leadership is expected to enhance customer engagement and accelerate business expansion. This appointment aligns with Netcore Cloud’s vision to reinforce its position as a leader in AI-powered customer engagement solutions.
President of Marketing. Arora brings extensive experience in brand strategy, digital marketing, and growth initiatives. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening Netcore Cloud’s global presence and driving marketing innovation. His leadership is expected to enhance customer engagement and accelerate business expansion. This appointment aligns with Netcore Cloud’s vision to reinforce its position as a leader in AI-powered customer engagement solutions.Foot notes:
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Industry Expertise: Nishant Arora brings nearly two decades of experience in fueling hyper-growth SaaS companies into multi-billion-dollar enterprises.
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Previous Roles: Before joining Netcore Cloud, Arora held key roles at top technology firms, including Sprinklr, Freshworks, and IBM, where he refined his expertise in growth marketing and enterprise solutions.
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New Responsibilities: As Senior Vice President of Marketing, Arora will lead Netcore Cloud's worldwide marketing strategy, strengthening its brand presence and market leadership. He will focus on enhancing marketing efforts, driving demand generation, and crafting compelling narratives that resonate across industries.
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Company's Growth Phase: Arora's appointment marks a significant step in Netcore Cloud's journey to becoming a dominant force in the global MarTech landscape. He will play a pivotal role in the company's next phase of growth.
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Leadership's Perspective: Siddharth Gopalkrishnan, Chief Operating Officer of Netcore Cloud, emphasized Arora's strategic fit for the company's expansion goals, stating that his expertise in growth marketing and product positioning will be invaluable in helping Netcore Cloud compete globally.
5. Cetaphil signs Rashmika Mandanna as brand ambassador
Cetaphil has signed Rashmika Mandanna as its brand ambassador,
strengthening its presence in the skincare market. The popular actress will represent the brand’s commitment to gentle and effective skincare solutions. Through this partnership, Cetaphil aims to connect with a wider audience, especially among young consumers. Rashmika’s association aligns with the brand’s message of healthy and radiant skin. The collaboration will feature her in campaigns promoting Cetaphil’s dermatologically tested products.
strengthening its presence in the skincare market. The popular actress will represent the brand’s commitment to gentle and effective skincare solutions. Through this partnership, Cetaphil aims to connect with a wider audience, especially among young consumers. Rashmika’s association aligns with the brand’s message of healthy and radiant skin. The collaboration will feature her in campaigns promoting Cetaphil’s dermatologically tested products.Foot notes:
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Embracing Natural Beauty: Rashmika Mandanna embodies the spirit of Cetaphil's BHR range with her genuine positivity and vibrancy. Together, they aim to empower individuals to break free from self-doubt and embrace their individuality.
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Skincare Solutions: Cetaphil's BHR range offers effective skincare solutions that cater to sensitive skin. The brand claims that its Bright Healthy Radiance Perfecting Serum helps reduce dark spots and even out skin tone.
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Campaign and Messaging: The partnership includes a campaign featuring Rashmika Mandanna, inspiring self-confidence and positivity while highlighting the BHR range's transformative power and promoting self-care. The campaign's hashtag is #ChooseYourBrightSide.
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Rashmika's Personal Connection: Rashmika Mandanna has expressed her excitement about partnering with Cetaphil, a brand she has personally used for years. She appreciates the brand's focus on natural beauty and sensitive skin.
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Brand Expansion: This partnership marks a significant step in Cetaphil's efforts to expand its presence in the skincare market. With Rashmika Mandanna on board, the brand aims to reach a wider audience and promote its products.
6. India ranked 96th in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2024
India has been ranked 96th in the Corruption Perceptions Index
(CPI) 2024, reflecting its standing in global anti-corruption efforts. The index, released by Transparency International, assesses perceived corruption levels in the public sector across 180 countries. India’s ranking indicates ongoing challenges in governance, transparency, and accountability. Despite various anti-corruption initiatives, issues such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and political influence remain concerns. The CPI is based on expert assessments and surveys, highlighting the need for stronger institutional reforms.
(CPI) 2024, reflecting its standing in global anti-corruption efforts. The index, released by Transparency International, assesses perceived corruption levels in the public sector across 180 countries. India’s ranking indicates ongoing challenges in governance, transparency, and accountability. Despite various anti-corruption initiatives, issues such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and political influence remain concerns. The CPI is based on expert assessments and surveys, highlighting the need for stronger institutional reforms.Foot notes:
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Decline in Score: India's score dropped by one point to 38, reflecting a worsening perception of corruption in the country.
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Global Context: The global average score remains at 43, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50, indicating a persistent problem that affects billions of people worldwide.
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Comparison with Neighbours: India's ranking is better than some of its neighbours, including Pakistan (135), Sri Lanka (121), and Bangladesh (149), but trails behind China (76).
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Impact on Climate Action: Corruption poses a significant threat to climate action, obstructing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
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Need for Global Action: The report emphasizes that combating corruption should be a long-term priority for the international community, requiring concrete actions to tackle the dangerous trends highlighted in the CPI.
7. Dhawan named event ambassador for ICC Champions Trophy
Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been named the event
ambassador for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Known for his stellar performances in ICC tournaments, Dhawan’s appointment aims to boost the tournament’s global appeal. His aggressive batting and leadership experience make him an ideal choice to promote the event. The ICC Champions Trophy is set to return after eight years, with Pakistan hosting the prestigious tournament. Dhawan expressed his excitement about the role, emphasizing his fond memories of past editions and his commitment to engaging fans worldwide.
ambassador for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Known for his stellar performances in ICC tournaments, Dhawan’s appointment aims to boost the tournament’s global appeal. His aggressive batting and leadership experience make him an ideal choice to promote the event. The ICC Champions Trophy is set to return after eight years, with Pakistan hosting the prestigious tournament. Dhawan expressed his excitement about the role, emphasizing his fond memories of past editions and his commitment to engaging fans worldwide.Foot notes:
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Tournament Details: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan and Dubai.
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Dhawan's Legacy: Shikhar Dhawan is India's highest run-scorer in the Champions Trophy history with 701 runs and has won the Golden Bat for two consecutive tournaments (2013 and 2017).
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Ambassador Role: As an ambassador, Dhawan will provide exclusive insights into the competition through guest columns and other engaging content, sharing his personal experiences and match analyses.
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Other Ambassadors: Dhawan is joined by other cricket legends as ambassadors, including Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shane Watson, and Tim Southee, each bringing their unique perspectives and expertise.
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Dhawan's Career: With a stellar career spanning 167 ODIs, 34 Tests, and 68 T20 Internationals, Dhawan has established himself as one of India's premier batters, known for his aggressive batting and consistent performances.
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Tournament Significance: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to deliver thrilling cricket action, and Dhawan's involvement as an ambassador adds an extra layer of excitement for fans, who can look forward to insightful commentary and engaging content.
8. Hurun India honours Dr. Raj P Narayanam for fintech innovation
Hurun India has honored Dr. Raj P. Narayanam for his contributions
to fintech innovation. His work has significantly impacted the financial technology sector, driving advancements in digital payments and financial inclusion. As a visionary leader, Dr. Narayanam has played a key role in shaping fintech solutions that enhance accessibility and security. The recognition by Hurun India highlights his influence in transforming the digital finance landscape. This accolade reinforces the growing importance of fintech innovations in India’s economic growth.
to fintech innovation. His work has significantly impacted the financial technology sector, driving advancements in digital payments and financial inclusion. As a visionary leader, Dr. Narayanam has played a key role in shaping fintech solutions that enhance accessibility and security. The recognition by Hurun India highlights his influence in transforming the digital finance landscape. This accolade reinforces the growing importance of fintech innovations in India’s economic growth.Foot notes:
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Award and Recognition: Dr. Narayanam received the award at India's Most Respected Entrepreneur Awards 2025, which celebrates leaders who have significantly impacted their sectors and contributed to India's economic growth.
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Innovation in Financial Solutions: The award recognizes Dr. Narayanam's pioneering innovations and contributions to transforming the financial solutions landscape. Under his leadership, Zaggle has delivered innovative financial solutions that address the evolving needs of businesses and customers.
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Zaggle's Achievements: Zaggle has issued over 50 million prepaid cards in partnership with banking partners and serves more than 3.2 million users. The company operates in the business-to-business-to-customer segment and offers a diversified portfolio of financial technology products and services.
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Dr. Narayanam's Experience and Expertise: With over two decades of experience in global finance and technology, Dr. Narayanam has been a pioneer in developing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and compliance in financial services.
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Previous Recognitions: Dr. Narayanam was recently honored with the 'FinTech Leader of the Year' award at the Bharat FinTech Summit and was also named 'FinTech Leader of the Year' by Business World.
9. World Radio Day observed on 13th February
World Radio Day is observed annually on 13th February to celebrate
the power of radio as a medium of communication. Established by UNESCO in 2011, the day highlights radio’s role in informing, educating, and entertaining people worldwide. The theme for World Radio Day 2024 emphasizes the importance of radio in fostering dialogue, peace, and cultural exchange. Radio remains a vital tool, especially in remote areas, for delivering news and emergency information. This day recognizes the medium’s enduring relevance in the digital age.
the power of radio as a medium of communication. Established by UNESCO in 2011, the day highlights radio’s role in informing, educating, and entertaining people worldwide. The theme for World Radio Day 2024 emphasizes the importance of radio in fostering dialogue, peace, and cultural exchange. Radio remains a vital tool, especially in remote areas, for delivering news and emergency information. This day recognizes the medium’s enduring relevance in the digital age.Foot notes:
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United Nations Recognition: In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed February 13th as World Radio Day, recognizing the role of radio in promoting freedom of expression and cultural diversity.
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Theme: Each year, World Radio Day has a specific theme. The theme for 2025 is "Radio and Diversity", highlighting the role of radio in promoting diversity, inclusion, and social cohesion.
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Radio's Impact: Radio remains a widely consumed medium globally, with an estimated 44,000 radio stations broadcasting in over 200 countries. It plays a vital role in disseminating information, promoting education, and providing entertainment.
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Celebrations: To mark World Radio Day, radio stations, broadcasting organizations, and communities worldwide organize various events, such as live broadcasts, panel discussions, and workshops, to celebrate the power of radio.
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Objectives: The objectives of World Radio Day include promoting radio as a means of communication, raising awareness about the importance of radio in modern society, and encouraging decision-makers to support radio broadcasting.
10. Gyalo Thondup, Elder Brother of the Dalai Lama, passed away
Gyalo Thondup, the elder brother of the Dalai Lama, has passed
away. He was a significant political figure and played a crucial role in Tibetan affairs and diplomacy. Throughout his life, he worked towards Tibet’s cause, engaging with global leaders and advocating for Tibetan autonomy. Thondup was also known for his involvement in covert negotiations and intelligence efforts during the Tibetan struggle. His passing marks the end of an era in Tibetan political history.
away. He was a significant political figure and played a crucial role in Tibetan affairs and diplomacy. Throughout his life, he worked towards Tibet’s cause, engaging with global leaders and advocating for Tibetan autonomy. Thondup was also known for his involvement in covert negotiations and intelligence efforts during the Tibetan struggle. His passing marks the end of an era in Tibetan political history.Foot notes:
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Tibetan Struggle and Diplomacy: He played a crucial role in the Tibetan diaspora, advocating for Tibet's independence and self-determination. Thondup helped build early connections with the Indian and US governments to rally support for Tibet's cause.
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CIA Involvement and Negotiations: Thondup worked with the CIA to recruit Tibetan fighters and was involved in negotiations with Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping, to discuss the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet.
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Legacy and Impact: The Dalai Lama praised Thondup's efforts towards the Tibetan struggle, saying they were "immense" and expressing gratitude for his contribution. Thondup's life and work have been recognized as a significant part of modern Tibetan history.
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Personal Life and Later Years: Thondup published his memoir, "The Noodle Maker of Kalimpong: The Untold Story of My Struggle for Tibet," in 2015, which became a bestseller. He passed away at his residence in Kalimpong, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the Tibetan cause.
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