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Current Affairs 16 & 17 August 2025
1. Indian Skater Anandkumar Wins Bronze at World Games
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Historic Medal: Anandkumar Velkumar won India's first-ever roller skating medal at the World Games, clinching bronze in the men's 1000m sprint inline speed skating track event.
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Time and Ranking: He finished with a time of 1:22.482 seconds, narrowly defeating Switzerland's Livio Wenger by 0.1 seconds to secure the bronze medal.
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Medal Tally: This achievement contributed to India's best campaign at the World Games, with the country now having a total of three medals - one silver and two bronzes.
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Previous Achievements: Anandkumar has previously won silver at the 2021 World Championships and was part of the Indian team that won bronze in the men's 3000m event at the 2023 Asian Games.
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India's Medal Count: With this win, India's total World Games medal count stands at eight, consisting of one gold, two silvers, and five bronzes.
2. Ajay Kumar Bhalla gets additional charge as Nagaland Governor
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Appointment: Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the current Governor of Manipur, has been given additional charge as the Governor of Nagaland following the demise of La Ganesan on August 14, 2025.
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Effective Date: The appointment took effect immediately, with Bhalla discharging the functions of the Governor of Nagaland in addition to his own duties as Manipur Governor, starting August 16, 2025.
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Background: Bhalla is a 1984-batch IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre and previously served as the Union Home Secretary of India from August 22, 2019, until his retirement on August 22, 2024.
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Current Situation: Bhalla's additional charge comes at a critical time when Nagaland is awaiting progress on the protracted peace talks between the Centre and Naga political groups, and Manipur is currently under President's Rule.
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Responsibilities: As the Governor of both Manipur and Nagaland, Bhalla's leadership will be crucial in maintaining stability and fostering development in both northeastern states.
3. Khalid Jamil is head coach of the Indian football team
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Historic Appointment: Khalid Jamil has become the first Indian head coach of the national team in 13 years, succeeding Manolo Marquez, who stepped down after a winless stretch.
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Proven Track Record: Jamil has a successful coaching stint with clubs like Aizawl FC, NorthEast United, and Jamshedpur FC, winning the I-League title with Aizawl in 2017 and guiding Jamshedpur to the ISL semifinals.
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Immediate Challenges: His first major tests will be the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, where India faces Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, followed by crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore in October.
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Key Objectives: Jamil's primary goals include improving India's goal-scoring record, instilling tactical clarity, and bringing structure and efficiency to the team's play.
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Experience and Credentials: A former player with 40 international caps, Jamil holds an AFC Pro License and has extensive experience working with young Indian players, making him a suitable choice for the national team role
4. Navy win Armed Forces Inter Services Squash Championship
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Championship Victory: The Indian Navy won the team championship title by defeating the Indian Air Force 2-1 in the final match.
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Tournament Details: The championship was held at Base Repair Depot, Air Force Chandigarh, from August 10 to 14, 2025, and featured participation from four teams: Army Red, Army Green, Air Force, and Indian Navy.
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Exceptional Performance: The Navy's victory showcases their exceptional skill and determination in the sport, reinforcing their commitment to fitness and competitive spirit.
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Selection for National Championship: The competition served as a platform to select the best players to represent the Services Squash Team in the upcoming National Squash Championship.
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Sportsmanship and Excellence: The tournament highlighted the values of camaraderie, discipline, and excellence within the Armed Forces, demonstrating the Navy's sustained commitment to nurturing sporting talent.
5. Sathiyan wins 2nd WTT Feeder Title
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Second WTT Feeder Title: Sathiyan Gnanasekaran won his second WTT Feeder title by claiming the men's singles crown at the WTT Feeder Vientiane 2025, held in Laos from August 11-15, 2025.
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Dominant Performance: He delivered a commanding performance in the final, defeating top seed Ryoichi Yoshiyama of Japan 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 12-10).
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Recent Success: This victory follows his men's doubles title win at the WTT Contender Lagos, where he partnered with Akash Pal to defeat the French duo of Jules Rolland and Leo De Nodrest 3-0.
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Career Milestone: Sathiyan's win marks a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his ability to excel in both singles and doubles formats and solidifying his status as one of India's most prominent paddlers.
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Ranking Implications: This title win will likely boost Sathiyan's world ranking, with him aiming to break into the top 50 by 2026, and demonstrates his growing prowess on the international table tennis circuit.
6. Odisha govt appoints actress Madhuri Dixit as brand ambassador of handloom industry
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Appointment Announcement: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced Madhuri Dixit's appointment as brand ambassador on August 7, 2025, during the 11th National Handloom Day celebrations.
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Promoting Handloom Industry: The appointment aims to promote Odisha's handloom products globally, leveraging Dixit's influence to gain recognition for the state's garments in the fashion world.
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EKTA Initiative: The 'EKTA' initiative, launched alongside the appointment, provides market access, training, and financial support to handloom artisans across Odisha, benefiting over 1.3 lakh weavers and allied workers.
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Madhuri Dixit's Reaction: Dixit expressed admiration for Odisha's rich textile heritage, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional crafts through modern platforms like 'EKTA'. She praised the state's weavers, saying handloom fabrics reflect Odia identity, culture, and lifestyle.
7. IOC appoints Bindra as Mental Health Ambassador for athletes
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Appointment: Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, has been appointed as one of nine IOC Mental Health Ambassadors to support athlete well-being globally.
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Role: As an ambassador, Bindra will engage with athletes through social media, one-on-one conversations, and IOC educational programs to break down stigma and promote honest conversations about mental health.
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Background: Bindra, a long-time advocate for athlete mental health, was part of the IOC Mental Health Working Group since its inception and has consistently emphasized the need for comprehensive mental health support systems for athletes.
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Mission: The IOC Mental Health Ambassadors aim to prioritize athlete well-being, encourage open discussions, and integrate mental health support into sporting environments, ensuring athletes feel safe, supported, and heard.
8. Guwahati Airport Wins International Architectural Award 2025
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Award Recognition: Guwahati International Airport's Terminal 2 has won the International Architecture Award 2025 in the Transport category, recognized globally for its design excellence by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
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Design Inspiration: The terminal's design is inspired by Assam's heritage, featuring bamboo and orchid motifs that blend sustainability with cultural identity, reflecting the natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural depth of the region.
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Sustainable Features: The terminal incorporates various sustainable features, including a green roof, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and natural light utilization, aiming to minimize its environmental footprint.
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Capacity and Facilities: The new terminal can handle 10 million passengers annually and includes modern facilities such as self-bag drop counters, Digi Yatra-enabled e-gates, and advanced security systems, enhancing the overall passenger experience.
9. Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound wins Best Film and Best Director at IFFM 2025
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Double Win: Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound" won two prestigious awards at IFFM 2025: Best Film and Best Director, solidifying Ghaywan's reputation as a talented filmmaker.
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Film's Themes: "Homebound" explores universal themes of belonging, displacement, nostalgia, alienation, and reconciliation, resonating with audiences globally.
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Star-Studded Cast: The film features a talented cast, including Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jetwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, who bring Ghaywan's vision to life with authenticity and emotional depth.
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Global Recognition: This win strengthens the global visibility of Indian independent cinema and encourages narratives beyond commercial tropes, highlighting social and emotional complexities.
10. Former Australian captain & coach Bob Simpson passed away
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Cricketing Legacy: Simpson had a storied career as a player, captain, and coach, leaving a lasting impact on Australian cricket history. He played 62 Tests, scored 4,869 runs, and took 71 wickets.
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Comeback and Coaching: Simpson made a remarkable comeback at 41 during the World Series Cricket era and later became Australia's first full-time coach, guiding the team to significant victories, including the 1987 World Cup.
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Tribute and Remembrance: Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird paid tribute to Simpson, calling him one of the "greats" of Australian cricket. A minute of silence was observed in his honor during a T20 match against South Africa.
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