4.5/5
Current Affairs 17 September 2025
1. Smriti Mandhana reclaims No. 1 spot in ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings
-
Reclaiming the Top Spot: Smriti Mandhana has regained her position as the No. 1 ranked batter in ODI cricket, a feat she last achieved in 2019. She now holds 735 rating points, surpassing England's Nat Sciver-Brunt by four points.
-
Recent Performance: Mandhana's recent performances contributed to her rise to the top. She scored a 58 against Australia, which earned her seven additional rating points, and previously scored 51 against South Africa and 116 against Sri Lanka in a tri-series final.
-
Surpassing Laura Wolvaardt: Mandhana leapfrogged South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, who slipped to second place with 717 rating points, tied with Nat Sciver-Brunt. Wolvaardt's recent scores of 27 and 28 in ODIs against the West Indies led to a loss of 19 rating points.
-
Current Rankings: In the bowling rankings, England's Sophie Ecclestone continues to dominate, while in the all-rounders category, Australia's Ashleigh Gardner remains on top.
2. Carlos Felipe Jaramillo appointed as World Bank VP for EAP
-
New Role: Carlos Felipe Jaramillo has been appointed as the Vice President for East Asia and Pacific at the World Bank, effective September 15, 2025. He will oversee the Bank's relations with 23 countries in the region and manage a portfolio of over $32 billion.
-
Experience: Jaramillo brings over two decades of leadership experience, having previously served as Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, where he managed a portfolio of $41.5 billion. He has also worked as Country Director for East Africa and Senior Director of the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice.
-
Focus Areas: As Vice President for EAP, Jaramillo aims to focus on job creation, digitalization, energy, and human capital development in the region. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration to create stronger impacts and ensure prosperous societies.
-
Regional Significance: The East Asia and Pacific region is a dynamic growth hub and a source of knowledge on development for many countries.
3. Dr. Sima Sami Bahous reappointed as Executive Director of UN Women 
-
Leadership Experience: Dr. Bahous is a seasoned Jordanian diplomat with extensive experience in global development and women's rights. She previously served as Jordan's Ambassador to the United Nations and Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League.
-
Strategic Plan: Under her leadership, UN Women has outlined a bold vision for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its Strategic Plan 2026–2029. The plan focuses on addressing systemic barriers, increasing women's economic participation, and eliminating violence against women and girls.
-
Key Achievements: During her first term, Dr. Bahous embedded gender equality in global policy discussions, improved transparency and efficiency within UN Women operations, and prioritized results-driven programs, especially in countries facing humanitarian crises.
-
Continuity in Leadership: Dr. Bahous' reappointment ensures continuity in leadership at a time of complex global challenges, underscoring her commitment to ensuring women's leadership.
4. EPFO Officer Selected for World Bank–Milken PFAM Program
-
Program Overview: The World Bank–Milken Institute PFAM Program, held at Bayes Business School, aims to equip public pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, central banks, and pension fund regulators with the tools needed to effectively manage sovereign financial wealth.
-
EPFO Officer's Selection: Although specific details about the selected EPFO officer aren't available, the selection highlights the EPFO's commitment to capacity building and expertise enhancement in public financial asset management.
-
Program Benefits: The program will likely provide the EPFO officer with expertise in managing sovereign financial wealth, expanding investment opportunities, and ensuring prudent financial management practices.
-
EPFO's Role: As a retirement benefits provider for Indian workers, EPFO's participation in the program may lead to improved management of its funds, potentially benefiting over 6 crore subscribers.
5. Amit Khare appointed as Secretary to Vice-President Radhakrishnan
-
Appointment Details: Amit Khare, a retired 1985-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, has been appointed as Secretary to the Vice-President of India for a period of three years from the date he assumes charge.
-
Background: Khare has extensive experience in public service, having served in various key positions in central and state governments, including Secretary of Information & Broadcasting, School Education and Literacy, and Higher Education.
-
Role in National Education Policy: He played a crucial role in formulating and implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as part of the core team.
-
Previous Role: Before his current appointment, Khare served as Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since October 12, 2021, handling matters related to the social sector.
6. Astha Modi inducted as Superintendent of Police in CBI
-
Appointment Details: Astha Modi, a 2013-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, has been appointed as Superintendent of Police in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of five years on deputation basis, effective from the date she assumes charge.
-
Experience and Background: Modi's extensive background in various administrative and law enforcement roles within Haryana is expected to be a considerable asset to the CBI, enhancing the agency's leadership cadre and contributing to its mandate of handling high-profile and complex cases.
-
Strategic Induction: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order on September 12, 2025, approving her induction, reflecting the government's strategy to fortify key national institutions with experienced and proficient officers.
-
CBI Strengthening: Astha Modi's appointment, along with the extension of IPS officer Raguramarajan A's tenure, aims to bolster the CBI's investigative capabilities, ensuring stability, continuity, and expertise in managing sensitive and ongoing investigations.
Foot notes:
About CBI-
-
Director: Praveen Sood
-
Headquarters: New Delhi
-
Formed: 1963
7. Suneet Mehta accredited as next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Kiribati
-
Current Role: Suneet Mehta is currently serving as the High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Fiji, and he has been concurrently accredited as the High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Kiribati, with residence in Suva.
-
Diplomatic Experience: Mehta belongs to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS:2007) and has 17 years of experience in various postings in Indian Embassies and Missions abroad, as well as at the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters in New Delhi.
-
Previous Postings: He has served in Missions in Madrid (2009-2010) and Washington D.C. (2014-2017), handling matters related to the United States Congress. He was also Deputy High Commissioner in the High Commission of India, Canberra (2021-2024).
8. Muzaffarpur Tops Inspire Award 2025 for Student Innovation
-
Top Ranking: Muzaffarpur district in Bihar has ranked first in the country in the Inspire Award 2025, submitting 7,403 innovative student ideas. This achievement surpasses major urban centers like Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Lucknow.
-
Bihar's Double Success: Muzaffarpur's triumph is accompanied by another notable success from Vaishali, which secured the sixth position with 5,805 ideas submitted, highlighting the growing emphasis on science education and grassroots innovation in Bihar.
-
Inspire Award Scheme: The Inspire Award – MANAK is a flagship initiative by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, aiming to identify young scientific talent and encourage innovation at the school level among students of classes 6 to 10.
-
Key to Success: Muzaffarpur's success is attributed to systematic planning and dedicated implementation, with schools running special science innovation sessions led by headmasters and science teachers, and administrative support from the District Education Officer and nodal officers.
9. World Patient Safety Day observed on 17th September
-
Theme for 2025: The theme for World Patient Safety Day 2025 is "Safe care for every newborn and every child," emphasizing the need for child-friendly healthcare systems and safe pediatric care practices to prevent harm in pediatric healthcare settings.
-
Purpose: The day aims to promote global solidarity and action to improve patient safety, reducing medical errors and harm, and ensuring safer healthcare for everyone. It highlights the importance of quality and trust in healthcare systems.
-
History: World Patient Safety Day was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019, recognizing patient safety as a global health priority. The day has been observed annually on September 17 since then, with a different theme each year to focus on specific patient safety issues.
-
Global Observance: The day is marked by various activities worldwide, including educational campaigns, workshops, webinars, and policy dialogues. Landmarks are lit up in orange, symbolizing hope and solidarity for patient safety.
10. Sarada Hoffman, Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam Guru passed away
-
Life and Legacy: Sarada Hoffman, a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and guru, passed away on September 14, 2025, at the age of 96. She was a pivotal figure in codifying and refining the Kalakshetra style of Bharatanatyam.
-
Association with Kalakshetra: Hoffman was closely associated with Kalakshetra Foundation, one of India's most prestigious dance institutions, where she trained under Rukmini Devi Arundale. She played a crucial role in standardizing the teaching system, shaping the way Bharatanatyam is taught globally.
-
Notable Students: Hoffman trained many prominent dancers, including Yamini Krishnamurthy, C.V. Chandrasekhar, V.P. Dhananjayan, and Shanta Dhananjayan. Her teachings continue to influence Bharatanatyam stages worldwide.
-
Awards and Recognition: Hoffman received several prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and the Rukmini Devi Medal for Excellence in the Arts. These honors acknowledge her contributions as a performer, teacher, and guardian of the classical tradition.
0 like |
0 comment
