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Current Affairs 18 April 2025
1. Santosh Kumar Appointed as Deputy CFO of IndusInd Bank
Santosh Kumar has been appointed as the Deputy
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of IndusInd Bank. He brings with him a wealth of experience in financial management and strategic planning. Prior to this role, he held key positions in several reputed financial institutions. His appointment is expected to strengthen the bank’s financial leadership and support its growth strategy. IndusInd Bank expressed confidence in his ability to contribute significantly to its financial performance and long-term goals.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of IndusInd Bank. He brings with him a wealth of experience in financial management and strategic planning. Prior to this role, he held key positions in several reputed financial institutions. His appointment is expected to strengthen the bank’s financial leadership and support its growth strategy. IndusInd Bank expressed confidence in his ability to contribute significantly to its financial performance and long-term goals.Foot notes:
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Role: He will oversee the bank's finance and accounts functions until a full-time CFO is appointed, and has been designated as a Key Managerial Personnel.
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Background: Kumar brings over two decades of experience in finance, accounting, taxation, and cost management, having previously worked at ICICI Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
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Previous Position: Before his appointment, Kumar served as the Chief Accountant at IndusInd Bank, where he oversaw financial reporting, balance sheet finalization, and taxation compliance.
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Reason for Appointment: The appointment comes at a critical time for the bank, which is grappling with financial strain, regulatory scrutiny, and accounting discrepancies in its derivatives portfolio.
About IndusInd Bank:
CEO: Sumant Kathpalia
Founded In : 1994
Headquarters: Mumbai
2. India signed an Agreement with IBCA
India has signed a Headquarters Agreement with the
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), establishing the country as the official host for the alliance's headquarters and secretariat . The IBCA, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, aims to conserve seven major big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah . The agreement includes provisions for visas, privileges, and immunities for IBCA personnel, as well as India's commitment to provide 150 crore in funding over five years to support the alliance's operations . As of January 23, 2025, the IBCA has become a full-fledged treaty-based intergovernmental organization, with India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, and Liberia as its founding members.
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), establishing the country as the official host for the alliance's headquarters and secretariat . The IBCA, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, aims to conserve seven major big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah . The agreement includes provisions for visas, privileges, and immunities for IBCA personnel, as well as India's commitment to provide 150 crore in funding over five years to support the alliance's operations . As of January 23, 2025, the IBCA has become a full-fledged treaty-based intergovernmental organization, with India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, and Liberia as its founding members.Foot notes:
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Purpose: The agreement enables IBCA to function effectively and meet its long-term conservation goals for seven big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
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Financial Support: The Government of India will provide financial assistance of 150 crore to IBCA over five years (2023-2028) to create a corpus, develop infrastructure, and cover recurring expenditures.
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Key Provisions: The agreement includes provisions related to visas, privileges, and immunities for IBCA personnel, premises, and supplementary agreements.
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IBCA's Launch: The International Big Cat Alliance was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, and became a treaty-based intergovernmental organization on January 23, 2025.
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Global Cooperation: The agreement underscores India's leadership and commitment to global wildlife conservation, promoting international collaboration for the conservation of big cats.
3. India Shines At World Squash Asia Qualifier
India delivered an outstanding performance at the World
Squash Championships Asia Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur. In the men's singles, Veer Chotrani advanced to the semi-finals after a come-from-behind victory over Malaysia's Mohammad Syafiq Kamal, winning 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 . In the women's singles, 17-year-old Anahat Singh dominated Japan's Akari Midorikawa with a straight-games win of 11-1, 11-7, 11-5 . Tanvi Khanna caused a major upset by defeating top seed N Ching Cheng of Hong Kong 3-1 (11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10) to secure her spot in the quarterfinals . These impressive performances highlight India's growing prominence in international squash.
Foot notes:
Squash Championships Asia Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur. In the men's singles, Veer Chotrani advanced to the semi-finals after a come-from-behind victory over Malaysia's Mohammad Syafiq Kamal, winning 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 . In the women's singles, 17-year-old Anahat Singh dominated Japan's Akari Midorikawa with a straight-games win of 11-1, 11-7, 11-5 . Tanvi Khanna caused a major upset by defeating top seed N Ching Cheng of Hong Kong 3-1 (11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10) to secure her spot in the quarterfinals . These impressive performances highlight India's growing prominence in international squash.Foot notes:
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Indian Players Advance: Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh have successfully advanced to the semifinals of the World Championship Qualifying Event (Asia).
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Veer Chotrani's Comeback: Chotrani, seeded second, achieved a thrilling comeback victory against home favorite Mohammad Syafiq Kamal, winning 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7.
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Anahat Singh's Dominant Win: Anahat Singh, seeded fifth, displayed her prowess by defeating Japan's Akari Midorikawa with a score of 11-1, 11-7, 11-5 in the quarterfinals.
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Upcoming Matches: Singh is set to face Hong Kong's Helen Tang on Saturday, while Chotrani's semifinal opponent is yet to be determined.
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Qualification for World Championships: The winners of the Asia Qualifier will qualify for the World Championships in Chicago this May.
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India's Squash Success: This performance is part of India's recent squash successes, including winning two gold medals, a silver, and two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Games.
4. India’s Shourya Ambure Wins Bronze In U-18 100m Hurdles
India's Shourya Ambure clinched the bronze medal in the U-
18 girls' 100m hurdles at the Asian Under-18 Athletics Championship held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She clocked an impressive 13.80 seconds, showcasing her sprinting prowess on the continental stage . This achievement adds to her growing list of accolades, including a gold medal at the National Youth Athletics Championships in March 2025, where she recorded a time of 14.55 seconds . Representing Maharashtra, Ambure's consistent performances highlight her as one of India's promising young hurdlers. Her success contributes to India's overall medal tally and underscores the nation's rising talent in athletics. Ambure's dedication and achievements continue to inspire aspiring athletes across the country.
18 girls' 100m hurdles at the Asian Under-18 Athletics Championship held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She clocked an impressive 13.80 seconds, showcasing her sprinting prowess on the continental stage . This achievement adds to her growing list of accolades, including a gold medal at the National Youth Athletics Championships in March 2025, where she recorded a time of 14.55 seconds . Representing Maharashtra, Ambure's consistent performances highlight her as one of India's promising young hurdlers. Her success contributes to India's overall medal tally and underscores the nation's rising talent in athletics. Ambure's dedication and achievements continue to inspire aspiring athletes across the country.Foot notes:
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Bronze Medal Win: Shourya Ambure clinched the bronze medal in the women's 100m hurdles event at the Asian U18 Athletics Championships 2025 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
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Timing: She achieved a personal best timing of 13.80 seconds, although it won't be counted as an official record due to a tailwind of +2.4m/s, exceeding the valid limit of +2m/s.
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Competition: Ambure finished behind two Chinese hurdlers, Bao Yinyin (gold) with a time of 13.71 seconds, and He Yihui (silver) with a time of 13.76 seconds.
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India's Medal Count: This win contributed to India's overall medal tally, which now stands at seven medals: three silver and four bronze.
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Other Indian Medalists: Nishchay won a silver medal in men's shot put and a bronze in discus throw, while Lakshita Mahlawat secured bronze in women's discus throw.
5. Runwal Realty onboards Sonam Kapoor as Brand Ambassador
Runwal Realty has appointed Bollywood actress and fashion
icon Sonam Kapoor as its new brand ambassador. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance the brand's visibility and appeal across its diverse portfolio, which includes luxury residential, commercial, and retail developments . Sonam Kapoor's association with Runwal Realty is expected to resonate with a broader audience, aligning with the company's recent rebranding efforts to strengthen its market presence. Her elegance and contemporary style make her an ideal representative for Runwal Realty's commitment to quality and innovation. This partnership underscores the company's dedication to delivering exceptional real estate experiences to its clientele.
icon Sonam Kapoor as its new brand ambassador. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance the brand's visibility and appeal across its diverse portfolio, which includes luxury residential, commercial, and retail developments . Sonam Kapoor's association with Runwal Realty is expected to resonate with a broader audience, aligning with the company's recent rebranding efforts to strengthen its market presence. Her elegance and contemporary style make her an ideal representative for Runwal Realty's commitment to quality and innovation. This partnership underscores the company's dedication to delivering exceptional real estate experiences to its clientele.Foot notes:
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Partnership Announcement: Runwal Realty announced its partnership with Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor as its brand ambassador on April 17, 2025, aligning with its rebranding efforts.
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Brand Philosophy: The real estate company has unveiled a new philosophy, "Building for Generations to Come," reflecting its commitment to creating timeless spaces that stand the test of time, both structurally and emotionally.
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Sonam Kapoor's Endorsement: As the brand ambassador, Sonam Kapoor will feature in Runwal Realty's marketing campaigns, including print ads, digital promotions, Out-of-Home (OOH) displays, and multiplex advertisements, promoting the company's luxury real estate offerings.
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Company's Vision: Runwal Realty aims to create not just homes but heirlooms, focusing on visionary design, meticulous planning, global design expertise, and quality, with the customer at its core.
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Portfolio and Presence: With over 45 years of experience, Runwal Realty has developed a portfolio of over 50 landmark projects across residential, commercial, and retail segments in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune.
6. Mirabai Chanu Appointed as Chairperson of IWLF Athletes’ Commission
Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu has been elected as
the Chairperson of the Athletes’ Commission of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) . Expressing her gratitude, Chanu stated, "The opportunity to represent and uphold the voice of fellow weightlifters is a matter of great pride for me" . She pledged to take the responsibilities that come with the role seriously and to work towards spreading the athletes' voice and viewpoints across all key channels . Joining her in the commission is S. Sathish Kumar, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who has been named Vice-Chairperson . Their term will last for four years, during which they aim to serve as a bridge between the athletes and the governing body .
the Chairperson of the Athletes’ Commission of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) . Expressing her gratitude, Chanu stated, "The opportunity to represent and uphold the voice of fellow weightlifters is a matter of great pride for me" . She pledged to take the responsibilities that come with the role seriously and to work towards spreading the athletes' voice and viewpoints across all key channels . Joining her in the commission is S. Sathish Kumar, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who has been named Vice-Chairperson . Their term will last for four years, during which they aim to serve as a bridge between the athletes and the governing body .Foot notes:
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Leadership Role: Chanu will work closely with Vice-Chairperson S. Sathish Kumar, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, to amplify athletes' voices and viewpoints across key channels.
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Responsibilities: As Chairperson, Chanu aims to ensure athletes can focus on their sport without external distractions, promoting athlete welfare and representation within the weightlifting community.
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Gratitude and Commitment: Chanu expressed gratitude to the IWLF, Sahdev Yadav, and her coach Vijay Sharma for their support, pledging to take her responsibilities seriously and work diligently for fellow weightlifters.
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Achievements: Chanu brings unmatched experience and leadership to the commission, having won a silver medal at Tokyo 2020 and a World Championship gold in 2017, setting national records in the 49kg category.
7. Sanjay Hazari, appointed to the post of CMD
Sanjay Hazari has been appointed as the Chairman and
Managing Director (CMD) of Munitions India Limited (MIL), a key defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his elevation from his previous role as General Manager at MIL . Hazari brings extensive experience in ordnance production, having served in senior leadership positions within the defence manufacturing sector. His appointment is expected to strengthen MIL's strategic initiatives and operational efficiency. As CMD, Hazari will oversee the company's efforts in advancing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
Managing Director (CMD) of Munitions India Limited (MIL), a key defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his elevation from his previous role as General Manager at MIL . Hazari brings extensive experience in ordnance production, having served in senior leadership positions within the defence manufacturing sector. His appointment is expected to strengthen MIL's strategic initiatives and operational efficiency. As CMD, Hazari will oversee the company's efforts in advancing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.Foot notes:
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Background: Hazari belongs to the 1990 batch of IOFS and has over three decades of experience in the defence production sector, consistently demonstrating strong commitment to quality, self-reliance, and strategic transformation.
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Previous Role: Before taking over as CMD, Hazari served as General Manager at MIL, where he advanced operational efficiency, modernized production lines, and promoted innovation in munitions manufacturing.
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Qualifications: Hazari holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in Electrical Engineering from the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, and has a well-rounded professional and technical foundation.
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Strategic Timing: His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as MIL strengthens its contribution to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, expanding production capacity and diversifying its product portfolio to meet growing requirements of India's armed forces and export markets.
8. Scaler appoints Martin Reindl as Head of Enterprise
Scaler, an Indian tech upskilling startup, announced the
appointment of Ashish Chitravanshi as the new Head of Enterprise Business. In this role, Ashish will lead two key areas: B2B partnerships and career development. His responsibilities include strengthening partnerships with leading technology companies both in India and globally, as well as working towards providing career outcomes for learners. Ashish will collaborate closely with Scaler's co-founders, Abhimanyu Saxena and Anshuman Singh, to build strategic engagements with tech companies. His extensive experience across diverse sectors and familiarity with entrepreneurship are expected to help Scaler accelerate its growth journey more ambitiously.
appointment of Ashish Chitravanshi as the new Head of Enterprise Business. In this role, Ashish will lead two key areas: B2B partnerships and career development. His responsibilities include strengthening partnerships with leading technology companies both in India and globally, as well as working towards providing career outcomes for learners. Ashish will collaborate closely with Scaler's co-founders, Abhimanyu Saxena and Anshuman Singh, to build strategic engagements with tech companies. His extensive experience across diverse sectors and familiarity with entrepreneurship are expected to help Scaler accelerate its growth journey more ambitiously.Foot notes:
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Role: As Head of Enterprise, Martin will work closely with Co-founder Abhimanyu Saxena to spearhead Scaler's B2B expansion in the Middle East, focusing on AI-enabled corporate upskilling programs for industries like finance and oil & gas.
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Expansion Plans: Scaler aims to broaden its presence in key markets such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, building on its established partnerships in the UAE, to equip enterprises and professionals with AI-driven skills.
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Innovation Lab: Martin will lead Scaler's Innovation Lab, launching three key programs: a corporate projects initiative, a student startup incubator, and an internal development track to foster industry collaboration and innovation.
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Background: Martin brings extensive experience in digital transformation and financial services, having previously led a social-impact agri-tech startup in Bangalore, and is a graduate of Harvard and MIT Sloan School of Management.
9. World Heritage Day observed on 18th April
World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for
Monuments and Sites, is observed annually on April 18 to raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural and natural heritage. In India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) marked the occasion by offering free entry to all ASI-protected monuments nationwide, encouraging public engagement with the country's rich cultural legacy . Globally, initiatives like the Sonic Heritage project by Cities and Memory were launched, featuring 270 audio recordings of UNESCO-designated sites and cultural practices, aiming to capture and preserve the auditory essence of heritage .
Monuments and Sites, is observed annually on April 18 to raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural and natural heritage. In India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) marked the occasion by offering free entry to all ASI-protected monuments nationwide, encouraging public engagement with the country's rich cultural legacy . Globally, initiatives like the Sonic Heritage project by Cities and Memory were launched, featuring 270 audio recordings of UNESCO-designated sites and cultural practices, aiming to capture and preserve the auditory essence of heritage .Foot notes:
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Theme 2024: The theme for World Heritage Day 2024 was "Discover and Experience the Richness of Cultural Diversity," highlighting the importance of cultural heritage in shaping identities and communities.
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Purpose: The day aims to promote awareness about the importance of cultural heritage, encourage participation in its preservation, and recognize the diversity of cultural expressions across the globe.
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UNESCO's Role: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) plays a significant role in promoting and protecting cultural and natural heritage sites worldwide, designating World Heritage Sites that are recognized for their outstanding universal value.
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Celebrations: World Heritage Day is marked through various events, including exhibitions, guided tours, lectures, and cultural performances, showcasing the richness and diversity of cultural heritage.
10. Former Delhi Congress MLA Jai Kishan passed away
Former Delhi Congress MLA Jai Kishan passed away on
April 16, 2025, at the age of 66, due to cardiac arrest at his residence in Sultanpur Majra, Delhi . A five-time legislator from the Sultanpur Majra constituency, he was a prominent Dalit leader known for his dedication to public service and the empowerment of marginalized communities . The Delhi Congress described his demise as a profound loss to the party and the Dalit community in the capital . His funeral was held at the Y Block Sultanpuri crematorium, with his elder son Rahul Dhaka performing the last rites, attended by senior Congress leaders and numerous party workers .
April 16, 2025, at the age of 66, due to cardiac arrest at his residence in Sultanpur Majra, Delhi . A five-time legislator from the Sultanpur Majra constituency, he was a prominent Dalit leader known for his dedication to public service and the empowerment of marginalized communities . The Delhi Congress described his demise as a profound loss to the party and the Dalit community in the capital . His funeral was held at the Y Block Sultanpuri crematorium, with his elder son Rahul Dhaka performing the last rites, attended by senior Congress leaders and numerous party workers .Foot notes:
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Date of Passing: Jai Kishan passed away on April 17, 2025, due to cardiac arrest at his home in Sultanpur Majra, Delhi.
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Political Career: Jai Kishan was a five-time MLA from the Sultanpur Majra constituency in Delhi, known for his dedication to the Congress party and service to the people.
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Leadership Roles: He held various positions within the party, including AICC secretary and vice president of the Delhi Congress unit.
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Party Condolences: Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary K C Venugopal, paid tribute to Jai Kishan, describing his demise as an irreparable loss for the party.
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