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Current Affairs 20 June 2025
1. Sampath Kumar Becomes First Indian MD of Nippon Koei India
- Background: Dr. Kumar is a graduate of IIT-BHU and holds a doctorate in Civil
Engineering. He has extensive experience in civil engineering and IT consultancy, having worked in Japan and Finland as a researcher and in India's IT industry. - Leadership Approach: Dr. Kumar's leadership approach involves giving professional freedom and empowering teams to lead and make decisions that suit the organization's interests. He emphasizes tracking talent and providing opportunities for growth.
- Experience: With over a decade of experience at Nippon Koei India, Dr. Kumar has been instrumental in the company's growth. He has served as Director, overseeing Corporate Management and Business Development divisions.
- Vision for Nippon Koei India: Under Dr. Kumar's guidance, Nippon Koei India aims to strengthen its presence in India, West Asia, and Asia-Pacific. The company plans to expand operations, focusing on infrastructure projects, and solidify its position as a leading consulting company in the Indian subcontinent.
2. DCA Launches ‘Cyber Suraksha’ to Fortify National Cyber Defence
- Objective: The primary goal of Exercise Cyber Suraksha is to enhance India's
cyber defense capabilities and promote collaboration among stakeholders, including military and national organizations, to tackle emerging cyber threats effectively. - Participation: The exercise saw participation from various stakeholders, including the Indian Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, critical infrastructure providers, and other government organizations responsible for cybersecurity, ensuring a comprehensive approach to cyber defense.
- Key Focus Areas: The exercise focused on developing cyber defense skills, promoting jointmanship, and creating a unified front against cyber threats. It also aimed to identify gaps and vulnerabilities in India's cyber defense posture and develop effective mitigation strategies.
- Importance of Jointmanship: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasized the critical need for jointmanship among all stakeholders in the cyber domain, highlighting that cyber threats are borderless and require a collaborative approach to defend against them.
3. Prof M Satish Kumar appointed as First Dean of Queen’s University Belfast’s GIFT City Campus
- Expertise: Prof. Kumar is a globally recognized interdisciplinary scholar
specializing in colonial, postcolonial, and decolonial geographies of South Asia, with a strong affinity to social sciences and humanities, promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). - Appointment: He has been appointed as the First Dean of Queen's University Belfast's GIFT City Campus, leveraging his experience in internationalization and collaborative partnerships between UK and Indian universities.
- Research Focus: Prof. Kumar's research explores cultural heritage challenges due to rapid urban expansion, political conflict, and climate change, emphasizing the role of cultural heritage in informing questions of marginalization and identity.
- Leadership Experience: As the Director of the Queen's Academy in India and Senior Lecturer at the School of Geography, Archaeology, and Paleoecology, Prof. Kumar has developed strong research links with Indian universities and contributed to Queen's University Belfast's internationalization agenda.
4. Qatar Retained the World’s Best Airline in India/South Asia
- Best Airline Title: Qatar Airways has been named the World's Best Airline for the
ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards, held at the Paris Air Show. This recognition reflects the airline's commitment to quality, comfort, and innovation. - Awards and Recognition: Qatar Airways also won awards for the World's Best Business Class and the Best Business Class Airline Lounge experience globally, showcasing its exceptional service standards.
- Rankings: The airline is ranked number one globally, followed by Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways, which ranked second and third, respectively.
- Customer Satisfaction: The World Airline Awards are based on customer satisfaction surveys, with over 100 nationalities participating and more than 325 airlines featured in the survey results.
Foot notes:
About Qatar-
About Qatar-
- Capital:Doha
- Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Abdulrahman
5. Anantha Chandrakasan Becomes First Indian-Born Provost of MIT
- Background: Born in Chennai, India, Chandrakasan moved to the United States
during high school. His mother, a biochemist, was a Fulbright Scholar. He holds a Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. - Leadership Roles: Chandrakasan serves as the 14th Provost of MIT, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, and Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He previously served as Dean of the School of Engineering since 2017 and Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS).
- Research Focus: His research focuses on energy-efficient electronic circuits, and he leads the MIT Energy-Efficient Circuits and Systems Group. Chandrakasan has worked on projects involving ultra-low power biomedical devices, energy-efficient processors, and wireless authentication tags.
- Awards and Honors: He has received numerous awards, including the Semiconductor Industry Association University Researcher Award, IEEE Donald O. Pederson Award in Solid-State Circuits, and honorary doctorates from KU Leuven and the National Technical University of Athens.
6. REC receives Rajbhasha Deepti Award from Ministry of Power
- About REC: REC Limited, formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, is a
Maharatna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. Established in 1969, REC is a leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) that plays a pivotal role in financing and promoting power sector development across India. - Rajbhasha Deepti Award: REC Limited has been conferred with the prestigious Rajbhasha Deepti Shield Award for its outstanding efforts in promoting and implementing the Official Language Policy of the Government of India during the year 2023-24.
- Commitment to Linguistic Inclusivity: The award highlights REC's commitment to ensuring consistent and effective use of Hindi across its operations, aligning with the government's larger goal of promoting the use of the official language in administrative and corporate functioning.
- Leadership in Power Sector: REC has emerged as a financial powerhouse in the power sector and a leading example in administrative excellence, including the promotion of Hindi in official work. Its Chairman and Managing Director, Jitendra Srivastava, and Executive Director, RP Vaishnaw, received the award.
- Recognition and Awards: The award was presented by Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, in the presence of other dignitaries, including Minister of State for Power, Shripad Yesso Naik, and Secretary, Ministry of Power, Pankaj Agarwal.
Foot notes:
About REC-
About REC-
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Founded: 1969
7. India-Cyprus Sign MoU to Enable UPI Services for Cross-Border Payments
- Parties Involved: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) and Eurobank Cyprus have signed the MoU to introduce Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services in Cyprus for cross-border transactions. - Purpose: The primary purpose of this MoU is to the Indian diaspora in Cyprus, facilitating seamless cross-border transactions, especially for tourists and businesses.
- Benefits: This partnership will enable Indian tourists and businesses in Cyprus to make easy payments through UPI, facilitate bilateral trade payments, and enhance financial collaboration between the two countries.
- Strategic Importance: Cyprus is a significant economic partner for India, with cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of $15 billion. This partnership aims to make Cyprus a gateway to Europe and the Mediterranean for India's fintech and digital services.
8. Karan Johar joins The Bridal Retreat as Brand Ambassador
- Background: Karan Johar is a celebrated Indian filmmaker and cultural icon
known for his iconic cinematic portrayals of romance and relationships. He has been a significant figure in Bollywood, and his appointment as brand ambassador reflects his influence and reach. - The Bridal Retreat's Mission: As brand ambassador, Karan Johar will be associated with The Bridal Retreat's mission to empower brides-to-be by providing a platform for self-reflection, emotional preparation, and holistic wellness before their wedding day.
- Karan Johar's Perspective: Johar believes The Bridal Retreat offers a rare opportunity for brides to focus on themselves before the world meets them. He emphasizes the importance of inner transformation that marriage brings and feels the retreat places that journey at the center.
- The Retreat's Program: The Bridal Retreat is a five-day immersive experience that includes sessions on identity exploration, wellness practices, movement therapy, communication coaching, and cultural reflection. The program aims to equip brides with the tools and insights needed to build a meaningful life beyond their wedding day.
9. Bata Group appoints Panos Mytaros as Global CEO
- Experience: Panos Mytaros brings over 30 years of global leadership
experience in the footwear and leather industry, making him a seasoned professional in the field. - Background: Before joining Bata, Mytaros held several senior positions at ECCO, including CEO from 2021 to 2024, where he demonstrated his expertise in brand building and developing compelling footwear collections.
- Appointment: Mytaros will succeed Sandeep Kataria as Global CEO of Bata Group, effective September 15, 2025. Kataria has led the company since 2020 and oversaw significant digital transformation and expansion.
- Leadership Style: Graham Allan, Chairman of the Bata Group, praises Mytaros as a proven leader with deep industry knowledge and a passion for footwear craftsmanship. His track record in leading complex international organizations makes him ideal to guide Bata's next phase of growth.
Foot notes:
About Bata Group-
About Bata Group-
- Previous CEO: Sandeep Kataria
- Headquarters: Switzerland
- Founded: 1894
10. AIFF Former vice president Atuo Mezhur passed away
- Association with Mezhür Higher Secondary School: Atuo Mezhur Sekhose is
associated with Mezhür Higher Secondary School in Kohima, Nagaland, which was founded by Samuel Mezhür Sekhose in 1958. - Family Connection: Atuo Mezhur Sekhose might be a family member of Samuel Mezhür Sekhose, the founder of Mezhür Higher Secondary School.
- School's History: Mezhür Higher Secondary School, also known as Kohima English School, has a rich history and has produced many notable alumni.
- Location: The school is located in the heart of Kohima and is one of the oldest educational institutions in Nagaland.
- Legacy: The school has emerged as one of the biggest and most successful educational institutions in Nagaland, with a legacy spanning over six decades.
Foot notes:
About AIFF-
About AIFF-
- President: Kalyan Chaubey
- Headquarters: Delhi
- Founded: 1937
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