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Current Affairs 22 April 2025
1. Simone Biles wins Laureus Sportswoman of the year award 2025
Simone Biles has been honored with the 2025 Laureus World Sportswoman of
the Year award, marking her fourth win in this category. This achievement ties her with tennis legend Serena Williams for the most Laureus titles. Biles' recognition comes after a remarkable comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she secured three gold medals and one silver, including victories in the team, all-around, and vault competitions. Her performance featured the Yurchenko double pike, a move she pioneered in competition. With a total of 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, Biles remains the most decorated gymnast in history.
the Year award, marking her fourth win in this category. This achievement ties her with tennis legend Serena Williams for the most Laureus titles. Biles' recognition comes after a remarkable comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she secured three gold medals and one silver, including victories in the team, all-around, and vault competitions. Her performance featured the Yurchenko double pike, a move she pioneered in competition. With a total of 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, Biles remains the most decorated gymnast in history.Foot notes:
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Fourth Time Winner: Simone Biles has won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award for the fourth time, following her record-breaking performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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Record-Breaking Performance: Biles won four medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, including three gold, becoming the most decorated artistic gymnast of all time with a total of 11 Olympic medals and 30 world championship medals.
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Previous Wins: Biles previously won the award in 2017, 2019, and 2020, solidifying her position as one of the greatest gymnasts in history.
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Nominees: Other notable nominees for the award included Aitana Bonmati, Aryna Sabalenka, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Sifan Hassan, and Faith Kipyegon.
2.Indian Navy concluded Maiden AIKEYME Exercise in Tanzania
The Indian Navy successfully concluded its inaugural multilateral naval
exercise, AIKEYME (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement), in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, from April 13 to 18, 2025. The harbour phase featured tabletop and command-post exercises focusing on anti-piracy operations, information sharing, and training in seamanship and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) procedures. The subsequent sea phase included drills in search and rescue, small arms firing, and helicopter operations, fostering interoperability among the participating navies. Additionally, the exercise underscored India's commitment to its MAHASAGAR initiative, promoting mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions.
exercise, AIKEYME (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement), in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, from April 13 to 18, 2025. The harbour phase featured tabletop and command-post exercises focusing on anti-piracy operations, information sharing, and training in seamanship and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) procedures. The subsequent sea phase included drills in search and rescue, small arms firing, and helicopter operations, fostering interoperability among the participating navies. Additionally, the exercise underscored India's commitment to its MAHASAGAR initiative, promoting mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions.Foot notes:
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Participating Nations: The exercise involved 10 countries, including India, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania.
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Objective: AIKEYME aims to develop collaborative solutions to regional maritime challenges and enhance interoperability among maritime forces of partner nations, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision.
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Indian Navy's Participation: Three Indian naval ships participated in the exercise: INS Chennai, INS Kesari, and Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar.
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Significance: AIKEYME represents a significant evolution in international naval cooperation, fostering trust, building partnerships, and addressing common security concerns among Indian Ocean countries.
3. Jemimah Rodrigues honored with prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports award
Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues has been conferred with the prestigious
Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award by the Government of Maharashtra. This esteemed recognition is presented annually to individuals from Maharashtra who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in sports. The award ceremony took place at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, and was graced by dignitaries including Governor Ramesh Bais and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Shiv Chhatrapati Award comprises a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, a memento featuring a headgear of Shiv Chhatrapati, and a lifetime free travel pass on Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses.
Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award by the Government of Maharashtra. This esteemed recognition is presented annually to individuals from Maharashtra who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in sports. The award ceremony took place at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, and was graced by dignitaries including Governor Ramesh Bais and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Shiv Chhatrapati Award comprises a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, a memento featuring a headgear of Shiv Chhatrapati, and a lifetime free travel pass on Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses.Foot notes:
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Prestigious Award: The Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award is Maharashtra's highest sporting honor, recognizing exceptional achievements in sports.
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Award Details: Jemimah Rodrigues received a cash prize of ₹3 lakh and a memento at the ceremony held at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.
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Special Connection: The award ceremony venue held sentimental value for Rodrigues, as it's where her sporting journey began when she was selected for the U-19 state hockey team at age 9.
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Cricket Achievements: Rodrigues has established herself as a key figure in Indian women's cricket, with notable performances in various leagues, including the Women's Premier League and The Hundred.
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Career Highlights: She has played a vital role in India's gold medal win at the 2022 Asian Games and silver medal win at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
4.Simranpreet Kaur wins maiden senior international medal with silver in 25m pistol
Simranpreet Kaur Brar has clinched her maiden senior international medal,
securing silver in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru. The 20-year-old shooter achieved a score of 33 hits over 10 rapid-fire series, narrowly missing the gold to China's Sun Yujie, who finished with 34 hits. Another Chinese athlete, Yao Qianxun, earned the bronze with 29 hits. This accomplishment adds to India's medal tally at the World Cup, which includes two golds and one bronze. Notably, Paris Olympics double medallist Manu Bhaker finished fourth in the same event. Simranpreet's performance underscores her growing prominence in international shooting sports.
securing silver in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru. The 20-year-old shooter achieved a score of 33 hits over 10 rapid-fire series, narrowly missing the gold to China's Sun Yujie, who finished with 34 hits. Another Chinese athlete, Yao Qianxun, earned the bronze with 29 hits. This accomplishment adds to India's medal tally at the World Cup, which includes two golds and one bronze. Notably, Paris Olympics double medallist Manu Bhaker finished fourth in the same event. Simranpreet's performance underscores her growing prominence in international shooting sports.Foot notes:
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Maiden Senior International Medal: Simranpreet Kaur Brar clinched her first senior international medal, a silver, in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Lima, Peru.
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Competition Performance: Simranpreet shot 33 hits in the 10-series of five rapid-fire shots final, finishing one hit behind China's Sun Yujie, who won the gold medal.
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Indian Trio's Performance: Simranpreet, along with Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh, ensured all three Indians made the finals. Manu finished fourth with 22 hits, while Esha finished sixth with 17 hits.
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Qualifying Round: In the qualifying round, Manu Bhaker scored 585 points to rank second, Simranpreet scored 580 points to rank fifth, and Esha Singh scored 575 points to rank eighth.
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Medal Standings: India's Simranpreet Kaur won silver, while China's Sun Yujie took gold, and Yao Qianxun secured bronze with 29 hits.
5.Indian Boxers Shine at Asian U-15 & U-17 Championships with Three Dominant Wins on Day 2
On Day 2 of the Asian U-15 & U-17 Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordan,
Indian boxers delivered a stellar performance, securing three dominant victories. In the U-15 boys' 43kg category, Hardik Dahiya showcased his prowess by defeating Kyrgyzstan's Kubanychbek Bolushov with a unanimous 5-0 decision. Rudraksh Singh followed suit in the 46kg division, overpowering Mongolia's Ibrakhim Maral, also with a 5-0 scoreline. These victories highlight the emerging talent in India's boxing contingent. The championships serve as a platform for young athletes to gain international experience and further their careers in the sport. With such promising performances, India's future in boxing looks bright on the Asian stage.
Indian boxers delivered a stellar performance, securing three dominant victories. In the U-15 boys' 43kg category, Hardik Dahiya showcased his prowess by defeating Kyrgyzstan's Kubanychbek Bolushov with a unanimous 5-0 decision. Rudraksh Singh followed suit in the 46kg division, overpowering Mongolia's Ibrakhim Maral, also with a 5-0 scoreline. These victories highlight the emerging talent in India's boxing contingent. The championships serve as a platform for young athletes to gain international experience and further their careers in the sport. With such promising performances, India's future in boxing looks bright on the Asian stage.Foot notes:
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Three Dominant Wins: Indian boxers secured three victories on Day 2 of the championships, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
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Tikam Singh's Win: Tikam Singh (52kg) won his bout against Ali Almesmari of UAE through a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) in the third round, building on his gold medal win at the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) 2024.
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Udham Singh's Victory: Udham Singh (54kg) outboxed Mohammadparsa Motevalianastanehsari of Iran, winning 5-0 and demonstrating his skill and strategy in the ring.
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Rahul Gariya's Success: Rahul Gariya (57kg) overwhelmed Li Shou-Xun from Chinese Taipei, securing a win through RSC in the first round and showcasing his impressive boxing skills.
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Strong Indian Performance: The wins on Day 2 follow India's strong start to the tournament, with Hardik Dahiya (43kg) and Rudraksh Singh (46kg) securing commanding wins on Day 1
6.PoshanTracker Wins Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Innovation
The Poshan Tracker initiative, developed by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development, has been honored with the National Award for e-Governance 2024 (Gold) for its innovative approach to child nutrition monitoring. This ICT-based system is a key component of Mission Poshan 2.0, aiming to enhance the health and well-being of children aged 0-6 years. By utilizing Growth Measuring Devices (GMD) at Anganwadi Centers, the tracker enables real-time monitoring of children's growth parameters, such as height and weight, against WHO growth standards.
Development, has been honored with the National Award for e-Governance 2024 (Gold) for its innovative approach to child nutrition monitoring. This ICT-based system is a key component of Mission Poshan 2.0, aiming to enhance the health and well-being of children aged 0-6 years. By utilizing Growth Measuring Devices (GMD) at Anganwadi Centers, the tracker enables real-time monitoring of children's growth parameters, such as height and weight, against WHO growth standards. Foot notes:
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Award Recognition: The Poshan Tracker application received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 under the Innovation category (Centre) on the 17th Civil Services Day.
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Innovation Impact: The award recognizes the remarkable leap in technology to improve the lives of millions of women and children across India through the Poshan Tracker app.
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App Functionality: The Poshan Tracker is a mobile-based application designed for Anganwadi workers, enabling real-time data collection and monitoring to ensure essential services reach beneficiaries efficiently.
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Mission Poshan 2.0: The Poshan Tracker initiative is part of Mission Poshan 2.0, focusing on ensuring the health and well-being of children aged 0-6 years through real-time monitoring of nutritional growth.
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Coverage and Impact: The program has achieved significant milestones, covering 8.9 crore children, with 8.57 crore measured in one month, and providing nutritional services to 101 million beneficiaries.
7.Dr. Mangi Lal Jat Appointed as Secretary of DARE and DG of ICAR
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, a distinguished agronomist and Fellow of the National
Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). With over two decades of experience in systems agronomy, conservation agriculture, and climate-smart farming, Dr. Jat has contributed significantly to sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in smallholder systems across Asia and Africa. He has held leadership roles at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and has been instrumental in shaping agricultural research policies. Dr. Jat's appointment is expected to steer ICAR towards innovative research and development, focusing on enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). With over two decades of experience in systems agronomy, conservation agriculture, and climate-smart farming, Dr. Jat has contributed significantly to sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in smallholder systems across Asia and Africa. He has held leadership roles at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and has been instrumental in shaping agricultural research policies. Dr. Jat's appointment is expected to steer ICAR towards innovative research and development, focusing on enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.Foot notes:
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Expertise: Dr. Jat brings over 25 years of experience in agronomy, climate-resilient farming, and conservation agriculture, with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices and research innovation.
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Previous Roles: Before his appointment, Dr. Jat served as Deputy Director General (Research) and Director of the Global Research Program at ICRISAT, Hyderabad, and worked with CIMMYT, IRRI, and ICAR.
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Qualifications: Dr. Jat holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS).
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Vision: His appointment is expected to catalyze a new era of innovation, sustainability, and farmer-first research within ICAR, aligning with India's commitment to sustainable development and nutritional security.
8.Ashish Goyal appointed as Director General, Election Commission of India
Ashish Goyal has been appointed as the Director General of the Election
Commission of India. This significant appointment follows the resignation of Arun Goel, who stepped down in March 2024, leaving the Commission with only one member ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The high-powered selection committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommended Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as new Election Commissioners on March 14, 2024, to fill the vacancies . The committee also appointed Ashish Goyal as Director General to oversee the Commission's operations. Ashish Goyal, a seasoned officer, brings extensive experience to the role, ensuring the Commission's readiness for upcoming electoral processes.
Commission of India. This significant appointment follows the resignation of Arun Goel, who stepped down in March 2024, leaving the Commission with only one member ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The high-powered selection committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommended Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as new Election Commissioners on March 14, 2024, to fill the vacancies . The committee also appointed Ashish Goyal as Director General to oversee the Commission's operations. Ashish Goyal, a seasoned officer, brings extensive experience to the role, ensuring the Commission's readiness for upcoming electoral processes.Foot notes:
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Appointment Term: His appointment is for five years, until April 30, 2028, or until further orders.
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Rank: The appointment has been made at the Joint Secretary level by upgrading a vacant post of Director in the Commission.
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Background: Ashish Goyal is a 1996-batch Indian Information Service (IIS) officer who previously served as Additional DG, National Museum under the Ministry of Culture.
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Current Leadership: The Election Commission of India is currently headed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who was appointed on February 19, 2025.
9.Anchor Oral Care onboards Aimee Baruah as Brand Ambassador
Anchor Oral Care has appointed Assamese actor Aimee Baruah as its brand
ambassador to strengthen its presence in the North East region. This strategic move aims to enhance the brand's visibility and distribution network in Assam and the surrounding areas. As part of this initiative, Anchor Oral Care has launched two new campaigns: "Laal. Kamaal. Bemisaal." and "Naye Zamane Ki Nayi Suraksha." The second campaign, featuring Aimee Baruah, emphasizes the importance of complete oral care for families, positioning Anchor Oral Care as a scientifically advanced and ethically conscious brand.
ambassador to strengthen its presence in the North East region. This strategic move aims to enhance the brand's visibility and distribution network in Assam and the surrounding areas. As part of this initiative, Anchor Oral Care has launched two new campaigns: "Laal. Kamaal. Bemisaal." and "Naye Zamane Ki Nayi Suraksha." The second campaign, featuring Aimee Baruah, emphasizes the importance of complete oral care for families, positioning Anchor Oral Care as a scientifically advanced and ethically conscious brand. Foot notes:
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Regional Focus: The partnership aims to deepen engagement with local consumers, expand distribution networks, and strengthen Anchor Oral Care's position in the oral care category in North East India.
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Campaigns: Two new campaigns, "Laal. Kamaal. Bemisaal." and "Naye Zamane Ki Nayi Suraksha," were launched to create a fresh narrative that resonates with North East consumers, highlighting Anchor Oral Care's commitment to holistic oral health.
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Product Promotion: Aimee Baruah will promote Anchor Red Toothpaste, a herbal formulation with 10 Ayurvedic benefits, and CalFlo formulation for whiter, stronger, and healthier teeth, emphasizing the brand's focus on natural and effective oral care solutions.
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Aimee's Endorsement: Aimee Baruah expressed her excitement to collaborate with Anchor Oral Care, citing the brand's dedication to providing effective solutions for families and its commitment to innovation and trust.
10.Earth Day observed on 22nd April
Earth Day is observed every year on April 22 to raise awareness about
environmental protection and the urgent need to combat climate change. The day was first celebrated in 1970 and has since grown into a global movement, with over 190 countries participating in various activities. Each year, Earth Day is centered around a specific theme, and for 2025, the theme is "Planet vs. Plastics," emphasizing the reduction of plastic pollution. Schools, communities, and organizations around the world host tree-planting drives, clean-up campaigns, awareness rallies, and educational events. Earth Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations. It encourages individuals to adopt sustainable practices and support policies that protect the environment.
environmental protection and the urgent need to combat climate change. The day was first celebrated in 1970 and has since grown into a global movement, with over 190 countries participating in various activities. Each year, Earth Day is centered around a specific theme, and for 2025, the theme is "Planet vs. Plastics," emphasizing the reduction of plastic pollution. Schools, communities, and organizations around the world host tree-planting drives, clean-up campaigns, awareness rallies, and educational events. Earth Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations. It encourages individuals to adopt sustainable practices and support policies that protect the environment.Foot notes:
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Global Celebration: The day is celebrated worldwide, with various events, activities, and campaigns organized to promote sustainability, conservation, and climate action.
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Theme: Each year, Earth Day has a specific theme, focusing on issues like climate change, deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss, aiming to inspire individuals and communities to take action.
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Environmental Awareness: Earth Day serves as a reminder of the need to protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and adopt sustainable practices to ensure a healthy and thriving planet for future generations.
- Call to Action: The day encourages people to take small steps in their daily lives to make a positive impact on the environment, such as reducing waste, using public transport, or conserving energy.
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