Current Affairs 31 May & 01 June 2025

1. Serena Williams Honoured with Princess of Asturias Award for Sports 2025
Serena Williams has been honoured with the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for
Sports 2025. This award recognizes her outstanding contribution to the world of tennis and her lasting impact on global sports. Widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, Serena has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her illustrious career. The award also acknowledges her role in breaking barriers and advocating for gender and racial equality in sports. Serena expressed gratitude for the honour, stating it was a proud moment in her career.

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Award Details: The Princess of Asturias Award is one of Spain's highest civilian honors, recognizing excellence in various fields, including sports, arts, literature, and science. The award carries a cash prize of €50,000 ($57,000) and is presented annually in Oviedo, Spain, by Princess Leonor.
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Serena's Achievements: With 73 career singles titles, including 23 Grand Slam victories, Serena Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Her career spanned over two decades, breaking barriers in tennis and global sports.
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Previous Winners: Past recipients of the sports prize include global icons like skier Lindsey Vonn, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, and the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team.
2. Mona Agarwal Won Silver At Para Shooting World Cup
Indian para shooter Mona Agarwal secured a silver medal at the 2025 World
Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) World Cup held in Changwon, South Korea. Competing in the women's 10m air rifle SH1 category, she achieved a commendable score of 246.6 in the final. This performance placed her just behind South Korea's Yunri Lee, who clinched the gold with a score of 249.0, while another Korean shooter, Miyoung Kim, took bronze with 225.9 .The Changwon World Cup, featuring 192 athletes from 26 nations, marked the first major para shooting event since the Paris 2024 Paralympics .

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Mona's Performance: Mona demonstrated exceptional skill in the qualification rounds, scoring 315.4 points, while Aadithya contributed 307.5 points, totaling 622.9 points.
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India's Medal Haul: This silver medal was part of India's successful day, with the country bagging a total of four medals, including two silvers and two bronzes.
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Previous Achievements: Mona had previously won gold in the individual Women's 10m Air Rifle (SH1) event at the same World Cup, showcasing her impressive skills.
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Career Highlights: Mona's journey in para-shooting began in 2021, and she has made a significant impact, earning her first World Cup gold medal in 2024 and securing a Paralympic quota.
3. Hyderabad’s 16-Year-Old Vishwanath Karthikey Becomes Youngest Indian to Conquer 7 Summits
Hyderabad teenager Padakanti Vishwanath Karthikey has made history by
becoming the youngest Indian—and the second youngest globally—to complete the prestigious Seven Summits challenge. At just 16 years, six months, and 27 days old, he achieved this remarkable feat by summiting Mount Everest on May 27, 2025, which was the final peak in his journey .Vishwanath's mountaineering journey began in 2020 with a trek to Mount Rudugaira, which, despite being unsuccessful, ignited his passion for climbing.

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Training and Preparation: Vishwanath trained for five months at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and worked under mentors Bharath Thammineni and Lt. Romil Barthwal, an Indian Army veteran. He demonstrated remarkable discipline, strength, and humility throughout his journey.
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Overcoming Challenges: Vishwanath faced setbacks, including an unsuccessful attempt to scale Mount Elbrus at 13 due to a teammate's health issues. However, he persevered and continued to push himself, conquering peaks like Everest Base Camp, Nangkartshang Peak, and Friendship Peak.
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Academic Balance: Despite his mountaineering pursuits, Vishwanath excelled academically, scoring 92% in his Inter First Year exams. He credits his parents, Padakanti Rajendra Prasad and Laxmi, for their unwavering support and encouragement.
4. K. Prathapa Reddy assumed charge as Chairman of Telangana Grameena Bank
K. Prathapa Reddy has officially assumed charge as the Chairman of
Telangana Grameena Bank (TGB), succeeding Y. Sobha. With over two decades of experience at the State Bank of India (SBI), Reddy brings a wealth of expertise in agriculture, financial inclusion, retail, commercial, and rural banking. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB), which has since been merged into TGB as part of the "One State, One RRB" policy aimed at streamlining regional rural banking operations.

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Similar Role: Interestingly, K. Prathapa Reddy has also been appointed as Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB), indicating his capabilities are recognized across regions.
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Contribution to Social Causes: As Chairman of APGVB, Reddy contributed 65 lakh towards flood relief in Telangana, highlighting his commitment to social responsibility.
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Banking Experience: With his vast experience, Reddy is poised to drive Telangana Grameena Bank's growth, focusing on rural development and financial inclusion.
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Leadership: His leadership will likely play a significant role in shaping the bank's future strategies and initiatives, building on his expertise in the banking sector.
5. Rohit Sharma Becomes First Indian Batter to Smash 300 Sixes
Rohit Sharma has etched his name in Indian Premier League (IPL) history by
becoming the first Indian batter to hit 300 sixes in the tournament. This milestone was achieved during the IPL 2025 Eliminator match against the Gujarat Titans at the Mullanpur Stadium, where Sharma delivered a commanding 81-run innings off 50 balls, featuring four sixes and nine fours. The landmark 300th six came when Sharma launched a delivery from Rashid Khan over the boundary, marking a significant moment in his illustrious career. With this feat, he joins an elite club, becoming only the second player in IPL history to reach this milestone, following Chris Gayle, who leads with 357 sixes.

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Record-Breaking Feat: Rohit Sharma is the second player in IPL history to hit 300 sixes, after Chris Gayle, who has 357 sixes in 142 matches.
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IPL Career: Rohit has played 271 matches in the IPL, showcasing his consistency and skill as a batter.
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Current Form: In the ongoing IPL 2025 season, Rohit has scored 368 runs in 14 innings for the Mumbai Indians at an average of 30.67.
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Rohit has also become the second Indian player, after Virat Kohli, to reach 12,000 runs in the shortest format of the game, showcasing his incredible batting prowess.
6. Microsoft and Yotta Partner to Advance AI Adoption Across India
Microsoft and Yotta Data Services have announced a strategic partnership to
accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across India. This collaboration integrates Microsoft's Azure AI services with Yotta's Shakti Cloud, a sovereign AI cloud platform, aiming to provide advanced AI capabilities to developers, startups, enterprises, and public sector organizations nationwide. By combining Microsoft's AI models and tools with Yotta's robust GPU infrastructure, the initiative seeks to enable real-time AI applications with reduced latency, ensuring enhanced performance and faster deployment.

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IndiaAI Mission Alignment: The partnership aligns with the IndiaAI Mission, a flagship government program focused on building a robust AI ecosystem within the country.
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Key Benefits: The partnership will offer powerful and accessible AI services to various users, including public and private sector organizations, research institutions, startups, and universities.
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Data Sovereignty: Yotta's India-hosted infrastructure guarantees that data remains within national borders, complying with the country's data sovereignty policies.
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Sector-Wide AI Innovation: The integrated AI platform will support critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, retail, and manufacturing.
7. Miss Indonesia Monica Kezia Sembiring Won Talent Finale at Miss World 2025
Miss Indonesia 2024, Monica Kezia Sembiring, has achieved a significant
milestone by winning the Talent Finale at the 72nd Miss World Festival. The event took place on May 22, 2025, at the Shilpakala Vedika auditorium in Hyderabad, India. This victory not only highlights her artistic talent but also secures her a fast-track position into the Top 10 of the Asia & Oceania continental group, bringing her closer to the Miss World crown.

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Talent Finale Win: Monica Kezia Sembiring won the Talent Finale of Miss World 2025, held at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad, with her original piano composition titled "Your Golden Hour".
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Performance Highlights: Her piano performance combined Indian and Indonesian melodies, showcasing her musical prowess and earning her a spot in the Top 10 of the Asia & Oceania continental group.
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Fast-Track Spot: Monica's win earned her a fast-track spot into the Top 10 of her continental group, bringing her closer to the Miss World crown.
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Global Competition: The 72nd Miss World festival features contestants from 108 countries and territories, with the final scheduled for May 31 at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Telangana.
8. Hyundai Motor India onboards Pankaj Tripathi as brand ambassador
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has appointed acclaimed actor Pankaj
Tripathi as its new brand ambassador. This strategic move aims to deepen Hyundai's connection with Indian consumers, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where Tripathi's grounded persona and widespread appeal resonate strongly. This collaboration adds to Hyundai's lineup of brand ambassadors, which includes Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, reflecting the company's strategy to connect with a broad spectrum of Indian consumers through relatable and trusted personalities.

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Brand Values Alignment: Tripathi embodies HMIL's core values of reliability, authenticity, and a deep-rooted connection with India's diverse audience, resonating with the company's vision of "Progress for Humanity".
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Personal Connection: Pankaj Tripathi has a personal connection with the brand, having owned a Hyundai as his first car, and values the brand's trust and innovation.
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Marketing Strategy: The partnership aims to enhance Hyundai's brand narrative by focusing on emotions, honesty, and shared purpose, showcasing technologically advanced yet humane products.
9. NICDC honoured with Udyog Vikas Award
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) has been
honored with the prestigious Udyog Vikas Award at the Udyog Vikas 2025 event organized by Janmabhumi Daily in Kerala. This recognition underscores NICDC's significant contributions to India's industrial development, particularly through its initiatives in establishing Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities. The award ceremony was graced by Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Public Enterprises, and Steel. He highlighted the Union Government's commitment to developing state-of-the-art industrial infrastructure across the country.

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Logistics Data Services: NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) showcased its contributions to transforming India's logistics ecosystem through the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
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Impact: NICDC's recognition at the Udyog Vikas event highlights its vital role in catalyzing India's industrial transformation and enhancing the country's competitiveness in the global manufacturing and logistics arena.
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Government Commitment: The Union Minister for State for Heavy Industries, Public Enterprises, and Steel, Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, emphasized the government's commitment to developing Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities across India.
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Palakkad Industrial Smart City: The award ceremony also featured a technical session focusing on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
10. Anti-Tobacco Day observed on 31st May
Anti-Tobacco Day is observed every year on 31st May to raise awareness
about the harmful effects of tobacco use and to encourage people to quit smoking and using tobacco products. It was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 as World No Tobacco Day. Tobacco consumption is a leading cause of preventable diseases and deaths worldwide, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illnesses. The day highlights the need for stronger policies and actions to reduce tobacco consumption and protect public health. Various campaigns, educational programs, and community activities are held globally to support tobacco cessation and promote a healthier lifestyle.

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History: World No Tobacco Day was first established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and preventable deaths it causes.
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WHO's Role: The WHO leads this global public health campaign, providing resources and support to countries to implement tobacco control measures and promote awareness about tobacco's risks.
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Health Risks: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, resulting in over 8 million deaths annually, including 1.2 million due to second-hand smoke exposure.
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Awareness Efforts: The day is marked with various activities, including campaigns, events, and award ceremonies, to encourage people to quit tobacco and promote a tobacco-free world.
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