Dommaraju Gukesh Shatters Records to Become Youngest Chess World Champion
Dommaraju Gukesh achieved a historic milestone by becoming the youngest chess world champion at just 18 years old. In a captivating finale held in Singapore, Gukesh triumphed over the reigning champion, Ding Liren of China, with a close score of 7.5-6.5. This remarkable victory not only secured him the title but also broke the record previously held by Garry Kasparov, who became world champion at 22.
Gukesh’s ascent to the top is a testament to his relentless ambition, unwavering focus, and remarkable resilience. Earlier this year, he qualified for the World Championship by winning the Candidates tournament and played a pivotal role in leading India to a gold medal at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
Shaheen Afridi Sets Record as Youngest Bowler with 100 Wickets Across All Formats
Shaheen Shah Afridi etched his name into cricket history by becoming the youngest bowler to achieve 100 wickets in all three formats. The milestone was reached during the first T20I against South Africa in Durban, where Afridi delivered an outstanding performance with figures of 3/22.
At just 24 years old, Afridi now boasts an impressive record with 116 Test wickets, 112 ODI wickets, and 100 T20I wickets. This achievement highlights his rapid rise and consistent excellence in international cricket, placing him among the ranks of renowned bowlers like Tim Southee, Shakib Al Hasan, and Lasith Malinga.
Indian Heritage Conservation Projects Garner UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards
Two Indian heritage conservation projects were internationally recognized with UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2024. The Abathsahayeswarar Temple Conservation Project in Tamil Nadu won the Award of Distinction for its exceptional restoration of the 1,300-year-old Chola dynasty temple. The project combined modern engineering techniques with traditional construction practices to preserve the temple’s structural integrity and aesthetic beauty.
The BJPCI Conservation Project in Maharashtra received the Award of Merit for its meticulous restoration of the historic Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution school building in Mumbai. Led by conservation architect Vikas Dilawari, the project ensured the building’s heritage value was maintained while adapting it to contemporary needs.
Ang Lee to Be Honored with Prestigious DGA Lifetime Achievement Award
The Directors Guild of America (DGA) announced that the celebrated Taiwanese American filmmaker Ang Lee will receive the prestigious DGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. This esteemed accolade recognizes Lee’s remarkable contributions to the film industry over his illustrious 30-year career.
Lesli Linka Glatter, the current DGA president, lauded Lee as a “master filmmaker” whose diverse body of work spans from intimate period dramas to groundbreaking superhero epics. Lee’s acclaimed films, such as “Brokeback Mountain” and “Life of Pi,” have garnered him multiple Best Director Oscars.
Expressing his gratitude, Lee said, “I am honored to be recognized in such an incredible way by my beloved Guild.”
India Set to Triple Atomic Power Capacity by 2031: A Bold Ambition
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced India’s ambitious plan to triple its atomic power capacity by 2031. The country’s atomic power capacity has already witnessed significant growth, nearly doubling from 4,780 MW in 2014 to 8,081 MW in 2024. The target is to achieve 22,480 MW by 2031.
Dr. Singh attributed this success to strong political leadership, revised power-sharing arrangements, and the ongoing success of projects such as Kundankulam and Kalpakkam. He also emphasized India’s advancements in utilizing its abundant thorium reserves for peaceful applications in sectors like agriculture and healthcare.
Understanding the One Nation, One Election Policy
The One Nation, One Election policy proposes holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and state legislative assemblies across India. This means that instead of separate elections for central and state governments, both would be conducted together, potentially within the same year or even on the same day.
The idea aims to reduce the financial burden, logistical challenges, and governance disruptions caused by frequent elections. It also seeks to improve administrative efficiency and ensure continuity in policy implementation.