World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi from March 11

ByAjay Gulia 11/03/202511/03/2025

The World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 is set to be a landmark event in the world of para-athletics. Hosted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India, from March 11 to 13, this event marks India’s first major international para-athletics competition.

A total of 283 para-athletes from 20 countries will compete in 90 athletics events, making it one of the largest para-athletics events ever hosted by India. The Indian contingent, led by Paralympic gold medallists Praveen Kumar, Navdeep Singh, and Dharambir, will be looking to make a strong impression on home soil.

The Grand Prix serves as a preparatory tournament for the World Para Athletics Championships later this year, adding an extra layer of significance to the competition. Notable international athletes, including Australia’s three-time Paralympic champion Vanessa Low and Brazil’s speedsters Joeferson Marinho and Bartolomeu Chaves, will also be participating.

Mahakumbh 2025 Culminating on Mahashivratri (26 February 2025)
The Mahakumbh, a grand spiritual gathering that takes place once every 12 years, culminated on the auspicious day of Mahashivratri, February 26, 2025. This 45-day event, which began on January 13 (Paush Purnima), saw millions of devotees from across India and beyond converge at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
Mahashivratri, a significant day in Hinduism, commemorates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It holds special importance in the context of the Kumbh Mela, as it is believed that bathing in the holy waters on this day cleanses one of past sins and paves the way for spiritual liberation.
The Mahakumbh 2025 witnessed a record-breaking turnout, with over 64 crore pilgrims participating in the event. The final day saw a massive influx of devotees, with over 41.11 lakh people taking a holy dip at the Sangam by 6 am. The event featured grand processions of Naga Sadhus and three ‘Amrit Snans’ (holy baths), adding to the religious fervor.
Despite the grandeur, the Mahakumbh 2025 was also marked by unfortunate incidents, including a deadly stampede on January 29 that claimed 30 lives and injured over 60 people. Several fire incidents and road accidents also occurred as pilgrims traveled to and from the Kumbh.
As the Mahakumbh concluded on Mahashivratri, devotees bid farewell to this historic event, carrying with them blessings, memories, and the hope of returning to the next great gathering.
US Military Plane Carrying Deported Indians Lands in Amritsar
On February 5, 2025, a US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals landed at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar. The C-17 aircraft departed from San Antonio, Texas, and arrived in Amritsar after a long journey. The deportees, primarily from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, were handed over to local authorities upon arrival.
The deportees included 25 women, 12 minors, and 79 men. Many of them had entered the US through illegal means and were subsequently caught and deported. The Punjab government has set up counters at the airport to assist the returnees and ensure their smooth transition back to their home state.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is closely monitoring the situation and working alongside law enforcement agencies to determine the next steps. The state government has also announced plans to provide assistance to the deportees and help them reintegrate into society.
Jafar Panahi Wins Palme d’Or at 78th Cannes Film Festival
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on 15 May 2025 for his film It Was Just an Accident. The festival featured 22 films in its main competition. Panahi, known for his criticism of the Iranian government, received a standing ovation and emphasized freedom of expression in Iran during his speech. Japanese director Hayakawa Chie’s film Renoir was nominated but did not win. Cannes is one of the world’s top film festivals, along with Venice and Berlin.
US Removes Sanctions on Major Indian Nuclear Facilities
Sanctions lifted on Indian entities: The US has removed sanctions on three Indian entities—Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL), and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR).
Reason for lifting sanctions: The sanctions, imposed during the Cold War era, were lifted to enhance US foreign policy goals, support shared energy security needs, and strengthen joint efforts in science and technology between India and the US.
Strengthened India-US collaboration: Recent years have seen increased cooperation in peaceful nuclear activities and related research, benefiting global partner countries.
US action against Chinese companies: The US added 11 Chinese companies to the Entity List for activities deemed contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests.
About the Entity List: It is a US government compilation of foreign individuals, companies, and organizations considered a national security concern.
Cannes 2025 Opens with Tributes, Critiques, and a Strong Indian Presence
The 78th Cannes Film Festival opened in grand style on May 13, 2025, on the French Riviera, marking the start of a 12-day global celebration of cinema. At the opening ceremony, Robert De Niro received an honorary Palme d’Or, presented by Leonardo DiCaprio, and used his speech to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 100% tariffs on foreign films.
The event featured the premiere of “Leave One Day” by Amélie Bonnin and a musical tribute to David Lynch by Mylène Farmer. Jury president Juliette Binoche addressed issues like war, climate change, and misogyny, and paid tribute to Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, recently killed in Gaza.
India has a strong presence at Cannes 2025:
- Payal Kapadia, Indian jury member, expressed gratitude for representing India.
- Satyajit Ray’s 1970 classic “Aranyer Din Ratri” will screen in the Classics section.
- Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” is selected for Un Certain Regard.
- Anupam Kher debuts as director with “Tanvi: The Great”, premiering at Marché du Film.
- SRFTI’s “A Doll Made Up of Clay” will also be showcased.
UIDAI–Starlink Tie-Up for Aadhaar-Based Customer Verification in India
On 10 August 2025, UIDAI partnered with Starlink Satellite Communication Pvt Ltd (owned by Elon Musk) to enable Aadhaar-based customer verification for Starlink’s satellite internet services in India.
- Aadhaar e-KYC will allow paperless, secure onboarding.
- Authentication is voluntary, as per regulations.
- Starlink is now a Sub-Authentication User Agency (AUA) and Sub-eKYC User Agency (KUA).
- Face authentication is being promoted for ease of use.
This move supports Digital India, helping provide high-speed satellite internet to rural and remote regions.