Daily Current Affairs – 19-07-2025
States’ News
Tamil Nadu Day: July 18
Tamil Nadu Day is celebrated annually on July 18 to mark the day in 1967 when the Madras State Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to officially rename the state as Tamil Nadu. This day is a celebration of the state’s linguistic identity, cultural heritage, and the culmination of a long-fought political and social struggle.
After the DMK came to power in 1967, Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai fulfilled his promise. On July 18, 1967, he brought a historic resolution to the State Assembly to rename Madras State as Tamil Nadu. The resolution was passed unanimously, with members from all parties thumping their desks and chanting “Long Live Tamil Nadu!” (தமிழ்நாடு வாழ்க!). While the resolution was passed on this day, the renaming officially came into effect on January 14, 1969 (Thai Pongal day).
Why July 18 and not November 1?
November 1 was previously observed as Tamil Nadu Day, as it marks the day in 1956 when Madras State was created on linguistic lines.
However, in 2021, the government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin declared July 18 as the official Tamil Nadu Day.
The reasoning: November 1 is seen by many as a day of loss, as several Tamil-speaking regions were ceded to neighboring states (Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka) during the reorganization. July 18, in contrast, is viewed as a day of victory and pride, as it was the day the state officially received its cherished name, affirming its identity.
Cooperative Banks are 100% Computerized
Minister for Information Technology, Palanivel Thiagarajan, announced that all cooperative banks in Tamil Nadu have been 100 percent computerized.
The 44th Foundation Day celebration of NABARD was held in Chennai on Friday. Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan, who participated as the chief guest, spoke at the event: NABARD plays a crucial role in rural economic development. Specifically, it has trained rural farmers on modern agricultural technologies, enabling them to earn higher incomes and improving their livelihoods.
When I was the Finance Minister, I brought and implemented the scheme to computerize all cooperative banks in Tamil Nadu. As a result, all cooperative banks in the state are now 100 percent computerized. Furthermore, it is commendable that restoration works have been carried out at a cost of ₹2,800 crore through NABARD to ensure the flow of Cauvery water to the tail-end areas of the delta districts.
Speaking at the event, NABARD’s Chief General Manager, Ananthan, said that NABARD has contributed ₹56,000 crore for the development of Tamil Nadu. Specifically, ₹38,000 crore has been provided for rural development schemes. This has generated a revenue of ₹1 lakh crore for the Tamil Nadu government, he said.
Sports News
Arsenal Signs Olivia for ₹11.54 Crore
Canadian football player Olivia Smith (20) has set a new record after being signed by the Arsenal team for ₹11.54 crore. Arsenal has acquired her from the Liverpool team on a 4-year contract basis.
This is the highest contract value ever offered to a female player in the history of women’s football. Previously, the record was held by America’s Keira Walsh*, who was bought by the Chelsea team from the San Diego Wave team last January for ₹9.47 crore. Olivia has now broken that record.
However… however, when compared to the contracts in men’s world football, Olivia’s contract value is not even a fraction. It is noteworthy that the record today is held by Brazilian player Neymar, who was bought by the Paris Saint-Germain team from the Barcelona team in 2017 for ₹2,256 crore.
Inter Kashi Becomes I-League Champion
The Inter Kashi team was declared the champion of the 2024-25 I-League football season on Friday.
Following the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejecting the declaration of Churchill Brothers as the champions of that tournament, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced Inter Kashi as the champion.
The 18th season of the I-League, India’s second-tier professional football league, concluded last April. In that tournament, Inter Kashi finished first with 42 points, and Churchill Brothers finished second with 40 points.
Furthermore, inter Kashi has qualified for India’s top-tier professional football league, the Indian Super League.
National News
Upgraded ‘Nistar’ Rescue Ship Inducted into Navy
The fully indigenously built rescue ship, INS Nistar, was inducted into the Indian Navy on Friday.
This ship is used to locate sunken submarines in deep seas and carry out rescue operations. It is equipped with facilities and technology for divers to go up to 300 meters deep in the sea and engage in rescue work.
The original ‘Nistar’ ship was previously inducted into the Navy on March 29, 1971. During the Indo-Pakistani War, this ship played a crucial role in identifying and conducting rescue operations for the Pakistani submarine Ghazi, which sank near the Visakhapatnam port.
Now, a new ‘Nistar’ ship, designed to assist divers and rescue operations at sea, has been fully built domestically with state-of-the-art technology. This ship, with its modern equipment, was inducted into the Indian Navy at a ceremony held at the Visakhapatnam Shipyard on Friday.
The previous Nistar rescue ship weighed 800 tons. It was decommissioned in 1989. The current ‘Nistar’ has been built with modern technology, weighing 10,500 tons and measuring 120 meters in length.”
International News
Economic Sanctions on Russian Oil Refinery in Gujarat
The European Union has imposed economic sanctions on an oil refinery in Gujarat owned by Russia’s largest energy company, ‘Rosneft’. Additionally, the EU has lowered the price cap on crude oil.
Although Russia has continued its intense war on Ukraine, dissatisfied with the situation, countries including the United States and the European Union have been imposing various types of economic sanctions on Russia. Currently, the EU has imposed new economic sanctions on Rosneft to disrupt Russia’s crude oil trade.
Following the imposition of economic sanctions by Western countries, some nations, including China and India, slightly reduced their imports from Russia. Taking advantage of this situation, India has been continuously importing crude oil from Russia at a discounted price. Currently, 40% of India’s total imports are from Russia. As a result, Indian oil refineries are benefiting. Moreover, India has also signed a very large oil supply agreement with Rosneft.
In this context, to create pressure on Russia, the EU has imposed restrictions on providing loans to Russian banks. The EU has newly imposed economic sanctions on Nayara Energy, a large oil refinery in Gujarat owned by Rosneft. It has also lowered the price cap for crude oil.