Daily Current Affairs – 08-08-2025
Personalities, Awards and Events
Thanjavur’s Sarasvati Mahal Library declared a library of historical and cultural importance
The State government has declared the Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji’s Sarasvati Mahal Library and Research Centre as a library of historical and cultural importance, and has classified it as an aided library under the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Rules, 1950. The grants to the library would have to be used for research and publications, conservation of manuscripts, library/museum upkeep, preservation and digitisation of manuscripts, and administration, according to a notification by the School Education Department. Tucked away inside the Thanjavur Palace, Sarasvati Mahal Library is a repository of palm leaf/paper manuscripts and books in Tamil, Sanskrit, Marathi, Telugu, Hindi, English, French, German, and Italian. It is regarded as one of the greatest Oriental manuscript libraries in the world, and is among the oldest libraries in Asia. It is believed that the library began acquiring collections in the 16th Century under the Nayak rulers of Thanjavur (1535-1675 CE), and these were expanded by the Marathas. Though successive Maratha kings maintained the library, Raja Serfoji II (1798-1832), a bibliophile, was chiefly responsible for shaping it.
Award for Nigerian Agricultural Scientist
For his outstanding contribution to food security, Nigerian agricultural scientist-professor A. Adanle was honored with the first ‘M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace.’ “The link between food and peace is not merely philosophical; it is very practical. Food should not be disrespected. The Indian Upanishads state that it is the very basis of life. If there is a crisis for food, there will be a crisis in people’s lives. This will lead to unrest,” said Prime Minister Modi. The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and the World Academy of Sciences have jointly established this international award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting the M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace to Nigerian agricultural scientist A. Adanle at an event held in New Delhi on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu News
‘Dedicated desk to be set up for Global Capability Centres’
Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa on Thursday said a dedicated desk will be established at the Guidance Office to address queries related to Global Capability Centres (GCCs). The initiative aims to streamline communication and support for companies and stakeholders involved in, or interested in, GCCs. “We are working on it now. This will help get faster clearances for companies investing in Tamil Nadu,” he said, on the sidelines of the GCC Next Summit 25, organised by Kreateworks.
Sports News
Dhoni’s new padel brand centre launched in Chennai
M.S. Dhoni’s new padel brand, 7Padel, has launched its first-ever centre in Chennai with the former India skipper inaugurating the venue on Thursday. The centre is located in Palavakkam, ECR, adjacent to Alphabet School on MGR Salai. The 20,000 square feet facility features three padel courts, a pickleball court, a swimming pool, a gym, a recovery room, a cafe and a sauna. Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was also present on the occasion.
Narain to race in Asian Le Mans
Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula One driver, will don the racing helmet again and will take part in the Asian Le Mans series alongside Tamil movie star Ajith Kumar for the latter’s eponymous racing operation Ajith Kumar Racing. The Asian Le Mans Series is a sportscar racing endurance series, which begins in December. The 2025-26 championship will have three rounds - 4 Hours of Sepang (December 12-14), 4 Hours of Dubai (January 29-February 1) and 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi (February 6-8).
International Javelin Throw: Annu Rani Wins Gold
Indian athlete Annu Rani became the champion in the javelin throw event at the 8th International Swon Memorial Athletics meet held in Poland. In the competition held on Wednesday night, the Indian national champion won the gold medal with her best effort of 62.59 meters. It is noteworthy that her throw of 63.82 meters in 2022 remains the national record to this day. Annu Rani, whose best effort in a competition in Germany in May last year was 60.68 meters, has now crossed the 60-meter mark after a gap of one year. Next, Annu Rani will participate in the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze level competition starting in Bhubaneswar on Sunday (Aug. 10). 3rd Place: Meanwhile, in the same competition, an Indian athlete secured 3rd place in the women’s 800-meter race.
States’ News
Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar Scheme: Doorstep Ration Delivery for the Elderly from August 12
The scheme to deliver ration items to the doorsteps of the elderly and differently-abled has been named the Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar Scheme. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will launch this scheme in Chennai on the upcoming 12th of August. The Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar Scheme was announced in the 2024-25 budget. The main objective of the Thayumanavar scheme is to identify approximately five lakh poor and marginalized families living in extreme poverty in Tamil Nadu and provide them with essential basic amenities at their homes. Under this scheme, the core principle is to create basic facilities for the elderly living alone, orphans, children who have lost their parents, the mentally challenged, and the differently-abled. Accordingly, considering the welfare of ration cardholders who are elderly or differently-abled, the Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar scheme, which involves the distribution of ration items including rice and sugar at their doorsteps, is set to be launched in Chennai on August 12.
Metro Train Tickets Now Available on the Uber App
The facility to purchase metro train tickets through the Uber app was inaugurated by M.A. Siddique, Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail Limited, in the presence of Rajesh Chaturvedi, Director (Systems and Operations), Prasanna Kumar Acharya, Director (Finance) of Chennai Metro Rail Limited, Shiv Shailendran, Senior Director (Business) at Uber, and Abhinav Jindal, Head of Distribution for Uber India and South Asia. Chennai, Aug. 7: A facility to purchase tickets for travel on the Chennai Metro has been introduced on the ‘Uber’ app. Additionally, a 50 percent discount has been offered for the entire month of August.