Daily Current Affairs – 30-08-2025
Tamil Nadu News
Portrait of Periyar E.V.R. at Oxford University
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that a portrait of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy has been installed at Oxford University in Britain and that he is going to unveil it.
A portrait of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy has been unveiled at Britain's Oxford University, which is revered as a prestigious institution of knowledge that has produced the world's greatest scholars.
The principles he emphasized – self-respect, rationalism, women's liberation, denial of inequality, self-confidence, and equality for all – have no boundaries. It is a matter of pride for Tamil Nadu that such a genius is being recognized and honored on a global scale, he said.
On the occasion of the centenary of the Self-Respect Movement, I will unveil the portrait of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy at a seminar to be held on September 4th at the renowned Oxford University and will also release two books on the 'Self-Respect Movement that Dispelled the Southern Illusion' in the presence of international scholars. He posted, 'All beings are equal by birth; Periyarism is for everyone in the world'.
Fire Service Commission Formed: Shankar Jiwal Appointed as Chairman
The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order establishing the Fire and Rescue Services Commission. The state's Director General of Police, Shankar Jiwal, has been appointed as its chairman.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had announced on June 10, 2022, that a Fire Service Commission would be established to implement new technologies in firefighting and rescue operations, regulate the issuance of fire safety certificates for buildings, streamline procedures, introduce necessary schemes for the personnel of the Fire and Rescue Services department, and implement new training methods.
The Tamil Nadu government enacted the law on August 31, after passing the Fire and Rescue Services Commission Bill which facilitates the formation of this body.
The state's Director General of Police, Shankar Jiwal, has been appointed as the chairman of this commission.
It is noteworthy that he is set to retire from the post of Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu on August 31.
Chief Minister Travels Abroad
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is departing from Chennai on Saturday (Aug. 30) for a 7-day trip to Germany and Britain.
This trip is aimed at attracting international investments, and several memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed.
The Chief Minister will depart from Chennai by a flight on Saturday morning to Germany, where he will participate in various events for 3 days.
Following that, on September 1st, he will travel to London, the capital of Britain, where he will address students at King's College.
Furthermore, he is scheduled to unveil a portrait of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy at Oxford University.
He will meet with the Tamil diaspora in London and invite them to invest in Tamil Nadu.
Information has been released that during this trip, he will hold discussions with entrepreneurs and industrial firms in both countries to attract investments.
It is noteworthy that in the past years, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has traveled to countries including the UAE, Singapore, Japan, Spain, and the USA, attracting investments worth ₹10 lakh crore.
Chief Minister Travels Abroad
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is departing from Chennai on Saturday (Aug. 30) for a 7-day trip to Germany and Britain.
This trip is aimed at attracting international investments, and several memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed.
The Chief Minister will depart from Chennai by a flight on Saturday morning to Germany, where he will participate in various events for 3 days.
Following that, on September 1st, he will travel to London, the capital of Britain, where he will address students at King's College.
Furthermore, he is scheduled to unveil a portrait of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy at Oxford University.
He will meet with the Tamil diaspora in London and invite them to invest in Tamil Nadu.
Information has been released that during this trip, he will hold discussions with entrepreneurs and industrial firms in both countries to attract investments.
It is noteworthy that in the past years, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has traveled to countries including the UAE, Singapore, Japan, Spain, and the USA, attracting investments worth ₹10 lakh crore.
Chief Minister Travels Abroad
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is departing from Chennai on Saturday (Aug. 30) for a 7-day trip to Germany and Britain.
This trip is aimed at attracting international investments, and several memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed.
The Chief Minister will depart from Chennai by a flight on Saturday morning to Germany, where he will participate in various events for 3 days.
Following that, on September 1st, he will travel to London, the capital of Britain, where he will address students at King's College.
Furthermore, he is scheduled to unveil a portrait of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy at Oxford University.
He will meet with the Tamil diaspora in London and invite them to invest in Tamil Nadu.
Information has been released that during this trip, he will hold discussions with entrepreneurs and industrial firms in both countries to attract investments.
It is noteworthy that in the past years, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has traveled to countries including the UAE, Singapore, Japan, Spain, and the USA, attracting investments worth ₹10 lakh crore.
Sports News
India Finishes with 103 Medals
India concluded the Asian Shooting Championships held in Kazakhstan with a total of 103 medals, including 52 gold, 26 silver, and 25 bronze, across the senior, junior, and youth categories.
In the senior category alone, India secured the top position with 31 medals, comprising 14 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze.
On Friday, the final day of the competition, in the women's 25m center-fire pistol team event, the Indian team of Rajeshwari Singh, Shreyasi Singh, and Preeti Goyal won gold with 1,733 points. In the individual event of the same category, Rajeshwari excelled by winning gold with 583 points.
In the women's 50m rifle prone team event, the Indian team of Manini Kaushik, Saumya Pratapkumar, and Vidita Kokale secured 2nd place with 1,846 points.
In the junior men's trap individual event, Angad Mittal won gold with 107 points, while in the team event, the trio of Angad, Bhanu Pratap Singh, and Sharvankumar Talia won the bronze medal with a combined score of 264.
In the women's individual skeet event, India's Anushka Singh Patil won gold (93), Rajeshwari Kumari secured silver here (89), and Mehwaari Hansini won bronze (87). In the women's team event, this trio dominated, winning gold with a combined score of 269 points.
In the junior women's 50m rifle prone individual event, India's Prisha Saxena won the silver medal with 616.6 points. In the team event, the Indian team of Prisha, Anushka Thakur, and Tejal Nathavat won the bronze medal with 1,823.4 points.
In the junior men's 25m pistol team event, the team of Guraj Simha, Abhinav Chaudhary, and Mukesh Nellavalli won the gold medal with 1,746 points. In the individual event, Guraj Simha won gold with 588 points, and Sameer won bronze with 582 points.
In the youth men's trap individual event, Shakim Khan Mulla won silver with 89 points, and Yashvendra Kandwal won bronze with 88 points. In the team event, the trio of Shakim Khan, Manavraj Singh Gudaman, and Vinay Pratap Singh won gold with a combined score of 257.
In the youth women's trap individual event, Avani Alagmar Koli won bronze with 77 points, and in the team event, the Indian team of Avani, Krishika Koli, and Smita Sawant won the silver with 199 points.
India Finishes with 103 Medals
India concluded the Asian Shooting Championships held in Kazakhstan with a total of 103 medals, including 52 gold, 26 silver, and 25 bronze, across the senior, junior, and youth categories.
In the senior category alone, India secured the top position with 31 medals, comprising 14 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze.
On Friday, the final day of the competition, in the women's 25m center-fire pistol team event, the Indian team of Rajeshwari Singh, Shreyasi Singh, and Preeti Goyal won gold with 1,733 points. In the individual event of the same category, Rajeshwari excelled by winning gold with 583 points.
In the women's 50m rifle prone team event, the Indian team of Manini Kaushik, Saumya Pratapkumar, and Vidita Kokale secured 2nd place with 1,846 points.
In the junior men's trap individual event, Angad Mittal won gold with 107 points, while in the team event, the trio of Angad, Bhanu Pratap Singh, and Sharvankumar Talia won the bronze medal with a combined score of 264.
In the women's individual skeet event, India's Anushka Singh Patil won gold (93), Rajeshwari Kumari secured silver here (89), and Mehwaari Hansini won bronze (87). In the women's team event, this trio dominated, winning gold with a combined score of 269 points.
In the junior women's 50m rifle prone individual event, India's Prisha Saxena won the silver medal with 616.6 points. In the team event, the Indian team of Prisha, Anushka Thakur, and Tejal Nathavat won the bronze medal with 1,823.4 points.
In the junior men's 25m pistol team event, the team of Guraj Simha, Abhinav Chaudhary, and Mukesh Nellavalli won the gold medal with 1,746 points. In the individual event, Guraj Simha won gold with 588 points, and Sameer won bronze with 582 points.
In the youth men's trap individual event, Shakim Khan Mulla won silver with 89 points, and Yashvendra Kandwal won bronze with 88 points. In the team event, the trio of Shakim Khan, Manavraj Singh Gudaman, and Vinay Pratap Singh won gold with a combined score of 257.
In the youth women's trap individual event, Avani Alagmar Koli won bronze with 77 points, and in the team event, the Indian team of Avani, Krishika Koli, and Smita Sawant won the silver with 199 points.
India Finishes with 103 Medals
India concluded the Asian Shooting Championships held in Kazakhstan with a total of 103 medals, including 52 gold, 26 silver, and 25 bronze, across the senior, junior, and youth categories.
In the senior category alone, India secured the top position with 31 medals, comprising 14 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze.
On Friday, the final day of the competition, in the women's 25m center-fire pistol team event, the Indian team of Rajeshwari Singh, Shreyasi Singh, and Preeti Goyal won gold with 1,733 points. In the individual event of the same category, Rajeshwari excelled by winning gold with 583 points.
In the women's 50m rifle prone team event, the Indian team of Manini Kaushik, Saumya Pratapkumar, and Vidita Kokale secured 2nd place with 1,846 points.
In the junior men's trap individual event, Angad Mittal won gold with 107 points, while in the team event, the trio of Angad, Bhanu Pratap Singh, and Sharvankumar Talia won the bronze medal with a combined score of 264.
In the women's individual skeet event, India's Anushka Singh Patil won gold (93), Rajeshwari Kumari secured silver here (89), and Mehwaari Hansini won bronze (87). In the women's team event, this trio dominated, winning gold with a combined score of 269 points.
In the junior women's 50m rifle prone individual event, India's Prisha Saxena won the silver medal with 616.6 points. In the team event, the Indian team of Prisha, Anushka Thakur, and Tejal Nathavat won the bronze medal with 1,823.4 points.
In the junior men's 25m pistol team event, the team of Guraj Simha, Abhinav Chaudhary, and Mukesh Nellavalli won the gold medal with 1,746 points. In the individual event, Guraj Simha won gold with 588 points, and Sameer won bronze with 582 points.
In the youth men's trap individual event, Shakim Khan Mulla won silver with 89 points, and Yashvendra Kandwal won bronze with 88 points. In the team event, the trio of Shakim Khan, Manavraj Singh Gudaman, and Vinay Pratap Singh won gold with a combined score of 257.
In the youth women's trap individual event, Avani Alagmar Koli won bronze with 77 points, and in the team event, the Indian team of Avani, Krishika Koli, and Smita Sawant won the silver with 199 points.
India Finishes with 103 Medals
India concluded the Asian Shooting Championships held in Kazakhstan with a total of 103 medals, including 52 gold, 26 silver, and 25 bronze, across the senior, junior, and youth categories.
In the senior category alone, India secured the top position with 31 medals, comprising 14 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze.
On Friday, the final day of the competition, in the women's 25m center-fire pistol team event, the Indian team of Rajeshwari Singh, Shreyasi Singh, and Preeti Goyal won gold with 1,733 points. In the individual event of the same category, Rajeshwari excelled by winning gold with 583 points.
In the women's 50m rifle prone team event, the Indian team of Manini Kaushik, Saumya Pratapkumar, and Vidita Kokale secured 2nd place with 1,846 points.
In the junior men's trap individual event, Angad Mittal won gold with 107 points, while in the team event, the trio of Angad, Bhanu Pratap Singh, and Sharvankumar Talia won the bronze medal with a combined score of 264.
In the women's individual skeet event, India's Anushka Singh Patil won gold (93), Rajeshwari Kumari secured silver here (89), and Mehwaari Hansini won bronze (87). In the women's team event, this trio dominated, winning gold with a combined score of 269 points.
In the junior women's 50m rifle prone individual event, India's Prisha Saxena won the silver medal with 616.6 points. In the team event, the Indian team of Prisha, Anushka Thakur, and Tejal Nathavat won the bronze medal with 1,823.4 points.
In the junior men's 25m pistol team event, the team of Guraj Simha, Abhinav Chaudhary, and Mukesh Nellavalli won the gold medal with 1,746 points. In the individual event, Guraj Simha won gold with 588 points, and Sameer won bronze with 582 points.
In the youth men's trap individual event, Shakim Khan Mulla won silver with 89 points, and Yashvendra Kandwal won bronze with 88 points. In the team event, the trio of Shakim Khan, Manavraj Singh Gudaman, and Vinay Pratap Singh won gold with a combined score of 257.
In the youth women's trap individual event, Avani Alagmar Koli won bronze with 77 points, and in the team event, the Indian team of Avani, Krishika Koli, and Smita Sawant won the silver with 199 points.
Diamond League: Neeraj Chopra Finishes 2nd
India's Neeraj Chopra was disappointed to finish in 2nd place in the javelin throw at the Diamond League athletics competition held in Switzerland.
Germany's Julian Weber became the champion with a throw of 91.51 meters, while Neeraj Chopra's best effort was 85.01 meters.
Weber's 91.51-meter throw, which he achieved on his first attempt, was the best of the season and his personal best.
The closest to that was Neeraj Chopra's throw of 85.01 meters on his final attempt. All other competitors threw shorter distances than that.
In his first three attempts, Neeraj Chopra threw 84.35m and 82m, while his next three attempts were fouls. His final throw of 85.01 meters secured him 2nd place.
This is the third consecutive time that the two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra has finished 2nd in this competition. Prior to this, he was the champion here in 2022. It is worth noting that Neeraj Chopra, who had set a personal goal of 90 meters, achieved it (90.23 m) at the Diamond League meet in Doha last May.
Next, Neeraj Chopra is set to participate in the World Championship javelin competition to be held in Tokyo in September.
Economy News
LIC Pays Rs 7,324 Crore Dividend to Central Government
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) Managing Director R. Doraiswamy presented a cheque for ₹7,324.34 crore as a dividend to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (photo).
The annual meeting of the public sector entity LIC was held on the 26th. In this meeting, a decision was made regarding the dividend for the year 2024-25. Subsequently, the dividend for the central government was handed over to the Finance Minister.
As of March 2025, LIC's basic value stands at ₹56.23 lakh crore. LIC is a leading life insurance company in the country.
The government currently holds 96.5 percent of LIC's shares. In May 2022, 3.5 percent of the shares were sold for the first time through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). At that time, the price per share was fixed between ₹902 and ₹949. Through this share sale, the government received ₹21,000 crore. Information was released last month that the central government has decided to sell another 6.5 percent of its shares.
Fertilizer Imports from Russia Increase by 20%
In the first 6 months of the current year, India's fertilizer imports from Russia have increased by 20 percent to 2.5 million tonnes.
Russia's share in India's total fertilizer imports has risen to an unprecedented 33 percent.
Regarding this, the head of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers, Andrey Guryev, said, 'The demand for phosphorus-based fertilizers has increased in India.
Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia by European countries, we are able to send fertilizers according to India's needs. Russia is also the largest supplier of fertilizers to India. Russian plants have increased production to meet India's required types of fertilizers.
In the 3 months leading up to February 2025 alone, 1.5 million tonnes of fertilizer have been sent to India. Russia supplies one-third of India's fertilizer imports,' he stated.
India is already importing large quantities of crude oil from Russia.
Citing this, US President Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India.
Urjit Patel is the Executive Director of IMF
The Central Government has approved the appointment of former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel as the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He will hold this position for the next 3 years. Urjit Patel, an economist, has previously worked at the IMF. It has been announced that he will continue in the post for the next 3 years or until further notice. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet made this decision. K.V. Subramanian, who previously held this position, was removed by the Central Government last April, 6 months before the completion of his 3-year term.
There are 25 members on the IMF's Board of Executive Directors. They are selected through member countries and groups of member countries. India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh form one such group.
Urjit Patel, who had served as the Deputy Governor of the RBI, was appointed as the RBI Governor in 2016. However, he resigned in December 2018 due to a difference of opinion with the government on the issue of transferring RBI's autonomy to the central government.
Urjit Patel graduated from the London School of Economics, received his M.Phil from Oxford University, and holds a doctorate from Yale University in the United States. He worked at the IMF from 1990-95.
Personalities, Awards and Events
Writer S. Venugopal Selected for the Ki.Ra. Award by Vijaya Readers’ Circle
Writer S. Venugopal has been selected for the Ki.Ra. award, presented by the Coimbatore Vijaya Readers' Circle.
A press release from M. Velayudham, the founder of Coimbatore Vijaya Publications, stated:
In honor of the memory of Ki.Ra., who brought pride to the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Ki.Ra. award is presented annually to the best creators on behalf of the Vijaya Readers' Circle of Coimbatore Vijaya Publications.
The award includes a cash prize of five lakh rupees and a shield. This prize money is sponsored by the Sakthi Masala company.
For the year 2025, the renowned writer S. Venugopal has been selected for the Ki.Ra. award.
S. Venugopal, has authored more than twenty books, including famous novels like 'Nunveli Kiranangal', 'Koonthappanai', 'Valasai', 'Aattam', and 'Nilam Ennum Nallaal', along with short stories and essays.
Science and Technology News
Cyclone Warning for Fishermen via Mobile App
A mobile application to warn about natural calamities during cyclone seasons will be implemented on a trial basis from Monday (Sep. 1), announced Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
"A new mobile application with advanced technology has been developed to protect fishermen during cyclones and other disasters. Even if fishermen have their mobile phones with them, they can hear warnings about cyclones and other natural calamities in audio format.
This application has been created so that fishermen can easily get information about natural calamities through their mobile phones.
This mobile app will be implemented on a trial basis from Monday (Sep. 1). Fishermen can download the National Disaster Management Authority's SACHET app or the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services' SAMUDRA app to receive all kinds of weather alerts,"
Cyclone Warning for Fishermen via Mobile App
A mobile application to warn about natural calamities during cyclone seasons will be implemented on a trial basis from Monday (Sep. 1), announced Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
"A new mobile application with advanced technology has been developed to protect fishermen during cyclones and other disasters. Even if fishermen have their mobile phones with them, they can hear warnings about cyclones and other natural calamities in audio format.
This application has been created so that fishermen can easily get information about natural calamities through their mobile phones.
This mobile app will be implemented on a trial basis from Monday (Sep. 1). Fishermen can download the National Disaster Management Authority's SACHET app or the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services' SAMUDRA app to receive all kinds of weather alerts,"
International News
7.8% Economic Growth in April-June Quarter: Central Government
According to Central Government statistics, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown by 7.8 percent in the first quarter (April-June) of the current financial year (2025-26).
Compared to the last five quarters, GDP growth has increased in the April-June quarter. Previously, the GDP had notably grown by 8.4 percent in the January-March 2024 quarter. In the April-June 2025-26 quarter, China's GDP grew by only 5.2 percent.
With this, India continues to be a rapidly growing economy.
Data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) indicates the following:
In the April-June quarter of 2025-26, the country's GDP reached a growth of 7.8 percent. The growth in sectors including agriculture, trade, hotels, finance, and real estate are major contributors to this.
During the same period, the agriculture sector registered a growth of 3.7 percent. This was 1.5 percent in the April-June period of 2024-25.
While the manufacturing sector's growth was 7.6 percent in the same period last year, it has now increased to 7.7 percent.
The real GDP calculated at constant prices for the April-June quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year is estimated to be ₹47.89 lakh crore. Similarly, the Gross Value Added (GVA) based on sectors like public administration and defense is expected to be ₹86.05 lakh crore.
While the real GDP in the same period last year was ₹44.42 lakh crore, it has now registered a growth of 7.8 percent, and the nominal GDP, which was ₹79.08 lakh crore, has recorded a growth of 8.8 percent.
Growth Exceeding Expectations: The Reserve Bank of India had projected that for the 2025-26 fiscal year, GDP growth would be 6.5 percent in the first quarter, 6.7 percent in the second, 6.6 percent in the third, 6.3 percent in the fourth, and an overall growth of 6.5 percent. In this context, it is noteworthy that the GDP growth in the first quarter has exceeded expectations.
Japan to Invest ₹6 Lakh Crore in India
Japan has set a target to invest ₹6 lakh crore (10 trillion yen) in India over the next 10 years.
Furthermore, both nations have formulated a grand vision to strengthen cooperation in various key sectors, including rare earth minerals, defense, and technological development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this information after trade talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the India-Japan Business Forum held in Tokyo on Friday.
13 Agreements: During these talks, 13 agreements were signed between the two countries across various sectors. Various agreements were reached, from an economic security alliance to promoting a seamless supply chain in the defense sector. Cooperation will be strengthened in sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, telecommunications, medical manufacturing, rare earth mineral production, and new and emerging technologies. It has also been planned to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas including defense and maritime security.
Based on the agreement reached between the two countries, 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers will be sent from India to Japan over the next 5 years. An agreement was made between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for joint ventures in rare earth mineral mining and technological development, as well as for collaborative space research projects. The two countries also agreed to work together on India's 'Chandrayaan-5' lunar exploration mission.
Daruma Doll Gifted to the Prime Minister
During his visit to Japan, Prime Minister Modi was gifted a Daruma doll, which is considered one of the cultural symbols of the country.
Regarding this, a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs stated, 'The chief priest of Shorinzan Daruma-ji temple, Rev Seishi Hirose, presented the Daruma doll to Prime Minister Modi. This doll is considered auspicious in Japanese culture'
The Daruma doll is based on Bodhidharma, an Indian monk said to have traveled from Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu to Japan a thousand years ago, who is known in Japan as 'Daruma Daishi'.