8th May 2025 Current Affairs

National News

Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates the 12th Global Space Exploration Conference in New Delhi

The 12th Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) commenced in New Delhi on 7th May 2025, and will run for three days until 9th May 2025. The event, bringing together global leaders in space exploration, aims to address recent advancements, challenges, and the future of human space exploration. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, addressed the conference virtually on 7th May.

Conference Background:

• The first GLEX was held in Beijing, China in 2010.
• The previous edition took place in Oslo, Norway, in May 2023.

Organizers:

• The event is organized by the International Aeronautical Federation (IAF), with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) hosting it and the Indian Astronautical Society acting as a co-host.

Inauguration:

• The conference was officially inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, on 7th May 2025.

Theme of GLEX 2025:

• The theme for this year’s conference is “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance.”

About the Global Space Exploration Conference:

• The Global Space Exploration Conference seeks to facilitate the exchange of space policies and programs among space-exploring nations.
• It aims to encourage collaboration among countries in addressing space exploration challenges and provides a platform for sharing lessons learned and future exploration plans.
• Notable participants include ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, Josef Aschbacher from the European Space Agency (ESA), and Kazuyoshi Kawasaki of the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA).

About the International Aeronautical Federation (IAF):

• Established in 1951, the IAF is the world’s leading space advocacy organization.
• It has 563 members across 81 countries, including prominent space agencies, companies, and research institutions.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.

India Hosts First-Ever WAVES 2025 in Mumbai; ₹1,328 Crore Business Deals Signed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first edition of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The four-day summit, held from May 1–4, 2025, was a joint initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B) and the Government of Maharashtra (GoM). The event was held under the tagline:
“Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries.”

Key Highlights:

• Special Postage Stamps Released:
  PM Modi unveiled commemorative postage stamps honoring five legends of Indian cinema:
  Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, and Salil Chowdhury.
• Global Media Dialogue (GMD):
  For the first time, the MoI&B organized the GMD in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), with ministerial participation from over 50 countries.
  ➤ 77 countries adopted a 13-point ‘WAVES Declaration’, promoting the responsible use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Launch of Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT):
  Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the establishment of the IICT, a National Centre of Excellence (CoE) supported by Jio Star, headquartered in Mumbai.
• Business Milestone:
  The summit recorded business deals worth ₹1,328 crore, marking a successful global industry engagement across audio-visual and entertainment sectors.

In-Principle Approval Granted for Greenfield Airports in Rajasthan and Odisha

In May 2025, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu granted in-principle approval for the development of greenfield airports in Kota (Rajasthan) and Puri (Odisha). These approvals are part of the Government of India’s initiative under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, aimed at making air travel affordable and accessible for all.

Key Highlights:

• The initiative aligns with the Government’s vision to enhance regional air connectivity.
• Greenfield Airports refer to aviation facilities constructed from scratch on undeveloped land.

Kota, Rajasthan Airport:

• To be developed in 2 phases
• Total investment: ₹1,507 crore
• Kota, a major educational and industrial hub, will benefit from improved connectivity in the Hadoti region.

Puri, Odisha Airport:

• To be developed in 3 phases over 1,164 acres
• Total investment: ₹5,631 crore
• The airport will enhance religious tourism in Puri, home to Lord Jagannath, and support regional development.

 About Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA):

• Union Minister: Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu
  ➤ Constituency: Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
• Minister of State (MoS): Murlidhar Kisan Mohol
  ➤ Constituency: Pune, Maharashtra

NMCG Approves Key Projects for Ganga Rejuvenation in 62nd Executive Committee Meeting

In May 2025, the 62nd Executive Committee (EC) Meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was held in New Delhi, chaired by Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director-General of NMCG. The meeting emphasized sustainability in river rejuvenation and approved critical projects aligned with the mission’s goals of ecosystem restoration in the Ganga basin.

Key Approvals:

i. Approval was given for the project Conserving and Sustainably Managing Nathmalpur Bhagad (Wetland) in Bhojpur district, Bihar, with an estimated cost of Rs 3.51 crore. This marks the fifth wetland project undertaken under the National Ganga Plan (NGP).

ii. The EC also approved Rs 34.50 lakh for Capacity Building Initiatives under the Making Water-Sensitive Cities in the Ganga Basin project.

About Ministry of Jal Shakti:

• Union Minister Chandrakant Raghunath Patil Constituency Navsari Gujarat
• Minister of State V Somanna Constituency Tumkur Karnataka
• Minister of State Raj Bhushan Choudhary Constituency Muzaffarpur Bihar

Government Strengthens Inland Waterways with Rhenus Group Partnership

In May 2025, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rhenus Group, a global logistics company from Germany, to promote the use of inland waterways for cargo movement in India. IWAI is the nodal agency for National Waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).

Key Objectives of the MoU

• Enable Rhenus Logistics India Pvt. Ltd. to launch scheduled barge operations across major National Waterways (NWs) in India.
• Integrate global best practices into the Indian Inland Water Transport (IWT) system.

Highlights
i. Rhenus will deploy 100 barges in phases, beginning with 20 barges and 6 pushers in the first phase.
ii. The operations aim to transport over one million tonnes of cargo annually by the end of 2025.
iii. The MoU will also support the development of scheduled IWT services across India’s NWs.

About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Constituency Dibrugarh Assam
• Minister of State Shantanu Thakur Constituency Bangaon West Bengal

MoRTH Launches Cashless Treatment Scheme 2025 for Road Accident Victims

In May 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) launched the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, providing cashless medical treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh per accident per person across India.

Key Details of the Scheme

• Effective Date: From May 5, 2025
• Eligibility: Applies to any road accident victim involving a motor vehicle on any road in India
• Financial Allocation: Rs 272 crore has been allotted for Financial Year 2025-26

Implementation and Features
i. National Health Authority (NHA) is the implementing agency, coordinating with police, hospitals, and State Health Agencies.
ii. State Road Safety Councils will act as nodal agencies for hospital onboarding, treatment coordination, and payment processing.
iii. The scheme aims to provide critical treatment during the golden hour, significantly increasing survival chances.
iv. Treatment coverage lasts up to 7 days from the date of the accident, at designated government and private hospitals.
v. Non-designated hospitals can offer only stabilisation treatment.
vi. The scheme is universal, covering all accident victims, regardless of income or category.

About Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)

• Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari Constituency Nagpur Maharashtra
• Minister of State Ajay Tamta Constituency Almora Uttarakhand
• Minister of State Harsh Malhotra Constituency East Delhi Delhi

International news

Kiren Rijiju Leads Indian Delegation at United Nations Day of Vesak in Vietnam

Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, led the Indian delegation at the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from 6th to 8th May 2025. This marks the fourth time Vietnam has hosted the event, having previously done so in 2008, 2014, and 2019.

Opening Ceremony Highlights:

• The opening ceremony was addressed by Luong Cuong, President of Vietnam, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka, Kiren Rijiju, and other notable Buddhist monks.

Background of United Nations Day of Vesak:

• UN General Assembly passed a resolution in December 1999 to observe Day of Vesak annually on the full moon day of May.
• The first UN Day of Vesak was celebrated in 2000 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Significance of Vesak in Buddhism:

• Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Lord Buddha.
• It is one of the most sacred events in Buddhism, celebrated during the Vaishakh month of the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to April/May on the Gregorian calendar.
• Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death all occurred during Buddha Purnima, observed on the full moon in Vaishakh.
• Buddha Purnima 2025 will be celebrated on 12th May 2025.

UN Day of Vesak Organization:

• The event is organized by the International Council for the Day of Vesak, a global association of Buddhist communities.
• The International Council has been responsible for 20 editions of UN Day of Vesak, including the 2025 celebration in Vietnam. It has been hosted 15 times in Thailand, 4 times in Vietnam, and once in Sri Lanka (2017).
• Since 2013, the Council holds a Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

Sacred Buddhist Relics Displayed:

• Kiren Rijiju brought the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India to be displayed in Vietnam.
• The relics, including a portion of the skull bone of Lord Buddha, were brought from the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh.
• These relics were excavated in Nagarjuna Konda, an important site for Mahayana Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh.
• The relics will be displayed at 4 monasteries in Vietnam during the UN Day of Vesak.

Rank and report news

Tamil Nadu Leads India’s Textile Exports in FY25 with USD 7.99 Billion

In April 2025, Tamil Nadu (TN) emerged as India’s top textile exporter in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), contributing USD 7.99 billion, which accounts for 26.81% of India’s total textile exports valued at USD 36.61 billion.

• In FY24, TN had exported USD 7.15 billion, contributing 20.78%, showing significant year-on-year growth.
• Gujarat ranked second with USD 5.64 billion, followed by Maharashtra with USD 3.83 billion.

Key Export Categories in FY25
i. Readymade Garments: USD 15.99 billion (largest share)
ii. Cotton Products: USD 12.06 billion (includes yarn, fabrics, made-ups, handlooms)
iii. Man-Made Textiles: USD 4.87 billion (includes yarn, fabrics, made-ups)
iv. Others: Handicrafts, carpets, jute

Reasons for Tamil Nadu’s Export Success
i. The Tiruppur knitwear cluster alone contributed USD 4.69 billion (approx. Rs 40,000 crore) in FY25

• Known for its integrated supply chain from yarn to finished garment
• Attracts global buyers due to efficiency and sustainability
  ii. Price competitiveness and eco-friendly practices in Tiruppur attract major international brands
  iii. The upcoming withdrawal of GSP by the EU for Bangladesh by 2027 is shifting buyers toward Indian exporters

About Tamil Nadu (TN)
Chief Minister – M. K. Stalin
Governor – R. N. Ravi
Capital – Chennai
Ramsar Sites – Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Therthangal Bird Sanctuary

India Rises to Rank 130 in UNDP Human Development Report 2025; Iceland Leads Globally

On 6 May 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released the Human Development Report (HDR) 2025, titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, with the theme “Harnessing Digital Transformation to Advance Human Development”.

• India ranked 130 in the 2023 Human Development Index (HDI) with a score of 0.685, moving up three positions from 133 in 2022 (score: 0.676).
• Iceland secured the top rank globally with an HDI score of 0.972, followed by Norway (0.970) and Switzerland (0.970).

Key Findings of the Report
i. India’s life expectancy increased from 58.6 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2023, setting a new record.
ii. Average years of schooling in India rose from 8.2 years in 1990 to 13 years in 2023.
iii. Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in India grew by over 53%, from USD 2,167.22 in 1990 to USD 9,046.76 in 2023.

About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Administrator – Achim Steiner
Headquarters – New York, United States of America
Established – 1965

Banking News

SEBI Mandates Rs 1 Crore Minimum Investment and Demat for Securitised Debt Instruments

In May 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, introduced new regulations for Securitised Debt Instruments (SDIs) by amending the rules on ‘issue and listing of securities debt instruments and security receipts’.

• A minimum investment threshold of Rs 1 crore has been made mandatory for issuance of SDIs by RBI-regulated originators and unregulated entities involved in securitization.
• Mandatory minimum 3-year operating experience is now required for all originators.
• The updated norms aim to ensure originators retain interest in underlying assets, enhancing market stability and investor confidence.

Key Regulatory Changes
i. For non-RBI regulated originators, the minimum investment for subsequent transfers will also be Rs 1 crore.
ii. Public offers for SDIs must remain open for at least 3 days and no more than 10 days, following SEBI’s advertising norms for non-convertible securities.
iii. SEBI has introduced an ‘Investor Charter’ for Know Your Customer (KYC) Registration Agencies (KRAs), outlining available services, investor rights, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

SBI Forecasts Retail Inflation Below 3% in Q1 FY26

In May 2025, the State Bank of India (SBI), based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, released a report forecasting that India’s retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), will remain below 3% during Q1 FY26 (April to June 2025).

• This forecast comes after a significant drop in CPI inflation to 3.34% in March 2025, the lowest in 67 months, primarily due to a major correction in food prices.

Key Highlights:
i. Core inflation rose from 3.28% in August 2024 to 3.77% in October 2024, then stabilized between 3.6% and 3.7% from November 2024 to January 2025. It then increased to 4.1% in February and March 2025, the highest in 15 months.

• Excluding gold, core inflation was at 3.2%, which is lower than both the core and overall CPI inflation figures.
  ii. **SBI projects nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for FY26 to range from 9% to 9.5%, slightly below the Union Budget 2025-26 estimate of 10%.
  iii. SBI suggests that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may consider aggressive rate cuts in FY26, with a total reduction of 125 basis points—75 basis points in the first half and an additional 50 basis points in the second half of the year.

Pulitzer Prize 2025: NYT Wins 4, Reuters Honored for US Fentanyl Investigation

In May 2025, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced the winners of the 109th Pulitzer Prize (2025), recognizing excellence in categories such as Journalism, Books, Drama and Music, and Special Citations.

• The New York Times (NYT) won 4 awards in various categories, increasing its total to 139 Pulitzer Prizes, a record high since the awards began in 1917.
• The New Yorker magazine followed closely with 3 awards, covering areas like commentary, feature photography, and audio reporting, particularly for its coverage of overseas wars.

Key Highlights:
i. The Pulitzer Prize is awarded in 24 categories, broadly divided into 15 Journalism categories, 8 Letters, Drama, and Music categories, and 1 Special Citation.
ii. Renowned American Photographer Doug Mills (NYT) won the Breaking News Photography category for capturing the attempted assassination of then U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, in Pennsylvania.

Renowned Entrepreneur-Social Activist Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom Conferred with the International Buddha Peace Award 2025

In May 2025, Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom, a renowned social worker and entrepreneur from Mumbai (Maharashtra), was honored with the International Buddha Peace Award 2025. The award was presented by Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam, during a grand ceremony organized by the Maitri Peace Foundation in Guwahati, Assam.

• Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom, the Managing Director of Care Takers Exterior and Interior Private Limited, received the award for his exceptional social activism and leadership in the building repairs and restoration industry.
• Alongside Dr. Gom, Dr. Munir Khan, an eminent structural engineer and founder of Avon Consulting Engineers, was also honored for his significant contributions to social initiatives, particularly promoting sustainable development and community welfare.

About Dr. Mustafa Yusufali Gom:
i. He is the Managing Director of Care Takers Exterior and Interior Private Limited, based in Mumbai.
ii. In February 2025, he received the Public Service Award from the Governor of Himachal Pradesh at the Creator and Business Excellence Awards 2025.
iii. He has been previously honored with various awards, including the Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Award and recognition from the Governors of Maharashtra and Telangana.

About Dr. Munir Khan:
i. With a long career in structural engineering, Dr. Khan has led over 1,500 structural audits and the restoration of more than 300 buildings.
ii. His notable projects have been carried out across cities in Maharashtra, such as Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira Bhayandar.
iii. In September 2024, he was awarded the International Buddha Peace Award by Jishnu Dev Varma, Governor of Telangana.

About the International Buddha Peace Award:
i. Established in 2009, this award is presented annually by the Maitri Peace Foundation, a non-government voluntary organization.
ii. It recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary efforts to promote peace both within and outside their communities.
iii. Dr. Rashmi Saluja, Chairperson of the Global Trade & Technology Council of India (GTTCI), was a key recipient of the award in 2024.

Union Minister L Murugan Conferred the 10th National Community Radio Awards in Mumbai

On May 3, 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS), Dr. L Murugan from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B), presented the 10th National Community Radio Awards to 12 outstanding Community Radio Stations (CRS) at the 8th National Community Radio Conference. The event took place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The event was organized by the MoI&B and Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), in conjunction with the World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025.
• The conference brought together representatives from over 400 CRS across the country, offering an opportunity for dialogue and collaboration.

Note: As of April 2025, there are 531 community radio stations operating across India.

10th National Community Radio Awards:

The 10th National Community Radio Station Awards featured 12 awards across 4 categories:

1. Thematic Awards
2. Most Innovative Community Engagement Awards
3. Promoting Local Culture Awards
4. Sustainability Model Awards

• These prestigious awards recognize the exceptional work of CRS from states including Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu (TN), Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka.

About the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B):

• Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
• Minister of State (MoS): Dr. L. Murugan (Rajya Sabha – Madhya Pradesh)

Appointment news

Friedrich Merz Elected as Germany’s 10th Chancellor

On May 6, 2025, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Conservative Party and a lawyer, was elected as the 10th Chancellor of Germany. He won with 325 votes out of 630 seats in the second round of voting.

• In the first round of secret ballot voting, he fell short by six votes, securing 310 votes while needing 316 votes to win.
• President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, officially approved Friedrich Merz as Chancellor at the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany.

Prakash Magdum Appointed as MD of NFDC

On May 5, 2025, Prakash Magdum, a 1999-batch officer of the Indian Information Service (IIS), took charge as the Managing Director (MD) of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. NFDC operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B), Government of India (GoI).

• He succeeded Prithul Kumar, the previous MD of NFDC.
• Prior to this role, Prakash Magdum served as the Additional Director General (ADG) at the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Defence news

DRDO and IN Successfully Test Indigenously Developed MIGM

In May 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI), in collaboration with the Indian Navy (IN), successfully conducted a combat firing (with a reduced explosive payload) of the indigenously developed Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM).

• The MIGM system is designed to enhance the Indian Navy’s defense capabilities against modern stealth ships and submarines, providing advanced detection and engagement features.

Key details:

• The MIGM is an advanced underwater naval mine, developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune, Maharashtra, and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
• The production partners for MIGM are Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Visakhapatnam and Apollo Microsystems Limited (AML) in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Sports news

Indian Duo Wins U-19 Boys Doubles Title at WTT Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025

In May 2025, Indian table tennis players Ankur Bhattacharjee and Abhinandh Pradhavadhi clinched the U-19 Boys’ Doubles title at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025, held at Fashion Island, Bangkok, Thailand. They defeated South Korea’s Lee Jungmok and Choi Jiwook 3-1 in the final.

• The duo secured a 3-1 victory over Australia’s Won Bae and India’s Priyanuj Bhattacharyya in the opening round, then made an incredible comeback from 0-2 to beat Japan’s Kazuki Yoshiyama and Iran’s Benyamin Faraji 3-2 in the quarter-finals.

Other Highlights:

• In the U-19 Girls’ Doubles, India’s Syndrela Das and Divyanshi Bhowmick won the silver medal, losing to Thailand’s Wirakarn Tayapitak and Phatsaraphon Wonglakhon in the final.
• Divyanshi Bhowmick had an impressive run in the U-15 Girls’ Singles, securing the silver medal after a 1-3 defeat to China’s Liu Ziling in the final.
• In the U-15 Girls’ Doubles, the Indian pair of Riana Bhootia and Ananya Muralidharan won the silver medal.
• In the U-19 Boys’ Singles, Ankur Bhattacharjee reached the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over South Korea’s Lee Seungsoo but lost 0-3 to Japan’s Kazuki Yoshiyama.

FC Goa Clinches Kalinga Super Cup 2025 Title, Defeating Jamshedpur FC

In May 2025, FC Goa (FCG) triumphed over Jamshedpur FC (JFC) 3-0 in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 final held at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This victory secured FC Goa’s second title in the tournament’s history, making them the first club to win the Super Cup twice, having previously clinched the title in 2019.

• The tournament, organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), is India’s premier domestic knockout football competition.
• The win also marked FC Goa’s first title under head coach Manolo Márquez, concluding his tenure with a perfect result.

Key Highlights:

• Borja Herrera, Spanish midfielder, scored a brace for FC Goa with goals in the 23rd and 51st minutes.
• Dejan Drazic, Serbian forward, added a third goal in the 71st minute, sealing the win.
• Borja Herrera was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his standout performance.
• With this win, FC Goa qualifies for the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) Playoffs, marking their return to continental football after 4 years.

Important Days

International No Diet Day 2025 – May 6

International No Diet Day (INDD) was observed on May 6, 2025, globally, to promote body acceptance, challenge diet culture, and raise awareness about the dangers of weight discrimination and fatphobia.

• This observance encourages individuals to embrace their bodies, irrespective of shape or size, fostering a healthier relationship with food and self-image.

Symbol:
INDD is symbolized by a light blue ribbon, representing body acceptance, eating disorder awareness, and the fight against diet culture.

Origin of INDD:

• INDD was founded in 1992 by Mary Evans Young, a British feminist and director of Diet Breakers, to raise awareness about the dangers of dieting and promote self-acceptance.
• The first No Diet Day was observed on May 5, 1992, with a picnic in London’s Hyde Park, where women wore stickers reading “Ditch That Diet” to symbolize freedom from restrictive eating.
• In 1993, the date was shifted to May 6 to avoid overlapping with Cinco de Mayo celebrations and ensure a unique identity for the movement.
• Initially observed in the United Kingdom, the movement soon gained global momentum, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Goals of INDD:

• Promote body acceptance and diversity across all shapes, sizes, and identities.
• Raise awareness about the physical and psychological risks of restrictive dieting.
• Encourage a positive relationship with food and body image.
• Challenge fatphobia and weight-based discrimination.
• Debunk harmful diet myths while advocating for intuitive eating and self-care.

World Asthma Day 2025 – May 6

World Asthma Day (WAD) is observed globally on the first Tuesday of May, as part of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), to raise awareness and improve care for asthma.

• WAD 2025 was observed on May 6, 2025, with the theme “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL.”

Background:

• World Asthma Day was first observed in 1998 during the inaugural World Asthma Meeting in Barcelona, Spain, with participation from over 35 countries.
• The day aligns with the spring/fall seasons when asthma symptoms often worsen due to environmental factors and is also recognized as World Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month.

About GINA:

• Managing Director & Chair: Arzu Yorgancioglu (Turkey)
• Headquarters: Wisconsin, USA
• Launched: 1993

Border Roads Organisation Raising Day 2025 – May 7

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrates its Raising Day annually on May 7, marking its establishment in 1960 to honor the service of its personnel and reaffirm its commitment to developing critical infrastructure in India’s border areas.

• May 7, 2025 marks the 66th observance of the Raising Day of BRO.

Background:

• BRO was established on May 7, 1960, with the primary goal of securing India’s borders and building vital infrastructure in remote and strategic regions.
• In 1985, the BRDB was re-constituted and placed under the chairmanship of the Defence Minister, aligning with national security priorities.
• Over 6 decades, BRO has constructed 62,214 km of roads, 1,005 bridges, 7 tunnels, and developed 21 airfields across India.
• In FY 2023-24, it completed 125 infrastructure projects worth Rs. 3,611 crore.

World Athletics Day 2025 – May 7

World Athletics Day is celebrated on May 7 each year to raise awareness among children and young people about the importance of fitness and to encourage participation in sports, especially athletics.

• The theme for World Athletics Day 2025 is “Relay Around the World Challenge.”

Background:

• IAAF, the international governing body for track and field athletics, introduced World Athletics Day as part of its social responsibility program titled “Athletics for a Better World.”
• IAAF was established on July 17, 1912, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Kids Athletics Day:

• Observed on May 7, this day encourages children to engage in sports, especially athletics, from an early age. It is a key feature of the World Kids’ Athletics Programme, a free program designed to inspire youth globally.

About World Athletics:

• President: Sebastian Coe
• Headquarters: Monaco
• Established: 1912