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GK Update

Sun 31 Aug, 2025

National News

125th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on 31st August 2025 through the 125th episode of his monthly radio programme “Mann Ki Baat.”

Mann Ki Baat Programme:

  • Started: 3 October 2014
  • Presented by: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi
  • Broadcast medium: All India Radio, Doordarshan, and digital platforms (YouTube, mobile apps etc.)
  • Frequency: Last Sunday of every month
  • Languages: Translations available in 21 Indian languages ​​and 29 dialects including Hindi, as well as English
  • 100th Episode – Aired on 30 April 2023

Launch of “Adi Vaani” Beta Version

  • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the beta version of “Adi Vaani”, the country’s first AI-powered translator for tribal languages.ं

Aadi Vaani:

  • AI based translator that can do real-time translation in Hindi, English and major tribal languages
  • Features: Text-to-text, speech-to-text, text-to-speech
  • Languages ​​in beta version: Santhali (Odisha), Bhili (Madhya Pradesh), Mundari (Jharkhand), Gondi (Chhattisgarh)
  • Linguistic landscape of India: 461 languages ​​of scheduled tribes, 71 mother tongues (Census 2011), of which 81 are sensitive and 42 are critically endangered

“ALIMCO Synergy Summit”

  • Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) organized its Annual Dealer Conference 2025 in New Delhi, titled “ALIMCO Synergy Summit.”
  • Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO):
  • Established: 1972
  • Headquarters: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
  • Administrative Control: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
  • Nature: Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)
  • Main Objective: To provide prosthetic limbs, assistive devices and rehabilitation aids to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

International News

Turkey closed its airspace and ports to Israel

  • Turkey closed its airspace and ports to Israeli military and trade operations in protest against the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel’s military actions, while also announcing air relief support for Gaza.

Turkey :

  • Capital : Ankara
  • Largest city : Istanbul
  • Geographical location : At the juncture of Europe and Asia (transcontinental country)
  • Official language : Turkish
  • Currency : Turkish Lira (TRY)
  • Important straits – Bosphorus and Dardanelles (connects Europe and Asia)
  • Neighbouring countries : Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Azerbaijan (Nakhichevan), Syria and Iraq

Ban on Israeli Officials at “DSEI UK 2025”

  • The UK barred Israeli government officials from officially participating in “DSEI UK 2025”, the world’s largest arms fair in London, amid Gaza tensions. Israeli companies were allowed to exhibit, but official representatives were completely restricted.

Britain:

  • Full name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • Capital: London
  • Main parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • Head of State: King Charles III
  • Currency: Pound Sterling (£)
  • Neighbouring countries: Only Republic of Ireland (land border), rest surrounded by Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, English Channel and Irish Sea

Special gift to the Prime Minister of Japan

  • During his visit to Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a special bowl set with stones and silver chopsticks decorated with Indian tradition and craftsmanship to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his wife.

Related Facts:

  • The moonstone used in this bowl is sourced from Andhra Pradesh
  • The base of the main bowl is crafted from Makrana marble from Rajasthan and is inlaid with semi-precious stones in the piedra style

Karen ethnic insurgent group declared terrorist organisation

  • Myanmar's military government declared the Karen National Union (KNU) Karen ethnic insurgent group a terrorist organisation.
  • The KNU is Myanmar's oldest insurgent organisation, whose armed wing the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has been supporting pro-democracy groups fighting against the military since the 2021 coup.

Myanmar :

  • Location: Southeast Asia
  • Official name: Republic of the Union of Myanmar
  • Former name: Burma
  • Capital: Naypyidaw
  • Major cities: Yangon, Mandalay
  • Language: Burmese
  • Currency: Kyat
  • Borders: India, China, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand
  • State of emergency declared: 2021 (for one year by then acting President U Myint Swe)

Thailand’s Interim Prime Minister

  • Thailand’s Cabinet appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai as the Acting Prime Minister, following the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra by the Constitutional Court.

Thailand :

  • Capital: Bangkok
  • King: Vajiralongkorn, Title: King Rama X
  • Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
  • Major rivers: Chao Phraya, Mekong
  • Famous festivals: Songkran (Thai New Year), Loi Krathong
  • Traditional arts: Thai dance, music, temples and sculpture

Sports News

16th Asian Shooting Championship 2025

  • The 16th Asian Shooting Championship was held at the Shymkent Shooting Plaza in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, from 16 to 30 August 2025.
  • India delivered its best-ever performance in the tournament, winning a total of 99 medals — including 50 gold, 26 silver, and 23 bronze.

Related facts:

  • First place: India - total 99 medals (50 gold, 26 silver, 23 bronze)
  • Second place: Kazakhstan - total 70 medals, of which 21 are gold medals
  • Third place: China - 37 medals, of which 15 are gold medals

25th Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championship 2025

  • The 25th Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championship was held at Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from 24 to 30 August 2025.
  • The event also served as a qualifier for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Related facts:

  • Competing: 291 athletes from 30 Commonwealth countries for a total of 144 medals in senior, junior and youth categories
  • Significance: The championship was a qualifier for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
  • India's medal tally: First - Total 13 medals (4 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze)
  • Gold medals (4): Mirabai Chanu (48 kg women), Rishikant Singh (60 kg men), Ajit Narayan (71 kg men), Ajay Babu Valluri (79 kg men)

India’s First Mondotrack

  • Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the country’s first Mondotrack at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
  • The track, made of dual-layer vulcanized rubber, enhances athletes’ performance, prevents slipping, and reduces the risk of injuries.
  • With this, India has joined the list of 25 countries that have this world class athletics track

Reports and Indexes

“Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000–2024: Special Focus on Inequalities”

  • The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) of UNDP, WHO, and UNICEF released a report titled “Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000–2024: Special Focus on Inequalities”, presenting a data-driven analysis of WASH progress and disparities.

Key Highlights:

  • Safe Drinking Water: Between 2015–24, 961 million people gained access; global coverage rose from 68% to 74%, yet 2.1 billion people remain deprived.
  • Sanitation Services: 1.6 billion people gained access; coverage rose from 66% to 80%, but 1.7 billion still lack basic sanitation.
  • Open Defecation: 354 million people still practice open defecation; eliminating it by 2030 remains a major challenge.
  • SDG-6: Universal access to water and sanitation faces significant obstacles.

Economy and Banking

India’s GDP Growth Rate

  • The National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), released quarterly GDP estimates and expenditure components for Q1 FY 2025–26 in both constant (2011–12) and current prices.

GDP Growth and Quarterly Estimates:

  • Real GDP is estimated to have grown 7.8% in Q1 FY 2025–26, compared to 6.5% in Q1 FY 2024–25.
  • The estimated real GDP for the quarter is ₹47.89 lakh crore, up from ₹44.42 lakh crore in the previous year.

Sector-wise Performance:

  • Primary Sector (Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry): 3.7% growth (up from 1.5% last year)
  • Secondary Sector (Manufacturing, Mining, Construction): Growth of over 7.5% at constant prices

Defense News

INS Kadmatt Reaches Papua New Guinea

  • Indian Navy’s indigenous ASW Corvette INS Kadmatt arrived at Port Moresby to participate in Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day celebrations.

Indian Navy :

  • Main functions: Protecting maritime borders and demonstrating maritime power
  • Establishment: 26 January 1950 (in independent India)
  • Origin: Royal Indian Navy (during British rule)
  • Indian Navy Day: 4 December (in memory of Operation 'Trishul' of 1971)
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Navy Chief: Admiral D.K. Tripathi
  • Divided into three commands
  • India's first indigenous aircraft carrier: INS Vikrant

Joint Exercise “Achook Prahar”

  • The Indian Army’s Spear Corps, in collaboration with the ITBP, conducted a four-day joint exercise “Achook Prahar” in Arunachal Pradesh from 25–28 August 2025, aimed at strengthening border security and enhancing operational coordination.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP):

  • A central armed police force of India
  • Raised: October 1962, during the Indo-China War
  • Main function: Guarding the Indo-Tibetan border, which borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China
  • ITBP covers the approximately 3488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) of the Indo-China border, which extends from the Karakoram Pass in Jammu and Kashmir to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh
  • Motto: "Shaurya - Drishti - Karm Nishtha"

Important Days

International Day for People of African Descent

  • The International Day for People of African Descent is observed annually on 31 August, established by the UN General Assembly in December 2020.

Key Facts:

  • Established by: UN General Assembly, December 2020
  • Objective: To honor the heritage, culture, and contributions of people of African descent and raise awareness against racism and discrimination.
  • Second International Decade for People of African Descent: From 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2034
  • Adopted by: UNGA resolution in December 2024
  • Theme of the decade: “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, and Development”

 

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