The BCCI President-turned-global leader, Sourav Ganguly, has been re-appointed as the Chairperson of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee, continuing his pivotal role in shaping the game at the global level.

1. Ganguly took over in 2021 from Anil Kumble and brings decades of leadership and experience to the panel.
2. His former teammate VVS Laxman has also been reinstated as a member of the committee.
3. The six-member panel includes notable figures such as former Afghanistan pacer Hamid Hasan, West Indies legend Desmond Haynes, South Africa’s current captain Temba Bavuma, and former England batter Jonathan Trott.
4. In a parallel announcement, former New Zealand off-spinner Catherine Campbell has been appointed as chairperson of the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee. She will be joined by former Australian cricketer Avril Fahey and South Africa’s Poletsi Moseki.

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, was awarded the prestigious Legends of Endoscopy award at the Tokyo Live Global Endoscopy 2025 event, recognizing his lifetime achievements in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Key Points:

• Dr. Reddy received the Legends of Endoscopy award for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy.
• He demonstrated advanced endoscopic procedures, including the development of the Nagi stent, to treat complex biliary and pancreatic conditions.
• Dr. Reddy is a pioneer in gastroenterology, with multiple accolades, including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
• He is the founder of the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, one of the largest gastroenterology hospitals globally.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has achieved a significant milestone by securing the 9th position in the preliminary 2024 rankings of the world's busiest airports, as reported by Airports Council International (ACI) World. This marks an improvement from its 10th-place ranking in the previous year. 

Key points

• In 2024, IGI Airport handled a record-breaking 77.8 million passengers, reflecting a 7.8% increase from 2023 and a 13.6% rise compared to 2019. 
• The airport now ranks among the top 10 busiest airports globally, underscoring its growing significance in international air travel.
• This achievement is attributed to continuous infrastructure enhancements, expanded airline operations, and improved global connectivity. 
• IGI Airport remains the busiest in India and South Asia, solidifying its position as a leading aviation hub in the region.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in the United States retained its position as the world's busiest airport in 2024. 

This accomplishment highlights Delhi's IGI Airport's pivotal role in the global aviation sector, driven by strategic developments and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

World Art Day is celebrated annually on April 15 to honor the birth of Leonardo da Vinci, symbolizing the universal significance of art. The day aims to promote the development, diffusion, and enjoyment of art worldwide.

Key points

World Art Day was established in 2012 by the International Association of Art (IAA) and recognized by UNESCO.

The theme for World Art Day 2025 is "DNA—Do No Algorithm," emphasizing the irreplaceable essence of human creativity.

Significance

World Art Day serves as a reminder of art's role in fostering cultural exchange and understanding. It highlights the contributions of artists to a more developed, liberal, and peaceful world.

The day encourages artists to participate in various events, art programs, projects, and initiatives that reflect the values and purposes of the United Nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Patna, Bihar, on May 4. This marks the first time Bihar will host the national multi-sport event, which aims to identify and nurture young sporting talent across India. The event will run from May 4 to May 15, 2025, and will involve participation from thousands of athletes from across the country.

Key points

• The event will take place from May 4 to May 15, 2025, in Patna and four other districts: Gaya, Nalanda, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai.
• Approximately 8,500 athletes and 1,500 technical staff will participate in 28 sports disciplines, including athletics, swimming, wrestling, and archery.
• The mascot Khelo India will be “ Gajsimha” which symbolizes the power of elephant and heart of lion.
• The theme song for the games is titled "Khel ke Rang, Bihar ke Sang," celebrating youth and unity.
• A Gaurav Yatra (torch relay) will cover 38 districts of Bihar from April 15 to May 2, generating excitement and community participation.
• The Khelo India Youth Games 2025 will provide a platform for young athletes and help improve sports infrastructure in Bihar.

Meghalaya has been honored with two prestigious national awards for its outstanding performance in Aadhaar services. The awards were presented by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) during the Aadhaar Samvaad 2025 event held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi on April 8.

Key points

• Meghalaya received awards in two categories: Best Performing State in Carrying Out Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) of Children and Best Performing State in Verification of Adult Aadhaar Enrolment.
• The awards were presented by UIDAI officials at the Aadhaar Samvaad 2025 event in New Delhi.
• Shai Kupar War, the Nodal Officer for Aadhaar under the General Administration Department (GAD), accepted the awards on behalf of the state.
• Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed pride in the achievement, praising the team's dedication to delivering Aadhaar services across Meghalaya.
• The state government reaffirmed its commitment to working with UIDAI and other departments to enhance Aadhaar services and ensure every resident has access to their unique identity and government schemes.
• These recognitions highlight Meghalaya's successful implementation of Aadhaar-related initiatives, contributing to the state's progress in digital identity services.

On April 14, 2025, during an event at the Ambedkar Mahasabha campus in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the state's "Zero Poverty" mission would be named after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

This initiative aims to uplift underprivileged families by providing comprehensive access to government welfare schemes and basic amenities. The program is set to launch later this month.

Key points

• The announcement was made on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's 134th birth anniversary at the Ambedkar Mahasabha campus in Lucknow.?
• The scheme aims to connect approximately 14 to 15 lakh families with essential services, including housing, sanitation, pensions, ration cards, and Ayushman Bharat health cards.?
• Targeted beneficiaries include marginalized communities such as Musahar, Vantangia, Tharu, Sahariya, Gond, and Kol.?
• Each Gram Panchayat will identify 20–25 families that have not fully benefited from existing government schemes.

India's Shreyas Iyer has been named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for March 2025, following his outstanding performances during the ICC Champions Trophy.

Georgia Voll of Australia was named the ICC Women's Player of the Month for March 2025.

Key Points:

• Iyer played a pivotal role in India's tournament victory, scoring crucial runs in the knockout stages, including a match-winning 79 against New Zealand in the group stage, 45 in the semi-final against Australia, and 48 in the final against New Zealand.
• His consistent contributions were instrumental in securing India's third Champions Trophy title.?
• Shreyas Iyer scored 172 runs at an average of 57.33 during the final three games of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.?
• He was selected over New Zealand's Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra for the award.? 
• This marks Iyer's second ICC Men's Player of the Month award.?
• The selection process combined fan votes and evaluations by a panel of cricket experts.?Iyer expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, support staff, and fans for their support.?

Daniel Noboa has won Ecuador’s 2025 presidential election, securing a full four-year term after defeating leftist candidate Luisa González in the runoff.

His victory marks a continuation of his leadership after first being elected in 2023 to finish his predecessor's term.

Key Points:

• Daniel Noboa won the April 13, 2025, runoff with 55.6% of the vote, defeating Luisa González, who received 44.4%.
• This marks his second electoral victory—he was first elected in 2023 to complete Guillermo Lasso’s unfinished term.
• Voter turnout was high, with over 82% of eligible citizens participating.
• International observers declared the election free and fair.
• Luisa González has refused to concede, alleging fraud without evidence and calling for a recount.
• Vice President Verónica Abad accused Noboa of violating democratic norms by not stepping down during the campaign.
• In the National Assembly, Noboa’s party (National Democratic Action) won 66 seats, just one seat behind the opposition coalition.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, India's Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, is set to represent the country at the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting.

The gathering aims to foster cooperation among BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—in addressing agricultural challenges and promoting sustainable practices.

Key Points:

• The 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting will bring together agriculture leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to discuss collaborative strategies for enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture.
• Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will represent India, highlighting the nation's commitment to international agricultural cooperation and sustainable development.
• The meeting will focus on sharing best practices, technological innovations, and policy frameworks to improve agricultural productivity and resilience among member countries.
• Discussions are expected to cover topics such as climate-resilient farming, digital agriculture, and the promotion of inclusive agricultural growth.
• Outcomes from the meeting may include joint declarations, collaborative research initiatives, and frameworks for ongoing cooperation in agricultural development.