CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya is set to undertake her maiden overseas voyage, marking a significant milestone in showcasing India’s ancient maritime traditions and seafaring heritage through a living naval experiment.

Recently, the Vice President of India released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, also known as Suvaran Maran, recognising his historical contributions as a prominent ruler and administrator of early medieval South India.

Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, also known as Suvaran Maran and Shatrubhayankara, was a powerful South Indian ruler of the 8th century (c. 705–745 CE).

In response to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting informed that 1,469 film titles, amounting to nearly 4.3 lakh minutes of cinematic content, have been digitised so far under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM).

India is hosting the 20th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi from December 8 to 13, 2025.

Recently, the Charaideo Moidams of Assam have been officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (Cultural Category). This decision was taken during the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in New Delhi. It is the first cultural site from Northeast India to receive the World Heritage tag. With this, India now has a total of 44 World Heritage Sites.

Indian puppetry is an integral part of India’s ancient cultural tradition. It is not just a form of entertainment but also a medium to convey social messages, folk tales, religious stories, and cultural heritage. In India, puppetry is broadly classified into four major types—String Puppets, Shadow Puppets, Glove Puppets, and Rod Puppets.

Sirpur, an ancient 5th–12th century archaeological complex in Chhattisgarh, is undergoing a major restoration push as the Government advances its bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
A recent joint inspection by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority (SADA) marks a significant step toward formal nomination.

Introduction: He was a pioneering social reformer who strongly opposed social evils like untouchability and the caste system. He is remembered for his significant contributions to social equality and education in India.