Daily Current Affairs- 11th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 11th December 2025

President Droupadi Murmu Presents Shilp Guru and National Handicrafts Awards for 2023 and 2024

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu presented the Shilp Guru Awards and National Handicrafts Awards for 2023 and 2024 at a special ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, as part of the National Handicrafts Week celebrations (December 8-14, 2025). The event, organized by the Ministry of Textiles, honored 48 distinguished artisans including 12 Shilp Guru recipients and 36 National Award winners, recognizing their exemplary contributions to preserving and promoting India's rich handicraft heritage while celebrating the sector's crucial role in rural livelihoods, women's empowerment, and sustainable development.

Key Points:

• Award Ceremony Details: The prestigious award ceremony was held on December 9, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, graced by President Droupadi Murmu as the Chief Guest. The event was presided over by Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, with Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs, attending as the Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries present included Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles), and Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), along with artisans, industry leaders, exporters, designers, and senior officials.
• Total Awards Presented: A total of 48 awards were conferred for the 2023-2024 cycle, comprising 12 Shilp Guru Awards (the highest national recognition in the handicrafts sector) and 36 National Handicraft Awards. Within the National Awards, 2 were special Design and Innovation Awards recognizing contemporary creativity in the sector. Among all awardees, 20 were women artisans, reflecting the growing participation and leadership of women in the handicrafts sector.
• Diversity of Crafts Recognized: The crafts recognized included woodwork and wood carving, metal craft and metalwork, clay modeling and pottery, jute craft and natural fiber products, hand-printed textiles and artistic textiles, Pattachitra (traditional scroll painting), leather puppetry, terracotta work, cane and bamboo crafts, stone carving and sculpture, papier-mâché, handmade carpets and rugs, toys, dolls, and puppets, and painting.
• Sample Awardees for 2023: For 2023, the Shilp Guru Award in the hand-painted textiles category was presented to Ajit Kumar Das of West Bengal, while D. Sivamma from Andhra Pradesh received the Shilp Guru Award in the leather puppet category, recognizing her mastery in this traditional folk art form. The National Awards for 2023 were conferred to Hirabai Jhareka Baghel of Chhattisgarh for excellence in metal craf.
• Sample Awardees for 2024: For 2024, the Shilp Guru Award was presented to Subhash Arora from Haryana in the Metal Craft category, recognizing his exceptional mastery in metalwork techniques, and Mohammad Dilshad from Uttar Pradesh in the wood carving category, honoring his traditional woodworking skills. The National Awards for 2024 were given to T. Baskaran of Tamil Nadu for stone carving, showcasing the southern tradition of sculptural excellence, Rupban Chitrakar from West Bengal for painting, representing the state's rich artistic heritage, and Baldev Baghmare of Madhya Pradesh under the tribal artisans category, highlighting the contributions of indigenous communities to India's handicraft traditions.
• About National Handicrafts Awards: The National Handicrafts Awards were instituted in 1965, making 2025 the 60th year of this prestigious recognition. Since their inception, these awards have honored exceptional craftspersons whose exemplary workmanship and artistic excellence have enriched India's cultural landscape and contributed significantly to preserving traditional craft practices
• About Shilp Guru Awards: The Shilp Guru Awards were instituted in 2002, making 2025 the 23rd year of this highest recognition in the Indian handicrafts sector. The Shilp Guru designation represents the pinnacle of achievement for master craftspersons who have demonstrated unparalleled mastery, innovation, and contribution to their craft traditions.
• National Handicrafts Week 2025 (December 8-14): National Handicrafts Week is observed annually from December 8-14 as a tribute to India's artisans and a celebration of the enduring cultural significance of handicrafts in Indian society. The 2025 edition featured a wide spectrum of activities and public engagements aimed at enhancing awareness about traditional crafts, strengthening artisan livelihoods through market linkages and skill development, and promoting the sector's socio-economic relevance in contemporary India.

Bank of Baroda Recognised as ‘Best Bank in India’ by The Banker: Key Highlights and Significance

In the News: Bank of Baroda (BoB), one of India's leading public sector banks, was recognized as 'Best Bank in India' at the prestigious Bank of the Year Awards 2025 - Asia-Pacific by The Banker magazine, a Financial Times publication. The award, announced in Mumbai, celebrates Bank of Baroda's excellence, innovation, and outstanding contribution to the banking industry, underscoring the bank's continued focus on delivering superior financial performance, driving digital transformation, enhancing customer experience, and strengthening its leadership position in the Indian banking sector.

Key Points:

• Award Recognition and Significance: The Bank of the Year Awards 2025 by The Banker magazine represent one of the most prestigious global recognitions in the banking industry, celebrating the world's leading financial institutions. The Banker is a respected publication of the Financial Times Group, lending significant credibility to the honor. Being chosen by The Banker places Bank of Baroda among top-performing global banks, showcasing India's progress in banking innovation and positioning the bank for enhanced trust among customers, investors, and international partners.
• Wealth Management Expansion: The bank has expanded its wealth management product suite offering bespoke solutions to Ultra High Net Worth Individual (UHNWI) and High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) clients including unique investment solutions in Mutual Funds, Portfolio Management Services (PMS), and Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) platforms, as well as relevant Life, Health, and General insurance solutions through partner tie-ups
• About Bank of Baroda: Bank of Baroda was founded on July 20, 1908, by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in Baroda (now Vadodara), Gujarat, making it one of India's oldest and most established banking institutions with over 117 years of history. As a state-owned banking and financial services organization, the Government of India holds a 63.97 percent stake, making it majorly government-owned. The bank operates an extensive distribution network including 8,200+ branches across India, 10,000+ ATMs for customer convenience, 1,200+ self-service e-lobbies equipped with digital banking facilities, and 20,000 Business Correspondents extending banking services to remote areas. Bank of Baroda serves approximately 165 million customers across 17 countries, reflecting its significant domestic and international presence.
• International Presence and Subsidiaries: The bank has joint ventures including IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited for life insurance distribution and India Infradebt Ltd. engaged in infrastructure financing. Bank of Baroda owns 98.57 percent stake in The Nainital Bank, a subsidiary bank.

Alia Bhatt Honoured with Golden Globe Horizon Award at Red Sea Film Festival

In the News: Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt was honored with the prestigious Golden Globe Horizon Award at the 5th Red Sea International Film Festival held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The award, presented during a glitzy Golden Globes Gala event, recognizes Bhatt as an emerging creative force in global cinema whose work bridges cultures and showcases the rising influence of film industries across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond, marking a major milestone in her international career trajectory.

Key Points:

• Award Ceremony Details: The Golden Globes Gala event was held on December 11, 2025 (Wednesday evening), during the 5th Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• About the Golden Globes Horizon Award: The Golden Globes Horizon Award celebrates artists whose rapid ascent and impactful contributions to film and television reflect a dynamic shift in global storytelling. The inaugural award presented to Alia Bhatt recognizes an artist whose rise in global cinema reflects the growing influence of the Middle East, Asia, and beyond as centers for film and television production.
• Alia Bhatt's Career Achievements and Recognition: Alia Bhatt has emerged as one of the most influential entertainers of her generation, earning critical acclaim and box-office success for standout performances throughout her career. She has won multiple Filmfare Awards, Bollywood's most prestigious film honors, recognizing her exceptional acting talent. She was named to Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People list, reflecting her global impact beyond Indian cinema. Bhatt has earned widespread recognition for her nuanced portrayals of powerful women and complex characters that resonate with audiences worldwide
• Shared Honor with Hend Sabry: Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, who received the Omar Sharif Award at the same ceremony, acknowledged the significance of sharing the stage with Alia Bhatt. Sabry's performances in films such as "The Yacoubian Building," "Scheherazade," "Tell Me a Story," and "Asmaa" have won her widespread recognition for portraying complex, socially resonant characters, making the pairing of these two influential actresses particularly meaningful for women's representation in global cinema.
• Red Sea International Film Festival Context: The 5th Red Sea International Film Festival, which began on December 4, 2025, has emerged as one of the region's premier film events, particularly significant given that similar festivals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have wound down operations, leaving a cultural gap in the Middle East film festival calendar. The festival serves as a platform for celebrating global cinema while highlighting the Middle East's growing importance as a center for film production and exhibition.
• Golden Globes Organization and Ownership: Golden Globes FAQs state the Golden Globes is owned by Penske Media Eldridge and produced by Dick Clark Productions.

Vigyanika 2025: Promoting Science Through Literature and Creative Communication

In the News:   The CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR–NIScPR) in New Delhi, alongside Vijnana Bharti (VIBHA), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) from Pune, and Panjab University, Chandigarh, successfully organized Vigyanika: Science Literature Festival 2025 as an integral part of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025 held in Panchkula, Haryana.

Key Points:

• Festival Overview and Objectives: Vigyanika: Science Literature Festival 2025 is an annual event that connects science with literature, serving as a vibrant platform for showcasing India's rich legacy of promoting science and inculcating scientific temper among the public through multilingual scientific literature, science poetry, science drama, and folk art.
• Organizing Institutions: The festival was coordinated by multiple prestigious scientific and educational institutions working in collaboration. CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR–NIScPR), New Delhi, served as the primary coordinating organization, bringing its expertise in science communication and policy research. Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), a major science popularization movement in India, partnered as a key organizing body.
• Inaugural Session Theme: The festival commenced with a special inaugural session titled "Bhartiya Vigyan Vimarsh me Sahitya aur Sanchar Madhyamo ki Bhoomika" (The Role of Literature and Communication Media in Indian Scientific Discourse). This session examined the crucial role that literature and various communication platforms play in shaping India's scientific dialogues and public understanding of science.
• Historical Evolution of Scientific Institutions: Prof. Arun Kumar Grover, former Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, presented a reflective look at the historical evolution of India's scientific institutions and science communication practices.
• Vigyan Kavi Sammelan (Science Poetry Gathering): A vibrant highlight of the first day was the Vigyan Kavi Sammelan, a unique event that united poetry and science to showcase how creative literary expression can illuminate scientific concepts and make them emotionally resonant and memorable. Distinguished poets and winners of the "Vigyanika: Science Poem Writing Competition" recited fascinating science poems in multiple Indian languages including Hindi, English, Telugu, Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani, and Punjabi, demonstrating the multilingual nature of Indian science communication
• Panel Discussion: Apni Bhasha Apna Vigyan (Our Language, Our Science): A key panel discussion shed light on the vital role of Indian languages in effective science communication and public engagement with scientific knowledge. Participants including editor Shri Debobrat Ghose and Dr. Manish Mohan Gore stressed that communicating scientific ideas in one's native language fosters inclusivity, enhances comprehension, and encourages active participation from non-English speaking populations who constitute the majority of India's citizens.
• Integration with India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025: Vigyanika 2025 was organized as an integral component of the 11th India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025, which was held from December 6-9, 2025, in Panchkula, Haryana, under the theme "Vigyan Se Samruddhi: for Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (From Science to Prosperity: for Self-Reliant India).
• Historical Context and Evolution: Vigyanika has evolved as a recurring feature of  establishing itself as one of the well-attended and anticipated events within the larger science festival. The Science Literature Festival has been organized in various editions of IISF including IISF 2017 in Chennai, IISF 2018 in Lucknow, IISF 2020 (virtual), IISF 2021 in Goa (hybrid), IISF 2022 in Bhopal, IISF 2023 in Faridabad, and now IISF 2025 in Panchkula.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Unveils India’s First Zero-Emission Electric Tug Project

In the News: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off the steel-cutting ceremony for India's first all-electric green tug, marking a landmark moment in the country's shift toward sustainable and energy-efficient maritime operations. The vessel, designed for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, Gujarat, is being developed under the Ministry's Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), a flagship initiative aimed at accelerating India's maritime decarbonisation efforts and achieving net-zero maritime emissions.

Key Points:

• Event and Ceremony Details: The virtual steel-cutting ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur, Secretary MoPSW Vijay Kumar (IAS), DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh (IRSME), senior officials of DPA Kandla, representatives from Netincon and Ripley (consultants), technical experts from Kongsberg Maritime (equipment supplier), and engineers from Atreya Shipyard which is undertaking the tug's construction.
• Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) Overview: The Green Tug Transition Programme was formally launched in August 2024 by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, though it was initially announced in 2023. The program is described as a pivotal component of India's 'Panch Karma Sankalp' (Five-Point Resolution) initiative, which focuses on green shipping and digitalization in the maritime sector. Representing a total investment of approximately Rs. 1,000 crore (around $120.5 million USD), the GTTP aims to transition harbor tugboats from diesel-powered vessels to zero-emission or low-emission vessels powered by clean technologies.
• Alignment with Make in India Initiative: Union Minister Sonowal highlighted that the Make in India and Make for the World pillars continue to guide port modernisation efforts across the country. The construction of this green tug at Atreya Shipyard, a domestic shipbuilding facility, supports India's shipbuilding ecosystem and strengthens indigenous manufacturing capabilities in advanced maritime technologies.
• DPA's Leadership in Green Port Operations: Minister Sonowal noted that Deendayal Port Authority's leadership in operationalizing the GTTP demonstrates how Indian ports are moving decisively toward clean-energy solutions. "DPA's initiative shows the world that India is serious about green ports and sustainable maritime logistics.
• International Technology Partnership: Norway-based marine technology company Kongsberg Maritime has been contracted to deliver a fully integrated equipment package for this 'first-ever' electric tugboat in India, described as the "world's first" full electric tug integration. Kongsberg will supply advanced systems including electric propulsion technology, battery management systems, navigation and control systems, and vessel automation solutions
• Construction Timeline and Commissioning: The tug is being constructed at Atreya Shipyard, with the steel-cutting ceremony on December 3, 2025, marking the commencement of physical construction. The vessel is planned to be handed over and commissioned in the last quarter of 2026 (October-December 2026), approximately one year after the steel-cutting ceremony. Upon commissioning, the unit will operate at Deendayal Port (also known as Kandla Port) in Gujarat, one of India's major ports handling significant cargo volumes including petroleum, chemicals, and containerized goods. The construction timeline demonstrates India's capability to execute complex green technology projects within reasonable timeframes, setting the stage for rapid scaling of green tug deployment across other ports.

Trump Unveils $1 Million Gold Card Citizenship Path

In the News: U.S. President Donald Trump officially launched the "Trump Gold Card" immigration program at a White House roundtable event, offering a fast-track pathway to U.S. for wealthy foreign nationals willing to pay $1 million, or for corporations paying $2 million per foreign-born employee.

Key Points:

• Program Launch and Announcement: President Trump unveiled the Trump Gold Card program on December 10, 2025, at a business leaders roundtable in the White House's Roosevelt Room, stating "Very excitingly, for me and for the country, we've just launched the 'Trump Gold Card.'"

• Individual Gold Card Requirements and Process: For individual applicants, the Trump Gold Card requires a nonrefundable $15,000) processing fee to initiate the application, payable by credit card or ACH debit (electronic U.S. bank debit). Once the applicant's processing fee is received and background approval is completed through comprehensive vetting by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the applicant must make a $1 million "gift" or "contribution" by international bank transfer (such as Swift wire transfer).

• Trump Corporate Gold Card for Businesses: The Trump Corporate Gold Card allows corporations or similar business entities to sponsor one or more foreign-born employees for U.S. permanent residency. Corporate sponsors must pay a nonrefundable $15,000 DHS processing fee per employee being sponsored.

• Differences from EB-5 Investor Visa Program: The Trump Gold Card represents a significant departure from the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program that Congress created in 1990.

INTERPOL Issues Blue Corner Notice

In the News: INTERPOL issued a Blue Corner Notice against Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, the absconding owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa's Arpora village. The notice was issued at the request of Goa Police through the INTERPOL Division of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to collect additional information about the brothers' identity, location, and activities.

Key Points:

• The Goa Nightclub Fire Tragedy: A massive fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa, around midnight on December 6, 2025 (late Saturday night), killing 25 people and injuring approximately 50 others. The deceased comprised 20 employees of the nightclub from various states including Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka, along with five tourists including four members from the same Delhi family. Most victims died from suffocation after being trapped in the basement, with only three dying of burn injuries.
• Cause of the Fire: Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by indoor pyrotechnics or electric firecrackers set off inside the nightclub. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that indoor firecrackers started the fire, dismissing earlier theories about a gas cylinder explosion in the kitchen. The spark from the electronic firecracker reportedly shot upward and fell onto the club's temporary roof made of bamboo and palm leaves, which caught fire instantly at approximately 11:45 PM IST. The flames spread within seconds due to the highly flammable decorative materials, giving guests and staff almost no time to escape.
• About INTERPOL Blue Corner Notice: A Blue Corner Notice is part of INTERPOL's color-coded system of international notices that enable countries to share alerts and requests for information on wanted persons and crimes worldwide. Unlike a Red Notice which seeks arrest and detention for extradition purposes, a Blue Corner Notice is issued specifically to collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation. It is also known as an "enquiry notice" and serves auxiliary investigative purposes rather than authorizing arrest.
• Passport Suspension and Legal Proceedings: Under Section 10A of the Passports Act 1967, passports can be suspended by the Central Government or an authorized officer in criminal cases. The suspension renders their passports temporarily invalid, preventing the brothers from using those documents for further international travel. However, since they had already left India before the suspension, this action primarily serves to prevent them from traveling to other countries from Thailand.
• Government Response and Investigation: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the fire site around 2:00 AM on December 7 and immediately ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. A committee headed by North Goa District Collector Ankit Yadav was set up under order from Under Secretary Home Manthan Manoj Naik to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The inquiry is expected to include scrutiny of emergency exits, ventilation systems, structural compliance, licensing procedures, and the role of local authorities in allowing illegal construction. Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte stated that a strict investigation would be conducted "down to top" and emphasized that "some heads need to roll," indicating accountability would be established at all levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the fire "deeply saddening" and announced Rs. 2 lakh ex-gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased person and Rs. 50,000 for those injured. The complete inquiry report was expected to take approximately one week.
• Demolition Actions and Regulatory Crackdown: On December 9, 2025, the Goa government intensified its crackdown on the Romeo Lane club chain by ordering demolition of the Romeo Lane restaurant (beach shack) in Vagator, Goa. The district administration demolished part of the structure covering approximately 198 square meters.
• Prohibition of Pyrotechnics in Tourist Establishments: On December 11, 2025, the North Goa district administration issued a comprehensive order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, prohibiting the use, bursting, ignition, or operation of fireworks, sparklers, pyrotechnic effects, flame thrower-type devices, smoke generators, and similar fire or smoke-producing equipment inside tourist establishments. The prohibition applies to all nightclubs, bars and restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, resorts, beach shacks, temporary structures, event venues, and entertainment establishments across North Goa district.

Nagaland Launches Mission Punarutthan During Watershed Mahotsav 2025

In the News: Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, launched the State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 and Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN at Naga Solidarity Park in Kohima, Nagaland. The initiative, organized by the Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with the Government of Nagaland, marks a major milestone in transforming water-stressed regions into water-secure, climate-resilient landscapes, with a focus on reviving traditional water bodies, restoring degraded lands, and strengthening water-harvesting systems to ensure sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.

Key Points:

• Mission PUNARUTTHAN Objectives: Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN focuses on four primary objectives aimed at comprehensive water and land resource management. These include reviving traditional water bodies and old river systems that have fallen into disuse, restoring degraded lands through soil and moisture conservation measures, strengthening water-harvesting systems to capture monsoon rainfall effectively, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods through community participation and convergence with government schemes such as MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act).
• Watershed Janbhagidari Cup 2025 Awards: Dr. Chandra Sekhar presented the prestigious Watershed Janbhagidari Cup 2025 awards to recognize exceptional community-led watershed management efforts in Nagaland. Three village Watershed Development Committees received awards of Rs. 20 lakh each for their outstanding performance and community involvement in watershed projects. The winning villages were Wamaken village from Mokokchung district, Chudi village from Wokha district, and Tsaphimi village from Zunheboto district. This competition, based on a public-private-people partnership model.
• Special Northeast Funding Pattern: The Minister highlighted that the Government of India provides special financial support to North Eastern States, including Nagaland, reflecting the commitment to accelerate development in the region. Unlike other states where project funding follows a 60:40 Centre-State ratio with the Central government contributing 60 percent and state government 40 percent, North Eastern States receive an enhanced 90:10 funding pattern, with the Central government providing 90 percent of project costs and state government contributing only 10 percent.
• Nagaland's Leadership in Community-Based Watershed Management: Dr. Chandra Sekhar praised Nagaland's exemplary role in grassroots environmental management, noting that the state stands at the forefront of community-led watershed development. With its rich ecological heritage, vibrant tribal traditions, and strong community-based governance systems rooted in village councils, Nagaland is uniquely positioned to lead watershed conservation initiatives. The restoration of springs, renovation of water-harvesting structures, and rejuvenation of land resources in Nagaland is not merely an environmental effort but a lifeline for future generations.
• Nagaland's Transformation from Peripheral to Central Partner:  Nagaland is emerging as a hub for tourism, trade, agriculture, and cultural exchange. The state's unique cultural heritage, represented by events like the Hornbill Festival, showcases unity amid diversity with all Naga tribes participating despite distinct customs, languages, and traditional attire.
• Jan Bhagidari and Community Participation: The Watershed Mahotsav 2025 stands as a powerful example of Centre-State collaboration embodying the spirit of cooperative federalism, with both levels of government working together toward shared water security goals.

Supriya Sahu Wins UNEP Champions of the Earth 2025 Award for Climate Leadership

In the News: Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forest in the Government of Tamil Nadu, was honored with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth 2025 Award in the "Inspiration and Action" category. The award, announced on the margins of the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, recognizes her pioneering work in sustainable cooling, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience initiatives that have created 2.5 million green jobs, expanded forest cover, and integrated heat adaptation into infrastructure, benefiting 12 million people across Tamil Nadu.

Key Points:

• Award Category and Recognition: Supriya Sahu received the Champions of the Earth Award in the "Inspiration and Action" category for her groundbreaking leadership in subnational climate action. The Champions of the Earth award, established in 2005, is the UN's highest environmental honor, conferred annually by UNEP to individuals and organizations exhibiting exceptional environmental leadership. Since its inception, the award has honored 127 laureates, including heads of state, scientists, activists, youth groups, and grassroots innovators. The 2025 edition focuses on climate justice, resilient buildings, methane reduction, sustainable cooling, and forest protection, recognizing innovative, community-led, and scalable environmental solutions.
• Award Ceremony and Announcement: The award was presented at a ceremony hosted by UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya, during the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) held from December 8-12, 2025. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen stated that "this year's Champions of the Earth show the kind of leadership that will inspire the world to face down the challenge of climate change," emphasizing that as global impacts of the climate crisis intensify, innovation and leadership across every sector of society have never been more essential.
• Tamil Nadu's Climate Leadership Position: Tamil Nadu has emerged as one of the most active Indian states on climate resilience, particularly in regions where high temperatures place everyday life under significant strain. Under Sahu's guidance as Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forest, the state has developed a comprehensive portfolio linking cooling strategies, urban planning, and ecological recovery to protect families most affected by rising heat.
• Other 2025 Award Winners: Supriya Sahu was honored alongside four other exceptional climate leaders: Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (Policy Leadership category), a youth-led NGO that secured a landmark International Court of Justice opinion affirming states' legal obligations to prevent climate harm and protect human rights; Mariam Issoufou, Principal and Founder of Mariam Issoufou Architects from Niger/France (Entrepreneurial Vision category), who grounds her architecture in local materials and cultural heritage, pioneering climate-resilient buildings across the Sahel; Imazon from Brazil (Science and Innovation category), for forest protection work; and Manfredi Caltagirone (Lifetime Achievement, posthumous), former head of UNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory who advanced transparency and science-based policy on methane emissions.
• Award Significance and Global Context: The Champions of the Earth award aims to motivate global ambitions aligned with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing that bold action can drive real change for people and planet.

UNICEF Foundation Day 2025: Date, Theme, History & Significance

In the News: UNICEF Foundation Day marks the 79th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), commemorating the organization's founding by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946. This day serves as a global reminder of UNICEF's enduring commitment to protecting child rights, health, education, protection, and dignity worldwide, while highlighting the organization's mission to ensure every child survives, learns, and is protected regardless of nationality, race, or socioeconomic status.

Key Points:

• Date and Anniversary: UNICEF Foundation Day is observed annually on December 11, with 2025 marking the 79th anniversary of UNICEF's establishment. The day falls on a Thursday in 2025 and commemorates the creation of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) by the UN General Assembly on December 11, 1946. This date has been consistently recognized since the organization's inception, providing a yearly moment to unite people of all ages behind the shared goal of improving the lives of vulnerable children around the world.
• Historical Background and Origin: The origins of UNICEF can be traced to the humanitarian crisis that followed World War II, when millions of children in Europe and Asia faced hunger, displacement, disease, and poverty. UNGA established UNICEF by resolution 57(I) on 11 Dec 1946; historical documents describe UNRRA’s role in the background and transfer of residual funds/assets. The UN General Assembly founded the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in the same year to further institutionalize post-war relief work, focusing on immediate aid to children in countries devastated by World War II.
• Evolution to Permanent Organization: In 1950, UNICEF's mission was expanded to confront the long-term needs of women and children, especially in developing countries, recognizing that the organization's work extended far beyond immediate post-war relief. In October 1953, the UN General Assembly declared UNICEF a permanent organization of the UN system, extending its mandate indefinitely to assist vulnerable children worldwide. Following this transition, the name was changed from "United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund" to "United Nations Children's Fund," though the organization retained the original acronym UNICEF.
• Nobel Peace Prize Recognition: In 1965, UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its outstanding work for children worldwide and its promotion of brotherhood among nations. This prestigious award acknowledged UNICEF's significant contributions to improving the lives of children globally and its role in fostering peace through humanitarian action. The Nobel Prize recognition elevated UNICEF's international standing and reinforced its mission as a leading advocate for children's rights and welfare.
• Headquarters and Global Presence: UNICEF's headquarters is located in New York City, United States, which serves as the central coordination office for all activities ongoing in over 190 countries and territories worldwide.
• Founder and Leadership: UNICEF was founded by Ludwik Rajchman, a Polish physician and public health expert, in 1946 to address the urgent needs of children in countries affected by World War II. Rajchman's vision laid the foundation for what would become the world's leading organization dedicated to child welfare and rights.