Daily Current Affairs- 22nd December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 22nd December 2025

Parliament Approves Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Insurance Amendment Bill

In the News: Parliament passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha approving it through a voice vote, a day after the Lok Sabha passed it on December 16, 2025. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the landmark legislation that amends three foundational insurance laws: the Insurance Act, 1938; the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956; and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.

Key Points:

• 100% FDI Permitted in Insurance Companies: The most significant reform introduced by the Bill is the increase in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Indian insurance companies from 74% to 100% of the paid-up equity capital, enabling full foreign ownership. This reform, first announced by Finance Minister Sitharaman in her Union Budget speech in 2024 as part of "next-generation" financial sector liberalization, removes the previous restriction and allows foreign investors including portfolio investors to hold up to one hundred percent equity in Indian insurance companies.
• Reduced Capital Requirements for Foreign Re-insurers: The Bill significantly lowers the net-owned fund requirements for foreign entities engaged in the re-insurance business from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. The net-owned fund consists of paid-up equity capital, free reserves, balance in share premium account, and capital reserves made up of surplus arising from sale proceeds. This five-fold reduction in capital requirements is designed to facilitate greater participation by foreign re-insurers in the Indian market, making it more accessible for international re-insurance companies to establish operations in India.
• Share Transfer Threshold Increased from 1% to 5%: Under the existing Insurance Act, 1938, IRDAI approval was required for registration of transfer of shares exceeding 1% of the paid-up share capital of an insurance company. The Bill raises this threshold to 5%, a move intended to simplify compliance procedures and facilitate smoother corporate transactions. This amendment reduces regulatory burden and enables more flexible capital management for insurance companies without compromising oversight.
• Removal of Minimum Capital Requirement for Insurance Co-operative Societies: The Bill amends the definition of insurance co-operative societies by removing the requirement of minimum paid-up share capital of Rs 100 crore for life, general, and health insurance businesses operated by co-operatives. This reform is aimed at promoting the growth of cooperative insurance models and enhancing access to insurance in smaller, rural, and community-based markets.
• Enhanced Regulatory Powers for IRDAI: The Bill significantly strengthens the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India's oversight and enforcement capabilities across multiple dimensions. IRDAI has been empowered to: (1) approve schemes of arrangement between insurers and non-insurance companies, enabling greater flexibility in corporate restructuring; (2) supersede the board of directors of an insurer when an administrator is appointed in cases prejudicial to policyholders' interests, ensuring consumer protection in crisis situations; (3) regulate remuneration, commission, or rewards payable to agents and intermediaries, preventing mis-selling and ensuring fair compensation structures; (4) conduct inspections and investigations of insurance intermediaries (previously limited to insurers); and (5) exercise disgorgement powers to recover ill-gotten gains from violations
• LIC Operational Reforms and Administrative Flexibility: The Bill introduces important operational changes specifically for the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), India's largest insurer. LIC can now open zonal offices without prior government approval, significantly improving administrative efficiency and enabling quicker expansion to underserved regions. Additionally, LIC has been granted authority to restructure its overseas operations independently, strengthening its global presence and competitiveness
• Extension of Powers for International Financial Services Centres: The Bill extends the central government's powers to relax or modify the application of the Insurance Act, 1938 to International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) located in Special Economic Zones (SEZs). This provision aligns insurance regulation with India's emerging financial hubs, particularly GIFT City in Gujarat, enabling these centers to operate under customized regulatory frameworks suited to international standards while facilitating India's integration with global financial markets.

VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 Receives Presidential Approval and Becomes Law

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, formally enacting it into law. The Ministry of Rural Development announced this as a significant milestone in transforming India's rural employment and development framework. The new Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005, enhancing the statutory wage employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days per financial year for rural households.

Key Points:

• Full Form and Meaning: VB-G RAM G stands for "Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)," which translates to "Developed India – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural)." The acronym represents the government's vision of aligning rural employment programs with the broader goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. The "Viksit Bharat @2047" vision aims to make India a prosperous, resilient, and self-reliant nation, and this rural employment law forms a crucial component of that transformative agenda.
• Replacement of MGNREGA: The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005, which had been India's flagship rural employment program for nearly two decades. The passage of this bill amid opposition protests drew criticism from senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who described it as the "second killing of Mahatma Gandhi," expressing concerns that the government was attempting to erase Mahatma Gandhi's name from official records. Despite opposition criticism, the government maintains that while the name has changed, the legislation builds upon and enhances the original framework with modern provisions aligned with contemporary development goals.
• Enhanced Employment Guarantee: The most significant enhancement under the new Act is the increase in statutory wage employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days per financial year for rural households. This 25% increase in guaranteed employment days provides enhanced income security for rural families.
• Four Priority Thematic Domains: Wage employment under the Act is explicitly aligned with the creation of durable public assets across four priority thematic domains: (1) Water security and water-related works including watershed management, irrigation facilities, and water conservation structures; (2) Core rural infrastructure such as roads, community centers, and connectivity projects; (3) Livelihood-related infrastructure including animal sheds, fisheries infrastructure, and facilities supporting rural livelihoods; and (4) Works to mitigate extreme weather events and climate adaptation measures.
• Decentralized Planning Framework: All works under the Act originate from Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs), prepared at the Gram Panchayat level through participatory processes and approved by the Gram Sabha (village assembly). This decentralized planning ensures community ownership and relevance of projects to local needs.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme Model: The Act restructures the implementation from the previous model to a Centrally Sponsored Scheme format with clearly defined fund-sharing patterns between the central and state governments. For all states other than North-eastern and Himalayan states, the cost-sharing ratio is 60:40 (Central:State). For North-eastern and Himalayan states, the ratio is 90:10, recognizing their special status and financial constraints. Union Territories without legislative assemblies receive 100% funding from the Centre.
• Weekly Wage Payment Mandate: The Act mandates payment of wages on a weekly basis or, in any case, within fifteen days of completion of work. In cases of delay beyond the stipulated fifteen-day period, delay compensation will be payable to affected workers, providing a financial deterrent against administrative inefficiency and ensuring workers receive timely income for their labour.
• Technology-Enabled Transparency: Technology under the Act is positioned as an enabling mechanism rather than a barrier to access. Sections 23 and 24 provide for technology-enabled transparency through: (i) biometric authentication for transactions to prevent fraud and ensure correct identification of beneficiaries; (ii) geospatial technology (geo-tagging) for planning and monitoring of works to track progress and verify completion; (iii) mobile application-based dashboards for real-time tracking of employment generation, fund utilization, and project status; and (iv) weekly public disclosure systems to ensure transparency in scheme implementation. These provisions aim to reduce leakages, improve accountability, and enable citizens to monitor scheme performance.

No meat, intoxicants to be sold in Punjab’s 3 new ‘Holy Cities’: Reasons for their selection

In the News: The Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution declaring three locations as "Holy Cities" during a historic special session held in Anandpur Sahib to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. On December 15, 2025, the Punjab government issued an official notification granting holy city status to Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district, and the Galiara area (walled city) around the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on December 22, 2025, that the ban on sale and consumption of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and other intoxicants in these three holy cities has now come into full effect, marking a historic decision to preserve the religious sanctity and cultural heritage of these sacred Sikh sites.

Key Points:

• The Three Newly Declared Holy Cities: The Punjab government has designated three religiously significant locations as holy cities: (1) Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, (2) Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district, and (3) the Galiara area, which refers to the walled city or old city area surrounding the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar. These three cities are among the most revered religious centers for Sikhs and house three of the five Sikh Takhts (temporal seats of authority).
• Complete Ban on Prohibited Items: Under the holy city status, a complete prohibition has been imposed on the sale and consumption of liquor, meat, tobacco, cigarettes, and all other intoxicating substances within the notified boundaries of these three cities. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized that "the sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and any intoxicating substances will be completely prohibited" with strict regulations now in force.
• Historic Assembly Session: The resolution declaring these cities as holy was passed during a historic special session of the Punjab Assembly held at Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial Park in Anandpur Sahib on November 24, 2025. This marked the first time in history that a Punjab Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) session was convened outside the state capital of Chandigarh. The special session was organized specifically to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, symbolically choosing Anandpur Sahib as the venue to pay tribute to his legacy and sacrifice for religious freedom.
• Reasons for Selecting Anandpur Sahib: Anandpur Sahib holds immense religious significance in Sikh history and is home to Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Takhts (seats of temporal authority) in Sikhism. This sacred city was founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1665 and is where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, established the Khalsa Panth (Sikh community) in 1699 through the historic Vaisakhi ceremony. It is also the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur spent significant time and where the foundation of the Sikh warrior tradition was laid.
• Reasons for Selecting Talwandi Sabo: Talwandi Sabo is revered as the location of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, another of the five Sikh Takhts. This sacred site gained prominence when Guru Gobind Singh spent approximately nine months here from 1705-1706, during which he dictated the complete Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy scripture) in its final form to Bhai Mani Singh. It was here that Guru Gobind Singh prepared the authoritative version of the scripture, earning Damdama Sahib the epithet "Guru Ki Kashi" (the Guru's Benaras), signifying its importance as a center of Sikh learning. The site represents the culmination of Sikh scriptural tradition and serves as an important pilgrimage destination for Sikhs worldwide.

Elon Musk becomes first individual to reach $700 billion fortune

In the News: Tesla CEO Elon Musk became the first person in history to surpass a $700 billion net worth, with his fortune reaching $749 billion according to Forbes' Billionaires Index. The unprecedented wealth surge came after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla stock options worth approximately $139 billion that had been voided in a 2024 ruling. This landmark decision restored Musk's controversial 2018 compensation package, originally valued at $56 billion, which a lower court had previously struck down as "unfathomable."

Key Points:

• Historic $700 Billion Milestone: Elon Musk made history by becoming the first individual ever to accumulate a personal fortune exceeding $700 billion. According to Forbes' Billionaires Index, Musk's net worth reached $749 billion on December 20, 2025, while Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his wealth at $648 billion as of December 2025.
• Delaware Supreme Court Ruling: The catalyst for crossing the $700 billion threshold was the Delaware Supreme Court's decision on December 20, 2025, to reinstate Musk's 2018 Tesla pay package. The state's highest court overturned a January 2024 ruling by Delaware Judge Kathaleen McCormick, who had rescinded Musk's $55-56 billion compensation package in a shareholder lawsuit, calling it "an unfathomable sum" that was unfair to shareholders and granted by Tesla's board without proper process. The Supreme Court ruled that the 2024 decision to void the compensation plan was "improper and inequitable," effectively allowing the package to stand and awarding Musk $1 in nominal damages.
• 2018 Pay Package Details: Musk's controversial 2018 compensation agreement with Tesla was structured as a performance-based deal tied to the company's market valuation and revenue milestones. Unlike traditional CEO salaries, Musk receives no base salary from Tesla; instead, the 2018 board agreement stipulated that he would only receive compensation if Tesla reached certain market values and operational goals. The package, once valued at $56 billion, had grown to approximately $139 billion by December 2025 due to Tesla's stock appreciation.
• Recent $600 Billion Milestone: Earlier in the same week of December 2025, Musk had already achieved another historic first by becoming the first person ever to surpass $600 billion in net worth. This earlier milestone was fuelled by reports that SpaceX, Musk's aerospace startup company, was likely to go public, potentially unlocking significant additional value for Musk's substantial ownership stake. The rapid progression from $600 billion to $700 billion within days demonstrates the volatility and momentum of Musk's wealth accumulation in late 2025.
• Unprecedented Wealth Gap: With his fortune at $749 billion, Musk has established an unprecedented gap between himself and the world's second-richest person.
• November 2025 Trillion-Dollar Pay Package: In November 2025, Tesla shareholders separately approved a new compensation plan for Musk valued at potentially $1 trillion, described as the largest corporate pay package in history. This forward-looking compensation is to be received over 10 years if Musk meets specific performance goals.

India–New Zealand FTA Keeps Dairy Market Closed

In the News: India and New Zealand announced the successful conclusion of negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal firmly stated that India will never open its dairy sector under any free trade agreement, emphasizing protection of farmers' interests in rice, wheat, dairy, soya, and various other agricultural products.

Key Points:

• Dairy Sector Completely Excluded: India has firmly protected its politically and economically sensitive dairy sector by keeping it completely outside the FTA. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal declared during the December 22 media briefing: "The dairy sector is completely a red line for us. No duty concessions under the pact in the sector. India will never open up its dairy sector." The FTA specifically excludes dairy, milk, cream, cheese, yoghurts, whey, caseins, coffee, onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber from tariff concessions
• Rationale for Dairy Protection: India's dairy sector is one of the largest in the world and deeply intertwined with the rural economy and social fabric. It involves millions of small-scale farmers and landless laborers, most of whom are women and marginalized communities who use dairy as a low-investment, sustainable livelihood.
• Side Letter on Dairy Consultations: While the FTA has seven side letters, including one specifically on consultations related to the dairy sector in future reviews of the FTA, Minister Goyal clarified that this side letter was designed to address New Zealand's concerns using a Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle.
• New Zealand's Disappointment: The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) expressed disappointment that negotiations were unable to secure a bigger step towards dairy trade liberalization. DCANZ Chairman Guy Roper stated that the agreement's dairy outcomes are limited to some protein products and products exported to India for re-export, meaning this agreement joins the EU-New Zealand FTA and CPTPP as agreements with "significant unfinished business" to remove tariffs for the dairy sector.
• FTA Market Access Terms: Under the FTA, New Zealand has granted zero-duty market access on 100% of India's exports from day one. In contrast, India has offered tariff liberalization across 70% of tariff lines, covering approximately 95% of bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand.
• Benefits for Indian Exporters: The FTA is expected to substantially boost India's labour-intensive sectors including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, engineering goods, and automobiles by improving price competitiveness in the New Zealand market through zero-duty access.

India Delivers Three Quick Impact Projects to Strengthen Myanmar Ties

In the News:  India handed over three Quick Impact Projects (QIP) to Myanmar's Mandalay Region, reaffirming its commitment to Myanmar's socio-economic development. The ceremony was attended by Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Abhay Thakur, Chief Minister of Mandalay Region U Myo Aung, and relevant deputy ministers. The three projects focus on vocational education development, girls' educational infrastructure, and clean energy research. These initiatives are implemented under the Framework Agreement on Quick Impact Projects between India and Myanmar, part of the broader Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework that emphasizes India's Act East Policy and strengthens people-to-people connections with Southeast Asian nations.

Key Points:

• Weaving and Vocational Sector Development: The first Quick Impact Project involves the installation of a flexible rapier loom, a modern high-tech weaving machine manufactured in India, at the Saunder Weaving and Vocational Institute in Amarapura, Mandalay Region. The handing-over ceremony was held in the presence of Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur, Chief Minister of Mandalay Region U Myo Aung, and Deputy Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Thaik Soe. The project aims to support vocational education development in weaving and 10 traditional Myanmar arts (handicrafts) through the deployment of modern machinery and technology..
• Girls Training School Infrastructure: The second QIP involves the construction of a one-story building for the Girls Training School in Mandalay Region. The new school building was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur, Chief Minister U Myo Aung, and Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Than Soe in Mandalay.
• Clean Energy and Environmental Conservation: The third Quick Impact Project focuses on investigation into tar-free and dry type gasification process with slow pyrolysis products of agricultural waste. The inauguration took place in the presence of Ambassador Abhay Thakur and Htay Thwin, Director General of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Myanmar's Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Quick Impact Projects Framework: Quick Impact Projects (QIP) are implemented under the Framework Agreement on QIPs signed between the Government of Myanmar and the Government of India. Each QIP typically allocates up to USD 50,000 per project, focusing on small-scale, short-duration development initiatives designed to deliver tangible benefits at the grassroots level.
• Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Context: The Quick Impact Projects are implemented within the broader framework of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), a multilateral initiative established on November 10, 2000, in Vientiane, Laos. MGC comprises six member countries: India and five ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam). Named after two civilizational rivers—the Ganga and the Mekong—the cooperation emphasizes shared cultural and historical linkages.
• India's Act East Policy: The Quick Impact Projects and Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework form vital components of India's Act East Policy, which emphasizes stronger economic, cultural, and strategic ties with Southeast Asia. For India, MGC serves as a platform to enhance connectivity, foster trade and investment, promote cultural exchanges, and strengthen people-to-people contacts with mainland Southeast Asia.
• Major Connectivity Initiatives: Beyond Quick Impact Projects, India is implementing several major infrastructure initiatives in Myanmar. The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is a 1,360-kilometer route connecting Moreh in India's Manipur state to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar, with approximately 70% of construction completed. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project links Kolkata to Mizoram via Sittwe Port in Myanmar, incorporating sea (158 km on Kaladan River), riverine, and road (109 km from Paletwa to Zorinpui) segments over approximately 539 kilometers.

James Webb Discovers Lemon-Shaped Exoplanet, Shaking Up Planetary Science

In the News: Scientists using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope discovered an extraordinary exoplanet officially named PSR J2322-2650b that is challenging our understanding of planetary formation. The Jupiter-mass world orbits a rapidly spinning neutron star called a pulsar and has been stretched into a bizarre lemon shape by extreme gravitational forces.

Key Points:

• The Discovery and Physical Characteristics: PSR J2322-2650b is a Jupiter-mass exoplanet that orbits approximately one million miles from its host star—just one percent of Earth's distance from the Sun. The planet completes one full orbit in merely 7.8 hours, making its entire year shorter than a typical workday on Earth.
• The Pulsar Host Star: The exoplanet orbits a pulsar, which is a rapidly spinning neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation from its magnetic poles at regular intervals, typically measured in milliseconds. Pulsars are born when massive stars at least 10 times the size of the Sun exhaust their nuclear fusion fuel, resulting in a supernova explosion that blows away the star's outer layers. What remains is an incredibly dense core with between 1-2 times the Sun's mass compressed down to a width of only about 12 miles (20 kilometers)—approximately the size of a city.
• Unprecedented Atmospheric Composition: The most shocking aspect of PSR J2322-2650b is its atmosphere, which is dominated by helium and molecular carbon (specifically C2 and C3 molecules), with a notable absence of nitrogen and oxygen.
• Unique Observational Advantage: The PSR J2322-2650 system provides astronomers with an exceptionally rare opportunity for detailed study. Since the pulsar emits primarily in gamma rays rather than visible or infrared light, it doesn't overwhelm the planet's signal as normal stars do.
• The "Black Widow" System: PSR J2322-2650b and its pulsar host are part of what astronomers call a "black widow" system—a rare configuration where a rapidly spinning pulsar is paired with a smaller, low-mass companion. In typical black widow systems, material from the companion star streams onto the pulsar over time, causing it to spin faster and powering a strong stellar wind.
• Rarity Among Exoplanets: Of the approximately 6,000 known exoplanets discovered to date, only a handful orbit pulsars at all. The first planets beyond our solar system ever confirmed were Poltergeist (PSR B1257+12 B) and Phobetor (PSR B1257+12 C), spotted in 1992 orbiting a pulsar. However, PSR J2322-2650b is the only one described as truly "hot Jupiter-like" in terms of mass, radius, and temperature while orbiting a pulsar.
• James Webb Space Telescope Capabilities: This discovery showcases the exceptional capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, which launched as NASA's premier space science observatory with contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Malayalam Publisher Receives French Chevalier Honour

In the News: Ravi Deecee, Publisher, CEO, and Managing Director of DC Books, was conferred the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government at a ceremony held at the Embassy of France in New Delhi. The Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, presented the insignia at an event that brought together eminent personalities from India's literary and cultural spheres.

Key Points:

• About the Recipient: Ravi Deecee is the Publisher, CEO, and Managing Director of DC Books, one of India's largest and most prestigious publishing houses based in Kottayam, Kerala. He is also Managing Director of Current Books, one of India's largest bookshop chains with 45 bookstores across Kerala and strong engagement with Malayalam readers in the Middle East.
• About DC Books: DC Books was established in 1974 by Dominic Chacko Kizhakemuri (popularly known as D.C.), a freedom fighter, social activist, prolific author, publisher, and entrepreneur. The publishing house has published over 6,500 titles, mainly in Malayalam literature, but also including children's literature, poetry, reference works, biographies, self-help, yoga, management titles, and foreign translations. DC Books is India's first ISO-certified book publishing house and is considered among the top ten publishing houses in India.
• The Chevalier Award: The Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) is one of the highest civilian honours conferred by the French Republic. Instituted in 1957, it holds a unique place at the heart of French cultural policy, recognizing those who have made remarkable contributions to the promotion and enrichment of arts and culture in France and around the world.
• Reason for the Honor: France's conferral of this prestigious award on Ravi Deecee recognizes his lifelong commitment to multilingualism, literary innovation, and global cultural collaboration.
• Kerala Literature Festival (KLF): Ravi Deecee co-founded the Kerala Literature Festival, one of Asia's largest literary events that attracts over half a million visitors annually. Established in honour of Padma Bhushan Shri D.C. Kizhakemuri, KLF has hosted globally acclaimed writers, including Nobel laureates and Booker Prize winners such as Jenny Erpenbeck, Georgi Gospodinov, Paul Lynch, Venki Ramakrishnan, Esther Duflo, and Abraham Verghese. In 2025, with France as Guest of Honour, KLF welcomed a major French delegation and launched its first Publishers' Meet to promote international rights exchange. Highlights included a Count of Monte Cristo-inspired illustration and storytelling performance, and wide-ranging discussions on literature and culture. UNESCO awarded Kozhikode the nomenclature as India's first "City of Literature," with KLF playing a significant part in this honour.
• Publishing Innovations: As India's first e-book ecosystem pioneer with the 2008 'WINK' tablet, DC Books has led major innovations in the publishing industry. The company spearheaded the paperback revolution in India, initiated by D.C. Kizhakemuri who sold 10,000 copies of Thakazhi's "Chemmeen" in 1956. DC Kizhakemuri also initiated the successful move to abolish sales tax on books in the erstwhile government of Travancore and Cochin.

Smriti Mandhana Achieves Record as First Asian to Reach 4,000 T20I Runs

In the News: Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana made history by becoming the first Asian and first Indian woman cricketer to score 4,000 runs in Women's T20 International cricket during the opening match of the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The 29-year-old left-handed opener achieved the milestone in just 15 balls while chasing a target of 122 runs, reaching the landmark with a breezy boundary over the covers during the PowerPlay

Key Points:

• Historic Milestone Achievement: Smriti Mandhana etched her name in cricket history by becoming the first Indian woman cricketer to surpass 4,000 runs in Women's T20 International cricket. Globally, she is only the second woman to achieve this feat after New Zealand veteran Suzie Bates, who has scored 4,716 runs in 177 matches. Mandhana currently has 4,007 T20I runs, placing her firmly among the elite batters in women's T20 cricket. The achievement underlines her consistency, longevity, and excellence at the highest level across different seasons and conditions.
• Fastest to the Landmark: What makes Mandhana's achievement exceptional is the speed at which she reached the milestone. She completed 4,000 T20I runs in just 3,227 balls, significantly quicker than Suzie Bates, who needed 3,675 deliveries to reach the same feat. This makes Mandhana the fastest player to 4,000 runs in Women's T20I cricket in terms of balls faced, demonstrating her aggressive stroke-play and ability to score at a brisk pace while maintaining consistency over a sustained period.
• Match Performance Details: Mandhana scored 25 runs off 25 balls (run-a-ball) in the first T20I against Sri Lanka before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera in the ninth over. She needed just 18 runs before the match to reach the 4,000-run milestone and achieved it in 15 balls with a boundary over the covers during a Chamari Athapaththu over in the PowerPlay.
• Sri Lanka's Innings: Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka Women were restricted to 121/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Vishmi Gunaratne was the top scorer for the visitors, making 39 runs off 43 balls, while Harshitha Samarawickrama contributed 21.
• Recent Accolades and Recognition: In 2024, Mandhana scored a record 763 runs in Women's T20Is, the most by any player in T20Is in a single calendar year. She also scored eight half-centuries that year, the most by an Indian in a year, surpassing Mithali Raj's seven. At the 2024 ICC Awards, she was named ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year and ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year. In January 2025, she became the fastest Indian cricketer to score 4,000 runs in WODIs and later scored the fastest century for India in WODIs (70 balls) against Ireland, becoming the first Indian woman to score ten ODI centuries.
• All-Format Century Milestone: On June 28, 2025, Mandhana scored her first Women's T20I century in the series against England, becoming the first Indian woman to score a century in all three formats of international cricket—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This rare achievement highlights her versatility and adaptability across different formats, establishing her as one of the most complete batters in women's cricket. She also holds the record for the fastest century in the ODI format by any Indian batter (male or female).

East Bengal FC Clinches Inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Title

In the News: East Bengal FC made history by winning the inaugural SAFF Women's Club Championship 2025 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Nepal's APF (Armed Police Forces) in the final at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Indian Women's League champions completed an undefeated tournament campaign, becoming the first Indian women's club to win an international football tournament. Goals from Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput (21', 46') and India international Shilky Devi Hemam (35') sealed the historic triumph, with East Bengal not conceding a single goal throughout the entire competition.

Key Points:

• Tournament Overview: The SAFF Women's Club Championship 2025 was the inaugural edition of this South Asian regional women's club football competition, held entirely in Kathmandu, Nepal, from December 5 to 20, 2025. The tournament featured league champion clubs from five different countries of South Asia competing in a single round-robin format: APF Football Club (Nepal), East Bengal FC (India), Nasreen Sports Academy (Bangladesh), Transport United Ladies FC (Bhutan), and Karachi City FC (Pakistan).
• Final Match Details: The championship final took place on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the 15,000-capacity Dasharath Stadium (also called Dasrath Rangsala Stadium) in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, with kickoff at 4:45 PM IST (5:00 PM Nepal local time).
• Key Players and Performances: Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput was the standout performer of the tournament, finishing as the top scorer with nine goals across the competition. The two-time Indian Women's League top-scorer proved her quality at the highest level with consistent performances, including a brace in the final. India international Shilky Devi Hemam provided crucial support with her heading ability and attacking presence.
• APF's Journey to the Final: Nepal's Armed Police Force (APF) Club, six-time champions of the Nepal Women's League, qualified for the final as the second-placed team with eight points from four matches (two victories and two draws). Like East Bengal, APF also maintained a clean sheet throughout the group stage, not conceding any goals in their four matches.
• Coaching and Leadership: Head coach Anthony Andrews, who previously led East Bengal through the Indian Women's League, masterminded the team's perfect campaign in the SAFF championship.
• Pre-Final Context: When the two teams met in their final group stage fixture on December 16, the match ended in a goalless 0-0 draw, as both had already qualified for the final and neither had anything to lose. However, Andrews noted that the final would be completely different: "As both teams had already qualified for the final by the time we met on Wednesday, the match might have been taken a bit lightly by both.
• Broader Impact on Women's Football: The successful organization and completion of the inaugural SAFF Women's Club Championship marks an important milestone for women's football development in South Asia.