Daily Current Affairs- 8th September 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 8th September 2025

Arunachal Pradesh Hosts Inaugural Sunrise Festival

In the News: Arunachal Pradesh is set to host its first-ever five-day “Sun Rise Festival”, scheduled from December 29, 2025, to January 2, 2026, at Dong village in the Anjaw district. Announced by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the festival takes place in India’s easternmost accessible region—where the first rays of the sun appear—offering a unique New Year experience that combines natural splendor with cultural celebration.

Key Points:

• Festival Launch and Setting: The Inaugural Sun Rise Festival will run for five days, from December 29, 2025, to January 2, 2026, in Dong village, Anjaw district, the easternmost reachable location in India famous for witnessing the first sunrise daily.
• Tourism Objective: The festival is a strategic move to boost tourism—especially border tourism—by showcasing the region's natural beauty and geographical significance, inviting adventurers and nature lovers to experience the first dawn of the New Year.
• Cultural Attractions: The event promises a vibrant display of local culture, including: Traditional music and dance performances, Indigenous cuisine, Art exhibitions, Nature-based adventure experiences
  These elements are designed to celebrate Arunachal's rich heritage and attract both domestic and international tourists.
• Government Support and Sustainability: The festival is envisioned as a professionally-managed, self-sustaining cultural event, with full support from the state government for developing necessary infrastructure, ensuring a high-quality experience for visitors.

At 102, Kokichi Akuzawa Becomes Oldest to Climb Mount Fuji

In the News:   Kokichi Akuzawa—at 102 years old—became the oldest person ever to summit Mount Fuji, earning a Guinness World Record. This marks the second time he’s held that title, having first achieved it at age 96. Despite a serious heart condition and past health issues, he completed the climb over three days with the support of his family and friends.

Key Points:

• Record-Breaking Ascent: At age 102, Kokichi Akuzawa climbed to the summit of Mount Fuji (3,776 m / 12,388 ft) on August 5, 2025, becoming the oldest person to do so.
• First-Time & Second-Time Record Holder: He previously held the same Guinness World Record when he was 96 years old, six years ago.
• Support Team & Route Details: The ascent was achieved over three days, accompanied by his 70-year-old daughter (Motoe), his granddaughter, her husband, and friends from a local climbing club. The group camped for two nights during the climb.
• Determination Amid Health Challenges: Despite serious health issues—including heart conditions, shingles, and injuries from a previous fall—Akuzawa trained for three months prior to the climb, doing long walks and tackling smaller mountains. During the ascent, he admitted he was “really tempted to give up halfway through,” yet persevered thanks to the support of his companions.
• Lifelong Passion & Humility: A former engine design engineer and later a livestock artificial inseminator (until age 85), Akuzawa has been drawn to the mountains since his youth. He emphasized that climbing is about camaraderie over capability, stating, “I climb because I like it. It’s easy to make friends on the mountain.”
• Likely Final Fuji Ascent: Reflecting on the difficulty of this climb compared to the one six years ago, he acknowledged it was “harder than any mountain before” and implied this may have been his last Mount Fuji ascent. Instead, he now focuses on volunteering, painting, and maybe summiting smaller peaks. His family hopes he'll paint Mount Fuji at sunrise as a lasting memory

WHO Updates Essential Medicines List

In the News:  World Health Organization (WHO) released the 24th edition of its Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and the 10th edition for children (EMLc). The update includes 20 new medicines for adults and 15 for children, along with seven new indications for existing drugs. Notable additions are GLP-1 receptor agonists (the active components of Ozempic and Mounjaro) for treating type 2 diabetes with comorbidities, rapid-acting insulin analogues, Trikafta (for cystic fibrosis), and Keytruda (for certain metastatic cancers). The updated list now totals 523 medicines for adults and 374 for children—vital benchmarks for healthcare systems globally.

Key Points:

• Biennial Update & Scope: The 24th EML and 10th EMLc, published in September 2025, reflect WHO’s regular update cycle, which occurs every two years to respond to evolving global health needs.
• New Additions:
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists—key ingredients in Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide)—have been added for treating type 2 diabetes with cardiovascular, kidney, or obesity-related comorbidities, but not solely for obesity treatment.
  • Rapid-acting insulin analogues were also added to address diabetes more effectively.
  • Trikafta/Kaftrio (for cystic fibrosis) and Keytruda (for treatment of certain metastatic cancers) were brought onto the list to signal their public health importance.
• List Composition: The updated list includes 523 medicines for adults and 374 for children. Inclusion on the EML often acts as a catalyst to promote generic manufacturing and expand access in low-income countries as patents expire.
• Global Access & Public Health Rationale: Including high-cost treatments like GLP-1 drugs, Trikafta, and Keytruda underscores WHO’s aim to ensure life-saving therapies are accessible—even in resource-limited settings—by providing normative guidance to health systems worldwide.

Anuparna Roy Wins Best Director at Venice Film Festival

In the News: At the 82nd Venice International Film Festival (held from August 27 to September 6, 2025), Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Best Director Award in the Orizzonti (Horizons) section for her debut feature film, Songs of Forgotten Trees. The award was announced during the festival’s closing ceremony, presented by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau. Roy described the moment as “surreal,” expressing heartfelt gratitude to the jury, her film’s cast particularly Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel her producers, her director-presenter Anurag Kashyap, and the crew.

Key Points:

• Historic Win: Anuparna Roy is the first Indian filmmaker to secure the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival for her film Songs of Forgotten Trees.
• About the Film: Songs of Forgotten Trees is a 2024 Indian drama directed and written by Anuparna Roy. It explores the lives of two migrant women in Mumbai played by Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel who develop a quiet, emotional bond while navigating survival and memory amid the city's rhythms.
• Festival Context: The Orizzonti section spotlights new cinematic voices and innovative storytelling. Roy’s film was the only Indian entry in this section at the festival.
• Award Ceremony: At the closing ceremony, Anuparna Roy, elegantly draped in a white saree, received the award from Julia Ducournau. She dedicated the win to all who supported an unconventional film—including Anurag Kashyap, the producers, cast, crew, and those in her hometown. She called the recognition "surreal."

Arundhati Roy’s Memoir ‘Mother Mary Come To Me’ Released

In the News:  Published in September 2025, Arundhati Roy’s first memoir, Mother Mary Comes to Me, reflects on her complex relationship with her mother, Mary Roy, who passed away in September 2022. The memoir weaves together Roy’s childhood in Kerala, her escape at age 18 to Delhi, and her journey as a novelist and activist—exploring how her mother's singular vision and harshness shaped her own identity both personally and politically.

Key Points:

• Publication & Purpose: Released by Scribner in September 2025, the memoir serves as Arundhati Roy’s deeply moving reckoning with the loss of her mother—not only as a daughter but also as a writer mourning the loss of her most compelling subject.
• Mother’s Portrait: Mary Roy emerges as a brilliant, driven, and unconventional educator—a gender rights trailblazer and school founder—whose dominance and emotional volatility both nurtured and traumatized her daughter. Her paradoxical presence serves as both "shelter and storm."
• Narrative Tension & Tone: Roy juxtaposes tender, autobiographical recollections with sharp political commentary. Critics describe the memoir’s tone as charged with emotional depth, literary elegance, and a palpable tension between affection and alienation.
• Cultural-Historical Context: The memoir foregrounds broader themes, including shifts in modern Indian society, globalisation, and the formation of Roy’s dissenting political identity rooted in resistance—mirroring her evolving dynamic with her mother.
• Emotional Reckoning: The memoir is a bold exploration of grief and ambivalence—Roy admits to feeling ashamed of her overwhelming grief for a mother whose love was complex, painful, and defining.
• Literary and Critical Reception: Reviews across major outlets like The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Vulture praise the memoir for its raw emotional honesty, evocative prose, and fearless introspection in confronting the legacies of power, love, and identity.

Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Jannik Sinner to Win Second US Open Title

In the News: Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in four sets—6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4—to claim his second US Open men’s singles title, which also marked his sixth Grand Slam victory overall. With this win, he reclaimed the world No. 1 ATP ranking. The final, held at Arthur Ashe Stadium, was a gripping culmination of their emerging rivalry in major finals this year.

Key Points:

• Match Outcome: Alcaraz triumphed over Sinner with a four-set victory: 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to secure his second US Open title.
• Major Milestones:
  • This win brings Alcaraz’s total Grand Slam count to six.
  • He has now won the US Open twice.
  • The victory allowed him to regain the ATP world No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2023.
• Rivalry and Dominance:
  • This final was their third consecutive Grand Slam final in 2025, underscoring a high-profile rivalry.
  • Sinner had previously defeated Alcaraz at Wimbledon earlier in the year, making this victory a form of redemption.
  • Alcaraz leads their head-to-head at Grand Slam finals.
• Signature Performance:  The match showcased Alcaraz’s dynamic style—highlighted by powerful groundstrokes, deft half-volleys, and strategic trick shots—allowing him to maintain control through pressure moments.  Media praised his “perfect performance,” reinforcing his place among the sport’s elite.

India Wins Historic Gold in Men’s Compound Archery at Worlds

In the News : The Indian men’s compound archery team—comprising Aman Saini, Rishabh Yadav, and Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge—clinched their first-ever gold medal at the World Archery Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, narrowly defeating France 235–233 in a thrilling final. This landmark triumph marks a historic moment for Indian archery on the global stage.

Key Points:

• Historic First Gold: India captured its first-ever gold in the men's compound team event at the World Championships.
• Team Composition: The victorious trio included Aman Saini, Rishabh Yadav, and Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge.
• Thrilling Final Match: In an intense final against France, tied at 205 with one arrow to go, both French archers faltered with nines, while the Indian trio closed with three consecutive perfect 10s, sealing a 235–233 win.
• Resilience and Tactical Shift: Having trailed 57–59 after the first end, India responded with six perfect 10s to level the match. A strategic change in shooting order—having Yadav start, Saini second, and Fuge anchor—proved pivotal.
• Mixed Team Success: Earlier in the championship, Rishabh Yadav, alongside Jyothi Surekha Vennam, secured a silver medal in the mixed compound team event, losing narrowly to the Netherlands 155–157.
• Boost for Future Competitions: This achievement highlights India’s growing potential in compound archery, fueling optimism for upcoming global events, including the compound mixed team’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.