Current Affairs Summary (August 2025)

I. Infrastructure Development

• Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport:

  • Approved by Union Cabinet on August 19, 2025.
  • Location: Kota-Bundi.
  • Announced in Rajasthan Budget 2025-26.
  • Estimated Cost: ₹1507 Crore.
  • Runway Length: Approximately 3200 meters (capable of landing Hercules aircraft).
  • Annual Capacity: 20 lakh passengers.
  • Operation: Will be operated by Airport Authority of India (AAI) under the Government of India.
  • Note: Jaipur International Airport is currently operated by the Adani Group, making it an exception in Rajasthan.

• National Forensic Science University Campus:

  • Location: Pratap Nagar, Jaipur (within the Coaching Hub).
  • Inauguration expected in September 2025.
  • An extension center of IIT Jodhpur is also located in the same Coaching Hub area.

II. Governance and Social Initiatives

• Rajasthan Foundation Pune Chapter:

  • Rajasthan Foundation: An organization established on March 30, 2001, to connect with Non-Resident Rajasthanis. The Chief Minister is its Chairman.
  • Announcement: During Rajasthan Diwas 2025 (March 30, 2025) and the State Level Investment Utsav on March 31, 2025, 14 new chapters were announced.
  • Formal Inauguration: The Pune Chapter was formally inaugurated in Pune, Maharashtra.
  • Inaugurated by: Jabbar Singh Kharra, Urban Development Minister.

• National Recognition for Gram Panchayats:

  • Three Sarpanches from Rajasthan were among 85 special guests at the Independence Day (August 15, 2025) ceremony at the Red Fort, New Delhi.
  • Rekha Bai (Gadepan, Kota): Sarpanch of the district's first ODF (Open Defecation Free) Panchayat; efforts led to all-weather roads, toilets in every home, and permanent housing for residents.
  • Kusum Singh (Rahar, Bharatpur): Sarpanch of the state's first digital-enabled Gram Panchayat and the district's first ODF+ Panchayat; established digital library and skill development center.
  • Geeta Devi Patel (Chali, Jodhpur): Sarpanch with initiatives in water conservation, ban on single-use plastic, waste management, and vermicompost units. Holds a BSc in Fashion Designing.

• Mukhyamantri Nari Shakti Prashikshan Evam Kaushal Samvardhan Yojana:

  • Nodal Departments: Directorate of Women Empowerment, and Women & Child Development Department.
  • Funding: Rajasthan State Government.
  • Objective: Provide free computer training to women for skill development and employment.
  • Courses Offered: RS-CIT, RS-CFA, RS-CEP (through RKCL).
  • Eligibility: Female residents of Rajasthan, aged 18 to 60 years.

III. Awards and Sports

• Rajiv Gandhi Lifetime Achievement Award 2025:

  • Awarded by: Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Club.
  • Recipient: Sanjay Vyas.

• Cricket Awards in Rajasthan:

  • Mathura Das Mathur Award: Awarded to male cricketers.
  • Sundarkanti Joshi Award: Awarded to female cricketers.
    • 2024 Recipients (Sundarkanti Joshi Award):
      • Senior Category: Kaushalya Chaudhary
      • Junior Category: Maina Seol
      • Sub-Junior Category: Dhati Mathur
      • Lifetime Achievement Award: Sonia Bijawat

• Miss Universe India 2025:

  • Winner: Manika Vishwakarma (from Ganganagar, currently residing in Delhi).
  • Event Location: G Studio, Jaipur.
  • Manika Vishwakarma will represent India in the Miss Universe 2025 event in Thailand (November 2025).
  • Note: Nandini Gupta (from Kota) represented India in Miss World 2025.

• Batumi Open International Wushu Tournament (Georgia):

  • Sunita Chaudhary won a gold medal.

IV. Other Developments

• CART Cell Therapy Facility: Rajasthan's first government hospital to offer this facility is Sawai Man Singh Hospital.
• Operation Sindoor: IAS officers Dr. Pratibha Singh and Gaurav Agarwal were honored with the Army Chief's Commendation for their courage.
• Zinc Tailing Reprocessing Plant: Hindustan Zinc Limited announced its establishment in Rampura Agucha, Bhilwara.
• Ramser Site Proposal: Silsedh Lake has been proposed for Ramser Site status at the Ramser Conference in Zimbabwe.
• State Level Census Coordination Committee: Formed under the chairmanship of Sudhansh Pant.
• Litchi Pilot Project: Launched in the state as per directions from the National Litchi Research Center (specific locations were not detailed, but stated as "all of the above" in the original context).