- Yoga Connect 2025 Summit Launched in New Delhi
Subject: National
- The Ministry of Ayush hosts the Yoga Connect 2025, a hybrid global summit, on June 14, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
- The summit brings together yoga practitioners, policymakers, health experts, and researchers from India and globally to promote yoga’s role in holistic health.
- It aligns with India’s push for global wellness diplomacy, strengthening cultural ties through yoga under initiatives like International Yoga Day.
- Key Concept: Soft Power Diplomacy – India’s use of cultural elements like yoga to enhance global influence.
- The event includes discussions on integrating yoga into public health systems and its economic potential in wellness tourism.
- Tamil Nadu’s National Institute of Siddha participates, showcasing traditional Tamil Siddha practices alongside yoga.
- The summit emphasizes sustainable development goals (SDGs), linking yoga to mental and physical well-being globally.
2. Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Women’s Protection Amendment Bills
Subject: Polity
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin introduced amendment bills in the state assembly to strengthen legal protections for women, focusing on stricter punishments for crimes.
- The bills revise existing laws to impose harsher penalties for offenses like harassment, domestic violence, and workplace misconduct.
- A new provision ensures faster judicial processes for cases involving women, addressing delays in justice delivery.
- Key Concept: Article 15(3) – Allows the state to make special provisions for women and children to promote gender equality.
- The amendments align with Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian Model, emphasizing social justice and women’s empowerment.
- The state plans to establish dedicated women’s courts in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai for expedited case hearings.
- Public consultations will be held to incorporate civil society feedback before finalizing the amendments.
3. India Approves Eight High-Speed Road Corridors
Subject: Economy
- The Union Government approved eight National High-Speed Road Corridor projects worth Rs 50,655 crore to enhance connectivity and economic growth.
- These projects span 936 km across states, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Assam, with 8-lane, 6-lane, and 4-lane roads.
- In Tamil Nadu, a 6-lane corridor connecting Chennai to Thoothukudi is prioritized to boost industrial and port connectivity.
- The projects are expected to generate 4.42 crore mandays of employment, supporting economic recovery and job creation.
- Key Concept: Infrastructure-Led Growth – Investments in connectivity to drive economic activity and regional development.
- Funding includes contributions from the Asian Development Bank and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
- The corridors aim to reduce logistics costs, enhancing India’s competitiveness in global trade.
4. Indian Army Participates in Exercise Khaan Quest in Mongolia
Subject: Defence
- An Indian Army contingent arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for the multinational military Exercise Khaan Quest starting June 14, 2025.
- The exercise, initially a US-Mongolia bilateral initiative, is now a global peacekeeping drill involving military forces from multiple countries.
- India’s participation focuses on peacekeeping operations, enhancing interoperability with international forces.
- Key Concept: Defence Diplomacy – Strengthening military ties through joint exercises to promote global security.
- The exercise includes training in counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, aligning with India’s regional security priorities.
- Tamil Nadu-based Madras Regiment personnel are part of the contingent, showcasing India’s diverse military capabilities.
- The event reinforces India’s Act East Policy, deepening ties with Mongolia and other Asian nations.
5. Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 Held in Guwahati
Subject: Economy
- The Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 was inaugurated in Guwahati, Assam, to position Northeast India as a “front runner” in economic growth.
- The summit attracted investors from ASEAN countries, Japan, and the EU, focusing on sectors like agriculture, textiles, and renewable energy.
- Tamil Nadu’s investor-friendly policies were highlighted as a model, with a delegation led by Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa sharing best practices.
- Key Concept: Regional Economic Integration – Promoting balanced development across India’s regions to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
- The summit emphasized cross-border trade with Bangladesh and Myanmar, leveraging the Northeast’s strategic location.
- Discussions included green energy projects, with Tamil Nadu exploring collaborations in solar and wind energy.
- The event aligns with the NITI Aayog’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, aiming for a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
