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President Murmu Confers 58th Jnanpith Award

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award on Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and renowned poet-lyricist Gulzar. This special award is given every year to writers who have made outstanding contributions to Indian literature. Gulzar could not attend the award ceremony because he was not feeling well. Instead, he received the award at his home in Mumbai, where his family and some close friends celebrated with him.

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Who are the winners of 58th Jnanpith Award?

Gulzar is a very well-known poet, songwriter, and filmmaker. He writes mostly in Urdu and Hindi. He is famous for writing beautiful songs for movies and has also directed and written several popular films.

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya is a respected Hindu spiritual leader, teacher, and writer. He is known for writing more than 240 books and four major epic poems in Sanskrit. He also founded an organisation called Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot.

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Did you know?

The Jnanpith Award is a prestigious prize given every year to the best writers in India. Established in 1961, it is the oldest and most important literary award in the country. The award recognises authors who write in any of the many Indian languages or in English. It honours writers who have made outstanding contributions by creating stories, poems, or books that enrich Indian literature. Winners receive a special plaque, prize money, and a small statue of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom.

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Indian Census 2026-27: Key Dates Announced

After a six-year delay, India is finally getting ready to count its population in a two-phase census that will conclude in 2027. It was originally due in 2021, but has been delayed several times since. The last census was conducted in 2011. For the snow-bound Himalayan regions, which includes the states of Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, and the region of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, the reference date will be October 1, 2026. 

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While for the rest of the country, the reference date will be March 1, 2027. This time, the Census will also ask about people’s castes (which are social groups in India), something that hasn’t been done across the whole country since 1931. The government says this will help them understand how different groups are doing and make better plans for schools, jobs, and other services people need. Reference date is the date to which population count relates.

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Word Check

A census is when the government counts all the people living in a country and collects information about them, like their age, where they live, and what they do.

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World’s Highest Rail Bridge: Vande Bharat Crosses Chenab Bridge in Kashmir

Imagine a train zooming over a bridge so high it makes the Eiffel Tower look short! On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi symbolically flagged off a train across the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, the world’s highest railway arch bridge. This giant stretches 1,315 meters across the Chenab River, standing 359 meters above the water—35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower! 

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This bridge, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, connects Kashmir to the rest of India like never before. It took over eight years and Rs. 1,486 crore to build this steel marvel. It’s strong enough to handle super-cyclone winds and freezing -20°C temperatures. A super-fast Vande Bharat Express train now completes the journey from Katra to Srinagar in just three hours, making travel a breeze! About 3,200 workers teamed up, using 16,000 tonnes of steel, mostly sourced from India’s Bhilai Steel Plant. This bridge isn’t just cool—it’s a game-changer for trade, tourism, and connecting people across India’s snowy Himalayas.

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Iran-Israel Conflict 2025: What You Need to Know

Big News: What Happened Between Israel and Iran?

Recently, there was a big conflict between two countries in the Middle East: Israel and Iran. Here’s what happened, explained for you:

How Did The Fighting Start?

On June 13, Israel launched a large military operation called “Operation Rising Lion”. Israel carried out a surprise strike against Iran using drones and more than 200 aircraft, targeting nuclear facilities and other key military sites across Iran. A number of military installations were also struck, reportedly resulting in the deaths of several Iranian military leaders and some nuclear scientists. Thousands of people had to abandon their homes and flee Iran. This triggered 11 days of missiles being fired between both countries. 

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Why Did Israel Attack Iran?

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recent military strikes targeted Iran’s attempts to build a nuclear bomb. He said that Iran was a threat to “Israel’s very survival“.  Iran, for its part, has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, such as generating electricity. US President Donald Trump ordered Iran to surrender and agree to stop its nuclear programme, but Iran refused. 

How Did Iran Respond?

Following Israel’s attack, Iran launched strikes of its own against Israel. Iran also called on other countries around the world to condemn – or criticise – Israel. Iran has also blamed the US for supporting Israel’s attack. 

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The US Military Strikes Against Iran 

On June 22, the US, which is a close ally of Israel, launched military strikes in Iran, attacking three nuclear sites in Iran. Speaking in a televised speech from the White House, US President Donald Trump called the operation a “spectacular military success” and warned that Iran should make peace or face “far greater” attacks. Following the strikes President Trump said: “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated“.

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Iran’s Response to US Military Strikes

In response to the US attacks, Iran launched an attack on Al Udeid, a large US military base in Qatar. The base, which is home to roughly 10,000 soldiers, is used by several countries, including the US and Qatar. Iran’s attack did very little damage and injured no one.

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Ceasefire

A few days later the three countries agreed to a ceasefire, which appears to be holding for now. A ceasefire is an agreement between the countries to pause fighting. It was announced by US President Donald Trump on June 24. However, the situation was still very tense. 

What are Nuclear Weapons? 

Nuclear weapons are enormously powerful explosives. They get their energy from splitting or joining tiny particles inside an atom. Nuclear bombs can be more powerful than even the biggest non-nuclear bombs. The explosions they produce are so powerful that just one nuclear bomb can destroy a large city.

Global Hunger Crisis: What’s Happening?

According to the UN’s 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, nearly 295 million people across 53 countries and territories faced severe hunger in 2024 –an increase of 13.7 million from 2023. This marked the sixth consecutive year of rising food insecurity, with a notable increase of 5% compared to 2023 levels. The rise in food insecurity was primarily due to conflict, climate-related disasters, and economic challenges. Notably, Gaza, South Sudan, and Haiti are experiencing some of the most severe food shortages. Children and women are the most affected by food crises, often suffering the most from malnutrition and lack of access to food, especially in conflict zones.

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Key Findings of the Report

Acute Hunger: Approximately 22.6% of the assessed population is experiencing acute food insecurity.

Famine Conditions: The number of individuals in famine-like conditions has more than doubled from 2023 to 1.9 million

Child Malnutrition: Children are particularly vulnerable, with 38 million children under five experiencing acute malnutrition

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What Can Be Done?

Support Local Agriculture: Investing in local farming can help communities produce their own food and become more resilient.

Provide Humanitarian Aid: Continued support from international organisations is crucial to assist those in need.

Raise Awareness: Educating people about the causes and solutions to food insecurity can lead to collective action.

The 2024 Global Report on Food Crises highlights the urgent need for global cooperation to address the root causes of hunger and ensure that everyone has access to sufficient and nutritious food.

How can communities and governments work together to address food insecurity?

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