Twelve incredible forts built by the Maratha Empire have just been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, meaning the whole world now recognizes their special importance. These forts, known as the “Maratha Military Landscapes“, were constructed between the 17th and 19th centuries to protect the kingdom and control important trade routes. Most of these forts are located in Maharashtra, including famous ones like Raigad, Shivneri, and Pratapgad, while one, Gingee Fort, is in Tamil Nadu. These forts are celebrated for their smart designs, strong walls, and clever use of natural features such as hills, islands, and coastlines to make them difficult to attack.
The great Maratha leader Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used these forts to defend his empire and plan battles. UNESCO announced this honour during its 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris. This recognition will help bring more attention and care to these forts, which is wonderful news for history lovers and tourists.
On July 1, 2025, the Indian government approved the National Sports Policy 2025 (“NSP 2025”), also known as Khelo Bharat Niti 2025. The NSP 2025 replaces the earlier policy formulated in 2001. It serves as a guiding framework for developing plans and schemes aimed at improving the country’s sporting ecosystem.
The policy was framed after extensive consultations with NITI Aayog, state governments, national sports federations, athletes, and experts. It lays out a roadmap to establish India as a global sporting powerhouse, with a particular focus on the 2036 Olympic Games. The NSP 2025 aims to increase participation in sports nationwide and enhance the performance of Indian athletes on the international stage.
Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian astronaut who made history by spending more time in space than any other Indian before him. He broke a 41-year-old record set by Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut. Shubhanshu Shukla spent 18 eventful days aboard the International Space Station (“ISS”). He was the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma.
As of July 15, 2025, Shubhanshu Shukla was reported to be returning to Earth. His journey back from the ISS began on July 14. Shubhanshu Shukla was the mission pilot for the Axiom Mission 4, a special spaceflight organized by NASA, SpaceX, and India’s space agency ISRO. During his stay, he conducted important scientific experiments, focusing especially on understanding muscle weakness in space and how to prevent it. He also collaborated with astronauts from other countries, demonstrating how space exploration brings nations together.
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In his farewell address from the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla spoke about India’s growing journey in space exploration: “It has been an incredible journey. Even though it is coming to an end, for you and me there is a long way to go. The journey of our human space mission is long and difficult. But if we are determined, even the stars are attainable“. He also referenced India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, famously quoting the 1924 Urdu song “Saare jahan se achcha”, saying, “India looked better than the rest of the world”.
Since taking office in 2014, PM Narendra Modi has emerged as one of the most globally recognized Indian leaders, receiving 27 top-tier state awards from nations spanning Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Here’s a detailed list of the top civilian awards conferred on PM Modi by 27 countries:
Country
Award Name
Year Bestowed
Saudi Arabia
Order of King Abdulaziz (Sash)
2016
Afghanistan
State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan
2016
Palestine
Grand Collar of the State of Palestine
2018
United Arab Emirates
Order of Zayed
2019
Russia
Order of St Andrew the Apostle
2019
Maldives
Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen
2019
Bahrain
King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (First Class)
2019
United States
Legion of Merit
2020
Bhutan
Order of the Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King)
2021/2024
Papua New Guinea
Grand Companion, Order of Logohu
2023
Fiji
Companion, Order of Fiji
2023
Palau
Ebakl Award
2023
Egypt
Order of the Nile
2023
France
Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
2023
Greece
Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
2023
Dominica
Dominica Award of Honour
2024
Nigeria
Grand Commander, Order of the Niger
2024
Guyana
Order of Excellence
2024
Barbados
Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados
2024
Kuwait
Order of Mubarak Al‑Kabeer
Dec 2024
Mauritius
Grand Commander, Order of the Star & Key of the Indian Ocean
Mar 2025
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana
Apr 2025
Cyprus
Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III
June 16, 2025
Ghana
Officer, Order of the Star of Ghana
July 2, 2025
Trinidad & Tobago
Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
July 4, 2025
Brazil
Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross
July 8, 2025
Namibia
Grand Collar, Order of the Welwitschia Mirabilis
July 9, 2025
Significance of These Honours:
Strategic Recognition: Many of these awards coincide with important bilateral deals, strategic partnerships, or cultural diplomacy efforts.
India’s Rising Global Profile: The honours reflect how India is increasingly viewed as a key player in global governance.
Soft Power Diplomacy: Through these recognitions, India strengthens its soft power footprint — especially in Africa, the Middle East, and Pacific nations.
First Indian PM to receive such a large number of top foreign honours.
First foreign recipient of Bhutan’s Order of the Druk Gyalpo and Mauritius’s Grand Commander title.
Only Indian leader honoured by countries as geopolitically diverse as France, Brazil, Namibia, and Fiji.
Here are the most recent highest civilian awards received by PM Narendra Modi:-
Ghana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Ghana’s highest national honor, the “Order of the Star of Ghana“, during his visit to the country. This prestigious award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions globally. The honour was presented by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama. It has also been bestowed upon notable leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ghana is historic, as it marked the first time in 30 years that an Indian Prime Minister visited the country.
Trinidad and Tobago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with “The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago”, becoming the first foreign leader to receive the Caribbean nation’s highest civilian honour. At a special ceremony held at the President’s House, President Christine Kangaloo presented the award in recognition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statesmanship and his exceptional efforts in strengthening bilateralties between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
Brazil
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Brazil’s highest civilian honour, “The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross”, by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during his visit to the country. The award recognises the Indian Prime Minister’s contributions to deepening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between India and Brazil on regional and global issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first Indian PM in 57 years to undertake a state visit to Brazil.
Namibia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Namibia’s highest civilian honour, the “Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis”. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Namibia and the third-ever prime ministerial visit from India to the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international recognition through 27 prestigious awards is a remarkable chapter in India’s diplomatic history. These honours highlight his leadership, global influence, and India’s deeper ties with countries across the world.
Indian boxers, especially the women boxers, performed really well at the World Boxing Cup Kazakhstan 2025 in Astana. India won a total of 11 medals: 3 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze. This is India’s best-ever medal count at this event.
Other Indian boxers also did well, with several winning silver and bronze medals. Over 400 boxers from 31 countries competed, including many Olympians, making this a very important tournament. The good performances here help boxers earn points to qualify for the World Boxing Cup Finals, which will be held in New Delhi later this year.
