1 Indian Air Force receives last C-295 military aircraft from Spain
In a major step towards strengthening India’s defense capabilities, Indian Ambassador Dinesh K. Patnaik and senior officials of the Indian Air Force on Saturday received the final 16th Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft in Seville , Spain . The delivery came two months ahead of schedule, giving a new dimension to India’s military preparedness and global defense partnership. The delivery is part of a major defense deal under which a total of 56 C-295 aircraft are to be supplied to India. Of these, the first 16 aircraft have been manufactured by Airbus in Spain and the remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India under domestic production . In October 2024 , Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex built for the manufacture of C-295 aircraft at the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus in Vadodara , Gujarat . This production unit established in Vadodara has become the first private sector ‘Final Assembly Line’ (FAL) of military aircraft in India . This will increase indigenous production capabilities and will be another big step towards India’s self-reliance.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav along with Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal presided over the formal launch of the ‘ Matri Van ‘ initiative in Gurugram under the ‘ Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam ‘ programme of the Government of India. The initiative is a green heritage symbolizing ecological conservation and community participation. The event was organized by Haryana Forest Department in Gurugram under Van Mahotsav 2025. The ‘Matri Van’ initiative – a theme-based urban forest cover dedicated to providing clean environment for generations to come through nature-inspired green initiatives. It will be developed over an area of 750 acres in the Aravalli hill range along the Gurugram-Faridabad road .
3 Slovenia becomes the first EU nation to ban all arms trade with Israel
Slovenia has become the first country in the European Union to ban all arms trade with Israel due to the war in Gaza . Prime Minister Robert Golob announced the arms ban after a government session. Earlier , Slovenia’s parliament passed a decree recognising the Palestinian state, following in the footsteps of Ireland, Norway and Spain. Last week, France, the United Kingdom and Canada also announced they may recognise the Palestinian state.
4 Vice Admiral Manish Chadha took command of Indian Naval Academy
The Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala witnessed a major leadership change on August 1, 2025 , when Vice Admiral Manish Chadha , AVSM, VSM took over as the new Commandant, succeeding Vice Admiral CR Praveen Nair, AVSM, NM. The ceremonial handover, conducted with full military honours, highlighted the Academy’s crucial role in shaping the future leadership of the Indian Navy.
5 Khalid Jamil appointed head coach of Indian men’s football team
In a landmark decision, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed Khalid Jamil as the head coach of the senior men’s Indian national team on August 1 , 2025. The announcement was made following a virtual meeting of the AIFF Executive Committee that had extensive discussions on the future direction of Indian football.
6 Veteran actor KPAC Rajendran passes away at 74
Veteran actor and eminent theatre artist KPAC Rajendran passed away in Alappuzha on July 31, 2025. Rajendran started his artistic life as a theatre artist and soon became one of the most respected faces of the Kerala People’s Arts Club (KPAC) , the socio-political theatre movement of Kerala , and Rajendran became a key architect of this movement.
7 Educationist and former Vice Chancellor Vasanti Devi passes away
Dr. V. Vasanthi Devi, former Vice Chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, died of cardiac arrest at her residence in Velachery on August 1, 2025. She was 86 years old. Her demise is being seen as a great loss in the field of education, gender equality, human rights and progressive movements. Dr. Vasanthi Devi was born in Dindigul in 1938. She received her higher education from Presidency College and went to the Philippines to complete her PhD in the 1970s . Throughout her career, she was known as a progressive educationist who strongly advocated education reforms and equal opportunities. Dr. Vasanthi Devi was the second Vice Chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University from 1992 to 1998 , where she emphasized on expanding access to higher education. She was then the Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Women’s Commission from 2002 to 2005 , where she raised key issues related to women’s rights and safety. In 1987, he also led a teachers’ movement in Tamil Nadu , highlighting the need to protect teachers’ rights and strengthen the teaching community.