"Tamil Vellum" Competitions: To commemorate the 135th birth anniversary of revolutionary poet Pavendar Bharathidasan, the Tamil Nadu Government has declared April 29 to May 5 as Tamil Week (Tamil Vaaram), during which various competitions titled "Tamil Vellum" are being organized through the Media Centre of the Information and Public Relations Department.

Nammalvar Awards 2025 were presented on May 2, 2025, by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, recognizing excellence in organic farming (Uyir Velanmai), with Mr. K. Sampathkumar from Coimbatore district receiving the first prize of ₹2.50 lakh and a medal worth ₹10,000. Mr. T. Jagadees from Tiruppur district was awarded the second prize of ₹1.50 lakh and a medal worth ₹7,000, while Mr. V. Kalidas from Nagapattinam district received the third prize of ₹1 lakh and a medal worth ₹5,000 for their contributions to organic farming (Uyir Velanmai).

Tamil Nadu  Growth Model  :  Tamil Nadu is an industrial powerhouse, contributing 11.90% to India's manufacturing GDP and leading the nation in the number of factories. With 35.56 lakh Udyam-registered Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Tamil Nadu ranked second nationally in 2023-24. 

• Dubbed the "Detroit of India," the state houses over 1,500 factories producing automobiles and auto components.

• The state ranks first in motor vehicle production, wearing apparel, and leather products and second in textiles, machinery, and electronic products. It also leads the country in exporting engineering goods, electronics, ready-made garments, cotton yarn, handloom products, and leather goods.

• In 2023-24, 33.31% of Tamil Nadu's total workforce was engaged in industrial activities, with 15.97% in manufacturing and 17.2% in construction.

Source: ECONOMIC SURVEY OF TAMIL NADU 2024-25

India (Unit III) 

Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari PVSM AVSM VM took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, IAF on 02 May 25.

Create in India Challenge (CIC) : The Create in India Challenge (CIC) was launched as a part of  World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES2025) hosted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at  Jio World Centre, Mumbai during  1st-4th May 2025  to provide a global platform for emerging talent and to showcase the vibrant creativity of young minds. The challenges spanned a wide range of categories, giving creators the opportunity to explore and push boundaries across various forms of media. From the Anime Challenge to the AI Film Making Competition, XR Creator Hackathon, each category encouraged innovative expression, bringing together creators, technologists, and storytellers from around the world.    This monumental event honoured the winners of 32 distinct challenge with entries pouring in from over 60 countries, including more than 1,100 international participants, CIC has proven to be a global success.  

Global Media Dialogue was conducted as a part of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES2025) hosted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at  Jio World Centre, Mumbai during  1st-4th May 2025. Delegates from 77 countries participated in this dialogue. 

"Legal Currents: A Regulatory Handbook on India’s Media & Entertainment Sector 2025"-   a report prepared  by Khaitan & Co., a WAVES 2025 knowledge partner, outlines regulatory frameworks shaping India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) ecosystem will be released on 3.5.2025  at the  World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES2025) hosted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at  Jio World Centre, Mumbai during  1st-4th May 2025.  

• The handbook highlights government initiatives and legal interventions that streamline market entry, foreign collaboration, and operations, with incentives positioning India as a premier content creation destination.

• Collaborative partnerships between industry bodies and the government in advertising, online gaming, and digital media ensure operational flexibility and legal compliance.

India and Denmark signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 2, 2025, to strengthen energy sector cooperation, supporting India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070.

• The MoU, signed by Shri Pankaj Agarwal (Ministry of Power, India) and H.E. Mr. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen (Ambassador of Denmark to India), extends the India-Denmark Energy Partnership (INDEP) initially signed in 2020.

• The agreement, signed in the presence of Shri Manohar Lal (Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs), promotes clean energy transitions through knowledge exchange and technological collaboration.

• The renewed MoU expands cooperation in power system modeling, variable renewable energy integration, cross-border electricity trading, and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

• Building on five years of successful collaboration under the 2020 MoU, the renewed agreement ensures continuity in sustainable energy development and joint training initiatives.

Ms. Anuradha Prasad, former Secretary to the Government of India, Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, took the Oath of the Office and Secrecy as Member, Union Public Service Commission today. The Oath was administered by Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.), the seniormost Member of the Commission.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport worth Rs 8,800 crore to the nation today in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala  on 2.5.2025. 

World