Current Affairs One - Liner : 19th August 2025

National:

• India’s first hydrogen-powered train completed successful load tests at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai in August 2025. It runs on hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs), emitting only water vapor—supporting India’s zero-emission goals. Equipped with a 1,200 horsepower (HP) engine, it’s the most powerful hydrogen train globally. Trial runs will begin soon on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana (HR) under the Hydrogen for Heritage initiative.

• On 15 August 2025, Indian Railways installed its first removable solar panel system at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi. The 70-metre setup generates 15 kilowatt-peak (KWp) using bifacial PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) panels. Mounted between tracks with rubber pads and epoxy, it supports the net-zero carbon goal by 2030. If scaled, it could produce 3.2–3.5 lakh kilowatt-hours (kWh) per km/year, powering stations and signals.
• India’s first all-women operated Clean Street Food Hub, Mauli, was inaugurated by Piyush Goyal in Kandivali, Mumbai. Run by trained SHG women under FoSTaC, it promotes hygienic food and women’s empowerment. The initiative aligns with FSSAI’s Eat Right India movement and aims to expand nationwide.

International:

• Dubai International Airport launched its AI-powered immigration corridor on 18 August 2025. It uses facial recognition and biometric data to clear passengers in just 14 seconds. No passport or boarding pass is needed—up to 10 passengers can be processed at once. This innovation supports Dubai’s “Unlimited Smart Travel” and “Travel Without Borders” vision.

Banking:

• On 18 August 2025, Kotak Mahindra International became the first Indian firm to secure a UAE licence to sell investment funds to retail investors. Approved by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the move allows minimum investments starting at $500. Kotak plans to launch India-focused retail funds in the UAE by Q4 2025, expanding beyond HNIs.

Sports:

• Marc Marquez won the 2025 Austrian MotoGP on 17 August at the Red Bull Ring, his first victory at the venue. It marked his sixth straight win of the season and extended his championship lead to 142 points. The race was MotoGP’s 1,000th premier class event, adding historic weight to the triumph.

Important Days:

• World Photography Day 2025 was celebrated globally on 19 August. The theme was My Favourite Photo, highlighting personal storytelling through images. It honors the invention of the daguerreotype in 1839, marking photography’s birth.
• Sanskrit Diwas is celebrated on 19 August 2025 to honor the ancient language of Sanskrit. It falls on the full moon day of Shravana month and promotes India’s classical heritage. The day commemorates Pāṇini, the father of Sanskrit grammar, and encourages linguistic revival.

Appointments:

• TCL (The Creative Life) appointed Olympic freestyle ski champion Eileen Gu as its Global Brand Ambassador on 18 August 2025. She will represent TCL ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, supporting its role as a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner.

Obituaries:

• Veteran actor Achyut Potdar passed away on 18 August 2025 at age 91 in Thane. He appeared in over 125 films and 100+ TV shows, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian cinema. Best known for his role in 3 Idiots, he was admired for his grace and simplicity.

Questions:

Q.1 India’s first all-women operated Clean Street Food Hub, Mauli, was launched in:
a) Delhi
b) Pune
c) Mumbai
d) Jaipur

Answer: c)  Launched in Kandivali, Mumbai by Piyush Goyal. Run by trained SHG women under FoSTaC, aligned with FSSAI’s Eat Right India campaign.

Q.2 Kotak Mahindra International became the first Indian firm to secure a retail fund licence in UAE in August 2025. The licence was granted by which authority?
a) UAE Central Bank
b) Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
c) Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
d) UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)

Answer: d) The licence allows Kotak to sell retail funds in UAE with minimum investments starting at $500. Plans to launch India-focused funds by Q4 2025.