• 28 Aug 2025

115th Birth Anniversary of St Mother Teresa

Why in News?

The 115th birth anniversary of Saint Mother Teresa was celebrated on 26th August 2025, at Mother’s House, Kolkata. 

Key Facts About Mother Teresa

• Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, Ottoman Empire (now North Macedonia), dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. 
  • Her journey began at the age of 12 when she felt called to serve as a missionary.
• In 1928, at the age of 18, she moved to India, where she took her vows in 1931. For 17 years, she taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta. 
• Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity on 7th October 1950, after receiving approval from the Vatican. 
  • Her order, which expanded globally, focuses on caring for the destitute, including refugees, the elderly, and those suffering from AIDS, among others.
• By the 1990s, the Missionaries of Charity had over one million Co-Workers across 40 countries, spreading Mother Teresa’s spirit of compassion.
  • She received numerous accolades, including the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971), the Nehru Prize (1972), and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her tireless work in promoting peace and understanding.
• Mother Teresa passed away on 5th September 1997, leaving behind a lasting legacy of compassion and service. 
  • She was canonized (declared as a saint) by Pope Francis in 2016, further cementing her status as one of the most beloved humanitarian figures in the world.

Note: Mother Teresa remains the only naturalised citizen to have been awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna (1980).

• She is also one of only two foreigners to have received the Bharat Ratna. The other is Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known as the "Frontier Gandhi," who was honoured in 1987.

India to Host FIDE World Cup 2025

Why in News?

PM Narendra Modi expressed India’s pride in hosting the prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025, marking its return to Indian soil after more than two decades (23 years). 

• The tournament will take place in Goa from 30th October to 27th November with a USD 2 million prize purse and three berths for next year’s Candidates Tournament.
• The 206-player field includes top players such as World Champion D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and India’s R Praggnanandhaa.

Key Points 

• India's Previous Hosting: India last organized the FIDE World Cup in 2002 in Hyderabad, where Viswanathan Anand won the tournament with Rustam Kasimdzhanov as the runner-up.
• About Chess: Chess originated in northern India during the Gupta Empire around the 6th century CE, known as chaturanga. 
  • Played on an 8×8 board, it reflected real-life warfare strategy with pieces representing infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots. 
  • The game spread to Persia as shatranj, then to Europe, where it evolved into modern chess by the 15th century, with key modifications like the queen and bishop’s enhanced powers.
• International Chess Day: In 2019, the UN declared 20th July as International Chess Day, recognizing its role in promoting education, peace, and gender equality, supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 4), (SDG 11 and 16), and (SDG 5). 
• FIDE: The FIDE World Cup 2025 is organized by FIDE (International Chess Federation), which is the governing body for chess worldwide. 
  • The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is serving as the local organizer in collaboration with FIDE.
  • In 1924, FIDE was founded in Paris, formalizing chess as an international sport. 

Read more: FIDE World Cup 2025 to be Hosted in India

Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025

Why in News?

The Bihar Cabinet, on 26th August 2025, approved the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025 aimed at boosting industrial growth and attracting large-scale private investment in the state. 

• The initiative, a continuation of the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy 2016, will remain in effect until 31st March 2026 and is part of Bihar's efforts to create 1 crore employment opportunities over the next five years, positioning the state as a significant industrial hub.

Key Highlights of Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025

• Free Land for Investors: Investors can avail of land at a nominal fee of Rs 1 for setting up industries, with schemes offering up to 10 acres of land for investments of Rs 100 crore and 1,000 jobs. 
  • Larger projects investing over Rs 1,000 crore will be allotted up to 25 acres. 
  • Fortune 500 companies will receive 10 acres of land.
• Discounts on Land: Investors not opting for the aforementioned schemes will get land at a 50% discount of the (Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority) BIADA’s land rate.
• Fin Tech City Development: The Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 408.81 crore for acquiring 242 acres of land for the Fin Tech City project near Fatuha in Patna. 
  • Modeled after (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) GIFT City in Gujarat, the project will enhance financial services and enable direct cargo movement to Patna, boosting exports.
• Viability Gap Funding for International Flights: The Cabinet also approved Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for airlines promoting international routes from Patna and Gaya airports. 
  • Airlines operating Patna-Kathmandu, Gaya-Sharjah, Gaya-Bangkok, and other international routes will receive funding for round trips with a minimum capacity of 150 passengers.
• Financial Incentives: Investors can opt for one of the three financial incentive models:
  • Interest subvention of up to ₹40 crore and SGST reimbursement up to 100%.
  • 300% SGST reimbursement of the approved project cost over 14 years.
  • 30% capital subsidy based on the approved project cost.
• Export Incentive: Export incentives have been increased to ₹40 lakh annually, doubled from the previous amount, with benefits extended for 14 years.
• Employment Support: ₹5,000/month per worker for eligible industries and up to 300% ESI/EPF support. 
  • Other units will receive ₹2,000 per month per worker, along with social security benefits.
  • A ₹20,000 skill development grant per employee is also included.
• Green Incentives: 25% reimbursement (up to ₹1 crore) for environmental protection and up to ₹6 lakh for renewable energy usage.

Note: In another development, the Cabinet approved an increase in the honorarium for Kisan Salahkar (Farmer Advisors) from Rs 13,000 to Rs 21,000 per month to further support and empower agricultural advisors in the state.