Jnanpith Award Context: Tamil poet and lyricist R. Vairamuthu has been selected for the 60th Jnanpith Award (2025). About the Jnanpith Award Established: 1961 by Bharatiya Jnanpith. First Award: Presented in 1965 to G. Sankara Kurup (Malayalam). Highest Literary Honour: It is India's highest literary award for outstanding contribution to literature. Founders: Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain and Rama Jain through Bharatiya Jnanpith, founded in 1944. Eligibility: Given every year to an Indian writer in any of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution or English (included from 2013). Award Criteria: 1965–1981: Awarded for a specific literary work. Since 1982: Awarded for overall lifetime contribution to literature. Posthumous Award: Not given after the author's death. Award Includes: Cash prize of ₹11 lakh Citation Bronze statue of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati) Selection: Chosen by the Pravara Parishad, a committee of eminent scholars and literary experts. Vairamuthu Recipient: Winner of the 60th Jnanpith Award (2025). Importance: Becomes the third Tamil writer to receive the award after Akilan and Jayakanthan. Sahitya Akademi Award: Received in 2003 for his novel Kallikattu Ithikasam. Significance: This award ends a 24-year gap since a Tamil writer last received the Jnanpith Award. National Flag Day (Tiranga Adoption Day) Context: India observed National Flag Day (Tiranga Adoption Day) on 22 July 2025. The day marks the adoption of the Indian National Flag by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947. Key Facts about the Indian National Flag Evolution of the Indian National Flag 1904 – Sister Nivedita's Flag Designed by Sister Nivedita, an Irish social worker and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. It had red and yellow colours, a Vajra (symbol of strength), a white lotus (purity), and the words "Bande Mataram". 1906 – Swadeshi Movement Flag Considered the first tricolour flag. Hoisted in Calcutta during the…
