General Awareness

PERSONS IN NEWS - February 2025

Feb 2025

May 20, 2026

UK’s youngest Indian-origin mayor elected at 23

Tushar Kumar, a 23-year-old Labour Party councillor, was elected and sworn in as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood on 13 May 2026, becoming the youngest Indian-origin mayor in the United Kingdom. The Mayor Making Ceremony was held at Fairway Hall in Borehamwood. Kumar studied Political Science at King’s College London. His mother, Parveen Rani, previously served as Deputy Mayor of the same council. The election highlights the rising involvement of people of Indian origin in UK local government. Kumar’s youth and academic background are noted as factors in his rapid rise within local politics.

Tushar Kumar elected Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood at 23.
13 May 2026 ceremony; youngest Indian-origin UK mayor.
Studied Political Science at King’s College London.
Mother Parveen Rani previously Deputy Mayor.
Signals growing Indian-origin representation in UK local government.

May 19, 2026

Olympian Jennifer Paes, Leander's Mother, Passes Away

Former India basketball captain and Olympian Jennifer Paes, mother of tennis great Leander Paes, died on 17 May 2026 after a long battle with cancer. She was 72. Born Jennifer Dutton, she represented India at the 1972 Munich Olympics and later captained the national women’s basketball team. She belonged to a prominent sporting family; her husband Vece Paes was a member of the Indian hockey team that won bronze in 1972, and Leander Paes achieved Olympic bronze in 1996. Her contributions to women’s sports and her role in Indian athletics are widely remembered by peers and fans.

Death date: 17 May 2026
Age: 72
Olympic history: 1972 Munich, basketball
Family: Leander Paes (son), Vece Paes (husband)

May 15, 2026

Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Launch Apnapan, Personal Insights on PM Modi

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Minister, announced his forthcoming book Apnapan, a personal account drawn from a 35-year association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The volume aims to offer a rare, first-hand view of Modi's leadership style, governance philosophy, and personal values. Chouhan describes the work as more than a memoir, reflecting decades of direct experience in organizational politics, state governance, and Union-level administration. The book will be launched in New Delhi on 26 May 2026. Contributors and observers expect fresh anecdotes about important moments, including Modi's approach to national issues and decision making. The release is anticipated to spark dialogue on leadership in contemporary India.

Book title Apnapan; author Shivraj Singh Chouhan; release date 26 May 2026 in New Delhi.
Based on a 35-year association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Promises personal insights into Modi’s leadership, governance, and values.
Not a standard memoir; emphasizes direct experiences across governance levels.
Includes reference to the 1991 Ekta Yatra and its perceived significance.

May 13, 2026

Prashant Pise Appointed India's Ambassador to Oman

Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Prashant Pise, was announced as India's next Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman. A 1995 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Mr. Pise will succeed Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas, of the 1993 batch, in Muscat. His overseas postings include Cairo (1997–2000) and Tripoli (until 2004). He has also served in the Eurasia and United Nations divisions as Deputy Secretary (2004–2006). Currently the Additional Secretary (Emigration Policy and Welfare), he led India’s delegation to the Abu Dhabi Dialogue ministerial consultations in February 2026 in Dubai.

Prashant Pise appointed as Ambassador to Oman
1995 batch IFS officer; will succeed 1993 batch officer
Past postings: Cairo, Tripoli; Eurasia and UN divisions
Currently Additional Secretary (Emigration Policy and Welfare)
Led delegation to Abu Dhabi Dialogue in February 2026

May 11, 2026

Non‑Binary Indian Elected to Scottish Parliament

Manivannan, a non‑binary transgender Indian from Tamil Nadu, was elected on 8 May 2026 as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh & Lothians East. Contesting for the Scottish Greens, they became one of the first two transgender MSPs elected to Holyrood. Legislation passed in 2025 allows non‑UK citizens with various types of leave to stand for Parliament. Manivannan arrived in Scotland in September 2021 to study at the University of St Andrews after earlier studies in Delhi. They use they/them pronouns and emphasize inclusive representation in the devolved legislature.

Election date: 8 May 2026
MP election: Manivannan, Scottish Greens
First transgender MSPs in Holyrood
Policy change: non‑UK citizens allowed to stand (2025 law)
Background: studies in Scotland and Delhi
Pronouns: they/them

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