Today in History (May 2^nd,1945)

A significant military event took place on May 2, 1945, when the Battle of Berlin concluded with the surrender of German forces. This event marked the end of the European theater of war and was a prelude to the total capitulation of Nazi Germany. The battle, which began on April 20, involved one of the largest concentrations of military power ever assembled by the Soviet Union, and it resulted in the fall of Berlin after intense urban combat. The Soviet victory at Berlin avenged the suffering endured by the Soviet people since the German invasion in 1941 and symbolized the downfall of the Third Reich. The city’s surrender came after Adolf Hitler’s suicide on April 30, and it was followed by the official end of the war in Europe on May 8, 1945.

Summary of Today’s News

India gets support from USA to fight against terrorism

• S. Support for India:
  • S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the U.S. “stands in solidarity” with India and supports its “right to defend itself”.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to cooperation with India in fighting terrorism.
• India’s Stand on Pakistan:
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted Pakistan’s history of supporting, training, and funding terrorist organizations.
  • Singh emphasized the need for global condemnation of such acts.
• Diplomatic Engagements:
  • Secretary Rubio spoke with Indian Minister Jaishankar and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, urging both nations to de-escalate tensions.
  • Jaishankar stressed that perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack must be brought to justice.
• Naval Activities and Regional Tensions:
  • Both Indian and Pakistani Navies initiated naval exercises in the Arabian Sea, issuing navigational warnings.
  • Ongoing ceasefire violations at the Line of Control (LoC) were reported.
• International Reactions:
  • Several countries, including the U.K., Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, urged calm and diplomacy.
  • S. President Trump expressed strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack in a call with PM Modi, pledging full support.
• Military Readiness:
  • India conducted multiple missile firings near Gujarat (April 30–May 3).
  • Pakistan issued numerous NOTAMs and conducted naval drills in the Arabian Sea (April 30–May 2).

Modi Champions India’s Creative Future at WAVES Summit 2025

As India positions itself as a rising global force not only in technology and manufacturing but also in cultural and creative domains, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a significant pitch for the country’s emerging role in the global entertainment landscape. Speaking at the inaugural World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai, Modi emphasized the potential of India’s “orange economy” — a term for the creative economy that includes film, media, design, and other cultural industries.

• Prime Minister’s Vision:
  • PM Narendra Modi promoted India as a global hub for content creation at the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai.
  • Emphasized India’s cultural inclusivity and called for “Create in India, Create for the World”.
  • Described India as becoming an “orange economy” — a creative economy driven by culture, creativity, and intellectual property.
• Support for Content Creators:
  • Praised Indian content creators and highlighted growing global consumption of Indian media.
  • Urged creators to maintain responsible creativity, respecting human sensitivities and enriching lives.
• Event Highlights:
  • The summit drew participation from over 90 countries and key industry figures like Rajinikanth, Mukesh Ambani, and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen.
  • Rajinikanth and Ambani expressed solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and lauded Modi’s leadership.
• Industry Outlook:
  • Mukesh Ambani projected India’s entertainment industry to grow from $28 million to $100 million.
  • Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen stated the next Indian boom will be in creativity and entertainment, potentially outpacing manufacturing in employment.
• Initiatives Announced:
  • Modi announced the launch of the WAVES Awards to honor excellence in the creative sector.
  • The summit included a spiritual-themed opening song by Oscar-winning composer M. Keeravani.

Satavahana-era inscriptions found in Telangana’s Peddapalli

In a remarkable discovery that sheds new light on the ancient history of the Deccan region, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a series of inscriptions in Telangana’s Peddapalli district. These inscriptions, dating back to the Satavahana period and earlier, provide valuable insights into the political, cultural, and religious dynamics of early South India. Unearthed in the remote Gundaram Reserve Forest, this find adds a significant chapter to the understanding of early Brahmi script usage, Buddhist patronage, and the integration of religious symbolism in royal authority during the 1st century BCE to 6th century CE.

Discovery Location:

• Eleven ancient inscriptions were discovered in Gundaram Reserve Forest, near Peddapalli, Telangana.

Survey Conducted By:

• The Epigraphy Branch of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) during an epigraphical survey.

Historical Period:

• Inscriptions span from the 1st century BCE to the 6th century CE, mainly related to the Satavahana period.

Significant Findings:

• Two inscriptions are of particular historical importance:
  • One, in early Brahmi script, records a Hāritiputra lineage individual (possibly from the Chutu dynasty) who excavated a cave for Buddhist monks and mentions friendship with Kumāra Hakusiri, a Satavahana prince.
  • Another inscription features a trident and damaru (religious symbols) and references land owned by Siri Devarāna.

Cultural Insights:

• The use of religious iconography (trident and damaru) marks the first known instance of such symbols accompanying early inscriptions in South India.
• Suggests an early link between political authority and religious symbolism in the region.