2025 was an incredible year for India, rich in historic accomplishments and cultural milestones that made it meaningful for the country. The Women’s Cricket Team made headlines as they secured their first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in November, defeating South Africa. The victory was seen as a huge breakthrough moment for Indian women’s cricket. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur takes the last ball as teammates celebrate in a thrilling atmosphere at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
This monumental win sent an electric wave of jubilation through a country that had been longing for good news. Crowds packed the streets, dancing and cheering long into the night, as colorful fireworks above them lit up the skies. That victory was indeed a moment of glory—it didn’t just shine glory on the team, it poured pride into every person that rooted for them.
The success of the 2025 Met Gala was a testament to overlaying India’s exciting cultural fabric on top of its sporting successes. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan made a star-studded entrance. He even walked on the red carpet in the most amazing outfit! It was designed by another famous Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. His participation in such a highly revered, iconic event only solidified the realization of India’s burgeoning influence in global culture.
During the gala, Khan’s legendary pose stole the show from all performers and photographers. Reflecting on his experience, he stated,
“From space, today’s India looks ambitious. It looks fearless. It looks confident. It looks proud.”
This feeling reflected the mood of a nation that had just landed on the moon, was winning the space race and technological innovations & development.
At the same time, Gukesh Dommaraju became a bright new star for Indian chess fans. Only 18 years old, he became the youngest world champion in history last year. He then jumped to the next level by beating world number 1 Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament.
Carlsen’s unexpected reaction—one of anger rather than his usual calm demeanor—sparked conversations across social media platforms, adding to the excitement surrounding Dommaraju’s victory and showcasing the evolving dynamics within the chess community.
India’s ambitions in space exploration took another leap forward with Group Captain Shukla’s recent journey to space. Shukla became the only the second Indian-born person to fly in space. He commanded Ax-4, Axiom Space’s fourth human spaceflight mission, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. His mission was a significant, albeit nascent, step in India’s long and still-unfolding journey to look beyond its earthly confines.
Shukla’s video on how to change a camera lens in zero gravity went wild on the internet. In late July 2023, it went super viral and gained over 25 million views! Upon his return, the nation celebrated with fervor, decorating his hometown with posters and organizing a grand parade in his honor.
This year, India was on top form in terms of sporting and cultural representation. He didn’t just achieve this strategically – it made a splash externally, making incredible progress in furthering its international ambitions. The achievements of its athletes and public figures resonated deeply with citizens, reinforcing a sense of national pride and unity.