Today's Brief 23/10/2025

1 .The ASEAN Summit 

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

is the highest policy-making body of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which comprises the Heads of State or Government of its ten member states.

This important gathering is held twice annually and addresses key issues related to the economic, political, security, and socio-cultural development of the region.

The Summit is hosted by the member state holding the annual ASEAN Chairmanship, and it also includes related summits with major external partners,

such as the ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan, and South Korea) and the East Asia Summit, making it a prominent international forum for dialogue and cooperation.

The most recent major meeting was the 47th ASEAN Summit in 2025, which was held from October 26-28 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2.Ningol Chakouba 

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

is a profoundly significant and cherished traditional festival of the Meitei community in Manipur, India, also celebrated by other communities in the region.

 The name itself translates to "Daughters' Feast" (Ningol meaning married woman, and Chakouba meaning invitation for a feast), perfectly encapsulating its purpose.

 Observed annually on the second lunar day of the Meitei month Hiyangei (typically falling in October or November, as it did on October 23, 2025), the festival is a powerful celebration of the enduring bond of love and affection between married women and their paternal families, especially their brothers.

On this day, the married daughters, dressed in their finest traditional attire, return to their parental homes for a joyous family reunion.

3 .Malaysia

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

is a federal constitutional monarchy located in Southeast Asia, distinguished by its unique geographical division between Peninsular Malaysia (on the Malay Peninsula) and East Malaysia (on the island of Borneo).

The country is known for its multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual society, with a population exceeding 33 million people comprising Malays, Chinese, Indians, and numerous indigenous groups.

Its capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a global city famed for the Petronas Twin Towers, while Putrajaya serves as the federal administrative centre.

Geographically, Malaysia features coastal plains, rainforests, and mountain ranges, with Mount Kinabalu in Sabah standing as Southeast Asia's highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea.

Its tropical rainforest climate supports immense biodiversity, including iconic species like the orangutan and Malayan tiger.

Historically, Malaysia's strategic location made it a centre for early Malay kingdoms, European colonization (by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British), and Japanese occupation during WWII.

It gained independence from Britain in 1957 as the Federation of Malaya, which later expanded to form Malaysia in 1963 through the inclusion of Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore (though Singapore separated in 1965).

Economically, Malaysia has transformed from a commodity-based economy (rubber, tin, palm oil) to an industrialized market economy, becoming a leading exporter of semiconductors, electrical goods, and palm oil.

It is a founding member of ASEAN and participates in various international trade agreements.

Culturally, Malaysia reflects its diverse heritage through cuisine (nasi lemak, roti canai), festivals (Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali), and architectural landmarks blending traditional, colonial, and modern styles.

The country's political system combines parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong serves as the rotational head of state among nine Malay rulers.

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