Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Latika Katt, a renowned Indian sculptor, passed away at 76 in Jaipur. She was known for larger-than-life sculptures, public busts, and capturing nature’s organic forms. Her works include a 20-ft bronze sculpture of Jawaharlal Nehru at Jawahar Bhawan, Delhi. She experimented with terracotta, papier-mâché, stone, and bronze over five decades. She won the Beijing Art Biennale Award (2010) for Makarsankranti Nahan at Dashaswamedh Ghat.

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The government posthumously honored Chaman Arora with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in the Dogri language category. He received the award for his book Ik Hor Ashwthama. The Ministry of Culture confirmed the selection based on a unanimous jury recommendation. Sahitya Akademi President Madhav Kaushik approved the decision. The award includes a casket with an engraved copper plaque and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. Arora’s family will receive the award at a special event on March 8 in New Delhi.

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NTPC Ltd. won the Forward Faster Sustainability Award 2025 in the Water Resilience category. The award was presented by UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) in Chennai on February 13. NTPC was recognized for its water conservation and sustainable water management initiatives. The award aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). NTPC follows Reduce, Reuse & Recycle principles and uses advanced wastewater treatment. It promotes clean water access, restores water bodies, and raises conservation awareness. The company sets industry benchmarks in water efficiency and sustainability.

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Renowned Odissi maestro Mayadhar Raut, known as the “Father of Odissi dance,” passed away on February 22, 2025, at age 92 in Delhi. He was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian classical dance. Raut played a key role in the revival and codification of Odissi dance in the 1950s. His work on Sanchari Bhava, Mudra Viniyoga, and Rasa Theory helped structure Odissi as a classical dance form.

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The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) hosts the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony in New Delhi. The event honors individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to animal welfare. AWBI is a statutory body promoting animal welfare and preventing cruelty to animals. It advises the Central and State Governments on animal welfare laws and enforcement. AWBI was established in 1962 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Its headquarters is in Ballabhgarh, Haryana. It functions under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.

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The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion held a discussion on Diyaslai. Diyaslai is the autobiography of Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, detailing his journey from Vidisha to his fight for child rights. Kailash Satyarthi, born in 1954 in Madhya Pradesh, has led global efforts against child slavery and exploitation in 140 countries. His organization has rescued over 1,38,000 children from child labour and trafficking. He highlighted that compassion is the key to solving global issues.

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Dr. Anju Rathi Rana has become the first woman Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice. Her appointment marks an important step for gender diversity in top government positions. She has represented India at international forums, including the BRICS Ministers of Justice Meeting. She has contributed to legal reforms and gender representation in the judiciary.

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Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Care Earth Trust, is the first Indian to receive the Ramsar award for ‘Wetland Wise Use.’ She is among 12 women changemakers in wetlands, recognized by the Ramsar secretariat in Geneva. She has dedicated decades to conserving India’s wetlands, especially Chennai’s Pallikaranai Marsh. She leads an all-women research team and mentors future conservationists. She dedicates her award to her late father and advocates for women’s technical roles in wetland management. She stresses persistence in conservation efforts despite bureaucratic challenges. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is a global treaty for wetland conservation.

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Chinese architect Liu Jiakun won the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize for designs that celebrate everyday life. The Pritzker Prize is the most prestigious award in international architecture. Liu is the 54th laureate and was chosen for his focus on people and communities over his 40-year career. He is the third Chinese architect to win, after IM Pei and Wang Shu. The Pritzker Architecture Prize, often called “architecture’s Nobel Prize,” is an international award established in 1979 by the Pritzker family through their Hyatt Foundation, recognizing a living architect (or architects) for their significant contributions to humanity and the built environment.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Mauritius’ highest civilian honor, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK). The award ceremony took place in Port Louis, highlighting India-Mauritius strong diplomatic and cultural ties. This is PM Modi’s 21st international accolade, marking global recognition of his leadership. He dedicated the honor to Indian ancestors who migrated to Mauritius and to all Indians. PM Modi reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening India-Mauritius strategic relations. He also presented the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to Mauritius’ President and First Lady, strengthening cultural ties. His participation in global events reflects India’s rising international influence.