Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Distinguished Indian wildlife conservationist and biologist A J T Johnsingh passed away at 78 in Bengaluru on June 7, 2024. Born in Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats, he was influenced by Jim Corbett’s tales. Johnsingh joined the Wildlife Institute of India and played key roles in tiger conservation and various organizations. His research focused on diverse species, and he authored over 70 scientific papers and 80 popular articles on wildlife conservation.

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Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others died in a plane crash. The military aircraft left Lilongwe but couldn’t land at Mzuzu due to poor visibility and lost contact after being ordered back. President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the wreckage was found in Chikangawa Forest with no survivors. Chilima, once a potential presidential candidate, was cleared of graft charges last month.

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Sarod maestro Pandit Rajeev Taranath recently passed away in Mysuru. The sarod, a prominent Hindustani classical music instrument, is a stringed lute adapted from the Afghan rabab in the 16th century, with its modern form designed in the 19th century. Typically 100 cm long, it features a hollow wooden body, a goatskin membrane, a horn bridge, and steel or bronze strings, with no fretboard but a polished steel plate.

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Ramesh Karthik Naik, a 26-year-old writer from Vivek Nagar, Nizamabad district, received the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for Telugu literature. Instituted in 2011, this award honors young writers under 35 for their creative works in 24 languages. It includes a plaque, shawl, citation, and a ₹50,000 cheque. The Sahitya Akademi, established in 1954, promotes literature in Indian languages autonomously under the Government of India, playing a pivotal role in literary discourse and publication.

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A project by IIIT-Delhi won joint second prize in the Trinity Challenge’s second competition for addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Trinity Challenge (TTC) is a charity fostering data-driven solutions to global health threats, partnering with over 40 organizations. Launched in response to COVID-19, TTC funds public challenges to enhance pandemic preparedness, awarding £5.7 million for innovative health solutions.

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The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) was awarded the 2024 Blue Planet Prize for its role as the global authority on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and nature’s contributions to people. Established in 1992, this prestigious award by Japan’s Asahi Glass Foundation recognizes scientific contributions towards solving global environmental challenges. IPBES shares the honor with Robert Costanza from University College London for his work in ecological economics, each receiving USD 500,000 for their achievements.

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Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy has been awarded the 2024 PEN Pinter Literary Prize for her courageous writing. This honor comes shortly after the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi sanctioned her prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The award ceremony will be held in October in London. Previous winners include Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood. The PEN Pinter Award, established in 2009, recognizes exceptional English-language writers from the UK, Ireland, or the Commonwealth.

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Antonio Costa, former Prime Minister of Portugal, was elected President of the European Council, replacing Charles Michel, effective October 1, 2024. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will be the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Council elects its President by secret ballot for a 2.5-year term, renewable once. The President leads the Council’s work and represents the EU internationally.

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Bhupinder Singh Rawat, a former Indian footballer known for his speed as a winger in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away at 85. He represented India in the 1969 Merdeka tournament in Malaysia and played domestically for Delhi Garrison, Gorkha Brigade, and Mafatlal. Rawat also featured for Services and Maharashtra in the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy.

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The 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee, chaired by Justice P Sathasivam, has named Maharashtra the Best Agriculture State for 2024. Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde will receive the award in New Delhi on July 10. Recognized for its innovative agricultural policies and programs, Maharashtra’s initiatives include the largest bamboo mission, extensive irrigation projects, and nano-technology fertilizer distribution. The award highlights significant contributions to agricultural advancement and rural prosperity.