Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Bibek Debroy, the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), recently passed away. EAC-PM is an independent body that advises the Prime Minister on economic issues. It analyzes economic matters referred by the Prime Minister and addresses macroeconomic concerns. The council’s role is advisory and non-binding on the government. It promotes economic understanding through reports and public engagement. EAC-PM is led by a chairperson and includes eminent economists, with no fixed number of members. The NITI Aayog acts as the nodal agency for administrative support to the council.

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Renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha, known as ‘Bihar Kokila,’ passed away at 72 on 5 November 2024. She was suffering from multiple myeloma and died at AIIMS, New Delhi, on the first day of Chhath Puja. Sinha was celebrated for her Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magadhi songs, especially for Chhath Puja and Vivah Geet, which resonated widely in Bihar. She received the Padma Bhushan (2018), Padma Shri (1991), and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

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Anil Pradhan, a 28-year-old engineer from Odisha, won the third Rohini Nayyar Prize for promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in rural India. He co-founded the Young Tinker Foundation and launched ‘Tinker-on-Wheels,’ a mobile lab bringing robotics and 3D printing to rural students. His work has impacted over 2.5 lakh students across Odisha, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. The Rohini Nayyar Prize, honoring contributions to rural development, includes ₹10 lakh, a citation, and a trophy. It’s awarded annually to individuals under 40 by the Nayyar Foundation.

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Pandit Ram Narayan, the legendary Sarangi maestro, passed away at the age of 96 in Mumbai. He was a renowned Hindustani musician, known for his mastery of the Sarangi. He received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. His death has led to tributes from across India, including from Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

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Coal India Limited (CIL) received the Green World Environment Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category and the title of Green World Ambassador. The award recognizes CIL’s exemplary CSR work through the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna, providing curative treatment for over 600 Thalassemia patients via stem cell or Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT). Launched in 2017, it was the first CSR project by a PSU for Thalassemia treatment in India. Financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh is provided per patient under the scheme. CIL partners with 17 leading hospitals across India for the initiative.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Guyana’s highest national award, “The Order of Excellence,” on November 19, 2024, in Georgetown, conferred by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Modi became the fourth foreign dignitary to receive this prestigious award. He was also honored with Dominica’s highest national award, the “Dominica Award of Honour,” by President Sylvanie Burton on November 20, 2024. The Dominica award was presented during the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown. Modi is the second foreign leader after Queen Elizabeth (1969) to receive Dominica’s highest national award.

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World Fisheries Day 2024 was celebrated on November 21 in New Delhi. The Department of Fisheries honoured states, districts, and individuals for their contributions. Kerala won the Best Marine State award. Telangana was recognised as the Best Inland State. Uttarakhand received the Best Himalayan and Northeastern State award. Jammu & Kashmir was awarded Best Union Territory.

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Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Emami Group, became the President of FICCI for 2024-25, succeeding Anish Shah. FICCI’s new office bearers include Senior Vice President Anant Goenka (Vice Chairman of RPG Group) and Vice President Vijay Sankar (Chairman of Sanmar Group). FICCI is a major business lobby group in India, representing business interests and lobbying for favorable policies. Founded in 1927, FICCI claims to be the largest business organization in India.

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The Indian Chemical Council won the 2024 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) The Hague Award on November 25, 2024, in the Hague, Netherlands. D. Sothi Selvam, the council’s Director General, received the award. The award ceremony occurred during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) of the OPCW. The CSP is being held from November 25-29, 2024, at the Hague. The CSP oversees the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, promotes its objectives, and reviews treaty compliance. The OPCW has 193 member countries working together to prohibit chemical weapons.

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The Chief of Army Staff recently presented the President’s Colours to four Mechanised Infantry battalions. The President’s Colours, or “Rashtrapati ka Nishaan,” is the highest honor for military units or police forces for exceptional national service. The tradition dates back to ancient India when flags or “dhwajas” symbolized a king’s supremacy. During British rule, military units carried the monarch’s flag, which was replaced by the President’s Colours in 1950. The Indian Navy first received it in 1951. The flag features a golden border, unit insignia, and sometimes its motto and achievements, symbolizing pride during ceremonial parades.