1. French President Emmanuel Macron Receives Olympic Order Award
Tags: Awards
Emmanuel Macron was awarded the Olympic Order in gold for his unwavering support for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and his dedication to the Olympic ideals.
An Overview of the News
This honor celebrates his significant contribution to making the Paris Games a memorable event and a symbol of global unity.
Support and Vision for Paris 2024:
Upon his election in 2017, Macron fully supported Paris’s bid to host the 2024 Games.
During his visit to the IOC in Lausanne, he showcased his deep understanding and unique vision for the Olympic project.
Olympic Order Award
Established in 1975, replacing the Olympic Diploma of Merit.
Awarded to individuals who significantly contribute to the Olympic movement.
Recipients are chosen by the IOC's Executive Board.
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Founded on23 June 1894, as a not-for-profit organization.
Founders - Pierre de Coubertin, Demetrios Vikelas
President: Thomas Bach.
Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
Additional Information:-
Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic Gold medalist, received the prestigious Olympic Order from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
2. Ram Charan Honored as 'Ambassador of Indian Arts and Culture' at IFFM 2024
Tags: Awards
Ram Charan Teja, a prominent Telugu cinema actor, was awarded the title of "Ambassador of Indian Arts and Culture" at the 15th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM 2024).
An Overview of the News
The festival took place from August 15 to 25, 2024, at the Palais Theatre in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, and was backed by the Victorian Government.
As the Guest of Honour, Ram Charan also hoisted the Indian national flag at Melbourne's Federation Square during the festival.
Established in 2010, IFFM celebrates the diversity and creativity of Indian cinema, showcasing films from Bollywood and regional languages.
2024 IFFM award winners:
Best Film: 12th Fail
Best Director: Kabir Khan (Chandu Champion) & Nithilan Saminathan (Maharaja)
Best Actor: Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion)
Best Actress: Parvathy Thiruvothu (Ullozhukku)
Best Film (Critics' Choice): Laapataa Ladies
Best Director (Critics' Choice): Dominic Sangma (Rimdogittanga)
Best Performance of the Year (Critics' Choice): Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
Breakout Film of the Year: Amar Singh Chamkila
Best Series: Kohrra
Best Actor in a Series: Arjun Mathur (Made in Heaven Season 2)
Best Actress in a Series: Nimisha Sajayan (Poacher)
Best Documentary: Trolley Times
Best Short Film: The Vegemite Sandwich
Best Short Film (Special Mention): Sandeep Raj (Echo)
Best Film from the Subcontinent: The Red Suitcase (Nepal)
Honorary Awards:
People's Choice Award: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Equality in Cinema Award: Dunki
Excellence in Cinema: A. R. Rahman
Ambassador of Indian Art & Culture: Ram Charan
Diversity Champion: Rasika Dugal
Disruptor in Cinema: Adarsh Gourav
3. President Droupadi Murmu Presents Inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar-2024
Tags: Awards
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar-2024 at an award ceremony held at Gantantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan, on August 22, 2024.
An Overview of the News
This was the inaugural edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, where 33 awards were presented to distinguished scientists across four categories.
Award Categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva and Vigyan Team
Vigyan Ratna Award: Presented to Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan for his lifetime contributions in molecular biology and biotechnology research in India.
Vigyan Shri Awards: Given to 13 scientists for their distinguished contributions to Science and Technology through path-breaking research.
Vigyan Yuva-SSB Award: Awarded to 18 scientists for their exceptional contributions in various fields, including:
Study on the warming of the Indian Ocean and its consequences.
Development of indigenous 5G base station and communication.
Precision tests of quantum mechanics.
Vigyan Team Award: Presented to the Chandrayaan-3 team for the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 lander near the south pole of the moon.
4. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Hyderabad Clinches Best Airport Award
Tags: Awards
Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has won the Best Airport title at the India Travel Awards.
An Overview of the News
This marks Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA)’s third consecutive win in this category.
The recognition acknowledges RGIA’s dedication to enhancing traveler experiences through creative social media engagement and exceptional airline support.
The airport’s focus is on improving both domestic and international journeys for all passengers.
Previous Achievements
Last year, RGIA was honored with the Skytrax ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024’ award in Frankfurt, Germany.
About Telangana
It is in south-central India, on the Deccan Plateau.
11th largest Indian state by area.
Formed on June 2, 2014, from Andhra Pradesh.
Borders Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
33 districts as of 2019.
Capital: Hyderabad
Governor: Jishnu Dev Varma
Chief Minister: Revanth Reddy
Rajya Sabha: 7 seats
Lok Sabha: 17 seats
5. Dr. Jitendra Singh Honored with 'Distinguished Mentor of the Year' Award by ACP
Tags: Awards
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister and Professor of Medicine and Diabetes, received the prestigious "Distinguished Mentor of the Year" award from the American College of Physicians (ACP).
An Overview of the News
The award was presented during the 9th Annual International Conference of ACP - India Chapter by Dr. Elisa I. Choi, a distinguished international figure.
India's Leadership in Global Health Research:
In his address at the conference, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India is now recognized as a global leader in health research.
He highlighted the country's significant contributions to medical health, research, and education.
About American College of Physicians (ACP)
Focus: National organization of internal medicine physicians specializing in adult care
Membership: 161,000 members
Size: Largest medical-specialty organization; second-largest physician group in the U.S.
Founded: January 8, 1915, by Heinrich Stern
Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
President: Isaac O. Opole
6. Top Honors at 70th National Film Awards
Tags: Awards
The 70th National Film Awards were announced on 16 August 2024.
An Overview of the News
The ceremony to felicitate the winners, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient, will be held in October 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu presiding.
The awards ceremony was initially scheduled for 3 May 2023 but was postponed to October 2024 due to delays following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Selection Process
Eligibility: Films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 were eligible. This includes feature films, non-feature films, and documentaries.
Submission Details: Online entries were invited, with the deadline for submissions being 30 January 2024. Eligible entries include works in any Indian language and formats like 16 mm, 35 mm, or digital.
Award Winners
Best Director: Sooraj Barjatya for Uunchai
Best Film: Aattam (Malayalam)
Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics): Brahmastra
Best Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kantara
Best Debut Film: Fouja (Haryanvi)
Best Action Direction: Anbariv for KGF Chapter 2
Best Actor: Rishab Shetty for Kantara (Kannada)
Best Actress: Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express (Gujarati)
7. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited (TIAL) Receives Greentech Award
Tags: Awards State News
TIAL has been honored with the Pollution Control Waste Management & Recycling (PCWR) Award 2024 by Greentech Foundation.
An Overview of the News
The award was presented at the Greentech PCWR 2024 Summit, Awards, and Expo held in Guwahati, Assam.
The award recognizes TIAL's excellence in achieving a 'zero waste to landfill' status.
The airport has achieved a landfill diversion rate of 99.50% through sustainable waste management practices.
Waste Management Practices
TIAL's waste management follows the cradle-to-cradle concept, emphasizing waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery.
The airport processes 100% of its plastic and solid waste.
Certification and Systems
The waste management system at TIAL is certified under ISO 14001:2015.
It includes innovative mechanisms for collecting separated waste and transporting it to the recycling yard.
TIAL is managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, and is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
8. President Droupadi Murmu Honored with Timor-Leste’s Highest Civilian Award
Tags: Awards
President José Ramos-Horta conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country’s highest civilian award, upon President Droupadi Murmu.
An Overview of the News
The award recognized her achievements in public service, dedication to education, social welfare, and women's empowerment.
President of India, Droupadi Murmu, reached Dili, Timor-Leste on August 10, 2024, marking the final leg of her State Visit to Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor-Leste.
This visit is historically significant as it is the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to Timor-Leste.
President Murmu appeared as a special guest on the “Horta Show,” hosted by President José Ramos-Horta on RTTL.
About Order of Timor-Leste
Established: 2009
Purpose: Highest honor awarded by East Timor
Scope: Broader than previous orders, recognizing significant contributions to East Timor, its people, or humanity
Recipients: Both East Timorese and foreign nationals
About Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Capital: Dili
Official languages: Tetun, Portuguese
Prime minister: Xanana Gusmão
9. KIIT Secures UN ECOSOC Status
Tags: Awards
KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT DU) has been granted Special Consultative Status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC).
An Overview of the News
This recognition acknowledges KIIT's significant contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Out of 476 global applications, only 19 organizations, including KIIT DU, were selected for this honor.
The status was conferred during the UN ECOSOC management segment meeting on 23 July 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Partnership with UN Volunteers (UNV)
KIIT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN Volunteers (UNV).
This collaboration offers KIIT students the chance to become ‘National University UN Volunteers.’
Students will engage with various UN agencies for development initiatives, gaining valuable international experience with a stipend.
This initiative is the first of its kind by any private university in South Asia.
Collaboration with American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL)
KIIT and its sister concern, the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), have announced a historic collaboration with ACYPL.
ACYPL promotes international understanding and diplomacy through exchange programs.
The partnership is supported by the U.S. Department of State and involves over 8,900 leaders globally.
Notable ACYPL alumni include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and others.
About KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT DU):
Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS
KIIT being the only professional/technical university in India to achieve UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status.
KISS, also awarded this status in 2015, continues to hold it.
KIIT is the only university in South Asia with UNV status for student internships.
The ACYPL collaboration will facilitate political diplomats and leaders visiting KIIT & KISS, further enriching the university’s global engagement.
10. Shah Rukh Khan Becomes First Indian Actor to Receive Gold Coin from Grevin Museum
Tags: Awards Person in news
Shah Rukh Khan is the first Indian actor to be honoured with a customised gold coin by the Grévin Museum in Paris.
An Overview of the News
The Grevin Museum is located on the Grands Boulevards on the right bank of the Seine River in Paris. It is renowned for its wax statues of famous personalities from around the world.
The museum is a cultural landmark in Paris, attracting visitors who are keen to see lifelike representations of celebrities.
Shah Rukh Khan's inclusion in the museum with customized gold coins underscores his international impact.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Five Groundbreaking Accolades
UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni Award (2011):
He is the First Indian actor to receive UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni Award (2011) for philanthropic efforts in children's education.
Display on the Burj Khalifa:
Only actor to have trailers of his films ("Jawan," "Pathaan," and "Dunki" in 2023) displayed on the Burj Khalifa.
Featured on the Burj Khalifa after Kolkata Knight Riders, his IPL team, won the 2024 IPL.
Career Achievement Honour at the Locarno International Film Festival:
First Indian personality to receive the Pardo alla Carriere Ascona-Locarno Tourism at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland.
His film "Devdas" (2002) was also screened during the festival.
The Yale Chubb Fellowship:
Awarded one of Yale's highest honours, the Chubb Fellowship, recognizing his impact through films and philanthropy.
Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres:
One of the few Indian actors to receive this French government award for significant contributions to French cultural heritage.
