1. Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi wins Nobel Peace Prize 2023
Tags: Awards
The Swedish Academy in Stockholm awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize to Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi.
An Overview of the News
Nerges Mohammadi is known for her courageous fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her unwavering commitment to promoting human rights and freedom for all.
Narges Mohammadi, a 51-year-old Iranian author and human rights activist, currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC).
She is currently imprisoned in Tehran's Evin prison, and is facing multiple sentences totaling 12 years for "spreading anti-state propaganda".
Her activism primarily focuses on abolishing the death penalty in Iran and advocating for women's rights.
Notable achievements and persecutions of Narges Mohammadi:
Over the past decade, Narges Mohammadi has been in and out of jail due to her activism, which led to her being arrested 13 times, convicted five times and sentenced to 31 years in prison and 154 lashes.
Her Nobel Peace Prize win makes her the second Iranian woman to receive the prestigious award, following Shirin Ebadi's recognition in 2003.
Nobel Prize and historical context:
The Nobel Prize was established in honor of Alfred Nobel's testamentary wishes, with the aim of rewarding those who have made significant contributions to the betterment of humanity.
The Nobel Foundation was established in 1900 and the first Nobel Prize was awarded in 1901.
The Nobel Peace Prize, awarded 104 times between 1901 and 2023, has recognized 141 individuals and organizations.
Notable recipients include the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which has received the Nobel Peace Prize three times, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, awarded twice.
In 2022, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Ales Bilyatsky of Belarus, Memorial (a Russian human rights organization) and the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties.
2. Professor Dr. Joyeeta Gupta wins the Spinoza Prize for climate work
Tags: Awards
Indian-origin environmental scientist Professor Dr. Joyeeta Gupta has received the prestigious Spinoza Prize, the highest honor in Dutch science.
An Overview of the News
The award ceremony took place in the Netherlands, where Dr. Gupta was honored for his significant contributions to the field of climate change.
The Spinoza Prize was presented to him by Robert Dijkgraaf, Minister of Education, Science and Culture of the Netherlands, at a ceremony held in The Hague.
Award Utility
The Spinoza Prize, awarded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), includes a generous monetary reward of 1.5 million euros.
Dr. Gupta has announced his intention to allocate this substantial prize money to activities related to scientific research and the application of knowledge.
Dr. Joyeeta Gupta holds the position of Professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam.
3. Nobel Prize in Literature 2023: Awarded to author Jon Olav Fosse
Tags: Awards
Norwegian author John Olav Fosse awarded 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature
An Overview of the News
The Swedish Academy has selected John Olav Fosse for the Nobel Prize in Literature 2023 for his innovative literary contributions.
John Olav Fosse: a brief biography
He was born on September 29, 1959 in Haugesund, Norway.
He is a prolific writer with a diverse body of work including plays, novels, short stories, poetry, children's books and essays.
Fosse's first novel, "Raud Svart", was published in 1983.
Notable novels such as "Stengd Gitar" and "Skuggar" (2007), as well as the short novel "Morgon og Kveld."
Recognition as a finalist for the International Booker Prize in 2022 for "A New Name: Septology VI-VII".
Norwegian Nobel Prize winners in literature
John Olav Fosse has become the fourth Norwegian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Previous Norwegian laureates: Björnstjern Björnsson (1903), Knut Hamsson (1920), Sigrid Undset (1928).
About Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize was established in 1900 in honor of Alfred Nobel, and the first Nobel Prize was awarded in 1901.
The Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded 116 times to 120 recipients from 1901 to 2023.
The first Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Sully Prudhomme of France in 1901.
The Nobel Prize for Literature in 2022 was awarded to France's Anne Ernaux.
Rabindranath Tagore is the only Indian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, which he achieved in 1913, making him the first Asian to receive the prestigious award.
4. 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine won by Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman
Tags: Awards
mRNA pioneers Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman will be jointly awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
An Overview of the News
Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman will be awarded the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking work in messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which was crucial in the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
His contributions led to the rapid development of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, saving millions of lives and reducing the severity of the disease.
mRNA Technology Revolution:
mRNA vaccines such as those from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech were approved in December 2020.
These vaccines provide genetic instructions to cells, simulating infection and training the immune system.
The technology, which was initially experimental, has now been administered to millions of people globally and is being explored for other diseases as well.
Honors and Upcoming Celebrations:
Kariko and Weissman, both from the University of Pennsylvania, have received multiple awards for their research, including the Lasker Prize in 2021.
They will officially receive their Nobel Prize at a ceremony in Stockholm on 10 December 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, who founded the Nobel Prize.
5. Uttar Pradesh received two awards for its excellent performance in Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Tags: Awards
Uttar Pradesh has been honored with two awards for its excellent performance in the Centre's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-J) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
An Overview of the News
Uttar Pradesh has achieved the highest number of health accounts under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
The state has created over 4.7 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA), surpassing Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh with 4.19 crore and 4.10 crore accounts respectively.
Additionally, more than 2.73 crore health records in Uttar Pradesh are linked to ABHA.
Major applications used:
Uttar Pradesh is actively using essential applications like PM-JAY, CoWin, and e-Kavach.
A total of 535 hospitals in Uttar Pradesh are actively using the Health Management Information System (HMIS).
Of them, 150 hospitals are using the scan and share feature for online OPD registration, with a total of 33,79,592 tokens issued.
Additionally, 2,73,00,607 health records have been added through this process.
The e-Kavach application is being used in Uttar Pradesh for ABHA generation through community enumeration.
Health Professionals Registries (HPRs) and Health Facilities Registries (HFRs):
Uttar Pradesh claims to have the best performance in the Health Professional Registry (HPR) in India, where registries of more than 42,700 health professionals are verified.
In Health Facilities Registries (HFR), the state secured the second rank with verification of over 38,863 facilities, including both government and private facilities.
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the top performer among all states in Health Management Information System (HMIS) and Scan and Share program.
6. Actress Waheeda Rehman selected for Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award 2021
Tags: Awards
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur announced the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2021 to actress Waheeda Rehman.
An Overview of the News
The award will be presented during the 69th National Film Awards ceremony.
In a career spanning over five decades, Waheeda Rehman has been praised for her extraordinary performances in films like "Pyaasa," "Kaagaz Ke Phool," "Chaudhvi Ka Chand," "Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam," "Guide," and "Khamoshi." Earned.
She received several awards, including the Filmfare Best Actress Award for "Guide" and "Neel Kamal" and the National Award for Best Actress for "Reshma Aur Shera".
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Selection Committee Members:
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award selection committee included prominent actors like Asha Parekh, Chiranjeevi, Paresh Rawal, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Shekhar Kapur.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is named after Indian cinema pioneer Dhundiraj Govind Phalke.
It is considered the highest honor in the Indian film industry and is awarded for outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
The award was instituted by the Government of India in 1969, with Devika Rani Roerich as the first recipient.
The award consists of a 'Golden Lotus', a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a certificate, a silk plaque and a shawl.
Notable former Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients:
In 2020, this award was given to actress Asha Parekh.
Previous recipients include Rajinikanth (2019) and Amitabh Bachchan (2018).
About Dhundiraj Govind 'Dadasaheb' Phalke
Dhundiraj Govind 'Dadasaheb' Phalke was born in 1870 in Trimbak, Maharashtra.
He studied engineering and sculpture and became interested in motion pictures after watching the silent film 'The Life of Christ' in 1906.
In 1913, he scripted, produced, and directed India's first feature film, "Raja Harishchandra", earning him the title of "Father of Indian Cinema".
7. Swati Nayak selected for the 2023 Borlaug Field Award
Tags: Awards
Odia scientist Swati Nayak selected as the recipient of the Borlaug Field Award 2023.
An Overview of the News
Swati Nayak is currently working as a Scientist and South Asia Head for Seed System and Product Management at the Philippines-based CGIAR-International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
Swati Nayak received the award for her innovative approach to engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems, testing, deploying, and promoting access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties.
The award was presented to him by the prestigious selection jury of the World Food Prize, highlighting his significant contributions to global food production and combating hunger and malnutrition.
Swati Nayak's Career and Achievements
Throughout her 13-year career, Swati Nayak has organized over 10,000 on-farm and comparative testings, leading to the dissemination of more than 20 climate-resilient, high-yielding, bio-fortified, and healthier rice varieties through seed systems in multiple countries.
She was instrumental in introducing the drought-tolerant rice variety Shahbhagi paddy in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, which is highly popular in Odisha and other parts of India even after eight years.
Swati Nayak contributed to the establishment of Seeds Without Borders, an international seed policy agreement that facilitates the distribution of modern varieties of rice in South and Southeast Asia.
She actively contributed to empowering women in agriculture through her work with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) led by the Government of India and the World Bank.
Official Awards Presentation
Swati Nayak will officially receive the Borlaug Field Award during the Borlaug Dialogue event on October 24 in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Borlaug Field Prize, named for agricultural scientist and Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, consists of a $10,000 prize and an award diploma.
8. Fashion designer Rahul Mishra honored with France's "Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" award
Tags: Awards
Famous Indian fashion designer Rahul Mishra was awarded the prestigious "Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the Government of France.
An Overview of the News
This prestigious award was given to Rahul Mishra for his outstanding achievements in the field of art and design, especially his dedication to promoting Indian craftsmanship and expertise on a global scale.
Additionally, the award serves as a tribute to his significant contribution to promoting cultural relations and cooperation between France and India.
The presentation of the award took place on September 12, 2023, at the French residence in New Delhi with Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, conducting the ceremony.
"Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres":-
The Order of Arts and Letters is an honor established by the French Minister of Culture in 1957.
It was recognized as part of the National Order of Merit by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963.
This prestigious award presented by the French Government is the highest recognition in the field of arts and culture.
It is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to music, art, literature, and the cultural and artistic relations between France and India.
The Order of Arts and Letters has three distinct levels of recognition: Commander (Commandeur), Officer (Officier), and Knight (Chevalier).
9. RITES Limited awarded with Safety Innovation Award 2023
Tags: Awards
Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Limited has received the 'Safety Innovation Award 2023' in the 'Construction' category.
An Overview of the News
The award was given for the implementation of 'Innovative Safety Management System' in RITES operations.
The award was presented by The Institution of Engineers (India) during the 20th Safety Conference at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.
RITES is a multi-sector company that consistently prioritizes safety at its workplaces.
RITES LTD:-
Previous Name: Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited
Category: Miniratna (Category - I) Schedule 'A' Public Sector Enterprises
Expertise: Specializing in transportation consultancy and engineering services in India.
Global presence: Has implemented projects in 55 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America and the Middle East.
Current Chairman and MD: Rahul Mithal
Headquarters: Gurugram, India
Established: 1974
10. Renowned army ophthalmologist Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra awarded the Dr. AM Gokhale Award
Tags: Awards
Renowned Ophthalmologist Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, working at the Research and Referral Hospital of the Indian Army, received the prestigious "Dr AM Gokhale Award" in Pune.
An Overview of the News
This prestigious award was presented to Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mishra during the Retina Conclave program held in Pune.
Dr. AM Gokhale, after whom the award is named, was a renowned ophthalmology teacher.
Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra:-
He originally hails from Mau, Uttar Pradesh and completed his education in Prayagraj.
He received the Bar to Sena Medal (Distinguished) from the President of India just before January 26, 2021.
Earlier, he was awarded the Sena Medal and Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
During his tenure at Command Hospital Lucknow, he established the State of the Art Retinal Center in 2018, which serves patients from different states.
Brigadier Mishra is one of the highest ranking officers in the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services.
Notably, he is the only ophthalmologist known to have performed surgery on two Indian Presidents during their service, including Ram Nath Kovind.
According to the President's Office report, President Draupadi Murmu also underwent cataract surgery on her right eye at the Army Hospital (Referral and Research) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
