The Qatar WISE Award 2023 was honoured to ______ at the WISE 11 Summit (World Innovation Summit for Education).

Awards - General Knowledge Questions

Jyoti Mehta

Safina Hussain

Sucheta Dalal

Anjali Barot

Correct Answer : Safina Hussain

Safeena Hussain, founder of 'Educate Girls,' has become the first Indian woman to bag the WISE Prize worth 5 lakh USD for mobilising 14 lakh out of school girls in Indian villages to get back to mainstream education. The prize, awarded by the Qatar Foundation at the 11th Edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Summit earlier this week in Doha, is one of the most prestigious awards in education.

"Sixteen years back, when 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' was unheard of, I had decided to set up Educate Girls, an NGO to bring out of school girls back to mainstream education. Even in the 21st century, there are villages in India where goats are considered assets but girls are considered liability," Safeena told PTI in an interview.

"From poverty to patriarchy, there are endless reasons to keep girls out of school or forcing them to drop out without completing their education," Safeena said.

Safeena's fate took a turn when three years later one of her aunts took it upon herself to get her back to studies, ultimately helping her land a seat at London School of Economics. "I then decided that I had to play the same role for girls like me."

Family apathy, lack of motivation, and reluctance from the girls themselves, were the major roadblocks Safeena had to face when she started the mission to educate girls in rural Rajasthan, which has now expanded to Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.

Daughter of noted character actor Yusuf Husain, who recently died, and wife to filmmaker Hansal Mehta, Safeena travels to villages extensively where her "team Balika", operating along with field agents, knocks on each door to check if a girl is out of school.

"This mission was very much personal hence the model we executed had to be personal too. From abandoned child brides to young girls being pushed into household work, the girls we have brought back to school have tragic stories but bright futures.

"Right from convincing families, to showing them the way of getting affordable education and enrolling them into the nearest government school, the teams work on each and every factor to ensure these girls are not forced out of school," Safeena Said..

Source : Economic Times

Published On : December 5, 2023

Recent Updates in Awards - General Knowledge Questions

Q .

Who Award-Winning Photograph at World Press Photo 2024?

Ahmed zakot

Hassan Eslaiah

Evelyn Hockstein

Mohammed Salem

Correct Answer : Mohammed Salem

Mohammed Salem is a Palestinian photographer who works for the news agency Reuters. In 2024, he won a very important award called the World Press Photo of the Year award.

The Award and the Winning Photo

* The World Press Photo award is a prestigious international competition for photojournalists (photographers who capture news events).

* Salem won for his extremely powerful photograph taken in Gaza on October 17, 2023.

* The photo shows a Palestinian woman named Inas Abu Maamar, 36 years old, holding the dead body of her 5-year-old niece Saly.

* Inas is crying and hugging Saly’s body which is wrapped in a white sheet. The photo was taken in a hospital morgue in Gaza after Israeli bombing.

Why the Photo Won

* The judging committee said Salem’s photo was carefully composed (arranged) and showed deep respect for the tragic scene.

* They felt the image gave both a literal and metaphorical (symbolic) look at the unimaginable loss and devastation caused by war, especially to innocent children.

* The photo captures the harsh human impact and suffering that armed conflicts inflict on civilians.

Honouring Journalists in Conflict Zones

* In announcing the award, organizers highlighted the risks journalists face when covering wars and violence.

* An alarming 99 journalists were killed in 2023 while reporting on the fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

* Judges wanted to recognize the trauma and sacrifices made by photographers documenting these dangerous situations.

Salem’s Perspective

* Salem, who is 39 years old, has worked for Reuters covering Gaza since 2003.

* About his winning photo, he said: “People were confused, running around looking for loved ones after the bombing. This woman holding her dead niece’s body captured what was happening.”

* He hopes the award and publishing this image globally will make people more aware of the innocent lives lost in war.

The World Press Photo competition had over 61,000 entries from 3,851 photographers across 130 countries in 2024. Salem’s haunting yet respectful photograph gave a window into the devastation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a singularly heart-wrenching scene of grief.

Published On : April 23, 2024

Category : Awards

Q .

Who Honoured with Asunta Lakra Award?

Sangita Kumari

Deepika Soreng

Baljeet Kaur

Nikki Pradhan

Correct Answer : Deepika Soreng

Deepika Soreng, the promising forward of the India Women’s Hockey Team, has been honoured with the prestigious Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year during the Hockey India 6th Annual Awards 2023. The award recognizes her outstanding performance and immense potential as a rising star in the sport.

A Breakthrough Year for Deepika :

* The year 2023 marked a significant milestone in Deepika’s hockey career as she made her debut for the Indian team during the Women’s Junior Asia Cup. Her exceptional skills and goal-scoring prowess were on full display as she emerged as the second-highest goal-scorer for the side, netting an impressive 7 goals in 6 matches.

* Deepika’s pivotal role in the team’s success was instrumental in helping India clinch the Gold medal in the prestigious tournament, further solidifying her position as a force to be reckoned with in the hockey arena.

Gratitude and Dedication :

* Expressing her gratitude for the recognition, Deepika extended her heartfelt thanks to Hockey India for bestowing upon her the esteemed Asunta Lakra Award. This honour not only acknowledges her achievements but also serves as a source of motivation for her to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence.

* In her acceptance speech, Deepika emphasized her unwavering dedication to the sport and her commitment to representing the nation with pride on the international stage.

Nurturing Talent for Future Success :

* The Asunta Lakra Award is a testament to Hockey India’s commitment to nurturing and recognizing emerging talents within the sport. By honouring players like Deepika, the organization aims to inspire and encourage the next generation of hockey stars, fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring the continued growth and success of the sport in India.

* With her remarkable skills, determination, and the support of Hockey India, Deepika Soreng is poised to become a significant figure in the Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s future endeavours, contributing to the nation’s prowess in the global hockey arena.

Published On : April 20, 2024

Category : Awards

Q .

Who Honored with International Fellowship by the Engineering Academy of Japan?

Andrea Prosperetti

Kaushik Rajashekara

Kelvin Sampson

Venkat Selvamanickam

Correct Answer : Kaushik Rajashekara

Kaushik Rajashekara, a distinguished professor at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering, has been elected as an International Fellow of the prestigious Engineering Academy of Japan. This honour recognizes his outstanding contributions to the field of power conversion and the electrification of transportation.

A Journey from a Small Village to Global Recognition :

Originally hailing from a small village in Karnataka, India, Professor Rajashekara’s remarkable journey has been marked by numerous achievements and accolades. His election as an International Fellow specifically honours his “outstanding scientific research and scientific-technical developments in the field of energy,” which promote greater efficiency and environmental security for energy sources worldwide.

Joining an Elite Global Fraternity :

Rajashekara, 73, stands among an elite group of fewer than 10 fellows from the United States, out of a distinguished group comprising 800 fellows and 15 international fellows. This prestigious recognition is a testament to his exceptional contributions and the impact of his work on a global scale.

Cultivating Longstanding Relationships with Japan :

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen as an International Fellow of the Engineering Academy of Japan, a distinction that I hold in high regard. This recognition reflects the longstanding relationships I’ve cultivated with several esteemed Japanese universities and industries throughout my career,” said Rajashekara, the director of the University of Houston’s Power Electronics, Microgrids and Subsea Electrical Systems Centre (PEMSEC).

For over three decades, Rajashekara has worked closely with Japanese students, engineers, and faculty members from various universities, fostering collaborations and knowledge exchange.

A Trailblazer in Electric Vehicle Technology :

Rajashekara’s pioneering work in the field of electric vehicle technology has garnered significant recognition. As the former lead propulsion system engineer for General Motors’ IMPACT electric vehicle and as the chief technologist at Rolls-Royce Corporation, he has visited Japan frequently to deliver seminars and share his expertise.

Global Energy Prize: A Crowning Achievement :

In 2022, Rajashekara received the prestigious Global Energy Prize, considered the most coveted prize in the field of international energy. He was one of only three people selected from a record 119 nominations from 43 countries, further solidifying his status as a visionary in the energy sector.

As a self-described “futurist,” Rajashekara is confident that flying cars are the next big thing, reflecting his forward-thinking approach and dedication to pioneering new frontiers in transportation and energy technologies.

Published On : April 20, 2024

Category : Awards