Correct Answer :   Sudarsan Pattnaik

Sudarsan Pattnaik, an acclaimed Indian sand artist from Puri, Odisha, clinched the prestigious Golden Sand Master award at the International Sand Sculpture Championship held in St Petersburg, Russia.

Renowned for his intricate sand sculptures depicting cultural and social themes, Pattnaik has earned global recognition and accolades, including India's Padma Shri award in 2014. His win in Russia further underscores his artistic prowess and contribution to the art of sand sculpting on the international stage.

Correct Answer :   Maharashtra

Maharashtra has been awarded the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.

This recognition highlights Maharashtra's significant achievements in agriculture, including sustainable development policies, the country’s largest bamboo mission, and extensive irrigation projects.

These efforts underscore Maharashtra's commitment to enhancing rural prosperity and environmental sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Correct Answer :   Sanjana Thakur

Sanjana Thakur, a 26-year-old writer from Mumbai, emerged as the winner of the GBP 5,000 Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024.

Her winning story, "Aishwarya Rai," creatively reimagines and reverses traditional adoption narratives, exploring themes of family and self in urban settings.

Thakur's narrative style, characterized by brutal irony and wry humour, impressed the judging panel led by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi.