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.

Correct Answer :   Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy, the Booker Prize-winning author, received the Pen Pinter Prize for 2024 in recognition of her significant literary contributions.

Established by English PEN to celebrate impactful literature and defend freedom of expression, the Pen Pinter Prize honours the memory of Nobel-Laureate playwright Harold Pinter.

The award underscores Roy's role in addressing critical social issues through her writing, amidst challenges to freedom of expression, highlighting her courage and literary prowess.

Correct Answer :   Garden Reach Shipbuilders

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) received the "Sustainable Governance Champion Award" at the Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit & Awards 2024.

This accolade underscores GRSE's steadfast commitment to sustainable practices and governance excellence.

Established in 1884 and based in Kolkata, GRSE is renowned for constructing and servicing commercial and naval vessels, and it holds the distinction of being the first Indian shipyard to have built 100 warships.

Correct Answer :   Mumbai

The famous Annual Hindi Sahitya Bharati Award has been given to Krishna Prakash, who is well-known for leading Mumbai Police’s special counterterrorism team, Force One. The award was given out at Mumbai’s multicultural Sab Me Ram Shashwat Shri Ram event.

About Super Cop Krishna Prakash :

Krishna Prakash is better known as the officer who heads Force One, the elite counter-terrorism unit of the Mumbai Police. Krishna Prakash is a two-time Guinness World Record holder who achieved his third this one for initiating the maximum number of letters through postcards to Lord Ram, enabling the common man’s direct connection with the divine.

Thoughts of Krishna Prakash :

Through the use of dance, theater, music, and literature, the super policeman has envisioned the festival in a way that conveys the story of Lord Ram. According to Krishna, the allure of Lord Ram is global, spanning time and philosophies. “Even Bhakti saint-poet Kabir, who adheres to the Nirgun Niraakaar school of devotion, sings of the existence of Lord Ram in everyone.” Every Sufi poem and every Bhakti poem mentions Lord Ram. The Ram of Kabir and Tulsidas is the same.” The glory of Lord Ram because it is immersive and draws the spectator or listener immediately into the story.

Hindi Sahitya Bharati Award :

The Hindi Sahitya Bharati initiative was born out of the realization that bringing together intellectuals on a common platform can significantly enhance cultural and literary efforts. After extensive discussions and consensus among scholars, the name Hindi Sahitya Bharati was chosen to represent the initiative, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual ethos of Indian society and aims to propagate the values of universal brotherhood and harmony through Hindi literature.

Correct Answer :   Shrinivas R. Kulkarni

In recognition of his groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astronomy, Shrinivas R. Kulkarni, an Indian-origin professor from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), has been awarded the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy for 2024.

Kulkarni, the George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Caltech's Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, has been honoured for his pioneering work on millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other variable or transient astronomical objects.

The Shaw Prize Foundation lauded Kulkarni's contributions to time-domain astronomy, which culminated in the conception, construction, and leadership of the Palomar Transient Factory and its successor, the Zwicky Transient Facility.

These groundbreaking projects have revolutionized our understanding of the time-variable optical sky.

The #ShawPrize in #Astronomy 2024 is awarded to Shrinivas R Kulkarni for his ground-breaking discoveries about millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, & other variable or transient astronomical objects.
Congratulations, Dr. Kulkarni!@Caltech pic.twitter.com/IkYlPZd95M

— The Shaw Prize (@ShawPrize) May 21, 2024

"The Shaw Prize in Astronomy is awarded to Shrinivas R. Kulkarni for his groundbreaking discoveries about millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other variable or transient astronomical objects," the Foundation stated.

Kulkarni's illustrious career spans decades of pioneering research and leadership roles. After obtaining his M.S. from the Indian Institute of Technology in 1978, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of California in 1983. Among his many achievements, Kulkarni served as the director of Caltech Optical Observatories from 2006 to 2018.


The Shaw Prize, established by the late Hong Kong-based philanthropist Run Run Shaw, consists of three annual prizes in Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences, each carrying a monetary award of $1.2 million.

Alongside Kulkarni, the 2024 Shaw Prize recipients include Swee Lay Thein and Stuart Orkin from the United States, who received the Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine, and Peter Sarnak, another US scientist, who was awarded the Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences.

The presentation ceremony for the 21st edition of the Shaw Prize is scheduled for November 12, 2024, in Hong Kong, celebrating the exceptional contributions of these esteemed scientists to their respective fields..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Chandrakant Satija

In a prestigious ceremony held at the Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai on 12th May 2024, Chandrakant Satija, the renowned educationist and Founder/CEO of Chandra Admission Consultants, was honored with the Global Excellence Award 2024. The award, presented by the famous Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra, recognized Satija as the Most Trusted Admissions Consultant in the Vidarbha Region.

A Veteran in Guiding Students’ Careers :

With over 21 years of experience in the education sector, Chandrakant Satija has dedicated himself to providing quality education, career counseling, and admission guidance to students. His unwavering commitment has earned him the trust of parents not only in Vidarbha but also in adjoining cities of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Chandra Admission Consultants: Paving the Way to Success :

Chandra Admission Consultants, Satija’s firm, specializes in securing admissions for various courses, including MBBS, BTech, MBA, BBA, and Law, in prestigious institutions across India and abroad. The firm’s expertise and personalized approach have helped countless students achieve their academic dreams.

Empowering Students with Informed Choices :

Chandrakant Satija’s hard work and dedication have earned him the recognition and trust of the people of Vidarbha and beyond. His firm’s commitment to assisting students in making informed decisions about their careers and securing admissions in top universities and colleges has set a benchmark in the industry.

A Trusted Beacon for Students’ Future :

Chandra Admission Consultants’ services extend beyond mere admissions guidance. The firm provides comprehensive support, including career counseling, to ensure students are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of higher education and make the most of their academic journey.

Correct Answer :   Alok Shukla

Alok Shukla, a renowned environmental activist and convenor of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, has been selected for the prestigious 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize. Also known as the “Green Nobel Prize,” this annual award honours grassroots environmental champions worldwide for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection.

Winners of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize :

This year, seven people from six inhabited regions of the globe have been selected for the annual Goldman Environmental Prize. They are :

Protecting the Hasdeo Arand Forest :

Shukla’s recognition stems from his relentless efforts to safeguard the Hasdeo Arand Forest, considered the lungs of Chhattisgarh. In 2010, the government auctioned two coal blocks in this area to private companies for mining. To counter this threat, Shukla founded the Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and mobilized local tribal communities.

Through sustained activism and pressure, Shukla succeeded in compelling the government to reverse its policy of auctioning 21 proposed coal mines in the Hasdeo Aranya area, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the proposed auction in 2022.

Global Recognition for Environmental Leadership :

The Goldman Environmental Prize, established in 1989 by American couple Richard and Rhoda Goldman, aims to honor grassroots environmental leaders, draw international attention to environmental problems, and encourage action. This year, seven individuals from six inhabited regions of the globe have been selected for the prestigious award.

Previous Indian Winners :

Alok Shukla joins the ranks of seven previous Indian recipients of the Goldman Environmental Prize, including renowned activists like Medha Patkar (1992), M.C. Mehta (1996), Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla (2004), Ramesh Agarwal (2014), and Prafulla Samantara (2017). These remarkable individuals have fought tirelessly for environmental justice, land rights, and sustainable development across various parts of India.

Grassroots Environmental Activism :

The Goldman Environmental Prize defines grassroots leaders as individuals involved in local efforts where positive change is created through community or citizen participation. Shukla’s recognition highlights the critical role played by grassroots activism in protecting the environment and preserving natural resources for future generations.

As Alok Shukla receives this prestigious award, his efforts serve as an inspiration for environmental champions around the world, reminding us of the power of collective action and the importance of protecting our planet’s precious ecosystems.

Correct Answer :   Gina Justus

Gina Justus, a teacher at Our Own English High School, Sharjah Girls’ Branch, has been named the regional winner for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards.

Justus, originally from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has been working in the UAE since 2005 and was recognised for her outstanding mentorship and dedication to charity.This year’s competition saw a record-breaking number of nominations, with over 14,840 submissions from 141 countries.

The Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards is a global competition that honors exceptional primary and secondary school teachers. Students, parents, and peers can nominate teachers who have made a significant impact on their educational journey.

In its sixth year, the competition emphasizes the crucial role teachers serve in molding the lives of their students and equipping them for the global stage.The public will now vote to determine the overall winner of the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards, which will be announced on May 29th, 2024..

Source : AIR