Correct Answer : Option (A) - Ashok Gadgil

Two Indian American scientists were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by US President Joe Biden at the White House last night.

The two Indian-Americans Ashok Gadgil and Subra Suresh were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and the National Medal of Science. President Biden also honoured leading American scientists, technologists, and innovators at the award ceremony.

The scientists, who were honoured at the event, made discoveries enabling lifesaving medical treatments, helping fight the opioid epidemic, improving food security, advancing accessibility, and much more.
 

The National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are given to Americans who have made exemplary achievements in science, technology, and innovation to strengthen the US's well-being.

The National Medal of Science is the nation's highest scientific honour, established by the US Congress in 1959 and administered by the US National Science Foundation.

It is bestowed by the President of the United States on individuals deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions to biology, computer sciences, education sciences, engineering, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, and social, behavioural, and economic sciences..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Gujarat

The beautiful village of Dhordo in Gujarat has garnered international recognition after it secured a place on the list of the 54 best tourism villages announced by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight at the recognition of Dhordo as the “best tourism village.” He lauded the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of the village and emphasized its potentials to attract visitors from around the world. Union Home Minister Amit Shah celebrated the achievement, acknowledging the PM’s efforts to transform the area into a world-class tourism site.


Dhordo’s Journey to Excellence : Dhordo village situated in the heart of Gujarat, has come a long way to earn its place on the global stage as a premier tourism destination. It recently hosted the inaugural Tourism Working Group Meeting of the G20, during India’s presidency of the influential group. This gathering of global leaders in the enchanting landscapes of Dhordo showcased the village’s capacity to host international events and highlighted its growing importance in the world of tourism.

UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages 2023 Accolade : The UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages 2023 accolade is a tribute to villages leading the way in nurturing rural regions, preserving landscapes, upholding cultural diversity, safeguarding local values, and celebrating culinary traditions. Launched in 2021, this initiative is a vital component of the UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Development program, which aims to promote sustainable tourism practices.


UNWTO’s Third Edition Village Selection: 54 Chosen from Hundreds of Applications : In its third edition, the UNWTO’s initiative selected 54 villages from diverse regions out of nearly 260 applications. The announcement was made during the UNWTO General Assembly held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 16 to 20, where leaders and experts gathered to discuss the future of global tourism.


Global Villages Recognized Alongside Dhordo for Excellence : Alongside Dhordo, several other villages from around the world achieved recognition, including Barrancas in Chile, Biei in Japan, Cantavieja in Spain, Dahshour in Egypt, Dongbaek in the Republic of Korea, Douma in Lebanon, Ericeira in Portugal, and Filandia in Colombia, among others.


* UNWTO Founded: 1 November 1975
* UNWTO Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
* UNWTO Secretary-General: Zurab Pololikashvili

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Shreya Ghoshal

Renowned playback singer Shreya Ghoshal has added another feather to her cap, receiving the prestigious Best Female Playback Singer award at the 69th National Film Awards. The award was presented to her by the Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, in a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.


Glorious Journey: Shreya’s Fifth National Film Award :

Shreya Ghoshal’s remarkable journey in the Indian film industry has been adorned with accolades, and this recent win marks her fifth National Film Award. Her first National Award was in 2003 for the soul-stirring rendition of “Bairy Piya” in the iconic movie ‘Devdas.’ Subsequently, she achieved further acclaim for her melodious contributions to films like ‘Paheli’ with “Dheere Jalna” and ‘Jab We Met’ with “Yeh Ishq Haaye.” In 2010, Shreya’s talent shone once more as she clinched the National Award for not one but two songs – “Jiv Dangla” from the Marathi film ‘Jogva’ and “Pherari Mon” from the Bengali movie ‘Antaheen.’

National Film Awards: A Glimpse into India’s Cinematic Excellence :

Established in 1954, the National Film Awards stand as a pinnacle of recognition for excellence in Indian cinema. This annual event is eagerly anticipated by filmmakers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts, as it showcases the best of Indian cinema. The Hon’ble President of India plays a pivotal role in presenting these prestigious awards, making it an illustrious occasion in the country’s cultural calendar.

Shreya Ghoshal’s latest triumph in the 69th National Film Awards reaffirms her position as one of India’s most gifted and celebrated playback singers. With a career spanning two decades and a string of melodious hits to her name, Shreya continues to enthrall audiences with her soulful voice. Her exceptional contribution to the music of ‘Iravin Nizhal’ through the enchanting song ‘Mayava Chayava’ has secured her a well-deserved place in the annals of Indian cinema. As she stands proudly with her fifth National Film Award, Shreya Ghoshal remains an inspiration to aspiring artists and a cherished icon in the world of music and film.

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Sivasankari

 Tamil writer Sivasankari was on Thursday (12th Oct 2023) presented with the ‘Saraswati Samman’ 2022 for her book of memoirs Surya Vamsam.

The award, instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation, was presented to her by former Union Minister M. Veerappa Moily. It carries a citation, a plaque and prize money of ₹15 lakh.

Surya Vamsam is a book of memoirs in two volumes. These two volumes together present not only the evolution of an innocent child into an acclaimed author but also unfold the transformation society has undergone in these seven decades, the award citation said.

The work was selected by a Chayan Parishad (Selection Committee), headed by former Supreme Court judge Arjan Kumar Sikri.

Ms. Sivasankari, born in 1942, has a literary career spanning over five decades. She has authored 36 novels, 48 novelettes, 150 short stories, five travelogues, seven collection of essays and three biographies. She has compiled two anthologies of Tamil short stories.

Many of her works have been translated into several Indian languages and also in English, Japanese and Ukrainian.

Her greatest contribution to Indian literature is her four-volume Knit India Through Literature, a compendium of Indian literature..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Samia Suluhu Hassan

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) degree by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at a ceremony held on Tuesday (10th Oct 2023). The event was attended by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

President Hassan became the first woman to receive this esteemed honour from JNU.

The Tanzanian President, who is on a four-day visit to India, took the audience on a heartfelt journey through her life, sharing her remarkable story from a humble upbringing in an African village to becoming the first woman president of Tanzania, according to PTI.

Her acceptance speech resonated with deep affection for India, as she reminisced about her first visit in 1998 when she came to study in Hyderabad.

“The world says there is no midway in falling in love with India, be it an Indian song, an Indian movie or Indian cuisine, it is very difficult to resist an Indian charm,” she said.

“To us Tanzanians, India is not simply a country but an extended family member separated by a crossline, a strategic ally, a dependable partner, and a friend,” President Hassan added, underscoring the profound bond between the two nations.

She further added that she stood there, no longer a visiting guest but as a cherished member of the Jawaharlal Nehru University family..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Claudia Goldin

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics has been awarded to US labour economist "Claudia Goldin", a professor at Harvard University, for having advanced our understanding of women's labor market outcomes, Hans Ellegren, Secretary-General, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, announced the award on Monday (October 9, 2023) in Stockholm.  Goldin is only the third woman to win the prize.

Claudia Goldin is the Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University and was the director of the NBER’s Development of the American Economy program from 1989 to 2017.

She is a co-director of the NBER's Gender in the Economy group. An economic historian and a labor economist, Goldin's research covers a wide range of topics, including the female labor force, the gender gap in earnings, income inequality, technological change, education, and immigration.

Most of her research interprets the present through the lens of the past and explores the origins of current issues of concern. Her most recent book is Career & Family: Women's Century-Long Journey toward Equity, published by Princeton University Press in 2021.

The Nobel Prize in Economics in 2022 was given to US economists Douglas Diamond and Philip Dybvig together with former Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke for research on banks in times of turmoil..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Narges Mohammadi

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi the 2023 Nobel Prize for Peace, “For her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all” according to its citation.

In their announcement, the Committee also referred to last year’s protests in Iran against the killing of a young woman named Mahsa Amini while she was in the custody of Iran’s morality police. It said the protests’ motto, ‘Zan – Zendegi – Azadi (Woman – Life – Freedom)’, “suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi.”

Who is Narges Mohammadi?

Born in 1972 in Iran, Mohammadi is currently living in a detention facility there under the charges of “spreading anti-state propaganda” and defamation. Mohammadi and her family have long been involved in political protests – beginning with the Iranian Revolution. The monarchy fell at the end of the movement in 1979, leading to Iran becoming an Islamic republic.

Mohammadi told The New York Times in an interview this year that two childhood memories “set her on the path to activism”, her mother’s prison visits to her brother and seeing her watch announcements on TV for the names of prisoners executed each day.

She went on to study nuclear physics in the city of Qazvin. Here, she also met her future husband Taghi Rahmani, who is also politically active. He was jailed for 14 years in Iran and currently lives in exile in France with the couple’s two children.

Her family said in a statement that it wished to “express their profound gratitude to the Nobel Peace Committee for bestowing upon her this highly esteemed honor.” “We also want to extend our sincere congratulations to all Iranians, especially the courageous women and girls of Iran who have captivated the world with their bravery in fighting for freedom and equality… As Narges always says: Victory is not easy, but it’s certain,” the statement said..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Dr. Joyita Gupta

Indian-origin professor Dr Joyeeta Gupta has received the Spinoza Prize, the highest distinction in Dutch science for her work in the field of climate change at a ceremony in the Netherlands.

The prize was presented to her by the Netherlands' Minister for Education, Science, and Culture, Robert Dijkgraaf at The Hague on Wednesday (4th Oct 2023).

The Dutch Research Council (NWO) prize is worth 1.5 million euros which Gupta intends to spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilisation.

Joyeeta Gupta is a Dutch environmental scientist who is professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Jon Fosse

Norwegian author Jon Fosse has been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable, said the Swedish Academy.

It added that Fosse is today one of the most widely performed playwrights in the world and has become increasingly recognized for his prose.

The human condition is the central theme of Fosse’s body of work, irrespective of genre, it said.

The Nobel Prize committee said that Jon Fosse presents everyday situations that are instantly recognizable in people's lives. Fosse's radical reduction of language and dramatic action expresses the most powerful human emotions of anxiety and powerlessness in the simplest terms, it said praising the author. Fosse has now joined an illustrious list of past winners that ranges from Toni Morrison to Ernest Hemingway...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 3

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 to

Moungi G. Bawendi : Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA

Louis E. Brus : Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

Alexei I. Ekimov : Nanocrystals Technology Inc., New York, NY, USA

Two American scientists and a Russian have been awarded the 2023 Nobel prize in chemistry for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots, which helped drive a revolution in nanotechnology.

The Nobel Prize is given every year for outstanding contributions in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace and Economics..