Current Affairs August 2017 - Awards

1 - Dhanraj Pillay awarded with East Bengal FC’s highest honour

Former India hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay was awarded with East Bengal football club’s highest honour − Bharat Gaurav on their foundation day.

Pillay represented India in four Olympics, World Cups, Champions Trophy and Asian Games. He played total 339 matches for India, scoring 170 goals.

Pillay also received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for his remarkable performance in 1999-2000. India’s hockey team won the Asian Games in 2002 under his captaincy.

2 - Veteran Actress Sharada selected for 'Prem Nazir' Award

Veteran actor and national award winner Sharada has been selected for Prem Nazir Award 2017. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 75,000, a statuette and a citation.

Sharada had won three national awards with the first being for her performance in 1968 tragedy film 'Thulabharam'.

She also won the award for Swayamvaram (1972, Malayalam) and Nimajjanam (1978, Telugu). She has acted in several Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films.

3 - Dev Patel honored with Asia Society Game Changers Award

Every year, Asia announces awardees of the Asia Game Changer Awards, which recognize those making a transformative and positive difference for the future of Asia and the world.

Indian-origin actor of movie Slumdog millionaire, Dev Patel was felicitated with the award for making a “transformative and positive” difference for the future of Asia and the world.

Various other recipients were, a trailblazing CEO changing urban life in China, a Hollywood star building bridges between India and the world, and an environmentalist placing his life on the line to stop deforestation in his native country.

4 - Gallantry Awards to Army On Independence Day 2017

Following gallantry awards have been conferred to Army personnel on the occasion of Independence Day 2017 −

Preetam Singh Kunwar, Gurung and David Manlun were awarded with Kirti Chakra.

5 - President Conferred Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Commander Ravinder Ahlawat

On 26 Jul 16, Wg Cdr Ravinder Ahlawat was authorized to carry out a 'Range Instructional Technique' (RIT) sortie over Pokharan Range at 500 ft above ground level at high speeds but the aircraft experienced a Bird Hit. Bird hit damaged his eye and other body parts leading to extreme bleeding.

Despite injuries, he took all the emergency actions correctly to save the aircraft and villagers in close vicinity of the Pokharan range and executed a safe landing on the nearest Air Force Base. For this act of gallantry, Wing Commander Ravinder Ahlawat was awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).

6 - President conferred Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Captain Subhash Singh Rao

On 10 Oct 2016, Wing Commander Subhash Singh Rao, was detailed for an Air Test sortie. After an uneventful sortie, he was informed that the starboard main wheel of his aircraft was misaligned. This abnormality, would have resulted in pilot abandoning the aircraft through ejection.

Subhash Singh Rao displayed superior skills in maintaining control of the aircraft and stopped the aircraft on the runway. For this act of exceptional courage and safely recovering a stricken aircraft, Wing Commander Subhash Singh Rao was awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).

7 - Independence Day Fire Service and Home Guard & Civil Defence Medals announced

98 personnel were awarded Fire Service Medals on the occasion of the Independence Day. Of these, President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry were awarded to 17 personnel, Fire Service Medal for Gallantry to 22 personnel, President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service to 09 personnel and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to 50 personnel.

54 personnel have also been awarded Home Guard & Civil Defence Medals and President’s HG & CD Medal for Distinguished Service to 04 personnel and HG & CD Medal for Meritorious Service to 50 personnel.

8 - Independence Day Correctional Service Medals announced

The President of India has approved the conferment of Correctional Service Medals to 20 prison personnel on the occasion of Independence Day, 2017.

The list of awardees include one President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service and 19 Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service.

President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service was given to A. Prameela Bai, Chief Head Warder, Special Prison for Women, Hyderabad, Telangana.

Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service was given to prison personnel such as Madan Lal, Head Warder, Subhash Chander Batra, Deputy Superintendent and Bahadursinh Jailor Group 2.

9 - Independence Day Police Medals announced

990 personnel were awarded Police Medals on the occasion of the Independence Day. President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) was awarded to 01 personnel of state Chhatisgarh, Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) to 190 personnel, President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPMDS) to 93 personnel and Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PMMS) to 706 personnel.

Andhra Pradesh received 52 Police Medal for Gallantry, highest among all. Late Shankar Rao (Posthumously) Platoon Commander is the only personnel who was awarded with President’s Police Medal for Gallantry. Uttar Pradesh received highest number of Police Medal for Meritorious Service with 75 personnel.

10 - T J S George honoured with first-Ever Kesari Media Award

Kesari Media Award, meant to honour famous journalists, was honoured to famous journalist T J S George. Awardee was given a sum of Rs 50,000, citation and a statuette designed by renowned artist Bhatathiri.

A jury comprising filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Asianet editor M G Radhakrishnan, Media Academy Chairman R S Babu and Kesari Memorial Journalist Trust Chairman C Rahim as member selects winners.

Thayil Jacob Sony George, well known as TJS George, is a writer and biographer who was honoured with Padma Bhushan award in 2011.

11 - Gabriel Chundan honoured with 65^th Nehru Trophy

Oarsmen of Gabriel Chundan, lifted Nehru Trophy at 65^th edition of the prestigious Nehru Trophy (Boat Race) held at the Punnamda Lake in Kerala.Gabriel Chundan is a snake boat powered by oarsmen of Thuruthippuram Boat Club.

They were honoured because the members of Ernakulam–based boat club let dipped their oars in unison, leading the majestic chundan (snake boat) to the finish line, against other competitors.

20 snake boats termed as ‘Chundan vallam’ participated in the event, and faced 5 stages of competition.

12 - Telangana Chief Minister Sri K. Chandrashekar Rao selected for Agriculture Leadership Award 2017

Telangana Chief Minister Sri K. Chandrashekar Rao has been selected for the prestigious Agriculture Leadership Award-2017 for his innovative and yeoman services being rendered for the welfare of farmers and farm sector.

The award is instituted by Indian Council of Food and Agriculture in 2008 and is presented every year since then.

A Committee headed by well-known agriculture scientist Prof. MS Swaminathan has recommended the CM’s name.

13 - Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award 2017 Announced

The Union Government announced the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years.

Apart from a medal and a citation, the awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs. 7.5 lakh.

The list of winners:

14 - Dronacharya Awards 2017 Announced

The Union Government announced the Dronacharya Awards 2017. The Award is given for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious International sports events.

Apart from a medal and a citation, the awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh. The list of winners −

15 - Arjuna Awards 2017 announced

The Union Government announced the Arjuna Awards 2017. The Award is given for consistent outstanding performance for four years. Apart from a medal and a citation, the awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh.

The list of winners:

16 - Dhyan Chand Award 2017 announced

The Union Government announced the Dhyan Chand Award 2017. The Award is given for life time contribution to sports development.

Apart from a medal and a citation, the awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh.

The list of winners: