Current Affairs August 2019 - Awards

1 - NDTV journalist Ravish Kumar honored with 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award

NDTV journalist Ravish Kumar was honored with 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award for his brave journalism and harnessing journalism to give voice to the voiceless. Ravish is NDTV India’s senior executive editor. He is courageous in standing up for truth and taking ethical journalism of the highest standards.

Other awardees include Myanmar’s journalist Ko Swe Win, Thailand's human rights activist Angkhana Neelapajit, Philippines’ musician Raymundo Pujante Cayabyab and South Korea’s activist Kim Jong-Ki. The Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize, honors transformative leadership in Asia.

2 - Famous cricketer Kapil Dev honoured with Bharat Gaurav Award

India's first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev was honored with Bharat Gaurav, East Bengal club’s highest honor at its centenary celebrations. Kapil Dev had played for East Bengal club in 1992 as a substitute forward in an exhibition match against Mohun Bagan. Football icon Bhaichung Bhutia was honored with 'Identifying and Nurturing the Icon' award.

Other sports person who received awards were P.K. Banerjee as coach of the century, Manoranjan Bhattacharya and Bhaskar Ganguly for lifetime achievement award.

3 - Ruhan Rajput honoured with 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2019'

Co-founder and Director of Einfolge Technologies Pvt Ltd, Ruhan Rajput, was honored with ‘Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2019’ in Service Business - BPO/KPO' category. Ruhan was acknowledged for his contributions and achievements in the business industry.

Einfolge Technologies Pvt Ltd is one of the leading players in knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) industry. It provides solutions which include Patent and IPR, Market and Business Research, Clinical Data Management and Legal Data Assessment.

4 - DD News channel awarded with ‘Champions of Empathy Award’

DD News (Doordarshan) was awarded with Champions of Empathy Award for spreading awareness about hepatitis by showing health related programmes, reports and policies that help spreading awareness towards health in society. Director General of DD News, Mayank Agrawal received the Award from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. DD News channel detailed hepatitis causes, effects and precautions on its health awareness programmes.

Doordarshan News, usually referred to by its abbreviation as DD News is India's only 24-hour terrestrial TV news channel broadcasting in Hindi.

5 - 'Indian Woman of Influence Award' received by Priya Priyadarshini Jain

Priya Priyadarshini Jain has been felicitated with the prestigious 'Indian Woman of Influence' award at the House of Lords, the United Kingdom Parliament, London. She is an eminent fashionista, social entrepreneur and philanthropist. The award recognized the power of Indian women residing in different parts of the world.

Priya also featured as one of the most prominent personalities from India in the '50 most influential Indian women worldwide' published in a coffee table book.

6 - President Kovind honoured with National order of Merit, highest award of Republic of Guinea

The President of Guinea awarded President Ram Nath Kovind the National order of Merit for his exceptional contribution to the advancement of overall relations and development of mutual co-operation between India and Guinea and for promoting friendship and partnership between the people of both the countries.

This is the highest award of Republic of Guinea. Indian President announced a new Line of Credit of US$ 170 million for Water Supply Project of Conakry city, the capital of Republic of Guinea.

7 - ISRO announced Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research

As part of centenary year celebrations of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, father of Indian space programme, ISRO instituted two categories of awards in journalism named as “Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research” to recognize journalists. The nominations are invited to all Indian journalists for articles published from 2019 to 2020.

There are two categories of awards, wherein the first category holds a cash price of Rs 5,00,000, a medal and citation and second category of the award holds 3 cash prizes and citation each for journalists or freelancers of print media.

8 - NITI Aayog to launch the Fourth Edition of Women Transforming India Awards

The NITI Aayog will launch the Fourth Edition of Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards. The WTI Awards is being organized in collaboration with the United Nations to recognize women entrepreneurs from across India. This year’s theme is ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’, in continuation of the theme for WTI Awards 2018.

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is a Government of India initiative by NITI Aayog to promote and support aspiring as well as established women entrepreneurs in India, assist and handhold them in their journey from starting to scaling up and expanding their ventures.

9 - President of India presented Bharat Ratna Awards

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented Bharat Ratna Awards to Shri Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumously), Dr Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika (posthumously) and Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

Bhupen Hazarika popularly known as Sudhakantha, meaning the nightingale, was a legendary Assamese singer-composer. Nanaji Deshmukh was a social activist and established 1^st Saraswati Shishu Mandir at Gorakhpur in 1950. Pranab Mukherjee was the 13^th President of India. Mukherjee became the fifth president to receive this award.

10 - 4^th edition of National Entrepreneurship Awards, 2019

The fourth edition of the National Entrepreneurship Awards (NEA), instituted by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has opened for nominations. NEA has a total of 45 specially designed awards to be bestowed – 39 Enterprise Awards and 6 Awards for Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders.

The eligible nominee must be under the age of 40 years; must be first-generation entrepreneur; must hold 51% or more equity and ownership of the business; and women entrants must individually or collectively own 75% or more of the enterprise. Winners will be presented with a Trophy, Certificate and a Cash Prize of ₹5 lakh (enterprises/ individuals) and ₹10 lakh (organizations/ institutes).

11 - 66^th National Film Awards for 2018 announced

The 66^th National Film Awards were announced.

The list of key winners are

12 - Actor Steve Coogan to be felicitated with the Charlie Chaplin Award at BAFTA LA

BAFTA Los Angeles will felicitate actor Steve Coogan with the Charlie Chaplin Award. The Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy recognises the talents whose popularity and cultural impact exemplifies the uniquely transcendent quality of excellent comedy.

Coogan's vast filmography includes movies such as "Around the World in 80 Days", "Philomena", "What Maisie Knew" and "Stan & Ollie". Jane Fonda will receive the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film and Jackie Chan will receive the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment.

13 - Shahrukh Khan awarded Excellence in Cinema award at IFF, Melbourne

Bollywood actor, Shah Rukh Khan, was awarded with the Excellence in Cinema award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne as a tribute to the actor's continuous contribution to cinema and popular culture in India with the award. Sriram Raghavan was bestowed with the best director awardfor his 2018 film 'Andhadhun'.

Vijay Sethupathi was awarded with the best actor award for the Tamil film 'Super Deluxe'. 'Bulbul Can Singh' emerged as the best indie film while 'Chuskit' and 'Super Deluxe' received the Equality in Cinema award.

14 - President awarded the Certificate of Honour for the Year 2019

President Ram Nath Kovind awarded the Certificate of Honour to the following scholars for the year 2019.

15 - President awarded the Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman for the year 2019

President Ram Nath Kovind awarded the Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman to the following scholars for the year 2019.

16 - President approved 132 Gallantry Awards to Personnel of Armed and Paramilitary Forces

President Shri Ram Nath Kovind approved 132 Awards to Armed Forces Personnel and members of Paramilitary Forces. The awards include 2 Kirti Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra, 14 Shaurya Chakras, 8 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 90 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 5 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), 7 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 5 Yudh Seva Medals.

17 - Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2019 launched

Jal Shakti Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2019. SSG 2019 will cover 17,450 villages in 698 districts across India and include 87,250 public places to get feedback from 2,50,000 citizens on sanitation related issues.

An independent survey agency will conduct the survey and the results will be announced based on quantitative and qualitative sanitation parameters. A detailed protocol has been developed to guide the ranking of Districts. The Jal Shakti Minister released the SSG 2019 logo, the SSG 2019 brochure mobile app and a dashboard for citizen’s feedback.

18 - Indian President awarded President’s Police Medal for Distinguished and Meritorious Service

President of India awarded one President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 15 Police Medals for Meritorious Service to Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force. President’s Police Medal (PPM) for Distinguished Service was honored to Shri T. S. Gopakumar, Assistant Security Commissioner, Southern Railway.

Some of officers for Police Medal for Meritorious Service were

• Jyoti Kumar Satija

• Sanjay Kumar Gupta, North Western Railway

• Anil Kumar Singh, Assistant Commandant

• N. Ashwini Kumar, IRCTC

• Indu Prakash Singh, RDSO

19 - National Youth Awards conferred for development and social service work

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren Rijiju conferred the National Youth Awards on individuals (aged between 15-29 years) and organizations for excellent work and contribution in different fields of development and social service to 20 individuals and 3 organizations.

The 3 organizations were Eco-Pro Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha, Care and Share Foundation and Samutkars Yuva Vikas Navyuvak Mandal. In addition, 3 awards were also conferred to individuals for the Photo Exhibition on “China through Eyes of Indian Youth - 2019”.

20 - ISRO Chairman K. Sivan honoured with A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award

Tamil Nadu government honored Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K. Sivan with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award for successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 mission. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, is awarded by the Tamil Nadu state in recognition of contributions on scientific development, humanities and students' welfare.

Other winners were

21 - IIT-Delhi start-up wins NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award 2019

Ms. Ankita Gulati, founder of TouchVision, has won the NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award 2019 under category 'B' (for Working Professionals) for developing a multisensory kit for visually impaired people. TouchVision is an IIT Delhi incubated startup.

The NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award is given away every year to those who have been doing exemplary work towards the cause of accessibility and thus ensuring a life of equality and dignity for people with disabilities.

22 - Longest documentary "100 Years of Chrysostum" to receive Guinness Award

"100 Years of Chrysostum", a biographical documentary based on the life of Philipose Mar Chrysostum, will receive Guinness Award in the category of longest documentary. It is scripted and directed by filmmaker Blessy.

The 48.08-hour-long documentary has broken the world record of 21-hour-long Saudi Arabian documentary World of Snakes. Philipose Mar Chrysostum is a Padma Bhushan awardee and Metropolitan Emeritus of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar.

23 - Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award 2019 announced

The Union Government announced the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. It 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 cash prize of Rs. 7.5 lakh.

The list of awardees

24 - Dronacharya Awards 2019 Announced

The Union Government announced the Dronacharya Awards 2019. The Award is given for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious International sports events.

The list of awardees

25 - Arjuna Awards 2019 announced

The Union Government announced the Arjuna Awards 2019. 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 awardees

26 - Dhyan Chand Award 2019 announced

The Union Government announced the Dhyan Chand Award 2019. 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

27 - Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2019 announced

The Union Government announced the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2019. It is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development and carries Trophies and Certificates.

The awardees are

28 - Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Puruskar 2019 announced

The Union Government announced the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Puruskar 2019. It is given to the overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments and carries award money of Rs. 15 lakh and certificate.

Panjab University, Chandigarh won the award for 2019. Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar has got the second position while Punjabi University in Patiala was at the third position. The 1^st Runner-up and 2^nd Runner-up universities received Rs Rs. 7.5 lakh and Rs. 4.5 lakh respectively.

29 - CCMB scientist K Thangaraj awarded JC Bose Fellowship in Hyderabad

Dr K Thangaraj, Chief Scientist at CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) was awarded JC Bose Fellowship for his outstanding contributions in the field of population and medical genomics.

The JC Bose Fellowship is awarded to scientists in recognition for their outstanding performance and is given by the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The fellowship amount is Rs. 25,000 per month in addition to regular income and a research grant of Rs. 15.00 lakh per annum.

30 - MoS (PP) Dr. Jitendra Singh presented ANUBHAV awards, 2019

Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh presented the ANUBHAV awards, 2019. The award is given to incentivize and encourage more retiring employees to submit their write-ups. The Anubhav portal was created with a vision to preserve rich experience of retired official in digital form for future generation to learn and explore knowledge.

The list of awardees

• J.N. Mogal, Vehicle Operator (Retd.) DRDO

• Sita Ram Himral, Postman

• S.Kanagaraj, ASI, CRPF

• Madan Gopal, Inspector, Central Industrial Security Force

• Kshipra Misra, Scientist, drds

• Basheer Ahammad Kaji, Sub-Inspector, CRPF

• Shri Suresh N, Technical Officer, Department of Space

31 - Shri Prabhakar Singh, Director General, CPWD chosen for ‘Eminent Engineer Award- 2019’

Shri Prabhakar Singh, Director General, Central Public Works Department was chosen for the ‘Eminent Engineer Award for the Year 2019’ by the Institution of Engineers (India) for his distinguished and exemplary Service in the field of Engineering and Technology.

Shri Prabhakar Singh, is an IIT Graduate and MBA from one of the Premier Business Institutes of the country. His enormous contributions and dedicated service to the nation as an Eminent Technocrat has been instrumental in transforming the Premier Engineering Organisation of the Central Government – CPWD.

32 - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received UAE's highest Civilian Honour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest civilian award of the United Arab Emirates, the "Order of Zayed" by the UAE's crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He was honored for his efforts to boost bilateral ties between the two nations.

Several world leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Queen Elizabeth II and Chinese President Xi Jinping have been earlier honored with "Order of Zayed”. The order is named after UAE's first President - Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

33 - PM Narendra Modi conferred with "The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance award"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with "The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance”, by HM King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Al Gudaibiya Palace, during his visit to Bahrain. It was the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the country Bahrain.

King Hamad Order of the Renaissance is Member First Class, the third highest civilian honour of Bahrain. Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (2009) and Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalif (2009) have been recipients of King Hamad Order of Renaissance.

34 - JNU Professor Meeta Narain conferred with the ‘Pushkin Medal 2019’

Professor Meeta Narain of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has been conferred with the Pushkin Medal 2019 for her contribution to Russian studies abroad. It is the highest honour given to an Indian scholar by the Russian government.

The Pushkin Medal was instituted in the name of famous Russian author and poet Alexander S. Pushkin. Kerala poet O.N.V. Kurip had received it in 2015. Narain has been a visiting faculty at the Department of Russian Studies in Columbia University and New York University.

35 - National Awards for Community Radio for 2018 and 2019 announced

Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar presented the National Awards for Community Radio for 2018 and 2019 in Delhi.

36 - Indian documentary 'I'm Jeeja' wins award at We Care Film Festival

Indian documentary film ‘I'm Jeeja’ directed by Swati Chakraborty bagged award in the 'Under 30 minute' category at the 14^th edition of 'We Care Film Festival on Disability Issues'. The movie is about a disability activist Jeeja Ghosh who suffers from cerebral palsy.

We Care Film Festival is union of Indian organization Brotherhood and UNESCO to create awareness about disability issues through films. The fest awarded 10 films from nine countries.

37 - ONGC's CMD honoured with Distinguished Fellowship of IOD, 2019

ONGC CMD Shashi Shanker was honored with the Distinguished Fellowship of the Institute of Directors (IOD) in 2019 at the 29^th Institute of Directors (IOD) Annual Day Ceremony. The Fellowship has been given in appreciation of his distinguished contribution to business and society. Two more fellowships were also conferred at the event, to Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs Mr Durga Shankar Mishra and Secretary, Ministry of Coal M Sumanta Chaudhuri.

The Institute of Directors (IOD) trains Directors on corporate Board observed the event based on theme ‘Future Boards: Leading Strategy to Embrace Sustainability’.

38 - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), conferred SKOCH Governance Gold Award

Deendayan Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), a flagship mission under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has been conferred with the prestigious SKOCH Governance Gold Award for its Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access (PAiSA).

PAiSA is a centralized IT platform which simplifies release of interest subvention under the Mission and offers end to end online solution for tracking of interest subvention claims from banks. The portal, designed by Allahabad Bank has 28 States/UTs and 74 Banks on boarded on it.

39 - Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2018 announced

The government has announced the winners of Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2018. These awards are given to recognize the achievements of persons in the fields of adventure. They will receive statuettes, certificates and award money of Rs 5 lakh each.

The list of awardees

40 - Prime Minister presented Yoga Awards

On International Day of Yoga 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Yoga awards to the winners of PM’s Award for Outstanding Contribution for Promotion and Development of Yoga.

Winners of 2019 Yoga Awards

• Swami Rajarshi Muni of Life Mission (Gujarat) in Individual-National category
• Antonietta Rozzi, Italy in Individual-International category
• Bihar School of Yoga in Organisation-National category
• Japan Yoga Niketan in Organisation-International Organisation category

Winners of 2018 Yoga Awards

• Shri Vishwas Mandalik, Nasik in Individual- National category
• Yoga Institute, Mumbai in Organisation- National category