Current Affairs December 2017 - Awards
1 - President presented ‘National Awards for Divyangjan Empowerment -2017’
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3, 2017). The National Awards were presented in 14 main categories. 52 awards to individuals and institutions were conferred. The awards consist of a certificate to each, and medal or shield in some categories as also with cash component amounting to Rs. 43.50 Lakhs.
2 - Government enhanced monetary allowances for Gallantry Award winners
The Union Government has hiked the monetary allowances for the Gallantry Award winners from ten thousand to 20 thousand rupees, for Ashok Chakra from six thousand to 12 thousand rupees while Mahavir Chakra recipients will get 10 thousand instead of five thousand rupees. Distinguished Service Order, Indian Order of Merit and Indian Distinguished Service Medal will now get eight thousand while Jangi Inam's monetary allowance has been revised to one thousand rupees.
3 - 16-year old Syrian teenager won International Children’s Peace Prize
Mohamad Al Jounde, a teenage Syrian refugee, has been awarded with the International Children's Peace Prize 2017 for building a school for children who fled to Lebanon during the conflict in Syria, when he was just 12. The award was launched in 2005 by Dutch Kids Rights Foundation and the previous winners include Malala Yousafzai. The award is given annually to a child who fights for the rights of other children.
4 - Joda East Iron Mine bestowed with the Golden Peacock Innovation Management Award 2017
Joda East Iron Mine (JEIM) of Tata Steel has been conferred with the Golden Peacock Innovation Management Award for the year 2017 for driving innovation in mines. JEIM defeated 1,000 entries from over 25 countries worldwide, to win this award. JEIM is a fully mechanized captive iron mines of Tata Steel, is rated five-star category mines by the Government of India for doing sustainable mining.
5 - President of India gave away National Energy Conservation Awards
The National Energy Conservation Awards Programme recognizes the energy efficiency achievements in 56 sub sectors across industry, establishments and institutions. Shri Ram Nath Kovind gave away the National Energy Conservation Awards to industries that have demonstrated measurable reductions in their energy use as part of the National Energy Conservation Awards Programme. He also presented the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation Prizes and visited the galleria.
6 - Vice President conferred 'Yeraringan' Award to M.S. Swaminathan
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu conferred 'Yeraringan' Award to Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, a transformative leader who has inspired many scientists to focus on the problem of Indian agriculture. During the tenure of Prof. Swaminathan as an adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, he invited Dr. Norman Borlaug to India and worked with him in developing high yielding varieties of wheat, which resulted in adoption of the new agricultural strategy of using high yielding variety seeds and chemical fertilizers.
7 - Actress Priyanka Chopra honored with Mother Teresa Memorial award for social justice
Indian actress Priyanka Chopra received Mother Teresa Memorial award for social justice for providing her support and contribution towards social causes. Veteran actress and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra had been responsibly handling role of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador by fighting for the rights of refugees and displaced people. The Mother Teresa Awards are conferred to honour individuals and organizations that bring peace, equality and social justice among all. Mother Teresa award for social justice is given in memory of Christian missionary Mother Teresa, by the Harmony Foundation based in Mumbai.
8 - Diwali foundation’s ‘Power of One’ award given to 6 diplomats
Diwali Foundation, USA that grew out of the campaign for a United States postage stamp to commemorate the ‘festival of lights’, gave away first “Power of One” award. It was given to Lakshmi Puri (Deputy Executive Director of UN Women), Egypt’s former Under Secretary-General Maged Abdelaziz, Moldova‘s former director of General Assembly Affairs Ion Botnaru, former Ukraine permanent representative Yuriy Seregeyev. Lebanon’s permanent representative Nawaf Salam and Britain's Permanent Representative Matthew Ryrcroft.
9 - G. Satheesh Reddy conferred with National Design Award
Scientific Adviser to Union Defense Minister and Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems, G. Satheesh Reddy, has been conferred with the prestigious National Design Award. Mr Reddy has been honoured for his major role in indigenous design and development of state-of-the-art weapon systems, formulation of national policies, harnessing the research and innovation in industry, academia and R&D institutes. He is the only Indian to hold the distinction of being inducted as Fellow of Royal Institute of Navigation, London and Royal Aeronautical Society, UK.
