Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Gina Justus, a teacher at English High School, Sharjah Girls’ Branch, UAE, wins the MENA region in the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, she’s worked in the UAE since 2005. Recognized for mentorship and charity work, she stood out among 14,840 nominations from 141 countries. The awards honor primary and secondary educators globally, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping students’ futures.

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Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, an Assamese wildlife biologist, clinched her second Whitley Gold Award, also known as the Green Oscar, for safeguarding the endangered Hargila or Greater Adjutant Stork and its wetland home. She previously won in 2017. Princess Anne, the charity’s patron, presented her the trophy in London. Dr. Barman mobilized locals to protect the stork and its habitat, increasing their population from 450 to over 1800.

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Shashi Bhushan Singh, an Indian Railway Traffic Service officer, has been appointed as Secretary (Director level) of the National Jute Board in Kolkata by the Central Government. The appointment is for 5 years or until further notice. Established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008, the NJB began operations on April 1, 2010, consolidating the Jute Manufactures Development Council and the National Centre for Jute Diversification.

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Kamla Beniwal, Rajasthan’s first female minister, passed away at 97 on May 15, 2024, in Jaipur. Born in 1927 in Jhunjhunu district, she was a freedom fighter, earning a BA from Maharaja College and an MA from Banasthali Vidyapeeth. In 1952, she became an MLA, serving seven terms. At 27, she became Rajasthan’s first female minister. She held various ministerial roles in Congress governments, including deputy chief minister in 2003.

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IN-SPACe, India’s National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, received the Geospatial World Forum Leadership Award for “Public Policy: Enabling Industry Development” at the 2024 event in Rotterdam. Rajeev Jyoti and Kriti Khatri accepted the honor on behalf of IN-SPACe. The award recognizes their groundbreaking efforts in advancing India’s space sector and supporting non-government entities. GWF Leadership Awards commend innovation and contributions to the global geospatial field since 2007.

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Renowned Hindi and Marathi storyteller Malti Joshi, Padma Shri awardee, passed away at 90 due to oesophagus cancer in New Delhi on May 15, 2024. Born on June 4, 1934, in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, she grew up in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. She excelled in Hindi literature, earning a Master’s from Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University. Known as the “Meera of Malwa,” Joshi’s impactful storytelling legacy spans across Hindi literature.

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Rajahmundry Central Prison was honored with the Biodiversity Conservation Award by Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board. The recognition applauds the prison’s eco-friendly initiatives, including groundwater preservation, natural farming, and crafting with natural materials. State Biodiversity Boards, mandated by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, are present in all states but not in Union territories, where the National Biodiversity Authority acts as their counterpart.

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Sanjiv Puri, Chairman and Managing Director of ITC, has been elected President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2024-25, replacing R Dinesh. Rajiv Memani is the new President-Designate, and R Mukundan is the new Vice President. Puri, an IIT Kanpur and Wharton alumnus, has received accolades including the ‘Best CEO Award’ 2024 and the ‘Transformational Leader Award 2022-23’.

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Jyoti Ratre, a 55-year-old entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast from Madhya Pradesh, became the oldest Indian woman to summit Mount Everest on May 19. Her achievement comes six years after Sangeeta Bahl’s record. This was Ratre’s second attempt, after harsh weather halted her 2023 climb. She has already conquered the highest peaks on five continents and aims to summit Mount Vinson and Denali to complete all seven.

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Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary of India, has been appointed Chairperson of Committee A at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, held from May 27 to June 1. Committee A addresses crucial health topics like universal health coverage, emergency preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and WHO financing. Chandra highlighted India’s COVID-19 management and commitment to global health, reflecting the “One World, One Family” philosophy and promoting health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).