Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Gujarat hosted the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo, winning the most awards during the three-day event, held outside Delhi for the first time. The state ranked among the top three in several categories, including overall renewable energy capacity, solar power, and wind power. Gujarat secured the top spot in overall renewable energy and wind power capacity, while it ranked second in solar power capacity, with Rajasthan leading.

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The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) received the 2024 @UN Inter-Agency Task Force Award for its significant contributions to preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and enhancing mental health. This recognition highlights ICMR’s contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to health. This recognition highlights ICMR’s initiatives, such as establishing national centres for Assistive Health Technology and conducting extensive surveys.

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The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2024 has been awarded to Vera Voronova from Kazakhstan and Ysabel Agustina Calderón Carlos from Peru. The prize was established by the AEON Environmental Foundation in collaboration with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to biodiversity conservation and sustainability. The award is given biennially, every two years.

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The Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine 2024 has been awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun. They were recognized for their discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. MicroRNA is crucial for regulating gene activity. The Nobel Assembly stated that their discovery is vital for understanding how organisms develop and function. The winners receive a prize of 11 million Swedish crowns, equivalent to about $1.1 million.

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South Korean author Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first Korean to receive this honor. Her work is known for its “intense poetic prose” that addresses historical traumas and the fragility of life. Notable works include The Vegetarian (Man Booker International Prize winner in 2016), The White Book, Human Acts, and Greek Lessons.

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The 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A Robinson for their research on how institutions affect economic prosperity. They distinguished between inclusive and extractive institutions, emphasizing that societies with poor rule of law and concentrated power do not foster growth. Their findings link the historical choices made by colonizers regarding institutions to present-day economic disparities, highlighting the importance of inclusive systems for long-term prosperity.

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Dr. S. Somanath, ISRO Chairman, was honored with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) World Space Award for the success of Chandrayaan-3. The award was presented in Milan, Italy, recognizing India’s achievements in space exploration. Chandrayaan-3 made a historic landing near the Moon’s South Pole on August 23, 2023. India became the first nation to land near the Moon’s South Pole and joined an elite group capable of lunar landings. This award highlighted India’s growing role in the global space community.

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Urmila Chaudhary from Nepal won the Global Anti-Racism Championship Award 2024, presented by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. The award honors her work in advancing racial equity, justice, and human rights. Urmila was rescued from child servitude at age 17 and co-founded the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, empowering former bonded laborers. She fights for marginalized castes in Nepal and studies law to further her cause. The illegal Kamlari system, which sold girls into servitude, was abolished in 2013 after mass protests, but justice and rehabilitation efforts continue.

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The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak was awarded to 463 personnel from various states, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces, and Central Police Organizations in 2024. This medal recognizes excellence in Special Operations, Investigation, Intelligence, and Forensic Science. Instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs on February 1, 2024, it aims to encourage high professional standards and morale among officers. The award is announced yearly on October 31, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. It honors members of Police Forces, Security Organizations, Intelligence, and National Security Guard for exceptional performance and courage.

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The Tumaini Festival in Malawi, founded in 2014, is an annual cultural event held within the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. It is unique as the only festival held in a refugee camp and is organized entirely by refugees. The festival promotes community, solidarity, and cultural exchange between refugees and locals. It attracts thousands of attendees and features music, dance, theater, and visual arts from global performers. Tumaini Festival received the Cultures of Resistance Award in 2024, highlighting its impact and significance.