Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Chief of Army Staff recently presented the President’s Colours to four Mechanised Infantry battalions. The President’s Colours, or “Rashtrapati ka Nishaan,” is the highest honor for military units or police forces for exceptional national service. The tradition dates back to ancient India when flags or “dhwajas” symbolized a king’s supremacy. During British rule, military units carried the monarch’s flag, which was replaced by the President’s Colours in 1950. The Indian Navy first received it in 1951. The flag features a golden border, unit insignia, and sometimes its motto and achievements, symbolizing pride during ceremonial parades.

Notes:
The Inland Waterways Authority of India’s Kalughat Intermodal Terminal in Bihar received a five-star SVAGRIHA rating. SVAGRIHA stands for Simple Versatile Affordable GRIHA. SVAGRIHA promotes green buildings and sustainability through the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) system for small buildings. The rating applies to projects under 2500 sq.m. with 14 criteria across five categories: architecture & energy, water & waste, materials, landscape, and lifestyle. The terminal achieved this rating by using recyclable materials like fibre, recyclable glass, and eco-friendly fixtures. This project is part of the IWAI’s efforts to enhance National Waterway 1 on the River Ganga.

Notes:
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil received the UN’s Champions of the Earth award on December 10, 2024, for his work in the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot. Gadgil chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, studying the region’s challenges from population pressure, climate change, and development. The Champions of the Earth award, established in 2005 by UNEP, is the UN’s highest environmental honor. It recognizes individuals and organizations creating sustainable solutions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Gadgil was the only Indian among this year’s awardees for his contributions to environmental conservation.

Notes:
Tulsi Gowda, an 86-year-old Padma Shri awardee and environmentalist from Karnataka, passed away in her Honnali village home in Uttara Kannada district. Revered as the “tree goddess” by the Halakki tribal community, she was known for her dedication to environmental conservation. Born in 1944, Gowda overcame early hardships, including losing her father at two and growing up in poverty. She worked as a laborer at a forest nursery, gaining deep knowledge of forests despite no formal education. Known as the “encyclopedia of forest,” she identified mother trees and contributed significantly to afforestation, wildlife protection, and preventing forest fires. She served the Karnataka Forest Department for 50 years, 35 years as a daily wage worker and 15 as a permanent staff member.

Notes:
Hindi writer Suryabala won the 34th Vyas Samman 2024 for her novel Kaun Des Ko Vasi: Venu Ki Diary, published in 2018. The novel explores cultural conflicts and identity struggles of Indian youth in America. Vyas Samman, instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991, honors outstanding Hindi literary works from the past decade with ₹4 lakh, a citation, and a plaque. Suryabala, born in 1943 in Varanasi, has written over 50 socially themed works, reflecting cultural insights. The novel highlights the alienation and identity crisis faced by overseas Indians, struggling to connect with their roots.

Notes:
Arunish Chawla, a 1992-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as the next revenue secretary, replacing Ajay Seth. Chawla currently serves as secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals since November 1, 2023, and holds additional charge of the Ministry of Culture until a permanent appointment is made. He has over three years left in service, with his tenure ending in July 2028. Chawla’s previous roles include joint secretary in the Finance Ministry, minister (economics) at the Indian Embassy in the U.S., and senior economist with the IMF. He holds a postgraduate degree and a PhD in economics from the London School of Economics. In Bihar, he served as additional chief secretary of planning, secretary of the State Planning Board, and project director for disaster rehabilitation.

Notes:
Manohar International Airport (GOX) won the ‘Best Domestic Airport’ title at the Travel Leisure India’s Best Awards 2024. The award ceremony was held in New Delhi, recognizing GOX as a top domestic aviation hub in India. A global survey with over 1,86,000 participants evaluated airports on accessibility, security, dining, shopping, and design. GOX excelled in all categories, becoming the preferred choice for domestic travelers. The airport features Goan cultural elements, modern amenities, and flexible flight schedules for comfort and convenience.

Notes:
Kaamya Karthikeyan, 17, became the youngest female to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents, completing the Seven Summits Challenge. She reached Mount Vinson in Antarctica on December 24, 2024, at 17:20 Chilean Standard Time with her father, Cdr S Karthikeyan. Previously, she scaled Mt Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mt Elbrus (Europe), Mt Kosciuszko (Australia), Mt Aconcagua (South America), Mt Denali (North America), and Mt Everest (Asia). A Class 12 student at Navy Children School, Mumbai, Kaamya’s achievements have been praised by the Indian Navy and Prime Minister Modi. Her journey inspires young adventurers worldwide.

Notes:
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the US, passed away at 100 in Plains, Georgia. President Joe Biden praised Carter’s life of principle, faith, and humility, calling him a man of courage and compassion. January 9 will be a national day of mourning in the US. Carter served from 1977 to 1981 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his peace efforts.

Notes:
Prativa Satpathy, renowned Odia poet, was awarded the Gangadhar National Award for Poetry 2023 by Sambalpur University. Satpathy gained prominence in the 1960s with her acclaimed work ‘Sesha Janha’. Her poems have been translated into several languages, gaining international recognition. The Gangadhar National Award, established in 1989, includes a citation, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000. Previous awardees include Gulzar, K Sachidanandan, and Jayanta Mohapatra.