CURRENT CONTEXT : The Government of Kerala has declared the State Kathakali Awards, Pallavur Appu Marar Vadya Puraskaram, and Keraleeya Nritta-Natya Puraskaram for the year 2023 to honour artists for their contribution to Kerala's classical performing arts. ABOUT THE AWARDS These awards aim to promote, preserve, and honour Kerala’s traditional arts such as Kathakali, Koodiyattam, and traditional percussion music. Reflects Kerala's cultural policy to recognize veteran artists and support art forms unique to the state. AWARDEES – 2023 State Kathakali Award Kuroor Vasudevan Namboothiri – for excellence in Chenda Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier – for mastery in Maddalam Pallavur Appu Marar....Read More

Current Context: President Droupadi Murmu presented Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 awards, marking the 9th edition of India’s largest urban cleanliness survey .  ABOUT SWACHH SURVEKSHAN Launched: 2016 under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Aim: Promote cleanliness through citizen engagement, city benchmarking, and competition. New Format: Five population categories – Very Small, Small, Medium, Big, and Million‑Plus cities. Theme 2024–25: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” (3R).  Relevant Data Super Swachh League: Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai recognized for consistent top performance. Top 3 in Million‑Plus: Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow named as new ‘Clean Cities’. Lucknow: Achieved 3rd....Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT:  President Murmu gave the Kalinga Ratna Award to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the 600th birth anniversary of Odia poet Sarala Das in Cuttack. The award honours Pradhan for his efforts in promoting Indian languages and educational reform. Celebration also honoured Adikabi Sarala Das (15th century), the first Odia poet who authored the Odia version of the Mahabharata. The award is presented annually by Sarala Sahitya Sansad to recognize excellence in education, culture, literature, or public service.Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT: English PEN announced Leila Aboulela, a Sudanese-Scottish novelist, as the winner of the prestigious 2025 PEN Pinter Prize for her powerful exploration of faith, migration, and the lives of Muslim women.  ABOUT LEILA ABOULLELA: Background: Born in Khartoum; based in Scotland since 1990; Honorary Professor at the University of Notable Works: The Translator (1999), Minaret (2005), River Spirit (2023). Recognition: Known for “unflinching” truth in writing; praised as “a balm, a shelter, and an inspiration”. ABOUT THE PEN PINTER PRIZE: Established: 2009, in memory of Nobel laureate Harold Pinter. Purpose: Awards writers casting an "unflinching gaze" on society; includes....Read More

Current Context : Advocate Varsha Deshpande from Maharashtra received the UN Population Award (Individual category) in New York, recognizing her decades-long work championing gender equality and fighting sex-selective practices.  ABOUT VARSHA DESHPANDE: Secretary of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, founded in 1990, focused on Dalit women’s rights and empowerment. Over 35 years dedicated to fighting gender-based violence, child marriage, and supporting women’s vocational training. Instrumental in promoting joint property ownership and advocating implementation of the PCPNDT Act to curb sex-selective abortions. ABOUT THE UN POPULATION AWARD: Established in 1981 and first awarded in 1983. Honors individuals or institutions for outstanding contributions....Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received "The Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis", Namibia’s highest civilian honour, from President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah—his 27th international award—during his state visit. ABOUT THE AWARD: Institution: Created in 1995, named after the desert plant symbolising resilience. Class: Awarded as Grand Commander. Significance: Recognises PM Modi’s contribution to bolstering India–Namibia relations—notably in digital cooperation, defence, agriculture, critical minerals, health, and energyRead More

CURRENT CONTEXT : During India Energy Storage Week 2025 in New Delhi, Telangana was awarded the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Industry Excellence Award 2025 under the State Leadership – Battery Manufacturing category.  ABOUT TELANGANA’S BATTERY STRATEGY: Policy Framework: Telangana EV & Energy Storage Policy and Renewable Energy Policy support BESS, solar charging, 100% stamp-duty exemption, and capital subsidies (20%, max ₹30 crore). Infrastructure Development: State has set up special industrial zones targeting battery cell manufacturing and EV component production, forming a localized supply chain. Clean Energy Push: Focus on advanced energy storage systems—battery manufacturing, EV assembly, and ESS—to align with national....Read More

Current Context: PM Narendra Modi was awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago—the country’s highest civilian honour—as part of India’s first PM visit to Trinidad & Tobago since 1999.  About The Award Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (ORTT): Highest national honour, single-class decoration established in 2008. Recognition Reasons: Acknowledged PM Modi’s global leadership, strong diaspora ties (>1/3 population of Indian origin), and Covid‑19 humanitarian efforts. Diplomatic Announcements: Indian support: 2,000 laptops for education; agro-machinery donation ($1M); healthcare collaboration; prosthetic camps; UPI, Jan Aushadhi adoption; OCI scheme to 6th generation. Trinidad initiatives: Joining CDRI, Global....Read More

Current Context: On 2 July 2025, during his historic visit—the first by an Indian PM in over 30 years—PM Modi was conferred the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana by President Mahama. About the Honour Award Details: Officer rank within the Order of the Star of Ghana, one of the nation's highest civilian honours; insignia includes a silver medallion with a tricolour ribbon (red, yellow, green) . Reason for Award: Recognises PM Modi’s “distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership”; dedicated to India’s youth, cultural diversity, and growing India–Ghana friendship. Diplomatic Steps Announced: India pledged to: Double ITEC....Read More

Current Context: Radhanath Swami, a senior spiritual leader of ISKCON, was honoured by the New York City administration at a special interfaith event for his decades of service in promoting spirituality, community leadership, and interfaith harmony. Who is Radhanath Swami? Born Richard Slavin in Chicago, USA (1950). Joined the Hare Krishna movement in the 1970s after a spiritual journey to India. Took sannyasa (monastic vows) in 1982 and became a key ISKCON spiritual leader. Known for social outreach, interfaith work, and Bhakti Yoga teachings Why the Honour Was Given For promoting peaceful coexistence through interfaith efforts. For leading community service....Read More