(General Awareness For Bank's Exams) Awards and Prizes

January, 2014

Bharat Ratna Award

The Government of India on 16 November 2013 decided to confer, the Bharat Ratna, the highestcivilian award on eminent scientist Prof CNR Rao and cricket player Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar is the first sports person to win the Bharat Ratna Award. The Bharat Ratna award so far, given only to eminent personalities from the field of dance, music, art, literature and the social sector. In the year 2011, the Government of India modified the eligibility criteria for Bharat Ratna Award - to enable eminent Sportspersons to receive the Nation’s highest civilian award.About Prof. CNR Rao

About Bharat Ratna award

• Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian Award of the country was instituted in the year 1954.

• It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/ performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.

• The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister himself to the President.

• The number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.

• The last recipient of Bharat Ratna award is Pandit Bhimsen Joshi in 2008.

• The first three Indians, who received the Bharat Ratna were Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Sarvapali Radhakrishnan in 1954.

• There is no written provision that Bharat Ratna should be awarded to Indian citizens only.

• The award has been conferred to a naturalised Indian citizen Mother Teresa (1980) and to two non-Indians Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan a n d Nelson Mandela (1990).

• The award does not carry any monetary grant.In terms of Article 18 (1) of the  Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name.

LIST OF RECIPIENTS OF BHARAT RATNA

EU’s Sakharov Human Rights Prize 2013

Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani teenage activist on 20 November 2013 received the EU’s Sakharov human rights prize for her brave crusade for the right of the children to education.

The European Parliament President Martin Schulz presented the award to the 16-year-old Malala at a ceremony in Strasbourg, France. Malala Yousafzai dedicated the award to “the unsung heroes of Pakistan” and to human rights campaigners worldwide. Malala was shot in the head in October 2012 for campaigning for better rights for girls in Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan, an erstwhile Taliban stronghold.

About Sakharov Prize

The Sakharov Prize for free speech is awarded by the European Parliament annually in memory of Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov. The prize was set up in 1988 to honour individuals or  organisations for their efforts on behalf of human rights and fundamental freedoms.  The 50000-Euro prize isconsidered Europe’s top human rights award. In 2012 the award went to detained Iranians, lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and film maker Jafar Panahi, to honour those standing up for a better Iran. with this award Malala joins a distinguished list of winners of the prize that includes South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar.

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace 2013

Dr. Angela Merkel, German Chancellor on 19 November 2013 selected for Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2013. The International Jury for the Prize was chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, which made this announcement on 19 November  2013 on the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi. Dr. Angela Merkel is nominated for her exemplary leadership in Europe and the world
during the financial crises, her commitment to universal peace and disarmament and her leadership role  in strengthening productive and mutually beneficial relations with India and other developing countries.

About Angela Merkel

• Angela Dorothea Kasner, better known as Angela Merkel,  was born in Hamburg, West Germany, on 17 July 1954. Trained as a physicist, Merkel  entered politics after the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall.

• Rising to the position of Chairwoman of the Christian  Democratic Union party,Merkel became Germany’s first female chancellor, and one of the leading figures of the  European Union, following the 2005 national elections.

About Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development

• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development was instituted ( in 1986) in the name of former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. It celebrates the values that she stood and fought for in the service of our nation and its people.

• The award is conferred upon the person or an organisation  irrespective of race, religion,nationality or other aspects. It consists of award worth 2.5 million Rupees as well as trophy along with citation.

• The Indiara Gandhi Award is constituted by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Liberian President was conferred with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2012.

National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement

Krishna Tirath, the union Minister for Women and Child Development  on 14 November 2013 gave away the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement to 22 children on Children’s Day during the opening
ceremony of Vatsalya Mela at Dilli Haat. The awards initiated in 1996 are presented every year to the children between the age group 4- 15 years for their exceptional achievements in various fields including academics, art, culture and sports etc. They include a Gold Medal with cash prize of 20000 Rupees and a citation, and 21 Silver Medals with cash prize 10000 Rupees and citations. The Vatsalya Mela is celebrated on the day of Jawahar Lal Nehru’s birth anniversary, which also marks the Children’s Day. The Gold Medal was presented to Harshal Shahi from Delhi for his exceptional achievement in the field of chess.

National sports award and it’s new criteria

After courting controversy during the selection of sportspersons for the National sports awards last year, the Union Sports Ministry has finalised a new set of criteria to make the selection process more transparent.

The Ministry has formulated a points-based system under which 90 per cent weightage will be given to sportspersons who have won medals in various international events in disciplines belonging to the Olympic Games (summer, winter and paralympics), Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

Points to be awarded for performances during the past four years will be calculated as per the following format: World Championship/World Cup [once in four years] (gold: 40 points, silver: 30, bronze: 20); Asian Games (30, 25, 20); Commonwealth Games, World Championship/World Cup [biennial/annual] (25, 20, 15); Asian championship, Commonwealth championship (15, 10, 7).

For performances in any other sports event other than the above-mentioned competitions, the selection committee will decide on the points to be awarded to a sportsperson.

According to the new criteria, medal winners in the Olympics and Paralympics will automatically be considered for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna or Arjuna awards (depending on the type of medal won).

For cricket and indigenous games, which are not included in the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, the selection committee will recommend the number of awards (not exceeding two).

Excellence award for HAL

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) has bagged Top Rankers' Excellence Award for Organizational Excellence in Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) category.

Dr RK Tyagi, Chairman, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited received the award from the organizers at a function in New Delhi. The Top Rankers' Management Consultants is a Delhi based executive search company which provides recruitment and HR solutions to various organizations.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Pritam Singh, Padmashri and Director General of International Management Institute (IMI) said the awardees under different categories were chosen based on the leadership qualities and the potential of the organizations to be a game changer in their chosen field of activity.

Bharat Ratna for Tendulkar on Feb 4

Sachin Tendulkar will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna on February 4 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket on November 16 after an illustrious career spanning 24 years, is also a Member of Parliament in the Upper House. The Rashtrapati Bhawan announced the award for

Tendulkar on the day he retired, making him the first sportsman get the honour.

Tendulkar, who called it a day after his historic 200th Test match will receive the award along with eminent scientist Professor CNR Rao. Many believed hockey legend Dhyanchand should have got the Bharat Ratna ahead of any other sportsman but when Tendulkar's name was announced, few disagreed on the historic nomination.

The last recipient of the Bharat Ratna was legendary musician Bhimsen Joshi back in 2009.

GG2 Leadership Awards

Malala Yousafzai, Kainat Riaz and Shazia Ramzan on 27 November 2013 were chosen for the GG2 Hammer Award, for their bravery at the GG2 (Garavi Gujarat 2) Leadership Awards 2013 a London. The activist Malala Yousafzai won the number one spot in the GG2 Power List 101 for her work in raising awareness for female empowerment. Malala Yousafzai, the teenager from Pakistan, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls’ education. She has been named as the Britain’s most influential Asian by a weekly publication. Kainat Riaz and Shazia Ramzan were shot and wounded in Swat Valley last year. The GG2 Hammer Award winner of 2013 transcends every boundary and appeals to the very core of our humanity. The GG2 Power 101 has been compiled by The Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG) and features the top 101 most
influential Asians in the UK, ranging from all walks of life. Now in its third year, the list honours some notable British Asians who hold power and influence not just in Britain, but also globally.

Others who received the award are:

• Ingrid Loyau-Kennett was handed the GG2 Spirit in the Community Award for her courage and bravery in the face of the Woolwich attackers

• Simon Woolley, the founding member and director of Operation Black Vote was given the GG2 Pride of Britain Award

• Physicist Professor Tejinder  Virdee, who has previously worked on the investigation of the Higgs Boson particle, was honoured with the GG2 Man of the Year Award

•  Christine Lee received the award for Woman of the Year for her success in establishing and managing the largest British Chinese law firm in the UK

Other Asians who were ranked in the list:

• Nick Clegg, British Deputy Premier, who was the chief  guest on the occasion, was ranked first in the latest edition of GG2 Power 101 list.

• Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee MP Keith Vaz, who  headed the power list last year, has been ranked as Number 2.

• The steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal was ranked at Number 3.

• The Hinduja brothers, Srichand, Gopichand, Ashok and Prakash, were ranked at Number four in the Power 101.

• Lord Swraj Paul and his son Angad were ranked at Number 21 on the list.

International Indian of the Decade Award

Lord Swraj Paul, a leading NRI industrialist and educationist was presented with the International Indian of the Decade award on 15 November 2013. Swraj Paul was presented the award for his outstanding achievements in the fields of industry, education and philanthropy. Virender Paul, the acting High Commissioner of India to the UK presented the award to Lord Swraj Paul at the 20th anniversary of the publication of India Link
International (a monthly magazine).

About Lord Swraj Paul

• Lord Swraj Paul is the founder of the UK-based steel and engineering multinational  company Caparo, which at present employs about 10000 people worldwide from UK, USA and India.

• He was made the Life Peer is a member of the House of Lords  in 1996 and donated 1 million pounds to prevent the London Zoo closure in 1994.

• He became the first Indianborn Deputy Speaker of the  House of Lords in 2008 and was also appointed to the Privy Council in 2009.

• From 2000 to 2008, he was the member of the London  Development Agency. He chaired the London Development Agency Olympics Delivery Committee between 2005 to 2008, which was responsible for delivering  the land and infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympic Games on time and on budget

• In 1999, he became the  chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton in 1999. In 2006, he became the Chancellor of the University of Westminster. From 1992 to 1997, he was the prochancellor of Thames University and its chancellor in 1998

• In 1983 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India

• In 1998, he was granted the freedom of the city of London

• Universities of UK, USA, Switzerland and India has  awarded him 15 honorarydegrees

•  Massachusetts Institute of Technology gave him the Corporate Leadership Award

New Horizons in Physics Prize 2014

Shiraz Naval Minwalla, Professor of Physics in TIFR, Mumbai selected for the 2014 New Horizons in Physics Prize on 5 November 2013. He was awarded “for his pioneering contributions to the study of string theory and quantum field theory; and in particular his work on the connection between the equations of fluid dynamics and Albert Einstein’s equations of general relativity”. The New Horizons for Physics Prize awarded to promising junior researchers by Fundamental Physics Prize Foundation. The award carries prize money of 100000 US Dollars

Golden Elephant Award in ICFF

The 18th International Children’s Film Festival concluded on 20 November 2013 in Hyderabad. A Dutch Film named Kauwboy, directed by Boudewijn Koole won the Golden Elephant Award for best film in the ‘International Live Action’ category. The film is about a 10 year old boy and a bird. The Golden Plaque for second-best film in the same section was won by a German film Das Pferd Auf Dem Balkon or A horse on the Balcony. The Jury Prize for the best artwork was won by a Hindi film Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya directed by Shilpa Ranade. Ernest Et Celestine won the award for the Best Animation Feature and Zarafa won the Golden Plaque for the second best animation film in the International Animation Competition section that has been added in 2013. During the film festival, Batul Mukthiar received the best director award for his film Kaphal in the International Live Action. The best screenplay award went to Nono-The Zigzag Kid. The Golden Elephant trophy for Best Little Director category was given to an Indian film Breaking Silence and Tamator Chor. The Golden Plaque for the second best Little Director went to Phoolwati Amma and Mondial World School. The film festival was organised by the Children’s Film Festival India (CFSI), which is an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Andra Pradesh Government. The Festival started on 14 November 2013.

IAAC honour

Salman Rushdie, Mira Nair and Majula Bansal, the prominent Indian Americans on 21 November 2013 were honoured by Indo-American  Arts Council (IAAC) at the Angel Orensanz Foundation of Contemporary Art. The author, Salman Rushdie and filmmaker, Mira Nair were honoured for their commitment and contributions to the global artistic community. Whereas, Manjula Bansal, a renowned Indian- American pathologist was honoured for her contribution to Indian performing, visual and literary arts to New York City’s diverse cultural scene.

Indo-American Arts Council

The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit, secular service and resource arts organization charged with the mission of promoting and building the awareness, creation, production, exhibition, publication and performance of Indian and crosscultural art forms in North America. The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India.

First Centenary film award at IFFI

Waheeda Rehman, the veteran actress of Bollywood will be conferred with the inaugural Centenary Award for the Indian Film Personality of the Year 2013 at the 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on 20 November 2013. The award will be given to her in recognition of her contributions to the film industry. She has been selected unanimously by the team of five member jury. The award has been instituted by the Government of India to mark the 100 years of Indian Cinema. It includes a prize amount of 10 lakh rupees and a citation

Nehru Fellowship

Professor Mushirul Hasan, the former Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia on 14 November 2013 was conferred with the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund. The title of the Hasan’s fellowship project is Roads to Freedom – Prison, Prisoners and the Raj. The project of professor Hasan will see how the jails were used during the time of Raj to bring down the body and soul of those resting or revolting against the British.

Dayawati Modi Award

Anjolie Ela Menon, a contemporary artist was awarded with Dayawati Modi Award for Art and Culture and Education by Dayawati Foundation on 19 November 2013. The award comprised of a cash price of 2.51 lakh rupees, a silver shield and a scroll of hounour. It was presented to her by the Minister of state for Prime Minister Office, Department of personnel and Training, Government of India.

Infosys Prize 2013

The Infosys Science Foundation on 12 November 2013 announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2013 across six categories: Engineering & Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. The winners were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to scientific research. The Infosys Science Foundation also announced an increase in the prize
purse by 5 Lakhs to 55 Lakhs rupees for each category for 2013. The prize for the Humanities category will be  split equally between the two winners. The seven winners were chosen based on significant progress showcased in their chosen spheres, as well as for the impact their research will have on the specific field. In addition to the prize purse, each category award includes a gold medallion and a citation certificate.

United Nation Award

Martha Dodray, a health worker from Bihar on 6 November 2013 won the global UN Award for her commitment and dedication to eradicate Polio in India. United Nation has conferred the UN Frontline Workers Global Leadership Award to Martha Dodray. The award was given in recognition of the roles to individuals, organizations, and corporations played in supporting the work of the United Nations’ to advance global peace, justice, and prosperity. The United Nations Foundation and the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) honored recipients of the 2013 Global Leadership Awards at the annual Global Leadership Dinner in New York City.

About Martha Dodray

• Martha Dodray is an Auxiliary Nurse & Midwife (ANM) from Darbhanga district of Bihar

• She represented the worldwide polio frontline workers. Her contribution cause was recognized by United Nations Foundation in 2013 and awarded The other honorees recognized were

• Malala Yousafzai, honored for her role as a global activist on behalf of educating and empowering girls worldwide

• The Documentary Group and 10x10 for Girl Rising, honored for its efforts to ensure all girls receive an education

• GE Africa honored for its commitment to the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s Every Women Every Child initiative and for building partnerships across Africa to advance  country-owned solutions,innovation and development in health care

• Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative  to the United Nations, was presented the Leo Nevas Human Rights Award for her enduring commitment to the global advancement of human rights and a strong U.S.-UN relationship

• Senator Timothy E. Wirth, former UN Foundation President, and current Board Vice Chair, recipient of the Champion for Global Change, was honored for his leadership in advancing women’s rights, sustainable development, and climate security throughout his career, including his 15-year legacy as President of the UN Foundation

About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals.

About UNA-USA

The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a membership  organization dedicated to informing,inspiring, and mobilizing the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years, UNA-USA has worked to accomplish its mission through its national network of Chapters, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNAUSA
is a program of the United Nations Foundation. UNA-USA and its sister organization the Better World Campaign represent the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world.
Engineering Excellence Award 2013 Engineering Excellence Award 2013 was conferred on the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL), a Public Sector Unit under the Ministry of Finance, and Government of India on 19 November 2013. The award was given by Engineering Watch at SCOPE Convention Centre in Delhi. The second Best Engineering Marvel for Project Innovativeness was conferred on Modernisation of Ink Factory Project at Bank Note Press, Dewas. Indigenisation of Bank Note Paper production at Security Paper Mill, Hoshangabad and Modernisation of Bank Note Press, Dewas have been awarded under the Special Mention Category. Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) was formed after corporatization of nine units including four mints, four presses and one paper mill, which were earlier functioning under the Ministry of Finance.

The Company was incorporated on 13 January 2006 under the Companies Act, 1956 with  its headquarters at New Delhi. SPMCIL is a Miniratna Category-I CPSE, and wholly owned Schedule ‘A’ Company of Government of India. It is engaged in the manufacture of security paper, minting of coins, printing of currency and bank notes, non-judicial stamp papers, postage stamps, travel documents and others. Asian Trader Editor’s Award Priti Patel, an Indian Origin British MP on 22 November 2013 has been honoured with the prestigious Asian Trader Editor’s Award. She was awarded for her tireless campaigning to support small shops and
convenience stores. She was awarded at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in a ceremony held. Priti has supported the sector by campaigning for tougher punishments for offenders, who commit retail crime, reforms to business rates and cuts to red tape. She has also warned the Government of the impact on small shops of new tobacco controls being proposed by Europe.

Indira Gandhi NSS Best University Award 2012-13 President of India Pranab Mukherjee on 19 November 2013 presented Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Best University Award 2012-13 to Mangalore
University of Karnataka. Mangalore University is fourth in the row of universities winning Indira Gandhi NSS Award in Karnataka. Prior to this university, RGUHS, Bangalore University, and UAS Dharwad had received this award. The award comprises a memento and a citation along with a cash prize of 2 lakh  Rupees.

President of India also gave NSS  Best Plus 2 Council Award for 2012- 13 to Directorate of Higher Secondary Education, Thiruvananthpuram while Upcoming University Award was presented to Kumaun University,
Nainital. The awards are given to educational institutions, faculty and students for their contribution in various beneficial and voluntary activities. The awards were presented on the occasion of National Integration Day (19
November 2013) at a function in Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. National Integration Day is the Birth anniversary of the first woman Prime Minister of the India, Indira Gandhi.

Outstanding American by Choice Award

Rahul Jindal, a doctor of Indian  origin was selected on 9 November2013 for the prestigious Outstanding American by Choice award. He was awarded for his contribution to US health sector. He will be honoured by the US citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on 13 November 2013. Rahul is a transplant surgeon and philanthropist

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