Current Affairs Update: September, 2010

National Awards

Jnanpith Awards for ONV Kurup, Akhlaq Khan Shahryar

Eminent Malayalam litterateur O N V Kurup and noted Urdu poet Akhlaq Khan Shahryar have been chosen for the Jnanpith Award for the year 2007 and 2008 respectively for their contribution to literature. The recipients for the country’s highest literary honour were announced in New on Friday after a meeting of Jnanpith Selection Board chaired by noted Oriya writer and Jnanpith award winner Sitakant Mahapatra.

• Born in 1931 in Kerala’s Kollam district, Kurup is a leading voice among the contemporary Malayalam poets who has reinvented the narrative transition of Malayalam poetry through his long poems like ‘Ujjayini’ and ‘Swayamvaram’. • According to a statement by Bharatiya Jnanpith, the trust which presents the award, Kurup began his career as a "progressive writer and matured into a humanist though he never gave up his commitment to socialist ideology". • Kurup has 20 collections of poetry to his credit. He is also winner of several awards and honours including Kerala SahityaAcademy award, Sahitya Academy award, Vayalar award and Padmashri. • Born in 1936 in a Muslim Rajput family in Uttar Pradesh’sBareilly district, Shahryar shaped himself as an "intellectual poet", whose poetry strongly expresses an "ideological non- commitment". • His roots, according to the statement, lies in the poet’s desire for self-nrealisation and his attempt to understand modern problems.

Railways to honour Sushil

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced her decision to honour Railways’ wrestler for his gold medal performance in World championship in Moscow by rewarding him with a purse of Rs. 10 lakh.

• The Railway Minister said that Sushil would receive other awards too. Mamata complimented him for his spirit, drive and dedication and said that his victory was a victory for the ‘Rail parivar’ and dedication to the nation. • Sushil is posted as an Assistant Commercial Manager with the Northern Railway and is the third railwayman to secure a podium finish at the World wrestling championships after Bishambar Singh and Ramesh Kumar secured a silver and bronze in 1967 and 2009 respectively.

Irom Sharmila awarded Tagore peace prize

• Social activist Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast-unto-death for the past nine years demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 from Manipur, has been awarded ‘Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize’

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• The award carrying Rs 51 lakhs, a gold medal and a citation was given to Ms Sharmila by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM). • Ms Sharmila, who began fast-unto-death after the Assam Rifles killed 10 people at Malom village in Imphal valley in a encounter, would complete ten years of her struggle on November 2 next, they said. • She has already been awarded many prizes by both national and international organisations in her struggle for restoration of human rights in the.

Filmmaker D Ramanaidu gets Dada Saheb Phalke award

Movie moghul D Ramanaidu, a veteran producer with 130 films in a dozen languages in five decades, has been conferred the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for 2009 for rendering outstanding contribution to the world of Indian cinema.

• 74-year-old Ramanaidu, the legendary and prolific film maker from Andhra Pradesh who has worked with a galaxy of actors, will be presented the honour during the National Films Award function scheduled to be held in October . • The award consists of a ‘Swarn Kamal’, a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl.

• Over the last 47 years, he has produced over 130 films in several Indian languages and has found a mention in the Guinness Book of Records. • His film, "Surigadu" was selected for the Indian Panorama in 1993. "Asukh", a Bengali film, won the National Award for the Best Film in 1999.

Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009

Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunsiji, Shri Mohan Singhji and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshiji were honoured as Outstanding Parliamentarians. The three awardees belong to three different parties and this itself reflects the important role played by members from all parties whether from the Treasury benches or the Opposition benches.

The effective functioning of Parliament is certainly dependent on the norms, conventions and rules that govern proceedings. But it is the calibre of the Members who breathe life and vitality into this institution. Outstanding Parliamentarians through their speeches and interventions make Parliament a forum not just to reflect public opinion but also to mould it. There is no doubt that in today’s age of information overload, Parliament has to raise the standard and quality of its debates and discussions

Bhartendu Harishchandra awards for the year 2007 and 2008 The annual Bhartendu Harishchandra awards for the year 2007 and 2008 have been announced. Bhartendu Harishchandra was a patriot, prolific writer and a great social reformer. He dedicated his life to the development of Hindi literature. These Awards are given by the government since 1983 to encourage original book writing in Hindi on subjects related to journalism and mass communication. Later, in 1992-93 three more categories, namely- national integration, women’s problems and children’s literatures, were also included for the awards. Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting carries out this annual awards scheme. 2 Dr. Ram Mehar Arya

Well known broadcaster Shri Navneet Mishra gets the first prize for his book Vani Akashvani (manuscript) in ‘Journalism & Mass Communication’ category for the year 2007. In this category senior Hindi journalist Shri Devendra Upadhyay receives the first prize for the year 2008. He was awarded for his book Bharatiya Sansad Aur Media. For the year 2008, no entry was found to be fit for any award in National Integration category. In Journalism & mass Communication category, five commendation prizes for each year were also announced.

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International Awards

Pride of Award given to U.K.’s first Asian

Sir Mota Singh, the United Kingdom’s first Sikh and Asian judge, knighted by Queen Elizabeth II earlier this year, received the ‘Pride of India Award’ 2009, instituted by the India International Foundation (IIF).

• Indian High Commissioner Nalin Surie presented the trophy at the 6th annual awards of the Foundation here on Monday night in the presence of a distinguished gathering, including non-resident Indian industrialist Lord Swraj Paul. • Lord Paul, recipient of the ‘Pride of India Award’ last year, lauded the outstanding achievements of India and said “sometimes India is more democratic than most of the Western countries.” • Sir Mota Singh has held various positions in Kenya and the U.K. in the legal fields. Sir Mota Singh, 79, was raised and educated in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1954, he shifted to England to study law. • He joined the English Bar in 1967, and within months, developed a successful practice in civil law. Sir Mota Singh said: “India, which was considered as a third world country only a few years ago, is now on the brink of being a super power.”

World Statesman Award’ for PM Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been honoured with the 2010 ‘World Statesman Award’ by a US-based interfaith coalition for his commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights and peace in the service of humanity.

• 77-year-old Singh was awarded in absentia by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and Indian Ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, accepted the award on behalf of the Prime Minister at a glittering ceremony here.

Tony Blair gets Liberty Medal

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has received the Liberty Medal for his global human rights work and commitment to international conflict resolution.

• The medal is given annually by the Philadelphia-based NationalConstitution Center to individuals or organizations whose actions strive to bring liberty to people worldwide. • Blair was honoured for his work with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which promotes religious tolerance; for his initiative to improve governance in Africa; and for advancing peace in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, among other efforts.

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Sofia Coppola’s ‘Somewhere’ wins top Venice prize

Sofia Coppola’s "Somewhere," the tale of an actor, who sees the emptiness of his existence through the eyes of his child, won the top Golden Lion prize at the Venice film festival.

• Director Quentin Tarantino headed the jury, which unanimously chose Coppola’s film as the best movie at the 11-day annual festival. • The buzz in the final days of the festival had pegged "Somewhere" as a sure winner, and the jury appeared to have had no doubts, either. • "This film enchanted us from its first screening," Tarantino said. "It has the artistry we were looking for in a Golden Lion" winner, he told the closing ceremony. • Coppola has described the film, which made its world premiere at Venice, as a "portrait of today’s LA." • "Somewhere" is the fourth feature by Coppola, who is also one of the few female directors ever to be nominated for an Academy Award – for "Lost in Translation".

Modern Family,’ ‘Mad Men’ sweep the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards

Actor Archie Panjabi poses with her Emmy in Los Angeles.

‘Top Chef,’ hosted by Padma Lakshmi, adjudged outstanding reality series

• ‘Mad Men,’ a dark period drama set in the 60′s New York, and comedy series ‘Modern Family,’ a mockumentary about three families, won the top honours at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards. • ‘Mad Men’ won the Emmy for best television drama for the third time in a row, while ‘Modern Family’ took home the trophy for outstanding comedy at the awards presented here. • The comic series took home four more awards, including the best supporting actor trophy, which went to Eric Stonestreet, and an award for its writers, Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd.

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Sports

Indian men’s recurve team wins gold in Archery World Cup

The Indian men’s recurve team of Jayanta Talukdar, Tarundeep Rai and Rahul Banerjee clinched the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage IV after beatingJapan in the summit clash inShanghai.

• The Indian trio beat the Japanese team of Ryota Amano, Takaharu Furukawa, Hidekl Kikuchi 224-220 to finish on top. • India led Japan 57-54 at the end of the first end and built on it to make it 113-108 in the second end. • Japan was better in the third end (56-55) and both teams finished in a tie of 56-56 for their last arrows. • However, India rode on the fine show in the first ends to clinch the gold medal.

‘Go India, Go for gold’ campaign launched’

With 29 days to go for the , the organising committee launched a campaign to spread awareness about the mega event and muster support for the Indian sportspersons.

• Under the campaign titled – ‘Go India! Go for Gold’ the OC in collaboration with HT Media and Muthoot Pappachan group will collect about one lakh hand imprints from citizens as a gesture of ‘high five’ in support of the Indian teams. • In the three-week campaign, canvases will be put up at various colleges, schools, markets, malls, and offices and it will culminate in a march on an undecided venue. • During that march, the canvases will put up on both sides of the road to form a wall, stretching up to 4-6 kms.

Sachin becomes IAF’s honorary Group Captain

Senior Indian batsman was on conferred with the Indian Air Force’s honorary rank of Group Captain to honour his cricketing achievements and contribution to the nation.

• Tendulkar is the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by IAF and the first personality with no aviation background to receive the honour. • In 2008, India’s World Cup winning captain had received the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Army. • The 37-year-old Tendulkar was inducted into the Air Force as its brand ambassador with IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik doing the honours in a glittering ceremony at the Air Force auditorium in New Delhi.

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Gill doubles cash awards for CWG and Asian Games

The Sports Ministry doubled the cash awards for gold medal winners to Rs 20 lakhs for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games to encourage sportspersons to come up with an improved performance in the upcoming mega-events.

• The announcement to increase the cash incentives was made by the Sports Minister M S Gill, who also expressed confidence that the Commonwealth Games will be held successfully in October. • The main outcome of the Games would be the performance of our sportspersons and the sporting legacy left behind by the event. • "With a view to encouraging the sportspersons, the Minister announced doubling of cash awards for the coming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games to Rs 20 lakhs (from Rs 10 lakhs) for gold medalist, Rs 10 lakhs (from Rs 5 lakhs) for silver medalist, and Rs 6 lakhs (from Rs 3 lakhs) for bronze medalist."

India to make F1 debut in October next year

India will host its first ever Formula One Grand Prix on 30th October next year, the world governing body of the game FIA announced, ending the country’s long wait to become a part of the F1 calendar. India will stage the 18th Grand Prix on the 20-race calender, released by the FIA after a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

• The Indian GP is subject to FIA homologation. • India’s F1 race will be held at Jaypee Group Circuit, which is under construction now in Greater Noida, about 50 kilometres from the national capital New Delhi. • In October, 2007, the FIA signed a Rs 1600 crore contract with JPSK Sports Private Limited to organise an F1 race in India. • The estimated cost to develop the 5.15 km circuit is about USD 215 million with a seating capacity of 150,000. The construction work is expected to be complete by June 2011. • The 2011 season will begin with Bahrain Grand Prix on 13th March and conclude on 27th November in Brazil. • The FIA decided to continue the championship with 12 teams till the 2012 season, saying they could not find a team.

Mary Kom opens with win in World C’ship

Four -time defending champion M C (48kg) began her campaign in style, out- punching Sweden’s Lungo Vesenne Natalie 10-1 in the opening round of the sixth World Women’s Boxing Championships at Barbados.

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• Dubbed ‘Magnificent Mary’ by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Mary Kom was slightly cautious to start with before gaining in confidence to lead 2-0 after the opening round. • The mother-of-two from Manipur built on the lead making it 6-0 in the second round. • Mary Kom added four more points to her kitty in the next two rounds to round off a dominating performance.

DD Exclusive: Aerostat launched for CWG

Leaving no stone unturned to ensure the upcoming mega event in Delhi next month is a grand success, the CWG Organising Committee has unveiled a multi-purpose Aerostat at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, which is set to be a star attraction at the grand opening and closing ceremonies of the games.

• A wonderful example of art combined with technology, the 12 metre high aerostat comes at a cost of 40 crore rupees, and has 20000 cubic metre helium gas in it. • The Aerostat is capable of having video content projected on it, including animation and graphics and will be synchronised with events during the opening ceremony. • This apart, the Aerostat will be used to lift scenic elements and create dramatic effects. • On the day of the opening ceremony, the Aerostat will spread out in full glory, at a height of 30 metres, and would certainly add a special dimension to the star studded event. • This is being touted as the first time that such an element is being used at any event being held on such a large scale.

Alonso wins Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari

Fernando Alonso kept alive his challenge for the drivers’ World championship with a near-flawless drive to an emotional and exciting victory in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, his maiden race on home soil for Ferrari.

• The 29-year-old Spaniard, who had said he needed a victory to maintain his bid for a third World title in his first season with the Italian ‘scarlet scuderia’, delivered a stirring performance to the delight of a notably sparse crowd in the grandstands of the old Autodromo Nazionale. • Alonso lost a place after starting from his 19th pole position, but fought back and aided by a dazzling Ferrari pit-stop was able to hold on to win ahead of second-placed defending champion Jenson Button of McLaren and Felipe Massa, in the second Ferrari.

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Nadal wins US Open, completes career Grand Slam

Rafel Nadal sealed his place among the tennis greats on Monday, beating Novak

Djokovic to win the U.S. Open and complete his collection of grand slam titles.

• With eight grand slams already under his belt before this tournament began, the Spaniard was already assured a spot in the sport’s elite, but conquering New York elevated him to a whole new level and left no doubts about who is the number one player in the world. • Nadal overcame the distraction of a two-hour relay delay and losing his first set of the tournament to beat the brave but ultimately outclassed Djokovic 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-2 after three hours and 43 minutes of unrelenting tension at Arthur Ashe Stadium. • At 24, he was the third youngest to achieve the feat and his best may be still to come. • Nadal became the first man since Laver in 1969 to win the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open in the same year and he now has the chance to hold all four concurrently if he can add the Australian Open in January. • With nine grand slam titles in total — five French Opens, two Wimbledon, one Australian Open and now one U.S. Open, he climbed to seventh place on the all-time list and Federer’s record of 16 could be within his reach if he stays healthy.

Sushil Kumar creates history, wins gold at World Championship

Sushil Kumar made history by becoming the first Indian to win a World wrestling championship gold medal when he overpowered home favourite Alan Gogaev to win the 66kg freestyle title in Moscow.

• The exciting 3-1 victory in the title-bout also made Sushil the first Indian grappler to bag Olympic and World championship medals. The 27-year-old already holds the Asian and Commonwealth titles. • On his way to the final, Sushil convincingly defeated Anastasios Akritidis of Greece (6-0), Martin Sebastian Daum of Germany (4-1) and Batzorig Buyanjar of Mongolia (9-1) before rallying to beat reigning European champion Jabrayil Hasanov of Azerbaijan (4-3).

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