Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the 2023 Champions of the Earth, honouring a city mayor, a non-profit foundation, a social enterprise, a government initiative and a research council for their innovative solutions and transformative action to tackle plastic pollution. Since its inception in 2005, the annual Champions of the Earth award has been given to trailblazers at the forefront of efforts to protect people and the planet. It is the UN’s highest environmental honour.

Vihaan Talya Vikas, a 10-year-old prodigy from Bengaluru, secured the top prize in the '10 years and under' category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) competition, a renowned photography competition.

Nita Ambani received the 2023 USISPF Global Leadership Award for Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility for her philanthropic work through the Reliance Foundation.

US President Joe Biden awarded the prestigious White House National Medal for Technology and Innovation to Ashok Gadgil and the National Medal of Science to Subra Suresh. Ashok Gadgil is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He is known for his work on developing sustainable technologies, including the Berkeley-Gadgil straw rocket stove and the Berkeley-Darfur Stove. Subra Suresh is the Vannevar Bush Professor of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is known for his work on materials science and engineering, including his research on developing new materials for medical devices and implants.

Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty was honoured with the 'Durga Bharat Samman' for his significant contributions to music and the heritage of Indian classical music.