Current Affairs - Persons - Discussion

Sudarsan Pattnaik became the first Indian artist to win the Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026 at the II International Festival of Sand Sculpture held in Kaliningrad, Russia. His award-winning creation was a three-meter-tall sand sculpture based on the theme of global warming and climate change. The artwork portrayed two contrasting faces of Earth, highlighting the consequences of environmental degradation and the importance of sustainable living and tree plantation. A renowned sand artist from Puri, Odisha, Pattnaik has represented India at numerous international events and has received several prestigious honours, including the Padma Shri, for his contributions to art and cultural diplomacy.