National
58th Jnanpith Award 2023
⇒ The Jnanpith selection committee has announced two popular names for the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award 2023, Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.
- This year marks the second occasion of the award being conferred for excellence in Sanskrit and the fifth time for Urdu.
- The recipients were chosen by a selection committee headed by Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Rai.
About Jnanpith Award:
- The Jnanpith Award, instituted in 1944, recognizes outstanding contributions to Indian literature and is awarded annually.
- The prestigious award includes a cash prize of Rs 21 lakh, a statue of Vagdevi, and a citation.
- In the previous year, the prestigious award was conferred upon Goan writer Damodar Mauzo.
About Gulzar:
- Gulzar is celebrated for his contributions to Hindi cinema and is recognized as one of the finest Urdu poets of our time.
- He has previously received several awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, Padma Bhushan in 2004, and multiple National Film Awards.
- Renowned for his musical prowess, some of his notable compositions include the song “Jai Ho” from the movie “Slumdog Millionaire,” which clinched both an Oscar in 2009 and a Grammy in 2010.
About Jagadguru Rambhadracharya:
- Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, is a distinguished Hindu spiritual leader, educator, and author of over 100 books.
- He was also awarded with Padma Vibhushan award in 2015 by the former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi.
- Rambhadracharya, fluent in 22 languages, is a versatile poet and writer proficient in various Indian languages including Sanskrit, Hindi, Awadhi, and Maithili.
Indigenous Mobile Hospital (BHISHM)
⇒ Two Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHM, revolutionary mobile hospitals equipped with cutting-edge technology, were deployed in Ayodhya to bolster medical readiness and response capabilities during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.
» Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024.
About Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube:
- This cube was a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, was tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care.
- The Aid Cube was equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies.
- It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
- Advanced medical equipment, RFID-tagged for efficient repacking and redeployment, was a key feature of the Cube.
- The state-of-the-art BHISHM software system integrated into a provided tablet allowed operators to locate items quickly, monitor their usage and expiry, and ensure readiness for subsequent deployments.
Important Day
52nd Statehood Day of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura
⇒ Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura celebrated their 52nd Statehood Day on 21 January, 2024.
- These three states became full-fledged states on January 21, 1972, under the North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.