General Awareness

PERSONS IN NEWS - May 2021

May 2021

Aug 16, 2024

Renowned DRDO Scientist Ram Narain Agarwal, Father of Agni Missiles, Passes Away

Renowned DRDO missile scientist Ram Narain Agarwal, widely celebrated as the 'Father of Agni Missiles', passed away in Hyderabad. Agarwal was a pioneering figure in India's defense research and development, significantly contributing to the country's long-range ballistic missile program.
Agarwal led India's Agni missile programme from its inception in 1983 until his retirement in 2005. He spearheaded the development of various versions of the Agni missile, culminating in the successful Agni V, capable of striking targets over 5000 kilometres.
In recognition of his contributions, he received numerous accolades. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 by the Prime Minister of India for his contributions to aerospace and the Agni missile. He also received the DRDO Technology Leadership Award and Chandrasekhara Saraswati National Eminence Award. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1990 and Padma Bhushan in 2000 by the President of India.

Grammy Winner Ricky Kej's Rendition of India's National Anthem Sets Guinness World Record

On the eve of India's 78th Independence Day, Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej unveiled a spectacular new rendition of the Indian National Anthem, featuring an impressive collaboration of artists and a Guinness World Record.
Kej shared the release of the anthem on social media platform X with the caption, "Honoured to share my epic rendition of our National Anthem of India (Bharat).
This rendition brings together top classical musicians from both North and South India, including renowned figures like Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Amaan & Ayaan Ali Bangash, and Rahul Sharma.
It also features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from the UK and a choir of 14,000 tribal children from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences.

Aug 15, 2024

Star Olympian Shooter Manu Bhaker Inks Rs 1.5 crore Deal with Coca-Cola

Olympics bronze medallist shooter Manu Bhaker signed a Rs. 1.5 crore deal with beverage maker Coca-Cola for a one-year endorsement deal for its Thums Up cola product.
Following the Olympics, Bhaker's endorsement fee has surged six times, from the previous Rs 25 lakh to approximately Rs. 1.5 crore now, according to the report. At the Olympics, she secured a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman shooter to do so.

Aug 13, 2024

Pakistan Singer Haniya Aslam, One-half of Music Duo Zeb-Haniya, Dies

Pakistani musician Haniya Aslam, of the band Zeb-Haniya, died. Her cousin and former band member, Zeb Bangash, confirmed the news.
Haniya was considered one of the finest Pakistani musicians. She worked with Zeb on many successful compositions as part of the 'Zeb and Haniya' band. However, she moved to Canada in 2014 to pursue a solo career and learn more about music. The duo performed in 'Coke Studio' Pakistan, and rendered a popular number, 'Chal Diye'.
She also worked as a sound designer for the 2016 Pakistani drama short film 'Lala Begum'. Haniya created music for the 2016 romantic Pakistani film 'Dobara Phir Se'. She represented Pakistan's youth music in the world, and also co-authored one of the few books written about contemporary youth music in her country.

Aug 12, 2024

Exercise Udara Shakti 2024: Strengthening Indo-Malaysian Air Force Cooperation

The bilateral air exercise "Udara Shakti 2024" between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) concluded successfully. This exercise, hosted by the RMAF at its base in Kuantan, Malaysia, marked a significant milestone in military cooperation between the two nations.
The IAF's participation in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 was notable, with a contingent of seven Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft. These advanced jets, along with their crews, returned to India on August 10, 2024, after four days of intensive joint exercises and knowledge exchange.

In a First, Deaf Woman Crowned Miss South Africa amid Controversy

A 28-year-old woman became the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa after a divisive competition. Mia Le Roux, who was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was aged one, expressed her hope in her victory speech that her success will inspire those who feel excluded to pursue their "wildest dreams, just like I am." She also said that she wished to help those who were "financially excluded or differently abled".
Ms Le Roux was declared the pageant winner after finalist Chidimma Adetshina, aged 23, withdrew due to criticism regarding her Nigerian origin and allegations regarding her mother's identity. Notably, Ms Adetshina was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, but the family came from Mozambique.

Former External Affairs Minister and Padma Vibhushan Awardee K. Natwar Singh Passes Away

Veteran Congress leader and former External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh passed away at the age of 93.
Singh, a diplomat before joining politics, had served as the External Affairs Minister from 2004-05 as part of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Cabinet. He had also held multiple ministries earlier, serving as the Union Minister of State for Steel, Mines and Coal and Agriculture from 1985-86 in the Rajiv Gandhi government, and the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs from 1986-89.
Singh had won the elections for the first time from Bharatpur (Rajasthan) in 1984 after his switch from the Indian Foreign Services.
After joining the IFS at 22 in 1953, Singh served as India's Deputy High Commissioner to the UK (1973-77) and then became India's High Commissioner to Zambia in 1977. He also served as India's Ambassador to Pakistan from 1980-82.
He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, after he served as the head of the preparatory committee of the Non-Alignment Summit in New Delhi in 1983.

Aug 09, 2024

Nobel Prize-Winning Physicist Tsung-Dao Lee Passes Away

Chinese-American physicist Tsung-Dao Lee, who in 1957 became the second-youngest scientist to receive a Nobel Prize, passed away at age of 97. Prof. Lee, whose work advanced the understanding of particle physics, was one of the great masters in the field.
In 1957, Prof. Lee was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics together with Chen-Ning Yang for work exploring the symmetry of subatomic particles as they interact with the force that holds atoms together. At 31, Prof. Lee was the second-youngest scientist to receive the distinction. He won many other accolades including the Albert Einstein Award in Science, the Galileo Galilei Medal and the G. Bude Medal, as well as honorary doctorates and titles from organisations around the world.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

July GK, June GK, May GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26