General Awareness

AWARDS AND HONOURS - February 2024

Feb 2024

Jun 01, 2026

'India's First Olympic Gold' Book Released

Olympian P. T. Usha released a new book titled India's First Olympic Gold, written by hockey historian K. Arumugam. The work recounts India's historic field hockey gold at the 1928 Amsterdam Games, led by captain Dhyan Chand and the story of Indian players overcoming limited resources and fierce competition. The author highlights the training, team coordination, and strategic choices that helped India secure the country’s first Olympic gold in modern times. The book also reflects on the broader impact of the achievement on Indian sport, national pride, and inspiring future generations of athletes. Usha described the book as a tribute to pioneers who shaped Indian hockey.

Book released by Olympian P. T. Usha
Authored by hockey historian K. Arumugam
Recounts 1928 Olympic hockey gold in Amsterdam
Highlights Dhyan Chand-led team and challenges
Discusses impact on sport and national pride

Shrey Parikh wins 2026 Scripps Spelling Bee in spell-off

Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee after a tense spell-off that featured 32 correctly spelled words in 90 seconds. The winning word was bromocriptine, a polypeptide alkaloid related to ergot and dopamine. The victory nets Parikh a $50,000 prize and places him among the competition's most successful young champions. Judges noted his consistent performance across online and in-person rounds, while coaches highlighted disciplined study routines and a strategic approach to tough vocabulary. Parikh's win marks a landmark moment for Indian-origin students on the global spelling-stage. The Bee's organizers praised the diverse field and competitive finals.

Winner of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Spelled 32 words correctly in a 90-second spell-off.
Winning word: bromocriptine; prize: $50,000.
14-year-old speller from Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Celebrates Indian-origin success on the global spelling stage.

May 31, 2026

Shrey Parikh wins 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in California

Shrey Parikh, an Indian-origin student, won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in California after a spell-off. He spelled 32 words correctly in 90 seconds, including the winning word bromocriptine, and received a $50,000 prize. Parikh, from Rancho Cucamonga, beat Ishaan Gupta in a dramatic tiebreaker. The victory marks a notable achievement for the Indian‑American community in U.S. spelling competitions. Organisers praised his composure and accuracy under pressure. Support from teachers, family, and mentors featured prominently in coverage, highlighting perseverance and dedication required to excel in national-level contests. The win added to a growing list of accomplishments by Indian-Americans in U.S. academics.

Winner: Shrey Parikh, Scripps National Spelling Bee 2026.
Spelled 32 words in 90 seconds; bromocriptine was winning word.
Prize: $50,000.
Defeated Ishaan Gupta in a spell-off.
Celebrated by Indian-American community and supporters.

May 29, 2026

UN to posthumously honour Indian peacekeepers; Major Abhilasha Barak receives gender award

The United Nations will posthumously honour two Indian peacekeepers on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh (MONUSCO) and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan (UNMISS) will receive the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also present Major Abhilasha Barak of the Indian Army with the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year award for her work promoting women’s empowerment during UNIFIL deployment in Lebanon. India remains one of the largest peacekeeping contributors, with over 4,200 personnel currently serving in missions across several regions. Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have died serving under the UN flag.

Dag Hammarskjöld Medal awarded posthumously to two Indian peacekeepers.
Major Abhilasha Barak to receive Military Gender Advocate of the Year (2025).
India: second-largest UN peacekeeping contributor; ~4,200 personnel deployed.
Honours underscore India’s long-running role in global peacekeeping.

May 27, 2026

Padma Awards 2026 conferred on 66 eminent personalities

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Awards to 66 eminent personalities for the year 2026 at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards include two Padma Vibhushan, six Padma Bhushan, and fifty-eight Padma Shri recipients. Notably, noted film actor Dharmendra Singh Deol received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his contribution to art. Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar was honoured with a Padma Shri for sports. Other recipients include Taga Ram Bheel, Ratilal Mohanlal Borisagar, Swami Brahmdev, and Kumar Bose, among others named in the ceremony. The awards recognise diverse fields including arts, science, public affairs, and social service.

Total recipients: 66
Padma Vibhushan: 2; Padma Bhushan: 6; Padma Shri: 58
Dharmendra Singh Deol posthumously Padma Vibhushan
Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar Padma Shri
Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan

May 25, 2026

Violinist N Rajam to receive Padma Vibhushan

N Rajam, renowned Hindustani classical violinist associated with Gayaki Ang, has been named for the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. The Republic Day honours list is announced each year on the eve of Republic Day by the Government of India. Rajam, born in 1938 in Chennai, is celebrated for integrating Carnatic and Hindustani styles and for a long academic tenure at Banaras Hindu University. The Padma awards recognise achievements across arts, science, and public service, underscoring Rajam’s influence on Indian classical music and pedagogy.

Padma Vibhushan recipient: N Rajam
Born 1938, Chennai; known for Gayaki Ang violin style
Long tenure at Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Padma awards announced on eve of Republic Day
Significant contribution to Indian classical music

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