Table of Contents
News: Most Important
1. Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh Bhupen Hazarika awarded Bharat Ratna
Social activist Nanaji Deshmukh, Music maestro Bhupen Hazarika & former President Pranab Mukherjee have been awarded Bharat Ratna. 112 Padma Awards, including 4 Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan & 94 Padma Shri Awards are conferred by President.
2. Arunima Sinha Becomes World’s First Woman Amputee to Scale Antarctica’s Mount Vinson
Arunima Sinha has become the world’s first female amputee to climb the Mount Vinson which is the highest peak of Antarctica. Also, she became the world’s first woman to climb Mount Everest in 2013.
3. D Gukesh is India’s youngest Grandmaster
At the age of 12 years, seven months and 17 days, D. Gukesh defeated Dinesh Sharma in the ninth round of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters chess tournament for his third and final GM norm to become the youngest Grandmaster in the country.
4. Kartik Sharma wins Australia’s men's Amateur Golf Championship
India's Kartik Sharma clinched New South Wales men's Amateur Golf Championship in Australia. He pulled off an exotic win over Australia's Nathan Barberie in the scheduled 36-hole final to emerge as champion.
5. South African Cricketer Johan Botha announces retirement
Former South Africa international and Hobart Hurricanes spinner Johan Botha has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket effective immediately. He captained South Africa in 21 matches across ODI and T20I
6. Naomi Osaka wins Australian Open Grand Slam Singles title
Japan's Naomi Osaka won her maiden Australian Open Grand Slam Singles title at Melbourne. She defeated Czech Petra Kvitova in the final. She becomes the first Asian player to achieve the world
number one ranking.
7. Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal to win Australian Open 2019
Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal to win his 7th Australian Open Men's Singles title at Melbourne. He surpassed American legend Pete Sampras to elevate himself to outright third on the
all-time Grand Slam title leader board.
News: Others
1. Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. names Sudhanshu Saraf as CEO of Steel Business
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd has appointed Sudhanshu Saraf as chief executive officer of its steel business with immediate effect. Saraf succeeds Naushad Akhter Ansari, who was elevated to the
post of joint Managing Director effective from January 1, 2019.
2. First Indian to Head Global Solar Council, USA
The chairman of National Solar Energy Federation of India, Pranav R Mehta, has taken over as the president of Global Solar Council. He is dubbed as the Solar Man of India. He has been conferred with the ‘Visionary Disruptor Award’ by Solar Future Today, which he received at the sidelines of World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
3. Ajit Mohan joined Facebook India as VP and MD
He succeeded Umang Bedi who left the post on October 2017. Mohan, a former CEO of Hotstar, was earlier appointed to lead as India’s head for the company in September 2018.
4. Vinesh Phogat 1st Indian athlete to be nominated for Laureus World Comeback of Year Award
Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat becomes the 1st Indian athlete to receive a nomination in the prestigious Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. She won gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Jakarta Asian Games.
5. WHO Goodwill ambassador Yohei Sasakawa to get Gandhi Peace Prize for 2018
Gandhi Peace Prize for 2018 will be conferred to Yohei Sasakawa in recognition of his work towards the eradication of the disease in India and across the world. He is Goodwill Ambassador of the World Health Organization for Leprosy Elimination.
6. Dr. Rattan Lal honoured with 2019 Japan Prize
Dr. Rattan Lal awarded 2019 Japan Prize for his work in identifying technological options adapted to various ecosystems through his intensive basic & applied research on processes & factors of soil
degradation caused by inappropriate biological production
7. Army Chief Bipin Rawat among 19 awarded highest medal
Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), the highest military medal awarded in recognition of peace-time services not relating to gallantr