Bharat Ratna, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Champion of the Inauguration of BAPS Mandir and Gratitude for Support

Farmers • Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to President Al

Chaudhary Charan Singh revered as a true champion of Nahyan for his support in facilitating the construction of
India’s agrarian community dedicated his life to the welfare of the first Hindu stone temple in the UAE, located in Abu
the farmers. His tenure as Prime Minister, though brief, was Dhabi.
impactful, particularly his advocacy for policies that • The inauguration of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar
supported the agricultural sector and upheld the rights of the Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir
farmers. Singh’s legacy is a testament to his commitment to underscores the cultural and religious ties between India
rural development and his belief in the vital role of agriculture and the UAE.
in India’s economy. Digital Initiatives and Financial Collaboration
Singh’s initiatives aimed at alleviating farmer distress, • Modi congratulated the UAE President on the launch of
improving agricultural productivity, and ensuring fair prices the domestic card JAYWAN, which is based on India’s
for crops have left an enduring mark on India’s agricultural digital RuPay credit and debit card stack.
policies. His efforts to reform the agrarian landscape resonate • A transaction using the JAYWAN card was witnessed by
with millions of farmers across the nation, making him a both leaders, highlighting the advancement of financial
beloved figure among the rural populace. technology and collaboration between the two countries.
Bharat Ratna, MS Swaminathan, Father of the Green Revolution Participation in World Government Summit 2024
Dr. MS Swaminathan’s contributions to India’s agricultural • Prime Minister Modi’s participation as a guest of honor in
revolution are monumental. As the architect of the Green the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai
Revolution, Swaminathan’s scientific acumen and innovative underscores India’s global significance and commitment
approaches to crop improvement significantly increased food to multilateral cooperation.
production, thereby mitigating the threat of famine and • His keynote address at the summit reaffirms India’s role
ensuring food security for millions. His work not only in shaping discussions on global governance and
transformed India from a food-importing country to one of development.
self-sufficiency but also inspired agricultural reforms Frequent Engagements Highlight Strong Ties
worldwide. • Modi’s visit marks his seventh to the UAE since 2015,
Swaminathan’s dedication to sustainable agriculture and his demonstrating the continuity and depth of engagement
advocacy for the conservation of biodiversity have shaped the between the leadership of India and the UAE.
discourse on ecological balance and responsible farming • With his third visit in the past eight months alone, the
practices. His vision extends beyond immediate agricultural frequency underscores the importance both nations
gains, focusing on the long-term well-being of the planet and attach to strengthening bilateral relations.
its inhabitants.
Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Transfer Of 3 High
PM Modi’s UAE Visit Court Judges
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day visit The Supreme Court collegium, led by Chief Justice D Y
to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he was warmly Chandrachud, has recommended the transfer of three high
received by President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Their court judges upon their respective requests. The decisions
cordial meeting included discussions on various fronts, were made in accordance with the interests of better
signifying the strengthening of bilateral relations. administration of justice and personal reasons cited by the
judges.
Here are the key highlights of PM Modi’s visit
Recommendation 1: Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya
Warm Reception and Strategic Talks • Request: Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya of the Calcutta
• President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warmly High Court has sought a transfer to another high court
welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the airport, due to personal reasons, as conveyed in a
showcasing the strong personal rapport between the communication dated February 12, 2024.
leaders. • Resolution: The collegium has acceded to Justice
• The two leaders engaged in wide-ranging discussions, Moushumi Bhattacharya’s request and recommended
focusing on reviewing the strategic partnership and her transfer to the High Court for the State of Telangana.
identifying areas for further collaboration. Recommendation 2: Justice Anu Sivaraman
• Several agreements were signed during the visit, • Request: Justice Anu Sivaraman has requested a transfer
including a Bilateral Investment Treaty and an out of the State of Kerala.
Intergovernmental Framework Agreement on the India- • Resolution: The collegium has accepted Justice Anu
Middle East Economic Corridor, signifying a deepening of Sivaraman’s request and recommended her transfer to
economic cooperation. the Karnataka High Court.

23
Recommendation 3: Justice Sujoy Paul Craftsmanship and Global Collaboration
• Request: Justice Sujoy Paul has sought a transfer Constructed in the Nagara style of architecture, similar to the
because his son practices in the High Court of Madhya Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the temple required 18 lakh bricks,
Pradesh. seven lakh man-hours, and 1.8 lakh cubic metres of
• Resolution: The collegium has resolved to recommend Rajasthan-sourced sandstone. The intricate carvings and the
Justice Sujoy Paul’s transfer to the High Court for the marble used in the interiors, mined from Italy and carved in
State of Telangana, considering the better administration India, showcase the global effort and craftsmanship invested
of justice. in the temple’s creation.
A Landmark of Hindu Faith in the Gulf
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates Abu Dhabi’s First
The temple’s establishment, supported by the land donated
Hindu Stone Temple
by the UAE government, marks a new era for the Hindu
In a historic event on February 14, Prime Minister Narendra community in the Gulf region. It joins three other Hindu
Modi inaugurated Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu stone temple, temples in Dubai but stands out for its size and traditional
marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s cultural and stone architecture, symbolizing a significant cultural and
religious inclusivity. The inauguration ceremony was imbued religious landmark.
with devotional chants and witnessed the presence of
Prime Minister Modi’s UAE Visit
spiritual leaders from the Swaminarayan sect, highlighting the
This visit, Prime Minister Modi’s seventh to the UAE since
temple’s importance to the global Hindu community.
2015 and his third in the last eight months underscores the
Global Aarti: A Spiritual Unison deepening ties between India and the UAE. The inauguration
A highlight of the event was the “Global Aarti,” performed of the temple during this visit highlights the mutual respect
simultaneously at over 1,200 temples of the Swaminarayan and acknowledgement of cultural and religious diversity
sect worldwide. This act of global spiritual unity was between the two nations.
orchestrated by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam The Abu Dhabi Hindu temple not only serves as a place of
Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), illustrating the widespread worship but also as a beacon of cultural harmony,
reverence and support for the newly inaugurated temple. architectural innovation, and environmental consciousness. It
signifies the growing inclusivity within the UAE and
A Meeting of Faiths
strengthens the bond between India and the Emirates,
Prior to the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi engaged with
promising a future of shared values and mutual respect.
individuals from various faiths who played a crucial role in the
temple’s construction, emphasizing the collaborative spirit
Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Awarded
that underpinned the project. This interaction underscored
Prestigious Jnanpith Award 2023
the temple’s ethos of unity and the bridging of cultural
divides. The Jnanpith Award, India’s most prestigious literary
accolade, has announced its recipients for the year 2023,
Temple Architecture: A Blend of Tradition and Technology
marking a momentous occasion in the annals of Indian
Located on a 27-acre site near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu
literature. This year, the honour is bestowed upon two
Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, the temple was constructed at
luminaries from the world of letters: celebrated Urdu poet
a cost of approximately Rs 700 crore. It stands as a testament
and Bollywood personality Gulzar, and the distinguished
to ancient architectural principles derived from Hindu
Sanskrit scholar and spiritual leader Jagadguru
scriptures, the Shilpa and Sthapathya Shastras, which guide
Rambhadracharya. Their selection for the 58th edition of the
mandir design and construction. The temple’s architecture
award underscores the rich diversity and depth of Indian
harmonizes traditional methods with modern scientific
literary traditions, spanning the classical to the contemporary.
techniques, incorporating over 300 high-tech sensors to
monitor temperature, pressure, and seismic activity. This Gulzar: A Versatile Literary Genius
innovative approach allows for ongoing research and ensures Gulzar, born Sampooran Singh Kalra, has etched his name in
the temple’s safety and sustainability. the realms of Urdu poetry and Hindi cinema with an indelible
ink. As one of the finest Urdu poets of his generation, Gulzar’s
Eco-Friendly Construction
contributions extend beyond the poetic to include significant
Remarkably, the temple’s construction involved no metal use,
works as a writer and director in Bollywood. His achievements
with fly ash replacing a significant portion of cement in the
have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the
concrete mix, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. The use
Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu, the Dadasaheb Phalke
of heat-resistant nano tiles and heavy glass panels merges
Award, the Padma Bhushan, and several National Film
traditional aesthetics with modern functionality, catering to
Awards. Notably, his song “Jai Ho” from the film “Slumdog
the UAE’s extreme temperatures and ensuring visitor
Millionaire” has won both an Oscar and a Grammy,
comfort.
showcasing his international acclaim.

24
Gulzar’s directorial ventures such as “Koshish,” “Parichay,” S.No Category Winner
and “Mausam,” among others, are considered classics. His
5 Documentary 20 Days in Mariupol
creation of the ‘Triveni,’ a unique genre of non-rhyming
three-line poetry, and his focus on children’s poetry in recent 6 Animated Film The Boy And The Heron
years, highlight his innovative spirit and versatility. Christopher Nolan,
7 Director
Oppenheimer
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya: A Scholar of Sanskrit and
Original
Spirituality 8 Anatomy of a Fall
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya stands as a towering figure in Screenplay
the world of Sanskrit scholarship and Hindu spirituality. As the Adapted
9 American Fiction
founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Madhya Pradesh, his Screenplay
contributions to education, literature, and spiritual discourse 10 Leading Actress Emma Stone, Poor Things
are unparalleled. Authoring over 240 books and texts, 11 Leading Actor Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
including four epics, Rambhadracharya’s prolific output spans Supporting Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The
a variety of themes and forms. His receipt of the Padma 12
Actress Holdovers
Vibhushan in 2015 attests to his significant impact on Indian
Robert Downey Jr.,
culture and scholarship. 13 Supporting Actor
Oppenheimer
A polyglot fluent in 22 languages, Rambhadracharya’s
14 Original Score Oppenheimer
influence extends across linguistic and sectarian boundaries,
embodying the universal appeal of Indian spiritual and literary 15 Cinematography Oppenheimer
traditions. 16 Editing Oppenheimer
Jnanpith Award 2023 Committee 17 Casting The Holdovers
The awardees were selected by a committee headed by Odia Production
writer Pratibha Rai. Other members of the selection 18 Poor Things
Design
committee included Madhav Kaushik, Damodar Mauzo,
19 Costumer Design Poor Things
Suranjan Das, Purushottam Bilmale, Praful Shiledar, Harish
Trivedi, Prabha Verma, Janaki Prasad Sharma, A. Krishna Rao 20 Makeup & Hair Poor Things
and Jnanpith director Madhusudan Anand. 21 Sound The Zone of Interest
The Jnanpith Award, A Legacy of Literary Excellence Special Visual
22 Poor Things
Established in 1965 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, the Jnanpith Effects
Award recognizes outstanding contributions to Indian British Short
23 Crab Day
literature. With a legacy spanning over five decades, the Animation
award has celebrated the works of authors across various EE Rising Star
24 Mia McKenna-Bruce
Indian languages, reflecting the country’s rich linguistic and Award
cultural tapestry. The award includes a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, 25 British Short Film Jellyfish and Lobster
a statue of Vagdevi, and a citation, symbolizing the highest
honour in Indian literature.
MS Dhoni Named Captain of IPL’s Greatest All-Time Team
This year’s selection of Gulzar and Jagadguru
Rambhadracharya for their contributions to Urdu and Sanskrit The Indian Premier League (IPL), since its inception in 2008,
literature, respectively, marks the second time Sanskrit and has been a powerhouse of talent and excitement in the
the fifth time Urdu has been recognized, highlighting the
cricketing world. To commemorate its success, a selection
inclusive nature of the award.
panel comprising esteemed former cricketers and journalists
BAFTA Awards 2024, Check the Complete List of Winners convened to assemble the IPL’s all-time greatest team.

Check out the FULL List of BAFTA Awards 2024 Winners Here Selection Panel:
WasimAkram
S.No Category Winner
MatthewHayden
1 Best Film Oppenheimer TomMoody
Outstanding DaleSteyn
2 The Zone of Interest
British Film
Approximately 70 Journalists
Outstanding Earth Mama – Savanah Leaf
Debut by a British (Writer, Director, Producer), Captaincy:
3
Writer, Director, Shirley O’Connor (Producer), The iconic Mahendra Singh Dhoni was unanimously chosen to
or Producer Medb Riordan (Producer) lead this star-studded ensemble, bringing his unparalleled
Film Not in the
4 The Zone of Interest leadership and cricketing acumen to the fore.
English Language

25
Batting Order: AIIMS Jammu Inauguration
Another significant initiative is the inauguration of the All
Position Player India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Vijaypur
Opener David Warner (Samba), Jammu. This state-of-the-art facility, established
Opener Virat Kohli under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana at a
cost of over Rs 1,660 crore, sprawls over 227 acres. It boasts
3 Chris Gayle
720 beds, a medical college with 125 seats, a nursing college
4 Suresh Raina with 60 seats, and an AYUSH Block, among other amenities.
5 AB de Villiers The hospital is set to offer 18 specialities and 17 super-
6 Suryakumar Yadav specialities, including cardiology, neurology, and surgical
oncology, equipped with an ICU, emergency services,
All-Rounders: modular operation theatres, and digital health infrastructure
• Hardik Pandya to extend its reach to remote areas.
• Ravindra Jadeja New Terminal at Jammu Airport
• Kieron Pollard The foundation stone for a new terminal at Jammu Airport
will also be laid by the Prime Minister. Envisioned on a
Bowling Attack:
40,000 sqm area, the terminal aims to cater to 2,000
Type Player passengers during peak hours, embodying modern facilities
while reflecting the local culture. This development is
Spinner Rashid Khan
expected to bolster air connectivity, tourism, trade, and
Spinner Sunil Narine economic growth in the region.
Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal
Additional Projects
Pacer Lasith Malinga Moreover, PM Modi will initiate the development of a state-
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah of-the-art, fully automated Common User Facility (CUF)
Petroleum depot in Jammu. With a storage capacity of about
Prime Minister Modi’s Ambitious Inaugurations and 100,000 KL, the Rs 677 crore facility will store various fuels
and is aimed at enhancing the region’s energy security.
Initiatives in Jammu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Jammu is Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 Announced
set to mark a significant milestone in the region’s
The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards
developmental journey. With a suite of projects worth over 2024 took place in Mumbai, where 40 individuals received
Rs 45,375 crore ($5.5 billion approximately) set to be accolades for their significant contributions to the
inaugurated or initiated, this visit underscores the Central advancement of Indian cinema. Selected by a panel
Government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and comprising esteemed figures from the Indian film industry,
healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir. these awardees were recognized at the 70th edition of DPIFF.
World’s Highest Railway Bridge Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards list
A highlight of the Prime Minister’s visit is the inauguration of
Category Winner Work
the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River.
Towering at 359 metres above the riverbed, this engineering Best Actor Shah Rukh Khan Jawan
marvel surpasses the height of the Eiffel Tower by 35 metres. Mrs Chatterjee
Best Actress Rani Mukerji
Spanning 1.3 km, the bridge is a critical component of the vs Norway
111-km Katra–Banihal stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar- Best Film Jawan
Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) Project. This bridge is not Sandeep Reddy
Best Director Animal
just an infrastructural achievement but a significant step Vanga
towards connecting the Kashmir valley with Katra in Jammu, Best Actor (Critics) Vicky Kaushal Sam Bahadur
promising to reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar Best Actress (Critics) Kareena Kapoor Jaane Jaan
by five hours.
Best Film (Critics) 12th Fail
Additionally, PM Modi will flag off the valley’s first electric
Best Director
train and a train service linking Sangaldan station to Atlee Jawan
(Critics)
Baramulla station, further enhancing the region’s
Best Actor in a
connectivity. Bobby Deol Animal
Negative Role

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