The 72nd National Film Awards recently announced its winners, with the Kannada film 'Mithya' achieving significant recognition. 'Mithya' was awarded the prestigious Best Kannada Film title. In addition to this, the film also secured two more honors at the ceremony. One of these awards was for Best Child Artist, acknowledging the outstanding performance by a young actor in 'Mithya'. The other award went to Best Actor in a Supporting Role, highlighting the strong acting talent within the film's cast. Rakshit Shetty produced 'Mithya', and Sumanth Bhat directed it. These multiple wins underscore the film's quality and its impact on the jury of the 72nd National Film Awards.

72nd National Film Awards: 'Mithya' Wins Best Kannada Film

The 72nd National Film Awards recently announced its winners, recognizing excellence in Indian cinema. The film 'Amaran' received significant recognition, with music composer GV Prakash Kumar earning his third National Award for his work on the film. Another notable achievement was actor Dhanush, who received a Special Mention for his performance in the period action film 'Captain Miller'. While 'Amaran' and 'Raayan' bagged top honours, some other anticipated films like 'Meiyazhagan' and 'Maharaja' did not secure wins in the marquee categories. The National Film Awards are among the most prestigious film awards in India, presented annually to honour the best films of the previous year.

72nd National Film Awards: 'Amaran' & 'Raayan' Win Top Honours

The 72nd National Film Awards recently announced its winners, celebrating excellence in Indian cinema. Veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty won the Best Actor award for his performance in the film 'Kaathal – The Core'. This marks Mammootty's fourth Best Actor honour at the National Film Awards, a significant achievement in his illustrious career. Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan also received his first National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in 'Chandu Champion'. The awards recognise outstanding films and artists across various categories, promoting quality cinema in India. The National Film Awards are among the most prestigious film honours in the country, presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

72nd National Film Awards: Mammootty Wins Fourth Best Actor

Renowned Indian author Ashwin Sanghi is set to become the first recipient of Bhutan's prestigious JSW Prize for Literature. This honour will be presented to Ashwin Sanghi at the 15th edition of the Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival of Bhutan. The festival's theme for this year is 'The Art of Being Human'. The JSW Prize for Literature aims to acknowledge and celebrate significant contributions to the literary world, particularly those that foster cultural understanding and human values. Ashwin Sanghi is known for his historical and mythological thrillers, which have gained widespread popularity. This award highlights the growing cultural ties and literary exchange between India and Bhutan, recognizing the impact of authors like Ashwin Sanghi on a global stage.

Ashwin Sanghi First Recipient of Bhutan's JSW Prize for Literature

Moozhikkal Pankajakshi, a celebrated artist and the last known practitioner of 'Nokkuvidya Pavakkali', passed away at 91. She was a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2021 for her significant contributions to preserving and promoting this unique puppetry art form. Moozhikkal Pankajakshi dedicated her life to mastering and teaching 'Nokkuvidya Pavakkali', a rare form of puppetry from Kerala where puppets are balanced on the artist's nose. Her demise marks a great loss for India's cultural heritage, as she was instrumental in keeping this ancient art alive. Moozhikkal Pankajakshi's efforts ensured that this intricate art form received national recognition and inspired new generations.

Padma Shri Moozhikkal Pankajakshi, Nokkuvidya Pavakkali Exponent, Passes Away at 91

Sahitya Akademi Award-winning Tamil writer Poomani recently passed away. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, announced that Poomani would be accorded State honours. Poomani received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his acclaimed novel 'Agnaadi'. This monumental work is an epic narrative that explores the communal riots of Sivakasi in 1899 and Kazhugumalai in 1895. Poomani's writing style was known for its realistic portrayal of rural life and historical events in Tamil Nadu. His literary contributions have left a lasting impact on Tamil literature and culture. Poomani's passing marks a significant loss for the literary community.

Sahitya Akademi Awardee Poomani Passes Away: Noted Tamil Writer

Dr. Denis Mukwege, a Senegalese surgeon, and the Burundian foundation 'Femmes en Action pour le Développement' (FAD) have been jointly awarded the 2026 United Nations Population Award. Dr. Mukwege received the award for his dedicated efforts in treating women suffering from obstetric fistula, a severe childbirth injury. His work focuses on restoring health and dignity to these women. FAD, the Burundian foundation, was honoured for its comprehensive support to vulnerable women and children, particularly in the area of reproductive health and empowerment. The United Nations Population Award is an annual recognition by the UN General Assembly for outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health issues. This year's awards highlight the critical importance of addressing maternal health and supporting women's well-being globally.

UN Population Award 2026: Senegalese Surgeon & Burundian Foundation Honoured

K. Pajanivel has been awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, for his exceptional contributions to traditional martial arts. The award recognizes his lifelong dedication to promoting and preserving ancient Indian martial art forms. K. Pajanivel's work has been crucial in ensuring that these traditional practices continue to thrive and inspire new generations. The Padma Shri is announced annually on the eve of Republic Day and is conferred by the President of India at a ceremonial function. This honor underscores the government's commitment to acknowledging individuals who have made outstanding contributions in various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service. K. Pajanivel's recognition brings attention to the rich heritage of Indian martial arts.

K. Pajanivel Conferred Padma Shri for Traditional Martial Arts

The New India Foundation (NIF) recently announced the recipients of its 2024 translation fellowships. These fellowships aim to promote Indian literature by supporting the translation of important non-fiction works from various Indian languages into English. For Malayalam, Jayasree Kalathil and Mini Chandran were selected. Murali Ranganathan received the fellowship for Hindi, and Shefali Jha was chosen for Urdu. The New India Foundation's initiative helps bring diverse regional voices and historical narratives to a wider audience, fostering a deeper understanding of India's rich cultural and intellectual heritage. This program is part of NIF's broader mission to support scholarship and public discourse on post-Independence India.

New India Foundation Announces Translation Fellowships for 2024

Simanchal Patra, a 98-year-old artist from Ganjam district in Odisha, has been conferred with the Padma Shri award. This national recognition celebrates his exceptional contributions to the preservation and promotion of Prahlada Nataka, a unique folk theatre form. Patra has dedicated over eight decades of his life to this traditional art, serving as a performer, director, and teacher. His efforts have ensured the continuity of Prahlada Nataka, which combines music, dance, and drama to narrate stories from Hindu mythology, primarily the tale of Prahlada and Narasimha. The Padma Shri award acknowledges Simanchal Patra's profound impact on India's cultural heritage and his unwavering commitment to this ancient art form.

Simanchal Patra Awarded Padma Shri for Prahlada Nataka Art

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently conferred with 'The Order of the Blue Horizon,' the highest civilian honour of Seychelles. This prestigious award was presented to PM Modi in recognition of his outstanding leadership and significant contributions to strengthening the relationship between India and Seychelles. The honour highlights India's commitment to maritime security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, particularly through initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). This award underscores the growing strategic partnership and diplomatic ties between the two nations. PM Modi expressed gratitude for the honour, reaffirming India's dedication to supporting Seychelles' development and security.

PM Modi Receives Seychelles' Highest Civilian Honour

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, a renowned Indian culinary figure, has been honored with the Padma Shri award, one of India's highest civilian honors. This recognition highlights his significant contributions to the culinary arts and his journey from humble beginnings. Kapoor also entered world records for his cooking achievements, further cementing his status as a global culinary icon. His career spans decades, during which he popularized Indian cuisine through television shows, cookbooks, and restaurants. The Padma Shri award acknowledges individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields, and Chef Sanjeev Kapoor's work has inspired many aspiring chefs across the nation. His story is a testament to perseverance and passion in the culinary world.

Padma Shri Winner Chef Sanjeev Kapoor Enters World Records

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Lal Krishna Advani received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, on March 30, 2024. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Advani at his residence in New Delhi. This special ceremony was held due to Advani's health. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu were present. The announcement of the award for Lal Krishna Advani was made by Prime Minister Modi on February 3, 2024. Lal Krishna Advani is the 50th recipient of the Bharat Ratna. He is recognised for his decades of service to the nation, including his role in shaping the BJP and his tenure as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

Lal Krishna Advani Awarded Bharat Ratna: India's Highest Civilian Honour

Sangyusang S. Pongener, a dedicated cultural guardian from Nagaland, has been conferred the Padma Shri award. This national recognition highlights his lifelong efforts in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Ao Naga community. Pongener is known for his work in traditional Ao Naga arts, crafts, and oral traditions. His commitment ensures that the unique customs, stories, and artistic expressions of the Ao people are passed down to future generations. The Padma Shri award acknowledges individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields, and Sangyusang S. Pongener's recognition underscores the importance of cultural preservation in India.

Sangyusang S. Pongener from Nagaland Awarded Padma Shri

President Droupadi Murmu conferred 65 Padma Awards for the year 2024 at a Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards included two Padma Vibhushan, nine Padma Bhushan, and 54 Padma Shri awards. Among the notable recipients were former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, who received the Padma Vibhushan, and actor Mithun Chakraborty, who was honoured with the Padma Bhushan. The President presented these prestigious awards in the presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Ministers. The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours in India, recognizing exceptional contributions in various fields. The ceremony highlighted the government's commitment to acknowledging individuals who have made significant impacts on society.

President Murmu Confers 65 Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Veteran actor Mammootty, celebrated singer Alka Yagnik, and star cricketer Rohit Sharma were among the distinguished individuals who received Padma honours. These awards are among the highest civilian awards in India, presented by the President of India. Mammootty, a prominent figure in Malayalam cinema, was recognized for his extensive career spanning over five decades and his impactful performances. Alka Yagnik, known for her melodious voice, received the honour for her immense contributions to Indian music, having sung thousands of songs across various languages. Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, was awarded for his outstanding achievements and leadership in the field of sports, bringing glory to the nation. The Padma Awards acknowledge exceptional service or performance in various fields like art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.

Mammootty, Alka Yagnik, Rohit Sharma Receive Padma Honours

Hockey India is celebrating the Padma Shri honour bestowed upon Savita Punia, the captain and goalkeeper of the Indian Women's Hockey Team. This recognition highlights her significant contributions to Indian hockey. Savita Punia has been a pivotal player, leading the team to various successes, including a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Her leadership and exceptional goalkeeping skills have earned her the nickname 'Great Wall of India'. The Padma Shri award acknowledges her dedication, sportsmanship, and role in inspiring a new generation of athletes. This honour for Savita Punia underscores the growing recognition for women in sports in India.

Savita Punia Honoured with Padma Shri for Hockey Achievements

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred the Padma Awards for the year 2026 at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. A total of 65 distinguished personalities received the awards, including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. Notable recipients included cricketer Rohit Sharma, veteran actor Mammootty, renowned singer Alka Yagnik, and tennis legend Vijay Amritraj. These individuals were honoured for their significant achievements and service in fields such as sports, arts, cinema, and public affairs. The Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honours in India, announced annually on Republic Day, and aim to recognise people who have excelled in their respective domains and made a notable impact on society. The ceremony highlighted the diverse talent and dedication present across the nation.

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