Jharkhand

• 28 Jan 2022

MoU between Tata Steel and Jharkhand Badminton Association

Why in News

• Amidst the growing popularity of badminton sport in Jharkhand recently, with every household taking up badminton as a hobby or profession, Tata Steel and Jharkhand Badminton Association have jointly signed an MoU to promote badminton in the state.

Key Points

• This MoU will pave the way for settlement of all pending litigation and settlement between Tata Steel and Jharkhand Badminton Association.
• The Tata Steel Sports Division Badminton Development and Advisory Committee has been constituted to take this initiative forward. The committee will work to develop badminton as a sport at Tata Steel's Badminton Training Center and Mohan Ahuja Badminton Stadium.
• This also includes providing best-in-class infrastructure for training and organizing district, state, national and international badminton tournaments.
• It is to be known that badminton is the most played sport in the world after football. Its popularity in the city has increased manifold.

Padma Award to Girdhari Ram Gonjhu of Jharkhand

Why in News

• On January 25, 2022, on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day, the President announced 128 Padma Awards for the year 2022, in which Girdhari Ram Gonjhu of Jharkhand has been selected for the Padma Shri.

Key Points

• Dr. Giridhari Ram Gonjhu, an eminent litterateur, educationist and cultural worker of Jharkhand, will be given the Padma Shri award posthumously in the field of literature and education.
• Dr. Gonjhu was knowledgeable in Hindi and Nagpuri language and had been a professor in the Tribal Language Department of Ranchi University.
• Dr. Gonjhu, a simple and friendly nature, was also a regular writer of My Mati published by Prabhat Khabar newspaper.
• The Padma Awards are the country's highest civilian honors, which are conferred in three categories. These three categories include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 'Padma Vibhushan' for exceptional and distinguished service, 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field.
• These awards are given in various disciplines/fields i.e. arts, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
• These awards are announced by the President every year on the occasion of 'Republic Day' and are given in formal functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually in March/April.
• This year the President has approved the conferment of 128 Padma Awards, including 2 Jodi Awards (the award given to a pair is counted as one award). The list includes 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri awards.
• Among the recipients of Padma awards, 34 are women and 10 persons in this list are under the Foreigner/NRI/PIO/OCI category and 13 persons have been given the award posthumously.