Indian Railways launches Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims

 

Indian Railways has launched the Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims to visit Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham and Jyotirlingams among others. 

• The tourist train comprises 10 coaches and bookings are being done by IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation).
•  The service offers budget-friendly package for pilgrims.
•  The package includes train journey, road transportation, accommodation, sightseeing at tourist locations and onboard and off-board meals.

Musician Angélique Kidjo honoured with Amnesty International Award

 World-renowned musician Angélique Kidjo and three inspirational African youth activist movements have been declared this year’s joint winners of the prestigious Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2016.

•  The award will be shared between Benin-born artist Angélique Kidjo, one of world’s most successful African singer-songwriters, and the activist groups Y’en a marre from Senegal, le Balai Citoyen from Burkina Faso and Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) from DRC. 
• All will be honoured at the awards ceremony in Dakar, Senegal, on 28 May.

President Pranab Mukherjee presents 63rd National Film Awards 2015

President Pranab Mukherjee has conferred 63rd National Film Awards for the year 2015 in various categories at the function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

•  Legendry actor Manoj Kumar was conferred 2015 Dada Saheb Phalke Award, highest official recognition (award) in Indian cinema.
•  Baahubali: The Beginning (Tamil, Telugu film) directed by S. S. Rajamouli was bestowed with the Best feature film award.
•  Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Hindi) directed by Kabir Khan was awarded as the Best Popular film providing wholesome entertainment. 

The 63rd National Film Awards in the various categories :

•  Best Actor: Amitabh Bachchan (Piku).
•  Best Actress: Kangana Ranaut (Tanu Weds Manu Returns).
•  Best Direction: Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Bajirao Mastani). 
• Best Film on Social Issues: Niranayakam (Malayalam) directed by V. K. Prakash.
•  Best Supporting Actor: Samuthirakani for the film Visaranai (Tamil). 

Gujarat conferred with 'Most Film Friendly State' award

Gujarat has emerged as the "Most Film Friendly State" in the country at 63rd National Film Awards in New Delhi.

• Gujarat tourism was conferred with the national award for "Most Film Friendly State".
• Notably, Gujarat has become the first state ever to have received such an award, which is specially conceived to promote film tourism in States.
• The award was received by Jayesh Radadia, Minister of State for Tourism, Government of Gujarat, from the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.
• Gujarat tourism is playing the role of a nodal agency to develop film tourism in the state of Gujarat. 

Gujarat :

Capital -Gandhinagar

Districts- 33

Government

 • Governor- Om Prakash Kohli

 • Chief Minister- Anandiben Patel

 • Legislature- Unicameral (182 seats)

 • Parliamentary constituency- 26

Sudarsan Pattnaik bags gold medal at sand art contest in Moscow

 Renowned artistSudarsan Pattnaik bagged thegold medal at the ninth Moscow Sand Sculpture Championship “The magical world of sand” 2016. 

• Pattnaik won the championship for best composition ‘Mahatma Gandhi – World Peace’. 
• Pattnaik’s solo presentation-about fifteen feet high sand sculpture ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ depicted the message of non-violence and peace.

Sudarsan Pattnaik :

• Born- 15 April 1977 (age 39) -Puri, Odisha, India
• Occupation-Sand artist
• Awards -Padma Shri (2014)