16th May 2025

1. Celebrating 50 Years of Sikkim’s Statehood: A Journey from Monarchy to Democracy
2. National Dengue Day 2025 Date, History, Symptoms, Cure
3. Trump Announces Removal of All U.S. Sanctions on Syria, Signaling New Diplomatic Chapter
4. Brazilian Scientist Mariangela Hungria Wins 2025 World Food Prize for Sustainable Farming Innovation
5. Sukhdev Thapar Biography: Early Life, Role in Indian Independence and Legacy
6. Blackstone’s ₹5,127 Cr Investment to Boost Maharashtra’s Logistics Infrastructure
7. India Ranks Among Top Six Patent Filers in 6G Technology
8. ReNew Power to Build India’s Largest RE Complex in Andhra Pradesh
9. India Successfully Tests Bhargavastra: Indigenous System to Counter Drone Swarms
10. PNB to Exit India SME Asset Reconstruction Company, Sells Stake for ₹34 Crore
11. World’s First Commercial-Scale E-Methanol Plant Begins Operations in Denmark
12. Neeraj Chopra Honoured with Honorary Lt. Colonel Rank in Territorial Army
13. India Launches First Cluster of CCU Testbeds to Decarbonize Cement Sector
14. ‘Inclusive India Summit 2025’ Marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day
15. Operation Nader and Anti-Terror Operations in Jammu & Kashmir
16. Cargo Handling at Major Indian Ports Increases 4.3% to 855 MT in FY25
17. Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh dedicated India’s first publicly funded DST-ICGEB ‘Bio-foundry’ in New Delhi
18. India to Launch First Manned Deep Ocean Mission ‘Samudrayaan’ by End of 2026
19. MoC&I Prohibits use of Antimicrobials in the Aquaculture Sector
20. IUCN SSC’s PSG Report 2023-25: Cross River Gorilla, Tapanuli Orangutan among 25 Most Endangered Primates
21. India gifts 15 electric vehicles to Nepal for mountain dialogue
22. Canara Bank Launched ‘CANARA TruEdge’ Savings and Current Account
23. MSMEs merchandise export share increased to 45.7 % in FY24: SIDBI report
24. Uttarakhand Secures Rs 1910 Crore Funding from EIB for Urban Infrastructure Projects
25. RBI Imposes Rs.2.72 Crore Penalty on SBI and Jana Small Finance Bank for Regulatory Non-Compliance
26. Brazilian Microbiologist Mariangela Hungria Wins 2025 World Food Prize
27. IOC Appointed Mikaela Jaworski as Chair of Coordination Commission for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games
28. NTPC Green Energy Appointed Sarit Maheshwari as CEO & Key Managerial Personnel
29. India’s Kynan Chenai and Sabeera Haris Win Bronze at ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2025
30. Three Time Oscar Winning Filmmaker Robert Benton Passed Away
31. National Award Winning-Makeup Artist Vikram Gaikwad Passed Away

National News

1. DST Launches Five Carbon Capture Testbeds in Cement Sector

• What:
  • The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector to reduce industrial carbon emissions.
• Why:
  • The initiative supports India’s goal to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2070 and meet Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Tell me more:
  • The CCU testbeds are the first research and innovation cluster in India, through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, focused on decarbonising the cement sector.
  • Testbed-1 (Ballabhgarh, Haryana): A pilot plant at the National Council for Cement and Building Materials, in partnership with JK Cement Ltd., will capture 2 tonnes of CO₂ per day using oxygen-enhanced calcination and convert it into lightweight concrete blocks and olefins.
  • Testbed-2 (IIT Kanpur + JSW Cement): Demonstrates carbon-negative mineralization by turning CO₂ into solid minerals, effectively converting emissions into rock.
  • Testbed-3 (IIT Bombay + Dalmia Cement): Develops a catalyst-based CO₂ capture system to be installed in a real cement plant, promoting scalable clean technology.
  • Testbed-4 (CSIR-IIP, IIT Tirupati, IISc + JSW Cement): Uses Vacuum Swing Adsorption to separate CO₂ from kiln gases and reuse it in construction materials.
  • Testbed-5 (IIT Madras & BITS Pilani, Goa + Ultratech Cement): Works on innovative methods to reduce carbon emissions by combining advanced research with practical applications.

Source: PIB

2. Inclusive India Summit Marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day

• What:
  • The Inclusive India Summit was held at India International Centre, New Delhi, on May 15, 2025, to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
• Why:
  • The event aimed to promote accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The summit was organized in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), SBI Foundation, National Association for the Blind (NAB), and other organizations.
  • Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed by DEPwD:
    • The MoU with ‘I for Humanity Foundation’ focuses on accessible environments and transportation, including an ‘Accessibility Index’ for public buildings.
    • The MoU with Nipman Foundation & YLAC will organize hackathons and Equal Opportunity Awards.
    • The MoU with Ramp my city Foundation aims to create barrier-free public infrastructure.
  • A voice and WhatsApp-based AI-enabled chatbot was demonstrated to help divyangjan access information about disability-related schemes.

Source: PIB

3. India Dedicates First Public-Funded Bio-foundry at ICGEB

• What:
  • Dr. Jitendra Singh dedicated India’s first public-funded DST-ICGEB ‘Bio-foundry’ in New Delhi during the 31st Board Meeting of Governors of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB).
• Why:
  • The facility aims to support bio-based innovations by collaborating with startups and researchers, boosting India’s biotechnology sector.
• Tell me more:
  • The ICGEB meeting was attended by representatives from over 60 countries.
  • ICGEB has three main centres: New Delhi (research and biotech applications), Trieste in Italy (headquarters), and Cape Town in South Africa (R&D and collaboration).
  • India is a founding member of ICGEB and ranks 12th globally and 3rd in Asia-Pacific in biotechnology.
  • India’s bioeconomy grew from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of $300 billion by 2030.
  • The BioE3 Policy, approved in August 2024, supports high-performance biomanufacturing and sustainable biotech practices.

Source: PIB

4. India’s First Deep Ocean Mission ‘Samudrayaan’ Launch by 2026

• What:
  • India’s first manned deep ocean mission ‘Samudrayaan’ using the submersible vehicle ‘Matsya’ will be launched by the end of 2026 to explore depths up to 6,000 meters with three scientists on board.
• Why:
  • The mission aims to enable deep-sea exploration for assessing living and non-living resources, comprehensive ocean observation, and exploring potential deep-sea tourism.
• Tell me more:
  • The 25-tonne, 4th generation submersible ‘Matsya’ is developed indigenously with a titanium hull to withstand extreme deep-sea pressure and temperature.
  • A 500-meter depth trial phase is planned by the end of this year as part of the step-by-step launch process.
  • NIOT, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the nodal agency implementing this mission.

Source: ET

State News

1. Butterthon Marks Sikkim’s 50th Statehood Anniversary

• What:
  • A 16-day Butterthon event was held in Sikkim to spot butterflies as part of the State’s 50th Statehood celebrations.
• Why:
  • The event aimed to promote butterfly watching as a new form of tourism and to celebrate Sikkim’s golden jubilee year.
• Tell me more:
  • The Butterthon started on May 1 and concluded on May 16, coinciding with the day Sikkim became India’s 22nd State in 1975.
  • The event was organized by the Butterfly Society of Sikkim-TPCF.
  • Participants included lepidopterists, ornithologists, and citizen scientists from India and abroad.
  • Foreigners visited Sikkim specifically to watch butterflies for the first time.
  • About 700 butterfly species are found in Sikkim, with 420 species concentrated in the Dzongu area near Khangchendzonga National Park.

Source: TH

2. Maharashtra Signs MoU for Modern Logistics Parks

• What:
  • Maharashtra government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Blackstone Group’s subsidiaries to develop modern logistics and industrial parks in the state.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to attract foreign direct investment and create new jobs by building advanced logistics infrastructure.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU was signed between Industries Secretary Dr P Anbalagan and Horizon Industrial Parks president R K Narayanan at Sahyadri Guest House.
  • The project will bring ₹5,127 crore FDI and is expected to generate about 27,510 direct and indirect jobs.
  • Key locations for the parks include Nagpur, Bhiwandi, Chakan, Sinnar, and Panvel.
  • The parks will follow the Maharashtra Logistics Policy 2024 and focus on green, digitally-enabled, and sustainable infrastructure.

Source: ET

3. ReNew to Build India’s Largest Renewable Energy Complex in Andhra Pradesh

• What:
  • ReNew announced a ₹22,000 crore investment to set up India’s largest single-site renewable energy complex in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.
• Why:
  • The project aims to boost renewable energy production and support Andhra Pradesh’s clean energy goals.
• Tell me more:
  • The complex will be located at Bethapalle village in Guntakal Assembly constituency.
  • The first phase includes ₹7,000 crore investment for 587 MW solar, 250 MW wind, and a 415 MWh battery energy storage system.
  • The total planned capacity is 1800 MWp solar, 1 GW wind, and 2000 MWh battery storage across all phases.
  • The initiative is the first major project under the Integrated Clean Energy (ICE) Policy launched in October 2024.
  • The project marks ReNew’s return to Andhra Pradesh after a six-year gap.

Source: IE

4. Operation Nader and Anti-Terror Operations in Jammu & Kashmir

• What:
  • Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police killed three terrorists in a joint operation in Pulwama district and neutralised three more, including a Lashkar-e-Taiba/The Resistance Front commander, in Shopian district.
• Tell me more:
  • The Pulwama operation at Nader, Awantipora, was based on specific intelligence.
  • In Shopian, security forces recovered AK rifles, ammunition, grenades, and other war-like stores.
  • The Resistance Front (TRF), involved in the insurgency, is linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist group.

Source: ET

5. Uttarakhand Gets Rs 1910 Crore EIB Funding for Urban Projects

• What:
  • Uttarakhand has secured Rs 1910 crore funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for urban infrastructure development in selected cities.
• Why:
  • The funding aims to improve cleanliness and provide pure drinking water in urban areas, raising the standard of living.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement was reached after talks between the Government of India, Uttarakhand Government, and EIB, with project records to be signed in June 2025 and tenders to start soon.
  • Projects include drinking water and sewerage in Pithoragarh, and drinking water systems in Sitarganj, Rudrapur, and Kashipur.
  • Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these cities have already been prepared and reviewed by the Department of Economic Affairs.
  • EIB and the Department of Economic Affairs praised the Uttarakhand Urban Area Development Agency (UUSDA) for project preparation.

Source: ANI

International News

1. US Lifts All Sanctions on Syria

• What:
  • US President Donald Trump announced the removal of all sanctions on Syria, ending years of restrictions against the country.
• Why:
  • The sanctions were lifted because they were considered to have achieved their purpose and to help Syria move forward.
• Tell me more:
  • The US decision follows talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who supported lifting the sanctions.
  • The United Nations welcomed the move as a step to help Syria’s reconstruction after years of conflict.
  • Sanctions on Syria began in 1979 and included arms embargoes, investment bans, asset freezes, and petroleum restrictions, which increased after the 2011 civil war.
  • The lifting of sanctions is expected to allow humanitarian aid, trade, and foreign investment, especially from Arab and Turkish sources.

Source: LM

2. World’s First Commercial-Scale E-Methanol Plant Opens in Denmark

• What:
  • Denmark started the world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant, with Maersk set to use the fuel for its container ships.
• Why:
  • The plant aims to provide low-emission fuel for shipping to help meet international targets for reducing carbon emissions by 2050.
• Tell me more:
  • The plant is located in Kasso, southern Denmark, and cost about 150 million euros.
  • It will produce 42,000 metric tons (53 million litres) of e-methanol per year.
  • Maersk operates 13 dual-fuel methanol container vessels and has ordered 13 more.
  • E-methanol is made using renewable energy and CO2 captured from biogas plants and waste incineration. Excess heat from the plant will be used to heat 3,300 local households.
  • The plant is jointly owned by Denmark’s European Energy and Japan’s Mitsui.

Source: DD

Banking and Economy

1. India Among Top Six in Global 6G Patent Filing

• What:
  • India has entered the list of top six countries in the world for 6G patent filing, as announced at the BHARAT 6G 2025 conference.
• Why:
  • This achievement aims to strengthen India’s position in advanced technology and ensure secure, indigenous 6G development.
• Tell me more:
  • Over Rs 300 crore has been sanctioned for more than 111 research projects related to 6G technology.
  • 6G will use TeraHertz frequency bands, offering data rates up to one terabit per second, which is 100 times faster than 5G.
  • Adoption of 6G is expected to contribute Rs 85,37,000 crore to India’s economy by 2035.
  • The Convergence India & 10th Smart Cities India Expo highlighted advancements in 5G, 6G, AI, IoT, Cybersecurity, and other technologies.
  • The Indian Mobile Congress 2024 included the launch of the International 6G Symposium and the Telecom Smart Cities Index.

Source: ET

2. PNB to Sell Entire Stake in ISARC for ₹34.04 Crore

• What:
  • Punjab National Bank signed an agreement to sell its entire stake in India SME Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (ISARC) for ₹34.04 crore.
• Why:
  • The sale is part of PNB’s plan to focus on core banking operations and exit non-core investments.
• Tell me more:
  • The Reserve Bank of India approved a change in sponsor and equity infusion by Authum Investment and Infrastructure Limited, who will take over PNB’s shareholding.
  • ISARC was jointly promoted by SIDBI, Bank of Baroda, PNB, and SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd to revive distressed SME assets.
  • In FY24, ISARC had a capital base of ₹129.68 crore, assets of ₹130.11 crore, income of ₹18.08 crore, and profit after tax of ₹9.37 crore.

Source: BS

3. RBI Imposes Penalties on SBI and Jana Small Finance Bank

• What:
  • RBI has imposed penalties on State Bank of India and Jana Small Finance Bank for deficiencies in compliance with banking norms.
• Why:
  • The penalties were given to address non-compliance with specific RBI directions and provisions.
• Tell me more:
  • State Bank of India was fined Rs 1,72,80,000 for not following rules related to loans and advances, customer protection in electronic banking, and opening of current accounts.
  • Jana Small Finance Bank was fined Rs 1 crore for violating a provision of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
  • RBI clarified that these penalties are for compliance issues and do not affect the validity of any transaction or agreement with customers

Source: ET

4. India Gifts 15 Electric Vehicles to Nepal for Sagarmatha Sambaad

• What:
  • India handed over 15 electric vehicles to Nepal to support the organization of the first ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ in Kathmandu from 16-18 May 2025.
• Why:
  • The vehicles were gifted to help Nepal with logistics for the smooth conduct of the Sambaad event on climate change.
• Tell me more:
  • The vehicles were given by Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava to Nepal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba.
  • The theme of the Sambaad is ‘Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity’.
  • The vehicles will be used for moving guests and officials during the event.
  • India has previously provided similar support to Nepal for elections in 2022.

Source: ET

5. Canara Bank and Union Bank Launch Special Deposit Schemes

• What:
  • Canara Bank and Union Bank of India have introduced special products to increase deposit mobilisation due to slowing deposit growth.
• Why:
  • The new schemes aim to attract more deposits by offering extra benefits to customers.
• Tell me more:
  • Union Bank offers 6.75% interest for 375-day deposits between ₹10 lakh and ₹3 crore, along with a Super Top-up Health Insurance cover of ₹5 lakh and cashless hospitalisation.
  • Canara Bank launched ‘Canara TruEdge’, a current and savings account product with flexible benefits like charge waivers and concessions linked to Monthly Average Balance.
  • Both banks’ products focus on personalised support and benefits, including a relationship manager for Canara Bank customers.
  • Union Bank’s scheme allows premature closure, loans against deposit, and an extra 0.50% interest for senior citizens.

Source: BS

6. SIDBI Releases Report on Indian MSME Sector Progress

• What:
  • SIDBI has published a report called “Understanding the Indian MSME Sector: Progress, and Challenges” with insights on MSME growth, challenges, and opportunities.
• Why:
  • The report aims to highlight key trends, barriers, and opportunities to help strengthen the MSME sector in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The report is based on a survey of over 2,000 MSMEs across 19 industries and covers topics like women entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the credit gap.
  • Over 6.2 crore MSMEs registered through Udyam Registration and Assist Portal by March 2025, up from 2.5 crore in March 2024, showing more formalization.
  • Access to timely and adequate credit remains a big challenge, especially for micro enterprises, with an estimated credit gap of 24% or ₹30 lakh crore.
  • Digital adoption is rising, with 18% using digital lending platforms and 90% accepting digital payments, mainly through UPI.
  • MSME merchandise exports increased from 43.6% in FY23 to 45.7% in FY24, but issues like skilled labour shortages and infrastructure gaps remain.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. SDAL Successfully Tests Bhargavastra Anti-Drone System

• What:
  • Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd (SDAL) conducted successful trials of its anti-drone system “Bhargavastra” at the Seaward Firing Range in Odisha’s Gopalpur.
• Why:
  • The trials were held to test and demonstrate the system’s ability to counter drone threats for the Army’s air defence.
• Tell me more:
  • Bhargavastra can fire 64 micro rockets in a single salvo to bring down drone swarms and jam UAVs. Each rocket has a kill radius of 20 meters.
  • The system uses a dual-layer defence: first with unguided micro-rockets for high lethality, followed by micro-missiles for precision.

Source: TOI

Science and Technology

1. Ban on Medically Important Antimicrobials in Aquaculture

• What:
  • The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry amended its 1995 order in May 2025 to ban several medically important antimicrobials in the aquaculture sector, including antibiotics, antivirals, and antiprotozoals, to address public health concerns over antimicrobial resistance.
• Why:
  • The amendment aims to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in animal-based food production, which poses food safety risks.
• Tell me more:
  • The ban includes 12 antibiotic classes and six antibiotics designated by WHO as authorised only for human use, but excludes phosphonic acid derivatives.
  • The amendment covers the use of these substances in culture, hatcheries, feed manufacturing, and processing of shrimps, prawns, and other fish products.
  • The new list supplements an earlier 2002 list that already prohibited 20 pharmacologically active substances, including five antibiotics and five antibiotic classes.
  • Glycopeptides are included in both the 2002 and 2025 banned lists.
  • The Coastal Aquaculture Authority and FSSAI have also banned several antibiotics in animal-derived foods, including aquaculture, in recent years.

Source: DTE

2. Most Endangered Primates List Features Cross River Gorilla and Tapanuli Orangutan

• What:
  • The Cross River Gorilla and Tapanuli Orangutan are included in the report “Primates in Peril: The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates 2023–2025” as two of the world’s most endangered primates.
• Why:
  • The purpose of the report is to highlight primate species at highest risk and to call for urgent conservation actions.
• Tell me more:
  • The list includes 25 species from Asia, Africa, Madagascar, and South America, with six from Africa, four from Madagascar, nine from Asia, and six from the Neotropics.
  • Fifteen species on the current list were not in the previous 2022–2023 report, and eight are included for the first time.
  • Nine primates had appeared in earlier lists but were removed previously to highlight other threatened species.
  • The report recommends actions like assessing population size, preventing habitat loss, engaging communities, enforcing laws, and restoring habitats.

Source: DTE

Awards

1. Brazilian Scientist Wins 2025 World Food Prize

• What:
  • Mariangela Hungria from Brazil received the 2025 World Food Prize for developing biological seed and soil treatments that reduce chemical fertiliser use and improve crop yields.
• Why:
  • The award recognises her work in ‘Micro Green Revolution’, helping farmers grow more crops with fewer chemical inputs, making agriculture more sustainable and nutritious.
• Tell me more:
  • Hungria is a microbiologist from São Paulo and has worked for over 40 years with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).
  • Her research led to biological nitrogen fixation methods, allowing crops like soybeans, wheat, maize, rice, and beans to absorb nutrients from soil bacteria.
  • Her technologies helped increase Brazil’s soybean production from 15 million tonnes in 1979 to an expected 173 million tonnes in the latest harvest.
  • Brazilian farmers save up to $40 billion annually in input costs due to her innovations.
  • She developed over 30 microbial technologies, including inoculants for seeds and soil, and her work now also helps restore degraded pastureland.

Source: DTE

2. Neeraj Chopra Gets Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Rank

• What:
  • Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, effective from April 16, 2025.
• Why:
  • The honour recognises Neeraj Chopra’s outstanding achievements and contributions to Indian sports.
• Tell me more:
  • The appointment was published in The Gazette of India and announced by the Department of Military Affairs.
  • Neeraj was earlier promoted to Subedar Major in 2024 and received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.
  • He became the first Indian to win Olympic gold in athletics at Tokyo 2020 and won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
  • Neeraj will start his season at the Doha Diamond League and compete in Poland and Czech Republic in upcoming events.
  • He was first enrolled as Naib Subedar in the Indian Army in 2016 and has received the Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna, and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Source: IE

3. Mikaela Jaworski Appointed Chair of Brisbane 2032 Coordination

• What:
  • Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski has been appointed as the new chair of the coordination commission for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
• Why:
  • The appointment is to oversee preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• Tell me more:
  • Jaworski is a former show jumper and was elected to the IOC executive board in 2020.
  • She succeeds Kirsty Coventry, who will become the IOC President in late June.
  • The first in-person coordination commission inspection of Brisbane since the city was awarded the Olympics in 2021 will take place later this month.
  • The Queensland government announced the final venue plan for the Games in March, including a new Olympic stadium and aquatics centre.

Source: RT

Important Days

1. National Dengue Day – May 16

Source: BS

Sports

1. Kynan Chenai and Sabeera Haris Win Bronze at ISSF World Cup

• What:
  • Kynan Chenai and Sabeera Haris won the bronze medal in the trap mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 for shotgun shooters in Nicosia, Cyprus.
• Why:
  • The medal marks India’s first shotgun medal at this year’s ISSF World Cups and the only podium finish at the Nicosia meet.
• Tell me more:
  • The Indian pair defeated Turkiye’s team 34-33 in a close contest to secure the bronze.
  • Chenai hit 23 out of 25 shots, while Haris contributed 11 hits in the final.
  • The Indian team finished fourth in the qualification round with a combined score of 142.
  • The Nicosia event featured 350 shooters from 54 National Olympic Committees.

Source: OC

Appointments

1. Sarit Maheshwari Appointed CEO of NTPC Green Energy

• Sarit Maheshwari has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of NTPC Green Energy with effect from May 10, 2025.

Source: BS

Miscellaneous

1. Robert Benton, Oscar-Winning Filmmaker, Passes Away at 92

• What:
  • Robert Benton, the three-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker known for “Kramer vs. Kramer” and co-writing “Bonnie and Clyde,” died in Manhattan at the age of 92.
• Tell me more:
  • Benton began as art director at Esquire magazine and later co-wrote the landmark film “Bonnie and Clyde,” earning an Oscar nomination.
  • He directed “Kramer vs. Kramer,” which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Benton.
  • Other notable works include “Places in the Heart,” “Nobody’s Fool,” “Twilight,” and “The Human Stain.”
  • Benton received the Writers Guild of America’s Ian McLellan Hunter Award in 1995 and the Laurel Award for screenwriting in 2007.

Source: TH

2. National Award-Winning Makeup Artist Vikram Gaikwad Passes Away

• What:
  • Vikram Gaikwad, National Award-winning makeup artist known for his work in films like 83, Uri: The Surgical Strike, and Ponniyin Selvan, died at the age of 61.
• Tell me more:
  • Gaikwad worked across Hindi, Marathi, and South Indian films, including Shakuntala Devi, Tanhaji, Sanju, Dangal, PK, 3 Idiots, Omkara, Balgandharva, Katyar Kaljat Ghusali, and O Kadhal Kanmani.
  • He won the National Award for best makeup artist in 2012 for Dirty Picture and again in 2014 for Jaatishwar.

Source: IE

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