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Comprehensive Theory Notes: Indian Culture (RRB Exam)

I. DANCE

A. Classical Dances (Recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi)

• Bharatnatyam (Tamil Nadu):
  • Oldest classical dance style.
  • Characterized by grace, purity, sculpturesque poses, and intricate footwork.
  • Lord Shiva is the associated deity.
  • Key elements: Alarippu, Jatisvaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Thillana (concluding piece).
  • Thillana is a vibrant concluding presentation style.
  • Believed to be revealed by Lord Brahma and codified by sage Bharata in Natya Shastra.
  • Rukmini Devi Arundale: Famous dancer.
  • Sonal Mansingh: First female Bharatanatyam dancer to get Padma Vibhushan.
• Kathak (North India, Uttar Pradesh):
  • Influenced by both Hindu and Mughal traditions.
  • Known for: Intricate footwork, fast spins, storytelling through expressions (abhinaya).
  • Evolved from 'Kathikas' or storytellers.
  • Pandit Birju Maharaj: Famous exponent.
  • Shobhana Narayan: Famous Kathak dancer.
• Kathakali (Kerala):
  • Highly stylized dance-drama.
  • Known for: Elaborate makeup, costumes, masks, dramatic expressions.
  • Stories drawn from Hindu epics.
  • "Story play" genre.
• Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh):
  • Dance-drama performance, blending dance, music, and acting.
  • Often depicts stories of Lord Krishna.
  • Known for: Fluid movements, expressive abhinaya.
  • Named after Kuchipudi village.
  • Classical dance form of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.
• Odissi (Odisha):
  • Originated in Hindu temples of Odisha.
  • Known for: Graceful movements, sculpturesque poses, expressions, lyrical and sensuous.
  • Depicts religious stories of Vaishnavism (Vishnu as Jagannath).
  • Gotipua (young boys dressed as girls) is a precursor.
  • Minati Mishra: Famous Odissi Dancer.
• Manipuri (Manipur):
  • Also known as Jagoi.
  • Known for: Lyrical and graceful movements, Hindu Vaishnavism themes.
  • Themes mainly portray love of Radha and Krishna.
  • Raas Leela is a famous dance drama.
  • Cylindrical skirt Potloi worn in Raas Leela performances, richly ornamented, represents divine nature.
  • Guru Rajkumar Singhajit Singh: Noted dancer, choreographer.
• Mohiniyattam (Kerala):
  • Traditionally a solo female dance.
  • Known for: Graceful, swaying movements, expressive eye movements, and delicate gestures.
  • Name derived from "Mohini" (Vishnu's enchantress avatar).
• Sattriya(Assam):
  • Introduced by Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva in 15th Century.
  • Classical dance of North-East India (Assam).
  • Vaishnavite themes, devotional in nature.
  • Indira P.P. Bora: Sattriya dancer.

B. Folk and Tribal Dances (Regional Overview)

• North India:
  • Bhangra (Punjab): Energetic, harvest dance, linked to Baisakhi festival.
  • Giddha (Punjab): Women's folk dance of Punjab.
  • Nati (Himachal Pradesh): Popular folk dance, includes Yagya.
  • Chholiya (Uttarakhand): Sword dance, marriage processions.
  • Jat-Jatin (Bihar): Stories of couples, social issues.
  • Nautanki (Uttar Pradesh): Folk theatre.
  • Chharhi (Himachal Pradesh).
  • Ramkheliya (Bihar).
• East India:
  • Chhau (Jharkhand, WB, Odisha): Semi-classical, martial.
  • Gotipua (Odisha): Boys as girls, praise Jagannath and Krishna.
  • Paika Dance (Odisha/Jharkhand): Warrior dance, 'Paikas'.
  • Gambhira (West Bengal): Wooden masks.
  • Bihu (Assam).
  • Bon-geet (Assam).
  • Lila Rakhal (Assam).
• West India:
  • Garba & Dandiya (Gujarat): Navratri, stick dances.
  • Ghoomar (Rajasthan): Swirling, veiled women, 'ghaghara'.
  • Kalbelia (Rajasthan): Snake charmers, UNESCO.
  • Tamasha (Maharashtra): Folk theatre, dance, music.
  • Lavani (Maharashtra): Energetic, expressive.
  • Dahikala (Maharashtra): Folk dance of Maharashtra.
  • Fugdi (Goa): Dance form of Goa.
  • Mandi (Goa): Dance form of Goa.
  • Dhalo (Goa): Religious folk dance of Goa.
• South India:
  • Kolkali(Kerala): Stick dance, Malabar.
  • Pulikkali (Kerala): Recreational folk art form, tiger painted dress.
  • Thirayattam (Kerala): Ritual Dance, South Malabar.
  • Huli Vesha (Karnataka): Tiger dance, coastal.
  • Yakshagana(Karnataka): Dance-drama.
  • Kambala (Karnataka): Buffalo race.
  • Kolannalu(Andhra Pradesh): Stick dance.
  • Parichakali(Lakshadweep): Folk dance.
  • Mayil Attam, Kargam(Tamil Nadu): Folk dances.
  • Jallikattu(Tamil Nadu): Bull-taming sport (Pongal).
• Central India:
  • Jat-Jatin(Bihar): Folk dance of Bihar.
  • Jawara(Madhya Pradesh): Harvest, Bundelkhand.
  • Rai(Madhya Pradesh): Folk dance.
  • Bhagoria(Madhya Pradesh): Tribe festival dance.
  • Gaur Maria(Chhattisgarh): Folk dance.
  • Raut Nacha(Chhattisgarh): Tribal dance.
• North East India:
  • Maruni dance(Sikkim): Folk dance.
  • Changsang dance(Nagaland): Chang Naga tribe.
  • Rechungma, Gha to Kito, Chi Rmu(Sikkim): Dance forms.
  • Dumhal(Jammu & Kashmir): Folk dance.
  • Tarpa(Dadra and Nagar Haveli): Folk dance.

C. Key Terms

• Abhinaya: Expression in dance (facial, gesture, body).
• Natya Shastra: Ancient treatise on performing arts.
• Lasya: Graceful, feminine aspect.
• Tandava: Vigorous, masculine aspect.
• Mudra: Hand gestures.
• Rasa: Emotional flavor.
• Utsav: Festival.
• Potloi: Cylindrical skirt (Manipuri).
• Jagoi: Another name for Manipuri.

D. Festivals & Associated Dances

• Navratri: Garba, Dandiya Raas, Bhagoria.
• Pongal: Jallikattu (sport).
• Baisakhi: Bhangra.
• Naknyulum festival: Changsang dance
• Harvest: Jawara, Bhangra, etc.

II. MUSIC

A. Classical Music

• 1. Hindustani (North India):
  • Styles: Dhrupad, Khyal, Thumri, Tappa, Ghazal.
  • Gharanas: Kirana, Mewati, etc.
  • Instruments: Sitar, Sarod, Tabla, Harmonium, Flute, Shehnai, Santoor, Veena, Pakhawaj, Mridangam, Ghatam, Morsing, Dholak, Tanpura, Violin, Guitar, Mandolin.
  • Ragas: Sindhu Bhairavi.
  • Taal: Dadra.
  • Alapana: *Not* Hindustani.
  • Dhrupad: Male singers, Tanpura & Pakhawaj.
  • Tansen: Student of Swami Haridas.
  • Pandit Jasraj: Mewati Gharana.
• 2. Carnatic (South India):
  • Emphasizes vocal.
  • Trinity: Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri.
  • Instruments: Mridangam, Ghatam, Tabla, Morsing, Dholak, Mandolin (*not* percussion).
  • Ragas: Sindhu Bhairavi.
  • 'Karnataka Sangita Pitamaha': Purandara Dasa.

B. Folk Music

• Lavani, Tamasha (Maharashtra).
• Kajari (UP, Bihar).
• Alha (UP).
• Bon-geet (Assam).
• Saikuti Zai (Mizoram).
• Kalbelia (Rajasthan).
• Pandavani (Chhattisgarh).

C. Instruments & Musicians

• Sitar:
  • Pt. Ravi Shankar: Sitar player, Bharat Ratna awardee.
  • Anoushka Shankar: Sitar player.
  • Ustad Vilayat Khan: Sitar Exponent.
  • Instrument *not* played by Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma.
• Sarod:
  • Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: Sarod player.
  • Ustad Allauddin Khan: Musician, taught Sitar and Sarod.
• Tabla:
  • Zakir Hussain: Tabla player.
  • Kishan Maharaj: Tabla player.
  • Instrument *not* played by V Balsara.
• Flute:
  • Hariprasad Chaurasia: Flute player.
• Shehnai:
  • Ustad Bismillah Khan: Shehnai Maestro, Bharat Ratna.
• Santoor:
  • Shiv Kumar Sharma: Santoor player.
  • Bhajan Sopori: Santoor player.
  • Instrument *not* played by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
• Violin:
  • Mrs. N. Rajam: Violin player.
  • N. Rajan: Violin player.
• Guitar:
  • Vishwa Mohan Bhatt: Popularized Mohan Veena.
  • Pandit Brij Bhushan Kabra: Popularized guitar.
• Harmonium:
  • Musical instrument with a keyboard.
• Rudra Veena:
  • Ustad Bahauddin Dagar: Rudra Veena player.
• Tabla & Pakhawaj:
  • Accompaniments for Dhrupad singing.
• Mridangam, Ghatam, Morsing, Dholak:
  • Percussion instruments in Carnatic music.
• Veena:
  • Not Indo-Islamic in origin.
• Tanpura:
  • Instrument used with Dhrupad singing.
• Piano:
  • Instrument associated with V Balsara.
• Khanjuri, Sarod, Sitar, Santoor:
  • Santoor is reformed to a Shatha Tantri Veena.
• Saxophone, Trumpet, Shehnai:
  • Wind musical instruments.
• Khol:
  • Not a wind instrument, barrel-shaped drum.

D. Key Figures in Indian Music

• Tansen (Sangeet Samrat): Hindustani musician, student of Swami Haridas.
• Purandara Dasa: 'Karnataka Sangita Pitamaha'.
• Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri: Trinity of Carnatic music.
• Pandit Jasraj: Hindustani vocalist, Mewati Gharana.
• Girija Devi: 'Queen of Thumri', Banaras Gharana.
• Shubha Mudgal: Hindustani singer, Khyal, Thumri, Dadra, Indian Pop.
• Pt. Ravishankar: Sitar Maestro.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan: Shehnai Maestro.

III. PAINTING

A. Major Styles

• Madhubani (Bihar/Nepal): Mithila region, geometrical patterns, natural dyes.
• Kalamkari (AP, Telangana): Hand-painted/block-printed cotton, natural dyes.
• Warli (Maharashtra): Geometric shapes, daily life, white on mud.
• Tanjore (Tamil Nadu): Chola origin, gold leaf, precious stones, deities.
• Phad (Rajasthan): Scroll painting, religious.
• Gond (MP): Tribal art, bright colors, nature.
• Cheriyal Scroll (Telangana): Stylized Nakashi art.
• Pattachitra (Odisha): Cloth-based scroll, religious.
• Kalighat (Kolkata): 19th century, bright colors, deities/social.
• Mural: Ancient, cave paintings (Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh).
• Block Printing: fabrics printing.

B. Key Figures

• Raja Ravi Varma: Kerala, Indian mythology.
• Leonardo da Vinci: *The Last Supper*.
• George Chinnery: English, Indian life.
• Atul Dodiya: Contemporary, Gandhi series.

IV. INDIAN DRESS

A. Key Styles & Textiles

• Khadi: Handspun, handwoven, symbol of freedom.
• Phulkari (Punjab): Embroidery, floral.
• Chikankari (Lucknow): White thread on white cotton.
• Patola (Gujarat): Double ikat silk sari.
• Kanjeevaram (Tamil Nadu): Silk sari, gold zari.
• Potali (Manipur): Bridal dress, cylindrical skirt.
• Ghaghara (Rajasthan): Flowing skirt, Ghoomar dance.

V. MARTIAL ARTS/WARFARES

A. Key Forms

• Kalaripayattu (Kerala): Oldest, fluid, spiritual.
• Thang-Ta (Manipur): Sword & spear, dance.
• Paika Dance (Odisha/Jharkhand): Warrior dance.
• Mardani Khel (Maharashtra): Weapon-based.

VI. FAMOUS DISHES

A. Regional Specialties

• Gujarat: Khandvi, Dhokla.
• Rajasthan: Dal Bati Churma.
• Uttarakhand: Chainsoo (black gram).
• Kerala: Malabar Cuisine.

VII. BOOKS/AUTHORS

A. Ancient Indian Literature

• Natyashastra (Bharata Muni): Performing arts.
• Panchatantra (Vishnu Sharma): Fables.
• Meghaduta, Abhigyan Shakuntalam, etc.(Kalidasa): Sanskrit.
• Ratnavali, Nagananda, Priyadarshika (Harshavardhana).
• Rajatarangini (Kalhana): Kashmir kings.
• Arthashastra (Kautilya/Chanakya): Statecraft.
• Buddha-charita (Asvaghosha): Buddha's life.
• Nitisara (Kamandaka): Statecraft.
• Kamasutra (Vatsyayana): Human behavior.
• Lilawati (Bhaskara II): Mathematics.
• Charaka Samhita (Charaka): Ayurveda.
• Katha-Sarita-Sagara (Somadeva): Fables.
• Srautasutra & Sulbasutra (Bodhayan): Rituals.
• Veyi Padagalu (Viswanatha Satyanarayana): Telugu novel.
• Manimekalai (Sattanar): Tamil-Buddhist epic.
• Silappatikaram (Ilango Adigal): Tamil epic.
• Anandmath(Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay)

B. Medieval & Modern Indian Literature

• Padmavat (Malik Muhammad Jayasi): Awadhi epic.
• Ramcharitmanas (Tulsidas): Awadhi, Ramayana.
• Gitanjali, Gora, Ekla Chalo Re, etc. (Tagore): Nobel (1913).
• India Wins Freedom (Maulana Azad).
• Glimpses of World History, Discovery of India (Nehru).
• Untouchable, Coolie (Mulk Raj Anand).
• Train to Pakistan (Khushwant Singh).
• Pinjar (Amrita Pritam).
• The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy): Booker Prize.
• Interpreter of Maladies (Jhumpa Lahiri): Pulitzer Prize.
• Midnight's Children (Salman Rushdie): Booker Prize.
• Tamas (Bhisham Sahani): Partition.
• Chetan Bhagat novels (various).
• The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga): Booker Prize.
• Selection Day(Aravind Adiga).
• The Sellout(Paul Beatty): Man Booker Prize.
• Celestial Bodies(Jokha Alharthi): Man Booker International.
• At Night All Blood is Black(David Diop): Man Booker Int'l.
• India Divided(Rajendra Prasad).
• Waiting for a Visa(B.R. Ambedkar): Autobiography.
• Rangbhoomi, Godan, etc.(Munshi Premchand): Hindi novels.
• The Life Tree, Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds(A.P.J. Kalam).
• Playing It My Way(Sachin Tendulkar): Autobiography.
• Sunny Days, Straight Drive(Sunil Gavaskar).
• I do What I Do(Raghuram Rajan).
• My Country My Life(L.K. Advani): Autobiography.
• Aadhe Adhure(Mohan Rakesh): Hindi play.
• Words of Freedom(Tagore, others).
• The Arctic Home in the Vedas(Tilak).
• All Men are Brothers(Gandhi, compiled by Kriplani).
• My Experiments with Truth(Gandhi): Autobiography.
• Hind Swaraj(Gandhi).
• India after Gandhi(Ramachandra Guha).
• No Nation for Women(Priyanka Dubey).
• Origin of Love(Kishwar Desai).
• The Inheritance of Loss(Kiran Desai).
• Things to Leave Behind(Namita Gokhale).

C. International Literature

• The Bible: Christian scripture.
• On the Origin of Species (Charles Darwin): Evolution.
• The Last Supper (Leonardo da Vinci): Mural painting.
• Padmavat (Malik Muhammad Jayasi)

VIII. IMPORTANT DAYS

Chronologically Ordered

Month	Day	Observance
January	4	World Braille Day
January	10	World Hindi Day
January	12	National Youth Day (India) / Vivekananda Jayanti
January	15	National Army Day (India)
January	23	Parakram Divas
January	24	National Girl Child Day (India)
January	25	National Voters Day (India)
January	26	Republic Day (India)
January	30	National Leprosy Day (India)
January	Last Sunday	World Leprosy Day
February	4	World Cancer Day
February	13	National Women's Day (India)
February	20	World Day of Social Justice
February	28	National Science Day (India)
March	1	17th Foundation Day of NCPCR
March	3	World Wildlife Day
March	8	International Women's Day
March	14	International Day of Mathematics
March	20	World Sparrow Day
March	22	World Water Day
March	24	World Tuberculosis (TB) Day
March	25	International Day of the Unborn Child
March	31	International Transgender Day of Visibility
April	1	Utkala Dibasa (Odisha Day)
April	2	World Autism Awareness Day
April	7	World Health Day
April	10	World Homeopathy Day
April	18	World Heritage Day
April	21	Civil Services Day (India)
April	22	Earth Day
April	23	World Book and Copyright Day
April	24	National Panchayati Raj Day (India) / Int'l Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy
April	26	World Intellectual Property Day
April	29	International Dance Day
May	3	World Press Freedom Day
May	6	World Pest Day / International No Diet Day
May	8	World Red Cross Day
May	11	National Technology Day (India)
May	12	International Nurses Day
May	15	International Family Day
May	17	World Hypertension Day
May	22	International Day for Biological Diversity
May	28	World Hunger Day
June	3	World Bicycle Day
June	4	Int'l Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
June	5	World Environment Day
June	6	World Pest Day
June	7	World Food Safety Day
June	17	World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
June	21	International Yoga Day
June	29	Statistics Day (India)
July	11	World Population Day
August	6	Hiroshima Day
August	7	National Handloom Day (India)
August	9	Nagasaki Day
August	10	World Lion's Day
August	12	International Youth Day
August	15	Independence Day (India)
August	29	National Sports Day (India)
September	5	Teachers' Day (India)
September	8	International Literacy Day
September	14	Hindi Day (India)
September	15	Engineer's Day (India)
September	16	World Ozone Day / World Bamboo Day
September	Third Saturday	World Clean Up Day
September	23	International Day of Sign Languages
October	2	Gandhi Jayanti (India) / Int'l Day of Non-Violence
October	8	Indian Air Force Day
October	15	World Student's Day / National Women's Farmer's Day (India)
October	16	World Food Day
October	20	World Statistics Day
October	24	United Nations Day
October	28	World Animation Day
October	31	National Unity Day (India) / Halloween
November	1	Trusteeship Council Suspended Operations
November	7	Armed Forces Flag Day (India)
November	11	National Education Day (India)
November	14	Children's Day (India)
November	19	World Toilet Day
November	26	Constitution Day of India
December	1	World AIDS Day
December	2	National Pollution Prevention Day (India)
December	4	Indian Navy Day (India)
December	7	Armed Forces Flag Day (India)
December	10	Human Rights Day
December	14	National Energy Conservation Day (India)
December	19	Goa Liberation Day(India)
December	22	National Mathematics Day (India)
December	25	National Good Governance Day (India)
December	26	Veer Baal Diwas

IX. AWARDS

I. Nobel Prize

• Categories: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Economics, and Peace.
• Awarded by: Swedish Academy (Literature), other Swedish and Norwegian institutions.
• Established by: Alfred Nobel's will (1895).
• Awarded to: Those who "conferred the greatest benefit to Mankind" in the preceding year.
• Youngest Nobel Laureate: Malala Yousafzai (Peace Prize).
• Only woman to win Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry twice: Marie Curie.
• Indian Nobel Laureates (Mentioned in Questions):
  • Rabindranath Tagore (Literature, 1913): First Indian and Asian laureate, for Gitanjali.
  • C.V. Raman (Physics, 1930): For discovery of "Raman Effect".
  • Hargobind Khorana (Medicine, 1968): For cracking the genetic code.
  • Mother Teresa (Peace, 1979).
  • Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (Physics, 1983).
  • Amartya Sen (Economics, 1998): For contributions to welfare economics.
  • Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (Chemistry, 2009).
  • Kailash Satyarthi (Peace, 2014): Jointly with Malala Yousafzai, for work against child suppression.
  • Abhijit Banerjee (Economics, 2019).
  • Note: Mahatma Gandhi is NOT a Nobel Prize winner, despite nominations.
• Other Nobel Laureates Mentioned:
  • Emil Von Behring (Medicine, 1901): First Nobel Prize in Medicine, for serum therapy against diphtheria.
  • Ronald Ross (Medicine, 1902): For research on malaria transmission.
  • Henry Dunant (Peace, 1901): First Nobel Peace Prize, founder of International Red Cross.
  • Winston Churchill (Literature, 1953): British Prime Minister, for historical and biographical description & oratory.
  • Liu Xiaobo (Peace): First Chinese citizen to win while residing in China.

II. Pulitzer Prize

• US award for achievements in:
  • Newspaper and Online Journalism
  • Literature
  • Musical Composition
• Established: 1917, by provisions in will of Joseph Pulitzer.
• First Indian Winner: Gobind Behari Lal (Journalism, 1937).
• First Rapper Winner: Kendrick Lamar (Music, recent).

III. Jnanpith Award

• India's highest literary award.
• Established: 1961.
• First Awarded: 1965.
• First Winner: G. Sankara Kurup (Malayalam writer).
• First Female Winner: Ashapurna Devi (Bengali writer).
• Awarded for: Outstanding literary work by an Indian citizen in a language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Prize: Cash prize ($11 Lakh), bronze replica of Goddess Saraswati.
• 55th Jnanpith Award (2019): A Achuthan Namboothiri (Malayalam poet).

IV. Oscar Award (Academy Award)

• Prestigious film award for excellence in cinema.
• Presented annually in the USA.
• First Presentation: 1929.
• 92nd Oscar Award: 2020, Parasite won Best Picture.
• India Nominations (Foreign Language Film Category): Mother India, Salaam Bombay!, Lagaan. Karma was NOT nominated.

V. Grammy Award

• Prestigious award for excellence in music.
• Presented by Recording Academy (USA).

VI. Booker Prize

• Prestigious English-language fiction award.
• For novels written in English and published in UK or Ireland.
• Established: 1969.
• Renamed 'Man Booker Prize' in 2002 (Man Group sponsorship).
• Man Booker International Prize: Separate award.
• Indian Winners (Mentioned): Arundhati Roy, Kiran Desai, Aravind Adiga.
• First American Honored with Man Booker: Paul Beatty (for "The Sellout").
• Man Booker International Prize Winners (Mentioned): Jokha Alharthi, David Diop, Ismail Kadare.

VII. Moortidevi Award

• Indian literary award.
• Presented annually by Bharatiya Jnanpith.
• For: Author's contribution to Indian literature.
• 33rd Moortidevi Award (recent): Vishwanath Tiwari (Hindi writer).

VIII. Kalidas Samman

• Prestigious arts and music award in India.
• Presented annually by Madhya Pradesh Government.
• For: Excellence in the field of arts and music.
• First Awarded: 1980.
• Kalidas Samman Award 2019: Anil Rastogi (theater).
• Kalidas Samman Award 2021: Nand Kishore Bhatt.

IX. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award

• Indian science award.
• Given annually by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• For: Outstanding achievement in Science and Technology.
• First Awarded: 1957.

X. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (Now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award)

• Highest sporting honour of India.
• Awarded for: Outstanding achievement in sports.
• Prize Money (Increased): ₹25 Lakh.
• Instituted by Government of India.

XI. Basava Puraskara

• Karnataka state award.
• Presented by Government of Karnataka.
• For: Contribution to social change and social concordance.
• Prize: 1 million Rupees, memento, citation.

XII. Dhanvantari Award

• India's highest medical honor.
• Given for: Excellence in the field of medical services.
• Instituted by Medical Council of India (MCI) in 1962.

XIII. Dronacharya Award

• Indian sports award.
• Given to coaches by the Government of India.
• For: Producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events, outstanding coaches.
• Instituted: 1985.
• Prize: 15 Lakh Rupees, bronze statue of Dronacharya, scroll of honour.

XIV. Arjuna Award

• Indian sports award.
• Given by Government of India.
• For: Public achievement in sports, outstanding sportspersons.
• Instituted: 1961.
• Prize: Arjuna statue, 5 Lakh Rupees.
• First Indian shooter recipient: Maharaja Karni Singh.

XV. Dada Saheb Phalke Award

• India's highest award in cinema.
• Presented by Government of India.
• To commemorate Dada Saheb Phalke's contribution to Indian Cinema.
• Dada Saheb Phalke: "Father of Indian cinema".
• First Awarded: 1969.
• First Recipient: Devika Rani (actress).
• 51st Dada Saheb Phalke Award: Rajnikant.

XVI. Awards for Local Governance

• Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP)
  • Awarded to: Gram Panchayats/Village Councils.
  • For: Outstanding contribution to socio-economic development by involving Gram Sabhas.

XVII. Other Awards Mentioned

• Bravery Awards (Wartime): Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra.
• Kalinga Prize: UNESCO award for popularization of science.
• Doctor B.C. Roy Award: India's highest medical honour, given to eminent achievers primarily in the field of medicine, instituted in 1962 by Medical Council of India (MCI).
• Dhyan Chand Award: Indian sports award for lifetime contribution to sports, instituted in 2002, awarded for disciplines in Olympic Games, World Cup, Cricket, Indigenous Games, Para Sports, Prize money ₹10 Lakh, First winners: Shahuraj Birajdar, Ashok Diwan, Aparna Ghosh.
• Vyas Samman: A literary award, first awarded in 1991 to Ram Vilas Sharma for "Bharat Ki Pracheen Bhasha Parivar aur Hindi", given annually by K.K. Birla Foundation, cash payout of ₹4,00,000 (as of 2019).

X. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

I. United Nations (UN):

• Founded: October 24, 1945.
• Headquarters: New York City.
• Secretary-General: Antonio Guterres.
• Charter: Signed June 26, 1945, in San Francisco.
• Six Principal Organs: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council (suspended operations 1994), International Court of Justice (ICJ - The Hague), Secretariat.
• Members: 193 sovereign states (equal representation in General Assembly).
• Official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish.
• Working languages: English and French.
• General Assembly meets fully in September each year.
• Security Council has 5 permanent members (USA, Russia, UK, France, China), 10 non-permanent (2-year terms). International Court of Justice (ICJ) located in Hague, Netherlands, has 15 judges elected for 9-year terms.
• UN System Staff College HQ: Turin, Italy.
• UNIDO (Industrial Development Organization) established 1966.
• UNEP (Environment Programme) established after 1972 Stockholm Conference, Maurice Strong first director.

II. Bretton Woods Institutions:

• Established 1944 Bretton Woods Conference.
• IMF and World Bank.
• WTO is *not* a Bretton Woods institution (established later).

III. International Red Cross:

• Founded by Henry Dunant.
• World Red Cross Day: May 8th.

IV. UNESCO:

• Kalinga Prize for science popularization.
• International Literacy Day (September 8th).
• Declares World Heritage Day.

V. World Bamboo Organization (WBO):

• World Bamboo Day: September 18th.

VI. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
• Established in 1945.

VII. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):

• Founded: November 22, 1965.
• Headquarters: New York, USA.
• Produces Human Development Report annually.
• Focuses on global development.

VIII. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):

• Gives Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (India) for Science & Technology.