Masaki Kashiwara received 2025 Abel Prize

♦ A Japanese mathematician, Masaki Kashiwara received 2025 Abel Prize, which aspires to be the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in maths.

♦ Dr. Kashiwara’s highly abstract work combined algebra, geometry and differential equations in surprising ways.

♦ The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters announced the Abel Prize annually for outstanding achievements in mathematics.

♦ Abel Prize was established in 2002 by the Norwegian Parliament.

♦ The primary objective of this award is to honour exceptional mathematicians whose work has significantly contributed to the advancement of the field.

♦ The prize includes a monetary award of 7.5 million Norwegian kroner (approximately $720,000).

Awarded the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize

♦ Hydrologist Günter Blöschl was awarded the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize.

♦ The award recognizes Blöschl’s groundbreaking work in understanding flood risks and water resource management under climate change. 

♦ Blöschl is a professor at the Vienna University of Technology, the current head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management at the Vienna University of Technology. 

♦ The Stockholm Water Prize is awarded by the Stockholm Water Foundation in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

♦ The Prize will be presented to Blöschl by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, official patron of the Prize, during World Water Week in Stockholm in August.

Indias highest literary honour

♦ Renowned Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla (88) was named the recipient of India's highest literary honour, the 59th Jnanpith Award on 22 March 2025.

♦ The decision to honour Shukla was made by the Jnanpith Selection Committee, chaired by storyteller and Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Ray. He is the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the award.

♦ He is the 12th Hindi writer to receive the award. 

♦ The award carries a cash reward of Rs.11 lakh, a bronze statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, and a citation.

♦ He won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999 for his novel Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi.

♦ His notable works include Naukar Ki Kameez (1979), which was adapted into a film by director Mani Kaul, and the poetry collection Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega (1992).

Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred with the prestigious 'Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados' award in recognition of his "strategic leadership" and "valuable assistance" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

♦ Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita accepted the award on behalf of Narendra Modi on 6 March 2025.

♦ The award was presented by Barbados President Dame Sandra Mason.

97th Academy Awards ceremony

♦ The 97th Academy Awards ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles on 3 March 2025. The awards presented in 23 categories, honoring films released in 2024.

♦ Director Sean Baker’s romantic comedy-drama Anora emerged as the ceremony’s biggest winner, taking home five awards — Best Picture, Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Original Screenplay. 

♦ Two-time Oscar-winner Adrien Brody won his second Oscar for Brady Corbet’s ‘The Brutalist’ for playing the Hungarian emigre Laszlo Toth. He held the record for youngest actor to win the Oscar in the category for ‘The Pianist’.

♦ Daniel Blumberg wins the Oscar for Best Original Score for Brady Corbet’s ‘The Brutalist’. This is the second win for ‘The Brutalist’ at this year’s ceremony.

Awards List:
* Best picture - Anora
* Best actor - Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
* Best actress - Mikey Madison, Anora
* Best director - Sean Baker, Anora
* Best supporting actor - Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
* Best supporting actress - Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
* Best original screenplay - Anora
* Best adapted screenplay - Conclave
* Best animated feature film - Flow
* Best animated short film - In the Shadow of the Cypress
* Best international feature - I’m Still Here, Brazil
* Best documentary feature - No Other Land
* Best documentary short - The Only Girl in the Orchestra
* Best original score - The Brutalist
* Best original song - El Mal from Emilia Pérez
* Best sound - Dune: Part Two
* Best production design - Wicked
* Best live action short film - I’m Not a Robot
* Best cinematography - The Brutalist
* Best makeup and hairstyling - The Substance
* Best costume design - Wicked
* Best visual effects - Dune: Part Two
* Best film editing - Anora