State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 29 Aug 2025

Veer Singh Dev National Award

Why in News?

Noted Hindi novelist and journalist Dayanand Pandey has been honored with the Veer Singh Dev National Award by the Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi for his remarkable literary work, Vipashyana Mein Prem.

• The award ceremony took place in Bhopal, where he was presented with a citation, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.

Key Points

• About: Dayanand Pandey, a 67-year-old novelist and journalist from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, is a highly prolific author with over 75 published works across a wide range of genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, ghazals, memoirs, and cinema essays.
  • He began his journalism career in 1978, contributing to leading Hindi dailies such as Navbharat Times. His journalistic expertise is reflected in his fiction, which combines social critique, emotional depth, and piercing observation.
• Notable Works:
  • Vipashyana Mein Prem (Award-winning novel)
  • Lok Kavi Ab Gaate Nahin
  • Barf Mein Phansi Machhli
  • Sumi Ka Space
  • Manna Jaldi Aana
• Translations: His works have been translated into Bhojpuri, Punjabi, English, Urdu, and Marathi.
• Awards and Honors: Pandey's contributions to literature and journalism have been recognized with several prestigious awards:
  • Lohia Sahitya Samman
  • Sahitya Bhushan
  • Premchand Samman
  • Yashpal Samman
  • Amritlal Nagar Samman
  • Sahitya Gaurav Samman

Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi

• Foundation and Purpose: The Sahitya Akademi, established in 1954, aims to introduce the works and personalities of prominent writers from Madhya Pradesh and across the nation. Initially headquartered in Nagpur, it later moved to Bhopal after the formation of Madhya Pradesh.
• Celebrating Literary Figures: The Akademi commemorates the birth anniversaries of renowned national poets like Maithili Sharan Gupta, Makhanlal Chaturvedi, and others, while also organizing various programs to promote literature.
• Awards and Publications: The Akademi has a well-defined awards scheme, including prizes for literature in six regional dialects of Madhya Pradesh and other genres of Hindi literature.
• Youth Engagement and Outreach: The Akademi encourages youth involvement in literature by organizing workshops, poetry events, and publishing the works of young writers. Its magazine, Sakshatkar, features essays, interviews, and literary works across various genres.

Exercise BRIGHT STAR 2025

Why in News?

The Ministry of Defence announced that over 700 personnel from the Armed Forces and the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff will participate in the Multilateral Exercise 'BRIGHT STAR 2025' from 28 August  2025 to  10 September 2025. 

• The exercise, hosted by Egypt in collaboration with the United States and involving multiple countries, including India, will last for 13 days.

Key Points

• About: Exercise Bright Star is a biennial multilateral military exercise hosted by Egypt in collaboration with the United States since 1980. 
  • It is one of the largest Tri-Service multilateral exercises in the region. The last edition of the exercise took place in 2023, with participation from several countries, including India.
• Activities and Features: The exercise will feature a comprehensive spectrum of military activities, including:
  • Live Firing Exercises: Demonstrating the operational capabilities of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
  • Command Post Exercise: Designed to enhance joint planning, decision-making, and operational coordination among participating forces.
  • Short Training Exercises: These exercises will focus on various aspects of modern warfare and will be conducted by all three services.
  • Subject Matter Expert Interactions: Discussions and collaborations with experts across multiple domains of contemporary military operations.
• Significance: India’s participation in Exercise BRIGHT STAR 2025 highlights its commitment to regional peace, stability, and security. The exercise also aims to foster enhanced jointness, interoperability, and cooperation between the Indian Armed Forces and other friendly nations.