Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is renamed as The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and Project Cheetah

1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6th August 2021 announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will now be known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, "respecting the sentiments of citizens across the country". The Khel Ratna award is the highest sporting honour in the nation.

About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award :-

1) It is the highest sporting honour of the Republic of India.

2) The Award is given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

3) Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award comprises a medal, a certificate and a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.

4) It is a Civilian award for contribution to sports (Individual/team).

5) The award is started vin 1991-92, and the first winner was Viswanathan Anand.

6) Winner for this award is selected by a committee of 12 members on the basis of the performance of last four years.

About Major Dhyan Chand :-

Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian field hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. He popularly known as The Wizard or the Magician of hockey for his superb ball control. He played international hockey from 1926 to 1949, scoring over 400 goals in his career. Dhyan Chand, born in Allahabad, was a part of the Olympic team that won gold in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

Apart from the Khel Ratna award, the country's highest award for lifetime achievement in sports is known as the Dhyan Chand Award. It was instituted in 2002. The National stadium in New Delhi was also renamed as the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

2. Project Cheetah :-

The Indian Air Force's long pending nearly 4,700 crore 'Project Cheetah' is finally set to take off under this project, India's Heron drones are to be upgraded and armed with Isreal's help to carry out offensive operations against the enemy.

About 'Project Cheetah' :-

1) The project was first initiated by the Indian Air Force in 2013.

2) To upgrade 90 Heron drones of the three services - Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Indian Navy will be upgraded with laser-guided bombs, air to ground, and air-launched anti-tank guided missiles.

3) This upgrade will include enabling the Herons with the capability of satellite navigation and specialised sensors.

4) The Heron is a Made in Israel, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is a medium-altitude UAV and can carry up to 250 kg of weight including a thermographic camera, airborne ground surveillance visible light, radar system, etc.