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National Affairs
Renaming of Central Vista as Kartavya Bhawan Area
- The Government of India has officially renamed the Central Vista redevelopment area in New Delhi as the Kartavya Bhawan Complex or Kartavya Bhawan Area with effect from 12 July 2026.
- The renamed precinct encompasses all government buildings, Kartavya Marg, and future administrative structures to be built within the Central Vista zone.
- The ambitious Central Vista redevelopment plan includes the construction of the Common Central Secretariat, which features a total of 10 buildings designed to house Union ministries.
- Out of these ten planned buildings, three buildings have already been completed and designated as Kartavya Bhawans.
- The first building of the Kartavya Bhawan cluster was inaugurated in August 2025 and is anticipated to become fully operational by September 2026.
- This follows a series of renamings, including Rajpath (the 2-km ceremonial stretch) to Kartavya Path in September 2022, and the new Prime Minister's Office (PMO) complex to Seva Teerth in February 2026.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Central Vista represents the administrative core of India's Union Government, designed in the early 20th century by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. Its redevelopment represents a shift towards modern, integrated governance infrastructure.
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SSC
Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path in September 2022, and the first Kartavya Bhavan was inaugurated in August 2025 under the Common Central Secretariat project.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
The Central Vista ceremonial axis holds national strategic significance, linking Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, which houses the National War Memorial.
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International Relations
Gen Z-led protests in Nepal
- Widespread Gen Z-led protests erupted across Nepal following the tragic death of a 25-year-old ride-share driver in Kathmandu.
- Nepal's Prime Minister Balen Shah, a former Kathmandu mayor and rapper who rose to power through a youth-driven political movement, is now facing intense calls for his resignation.
- The unrest was triggered when a ride-sharing driver, identified as Ganesh Nepali, set himself on fire following a parking confrontation with Kathmandu Metropolitan City municipal police in Kathmandu.
- Ganesh Nepali succumbed to his burn injuries before he could be airlifted to AIIMS, New Delhi for specialized medical treatment.
- The government also faced heat over recent controversial remarks by PM Balen Shah suggesting that Nepal had encroached upon Indian territories in multiple places, drawing sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Nepal-India relations are guided by the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Internal political instability in Nepal and statements regarding border encroachments directly impact bilateral ties and regional security in the South Asian subcontinent.
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SSC
Balen Shah, a former rapper and Mayor of Kathmandu, serves as the Prime Minister of Nepal during the 2026 political unrest.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
The open border policy between India and Nepal (governed by the SSB) means domestic political turmoil in Nepal requires close monitoring to ensure border security.
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Govt Schemes
Renaming of Mahila Samriddhi Yojana as Delhi Lakshmi Yojana
- The Delhi Government has renamed its flagship women's welfare initiative, Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, as the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana.
- Under this renamed welfare scheme, eligible female beneficiaries will receive a monthly financial assistance of ₹2,500.
- The funds will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
- The scheme is scheduled for an official rollout around the festival of Raksha Bandhan 2026.
- Although the final eligibility criteria and registration details are yet to be released, the scheme specifically targets women from economically weaker sections.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Social security schemes targeting women contribute directly to Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) Article 39, which mandates securing adequate means of livelihood and minimizing inequalities. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) enhances financial inclusion and reduces administrative leakages.
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SSC
Under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, eligible women will receive ₹2,500 per month via DBT starting around Raksha Bandhan 2026.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Broad-based social security and economic empowerment of women serve as the foundation of internal national stability and community resilience.
Three-year extension of MISHTI Scheme and approval of Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana
- The 7th Governing Body Meeting of National CAMPA approved a three-year extension of the MISHTI scheme till the year 2029.
- An additional allocation of ₹500 crore was approved for MISHTI, raising its total budgetary outlay to ₹600 crore for mangrove restoration and coastal conservation.
- A new scheme called Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana was approved with an initial corpus of ₹3,000 crore spanning the period 2026–31.
- The primary objective of the Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana is to conserve nearly 15,000 sacred groves (known as Aastha Vans) across the nation.
- Furthermore, the meeting sanctioned a dedicated scheme for landscape restoration to actively combat land degradation and prevent biodiversity loss.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Sacred groves (Aastha Vans) represent community-led biodiversity conservation steeped in traditional cultural practices. Mangrove protection under MISHTI aligns with India's commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Paris Agreement to create an additional carbon sink.
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SSC
MISHTI has been extended till 2029 with an additional ₹500 crore, while the Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana has an initial corpus of ₹3,000 crore (2026-31) to protect 15,000 sacred groves.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Mangroves act as natural bio-shields against cyclones and tsunamis, making coastal ecosystem conservation a vital part of disaster management and coastal defense strategy.
Observance of NAMASTE Day
- NAMASTE Day is observed annually on 14 July to recognize and honour the invaluable contributions of India's sanitation workers to public health and hygiene.
- The day marks the anniversary of the NAMASTE Scheme (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem), a joint initiative of the Union Government.
- The scheme aims to achieve zero fatalities in sanitation work in India and ensure that all sanitation work is performed by skilled and mechanized workers.
- It promotes the empowerment of sanitation workers by providing them with safety gear, training, and access to alternative livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
- The initiative represents a crucial step towards eliminating manual scavenging and fostering dignity and safety for sanitation professionals across the country.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
The NAMASTE Scheme addresses Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) and Article 46 (promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections). It targets the eradication of manual scavenging, which is legally banned under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
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SSC
NAMASTE scheme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to formalize and mechanize sanitation work.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Standardizing safety protocols and health guidelines for essential public service workers supports overall state capacity and resilience against biosecurity and health crises.
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Education
India's joint first position at the 56th International Physics Olympiad
- India achieved a spectacular feat by securing the joint first position at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, held in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
- The competition, which took place from 4 to 12 July 2026, saw India share the top spot with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
- All five Indian students participating in the prestigious global event won gold medals, competing against 381 students from 87 countries worldwide.
- The gold medalists are Kanishk Jain (Pune), Riddhesh Anant Bendale (Indore), Rishit Garg (New Delhi), Shresth Suraiya (Mumbai), and Svarit Joshi (Ahmedabad).
- India's exemplary Olympiad programme is led and spearheaded by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), which is a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Science and technology education is a core driver of India's demographic dividend. Promoting foundational research through national centres like TIFR aligns with the Scientific Policy Resolution of India and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
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SSC
The 56th International Physics Olympiad 2026 was held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, where all 5 Indian participants won gold medals, securing the joint 1st rank.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Advancements in basic sciences, particularly physics, form the bedrock of military technology, cryptography, quantum communications, and defense research.
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Science & Technology
BITS Pilani's simulation of subatomic particles on IBM Quantum processor
- Scientists from BITS Pilani, in collaboration with IBM Quantum, successfully simulated the complex behaviour of subatomic particles.
- The groundbreaking simulation was performed using 120 qubits on an advanced IBM quantum processor, demonstrating a milestone in quantum simulation.
- This achievement strongly highlights the concept of Quantum Advantage, showcasing the practical utility of quantum devices in scientific research.
- Quantum Advantage refers to the stage where quantum computers can execute specific, highly complex tasks faster, cheaper, or more accurately than the world's most powerful classical supercomputers.
- Unlike classical computing based on binary bits, quantum computing harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve mathematical problems that are otherwise intractable.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) with a ₹6,003.65 crore budget, India aims to develop quantum computers with 50-1,000 physical qubits. Academic-industry collaborations (like BITS Pilani and IBM) are vital for establishing global leadership in quantum technologies.
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SSC
BITS Pilani scientists simulated subatomic particles on 120 qubits of an IBM processor to demonstrate Quantum Advantage.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Quantum computing holds revolutionary potential for military applications, including breaking classical encryption codes, secure quantum key distribution (QKD), and advanced radar sensing.
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Environment
7th Governing Body Meeting of National CAMPA
- The 7th Meeting of the Governing Body of the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (National CAMPA) was convened on 10 July 2026.
- The high-level meeting was chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, at CASFOS, Coimbatore.
- The governing body reviewed and approved critical funding allocations, including the extension of the coastal mangrove restoration initiative MISHTI with an additional ₹500 crore till 2029.
- Under the newly sanctioned Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana, an initial corpus of ₹3,000 crore has been set aside for 2026–31 to safeguard 15,000 sacred groves nationwide.
- The governing body also approved a comprehensive project for landscape restoration aimed at combating land degradation and preventing biodiversity loss across various ecological zones.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 established the National and State Compensatory Afforestation Funds. The Governing Body of National CAMPA oversees the utilization of these funds to ensure compensatory afforestation, wildlife conservation, and infrastructure development in forest areas.
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SSC
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 7th Governing Body Meeting of National CAMPA on 10 July 2026 at CASFOS, Coimbatore.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Protecting India's forest cover and restoring degraded landscapes are essential components of ecological security, directly mitigating climate-induced security risks.
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Biodiversity
Sighting of rare Indian Giant Flying Squirrel in Ramnagar Forest Division
- The rare Indian Giant Flying Squirrel has been spotted in the Ramnagar Forest Division, which adjoins the Corbett Tiger Reserve, after a gap of nearly 12 years.
- This nocturnal mammal was discovered inside a local residence in Teda village, situated under the Kosi Range of the division, causing surprise among the residents.
- Wildlife rescue experts Ashish Kashyap and Rajesh Kashyap safely captured and rescued the animal after being alerted by the villagers and the Forest Department.
- Despite its name, the flying squirrel does not perform powered flight like birds; instead, it glides through the air from tree to tree.
- It achieves glides of 60 to 80 metres using a specialised skin membrane known as the patagium, which stretches between its fore and hind limbs.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Sighting of rare species indicates ecological health and habitat restoration. The Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) is listed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which regulates the protection and conservation of endangered fauna in protected areas like Corbett.
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SSC
The Indian Giant Flying Squirrel was rescued in Teda village of Ramnagar Forest Division, Uttarakhand, using its skin membrane called patagium to glide 60-80 meters.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
High biodiversity in forested border areas of states supports environmental intelligence and indicates stable, non-fragmented ecological buffer zones.
Reintroduction of Indian Grey Hornbill in Gir forests
- The Indian Grey Hornbill (locally known as Chilotro) has been successfully reintroduced into the Gir forests of Gujarat after an absence of over six decades.
- A scientific study published in the peer-reviewed journal Birds confirmed that the reintroduced hornbills are surviving and actively breeding in the wild.
- Hornbills belong to the biological family Bucerotidae, characterized by their large size, distinctive curved bill, and a casque on the upper mandible.
- The reintroduction programme released 40 hornbills across two phases, comprising 28 birds in 2021-2022 and 12 birds in 2023 into the Gir landscape, which is also the sole home of the Asiatic lion.
- To track their ranging and behavior, 11 male hornbills were fitted with satellite transmitters, with two tagged males named LK and RSD in memory of legendary ornithologists Lavkumar Khachar and R.S. Dharmakumarsinhji.
- Successful nesting was observed, with one breeding pair nesting in the first year post-release and three more pairs nesting in the second year.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Reintroduction of seed-dispersing species like hornbills (considered "farmers of the forest") is crucial for restoring forest ecosystems. Gir National Park, while famous for Asiatic lions, relies on such avian species to maintain forest health and biodiversity balance.
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SSC
40 Indian Grey Hornbills were reintroduced in Gir in two phases (28 in 2021-22 and 12 in 2023), with 11 fitted with satellite transmitters.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Wildlife tracking technologies like satellite telemetry are vital tools for ecological monitoring, which contributes to comprehensive spatial planning and territory management.
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Culture & Heritage
Passing of legendary playback singer S. Janaki
- The legendary Indian playback singer S. Janaki, affectionately known as the Nightingale of the South, passed away at the age of 88 in Mysuru, Karnataka.
- Spanning a career of over six decades, she rendered nearly 48,000 songs in several languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi.
- She collaborated with iconic music directors such as Ilaiyaraja, M.S. Viswanathan, K.V. Mahadevan, and A.R. Rahman, voicing generations of film stars.
- S. Janaki won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1977 for the song "Senthoora Poove" from the film *16 Vayathinile* and was honored with 33 State Film Awards throughout her career.
- She was chosen for the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 2013 and delivered timeless classics such as "Singara Velane Deva" in Tamil and "Naguva Nayana" in Kannada.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
Indian classical and popular music forms are vital aspects of intangible cultural heritage under Art and Culture. Legends like S. Janaki represent the post-independence golden era of Indian cinema music, bridging linguistic boundaries across southern and northern India.
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SSC
S. Janaki, known as the Nightingale of the South, recorded nearly 48,000 songs, won the National Award in 1977 for "Senthoora Poove" from the film 16 Vayathinile, and was chosen for the Padma Bhushan in 2013.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Cultural icons act as instruments of soft power, fostering national integration, shared identity, and transnational cultural ties across borders.
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Sports
India's historic Women's Test cricket victory over England at Lord's
- India registered a historic victory in the first-ever Women's Test match played at the legendary Lord's Cricket Ground, defeating hosts England.
- The Indian team secured a mammoth 270-run win, which marks India's second-highest victory margin by runs in Women's Test history and the fourth largest overall.
- The all-time record for India's highest margin of victory in this format was set in 2023 when India defeated England by 347 runs in Navi Mumbai.
- After being put in to bat first by England, the Indian team posted a solid total of 285 runs in their first innings.
- The first innings total was anchored by impressive half-centuries from star opener Smriti Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
Exam Perspectives
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UPSC
The growing prominence and professionalization of women's sports in India align with the objectives of gender equality and social empowerment under Article 15 of the Constitution. Programs like Khelo India support sports talent development across genders.
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SSC
In the first-ever Women's Test at Lord's, India defeated England by 270 runs. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana scored half-centuries.
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CDS/CAPF/NDA
Sports diplomacy and international sporting victories build national prestige and foster strong cultural soft power capabilities.
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MCQ Practice — 15 July 2026 sections: 9 topics: 12
SELECT YOUR ANSWER · EXPLANATION APPEARS AUTOMATICALLY
0/12 correct
1
With effect from 12 July 2026, the central administrative area of Central Vista in New Delhi has been renamed as what?
Explanation: The Government of India officially renamed the Central Vista redevelopment area as the Kartavya Bhawan Complex or Kartavya Bhawan Area with effect from 12 July 2026.
2
Which leader, who rose to power through a youth-driven political movement, is the Prime Minister of Nepal facing resignation demands during the 2026 protests?
Explanation: Prime Minister Balen Shah, who rose to power through a Gen Z-driven political movement, is at the center of protests in Nepal demanding his resignation.
3
The state government of Delhi has renamed its flagship welfare initiative, Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, as which of the following?
Explanation: The state government of Delhi has renamed its flagship welfare initiative, Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, as the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, providing ₹2,500 monthly assistance.
4
Under the schemes approved at the 7th National CAMPA Meeting, which of the following is correct regarding the Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana?
Explanation: The Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana was approved with an initial corpus of ₹3,000 crore (2026–31) to conserve nearly 15,000 sacred groves (Aastha Vans) across India.
5
On which date is NAMASTE Day observed every year to honor sanitation workers and commemorate the anniversary of the NAMASTE Scheme?
Explanation: NAMASTE Day is observed annually on 14 July to honour sanitation workers and mark the anniversary of the NAMASTE Scheme. The 3rd NAMASTE Day was celebrated on 14 July 2026 at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata.
6
India secured the joint first position at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 held in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Which other country shared this joint first position?
Explanation: India secured the joint first position, along with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and Taiwan, among 381 students from 87 countries.
7
BITS Pilani scientists, collaborating with IBM Quantum, simulated the behaviour of subatomic particles on how many qubits of an IBM processor to highlight Quantum Advantage?
Explanation: BITS Pilani scientists, collaborating with IBM Quantum, simulated the behaviour of subatomic particles on 120 qubits of an IBM processor to demonstrate Quantum Advantage.
8
In which city was the 7th Meeting of the Governing Body of National CAMPA held on 10 July 2026?
Explanation: Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav chaired the 7th Meeting of the Governing Body of National CAMPA at CASFOS, Coimbatore, on 10 July 2026.
9
The rare Indian Giant Flying Squirrel has been spotted again after nearly 12 years in which forest division of India?
Explanation: The rare Indian Giant Flying Squirrel was spotted again after nearly 12 years in the Ramnagar Forest Division adjoining Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand.
10
The Indian Grey Hornbill (Chilotro) has been reintroduced into which national park/forest landscape after over six decades of absence?
Explanation: The Indian Grey Hornbill was reintroduced into the Gir forests of Gujarat after an absence of over six decades, as recorded in a scientific study.
11
Legendary playback singer S. Janaki, fondly known as the 'Nightingale of the South' who passed away recently, was chosen for the Padma Bhushan in which year?
Explanation: S. Janaki, who passed away recently at 88, was chosen for India's prestigious Padma Bhushan award in the year 2013, though she declined to accept it.
12
In the first-ever Women's Test match played at Lord's Cricket Ground, India registered a historic victory by how many runs against England?
Explanation: In the historic first-ever Women's Test at Lord's, India sealed a mammoth victory over England by 270 runs.
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One-Liner Rapid Fire
READ THE QUESTION → RECALL → CHECK ANSWER BELOW
Kartavya Bhawan Complex
Balen Shah
₹2,500
Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana
14 July
Joint First Position
BITS Pilani
Shri Bhupender Yadav
Patagium
LK and RSD
33 State Film Awards
285 runs