The 12th International Film Festival and Forum on Environment and Wildlife, known as CMS Vatavaran, started in New Delhi on 3rd October 2024. Asia’s biggest green film festival, focussed on the environment and wildlife, is being held in New Delhi from 3-5 October 2024.

The festival uses films and documentaries to raise awareness about contemporary environmental issues and seeks to change the perception, practice, policy and governance regarding environmental issues.

Organiser of the CMS Vatavaran

CMS India organises the International Film Festival and Forum on Environment and Wildlife with support from the Union Ministry of Forest, Climate Change and Environment.

CMS is a multi-disciplinary research think tank in India.

The first CMS Vatavaran was organised in 2002 and is held every two years.

About the CMS Vatavaran

During the CMS Vatavaran, films and documentaries focusing on nature and wildlife are shown. It shows both Indian and International films and documentaries focussing on critical ecological and developmental challenges of contemporary times.

It has two categories: Competitive editions and Travelling Festival. The Competitive editions are held in New Delhi every two years, and films and documentaries from India and abroad are awarded.

After that, the Traveling Festival starts, and the films and documentaries are screened in different parts of India.

25th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence 2024

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar conferred the 25th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence for 2024 to Smt. Rajashree Birla on 1 October 2024 at a function held at the Vice President's residence in New Delhi.

The Delhi-based Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management has instituted the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in memory of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The Award honours an Indian residing either in India or abroad each year for his/her contributions and outstanding achievements of high professional order and excellence in management, public administration, public affairs, education, Institution building, art and culture, and sports.

The award is given on 1 October, the eve of the birthday of India’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri.

About Smt. Rajashree Birla

Smt. Rajashree Birla is the chairperson of the non-profit organisation Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development.

She has been honoured for her contribution in implementing the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development initiatives, which has positively impacted the lives of millions living in rural areas.

The Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development is a non-profit organisation that has been at the forefront of initiatives related to healthcare, education, sustainable livelihoods, and infrastructure development in rural areas.