New Delhi: UT Khader, the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative assembly, will receive the 'The Great Son of India' award from the Indian Conference of Intellectuals. The award will be presented during a ceremony at the India International Center in Delhi on Sunday.

Justice V. Gopala Gowda, former Chief Justice of Odisha Highcourt and Supreme Court, and national President of Indian Conference of Intellectuals will preside over the award ceremony. Chhattisgarh Governor Biswa Bhushan Haricharan will participate in the program and the English translation of his autobiography 'Battle Not Over' will also be released on the same occasion.

Supreme Court Judge, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra will be the Chief Guest.

Indian Conference of Intellectuals comprises senior judges and officials who hold positions as office-bearers, members, and patrons. The organization has previously conferred distinguished individuals, including senior judges, artists, business tycoons, scientists, and other accomplished intellectuals, with this prestigious award.

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Patna, Apr 10 (PTI): At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, claimed in a post on X that over 50 people died on Thursday.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief,” he wrote in Hindi.

He also said that the state government should compensate farmers for their crop loss due to the sudden rain and give them proper compensation.

Earlier, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.

On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.

The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.

It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.

"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.

Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain.

The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.

Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite the downpour.