Prolific
southpaw and opening Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan emerged as the highest run- getter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 that concluded on June 23, 2013 in England. Dhawan’s final tally of 363 runs in the tournament made him the winner of the ‘Golden Bat’ and ‘Man of the Tournament’. His purple patch was key to India’s successful campaign in ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

 Ace woman mountaineer Ms. Premlata Agrawal became the first Indian woman mountaineer to scale the top seven continental peaks after climbing Alaska’s Mckinley Peak—highest peak of North America on May 23, 2013. She had conquered the Mt. Everest on May 20, 2011. Just before Ms. Agrawal embarked on the ascent of Mt. Mckinley peak to cap off her seven continental peaks’ successful climbs, the Indian govern¬ment awarded her with the Padma Shri for her trailblazing achievements.

Notable activist of India, Mr. Bindeshwar Pathak received the Legend of Planet award from Vice President of the French Senate Ms. Chantaljourdan at Palais du Luxembourg in Paris on June 3,
2013. Mr. Pathak, founded Sulabh International in 1973 and has for decades campaigned for the use of simple indoor toilets and also fought for the Dalit cause.