Explanation:

This is a factual question about the recipient of a specific international award for public health efforts. - **Option (A) Naveen Patnaik:** Naveen Patnaik is the Chief Minister of Odisha. While his government has implemented various public health initiatives, he was not the recipient of this particular WHO Director-General's Special Award for tobacco control. Therefore, this option is incorrect. - **Option (B) Nitin Gadkari:** Nitin Gadkari is a Union Minister, primarily responsible for Road Transport and Highways. His ministerial portfolio does not directly involve public health or tobacco control policies, and he did not receive this specific award. Thus, this option is incorrect. - **Option (C) Prakash Javadekar:** Prakash Javadekar has held several significant ministerial portfolios, including Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Information and Broadcasting. He has not been recognized with the WHO Director-General's Special Award for tobacco control efforts. Hence, this option is incorrect. - **Option (D) Dr. Harsh Vardhan:** This is the correct answer. Dr. Harsh Vardhan, who served as the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare at the time, was indeed conferred with the WHO Director-General's Special Recognition Award in May 2021. He received this prestigious award for his outstanding achievements and leadership in advancing tobacco control policies and initiatives across India. His contributions were instrumental in strengthening the country's fight against tobacco consumption.\nTherefore, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is the correct recipient of the WHO Director-General's Special Award for efforts to control tobacco consumption in India.