Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Dr. Eluri Sreedhar was appointed as the Honorary Advisor to the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) on August 17, 2026. His responsibilities include advising on economic collaboration and strategic partnerships, while supporting initiatives focused on inclusive development and social empowerment. He will also contribute to the development of sustainable opportunities in self-employment and livelihood creation and promote entrepreneurship and community empowerment at national and international levels. The appointment letter was formally presented by Sameep Shastri, Chairman of BRICS CCI. Established in 2012, BRICS CCI is a non-profit organisation headquartered in New Delhi that promotes trade, commerce, and industry among BRICS countries and emerging economies.

Somanath Sreedhara Panicker was appointed as a part-time Non-official Director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India on August 20, 2026. The Central Government appointed him for a four-year tenure beginning from the date of appointment. Somanath Panicker is a former Chairman of ISRO and played a significant leadership role in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The mission achieved a historic milestone by making India the first country to land near the Moon’s south polar region and the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. Anand Mahindra was simultaneously reappointed to the RBI Central Board.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh after securing 255 votes in the parliamentary election held on August 20, 2026. His opponent, Oli Ahmed, received 88 votes. The election was significant as it was Bangladesh’s first contested presidential election in 35 years, with more than one candidate competing. Alamgir, a senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former Secretary General, transitioned from party politics to the country’s highest constitutional position. He succeeded Mohammed Shahabuddin, who resigned on July 24, 2026, citing ill health.

Hakainde Hichilema was re-elected as the President of Zambia for a second consecutive five-year term on August 13, 2026. Representing the United Party for National Development (UPND), he secured 2,965,326 votes, accounting for approximately 61.4% of the total votes cast. The election was conducted under Zambia’s constitutional 50% + 1 majority rule, requiring a candidate to obtain more than half of the votes to avoid a second-round run-off. Hichilema’s new presidential term will span from 2026 to 2031. Zambia’s capital is Lusaka, and its currency is the Zambian Kwacha.

Lakshmanan Meyyappan became the world’s youngest male Chartered Accountant at the age of 16 years and 141 days, earning recognition from Guinness World Records in Dubai. His interest in accounting developed during the COVID-19 pandemic after completing his Class 10 examinations. Inspired by his mother, an ACCA-qualified professional, he pursued the ACCA qualification and completed it in about one year. He later obtained the CFA charter and began pursuing an MSc in Finance. He also works as a Senior Research Analyst at Century Financial in Dubai, focusing on investment research and financial analysis.