Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Education Minister, was honoured with the Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 by President Droupadi Murmu. The award ceremony took place in Cuttack, Odisha, during the 600th birth anniversary celebration of Adikabi Sarala Das. The Kalinga Ratna Award is an annual recognition given by the Sarala Sahitya Sansad to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the fields of education, literature, culture, or public service. This prestigious recognition highlights Pradhan’s contributions in the area of education and public service at the national level.

Ajay Kumar Shrivastava has been appointed as the Director (Engineering & R&D) at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), bringing with him nearly four decades of experience in the aerospace sector. Starting his journey as a Management Trainee in 1988, Shrivastava has held key leadership roles, including heading the Aircraft Research & Design Centre (ARDC) and the Transport Aircraft Research & Design Centre (TARDC). His work has significantly advanced indigenous aircraft programs and reduced import dependence through successful indigenisation. His appointment is poised to strengthen HAL’s R&D framework and accelerate India's progress in defence and civil aviation innovation under the Make in India initiative.

Sanjay Kaul, a 2001-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, was appointed as the new Managing Director and CEO of GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) in Gandhinagar on July 15, 2025. He will serve on deputation for three years, replacing Tapan Ray. Kaul brings extensive administrative experience, including previous roles in Gujarat, where he led the Tourism Corporation and Gujarat Informatics Ltd. Prior to this, he was serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Culture. As CEO of GIFT City, Kaul will oversee one of India’s most ambitious smart city projects aimed at becoming a global financial services hub.

R Doraiswamy has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), starting July 15, 2025, and will serve until August 28, 2028. He brings over 38 years of experience at LIC across departments such as operations, marketing, IT, and pensions. Before his appointment, he served as Executive Director (IT/Software Development). His selection followed recommendations by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau and was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. This leadership change is significant for LIC, India’s largest insurer, ensuring stable and experienced guidance in a key financial institution.

Hemant Rupani has been announced as the new CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCB), with his term beginning on September 8, 2025. He will take over from Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who is moving to a different role within the Coca-Cola system. Rupani brings over 20 years of experience from global companies, most recently serving as Business Unit President for Southeast Asia at Mondelez International. His leadership background across FMCG, telecom, and technology—including key roles at PepsiCo, Vodafone, and Infosys—positions him well to guide HCCB’s next phase of growth and strengthen its presence in the Indian beverage market.