Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Ramesh Kumar Juneja has taken charge as the Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), the apex body promoting Indian leather, footwear, and related products in global markets under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. With over 40 years of experience, including founding the JC Group and pioneering global collaborations, Juneja brings deep industry knowledge and long-standing institutional involvement with CLE. His leadership is expected to strengthen India’s international leather trade, focus on value addition, innovation, and market diversification, and address challenges such as sustainability standards and global competition, thereby supporting the sector’s growth and export potential.

Ida Liu was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HSBC Private Bank effective January 5, 2026, succeeding Gabriel Castello, who had been serving as Interim CEO. With over 25 years of global experience in private banking and wealth management, including leadership roles at Citi Private Bank, Ida Liu brings expertise in wealth management, strategic advisory, and business transformation. Her appointment underscores HSBC’s strategic focus on strengthening its global private banking operations and managing Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) client portfolios in an increasingly competitive financial sector.

PS Girisha, a 2012-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director (Finance) at the Central Silk Board in Bengaluru. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and has been made on a deputation basis under the Ministry of Textiles. The role carries a tenure of five years from the date he assumes charge. As Director (Finance), he will be responsible for overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal management of the Central Silk Board, which plays a key role in the development of India’s silk sector.

Sjoerd Marijne, a renowned Dutch hockey coach, has returned as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. He previously guided the team to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, India’s best-ever Olympic performance in women’s hockey after a 36-year gap. Marijne’s deep understanding of Indian players and conditions makes him particularly effective in preparing the team for major international competitions. His immediate focus will be the FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, where his leadership, tactical expertise, and experience are expected to strengthen the team’s performance and enhance their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

Karthikeyan Manickam has been appointed as the Chairman of ESAF Small Finance Bank, bringing with him decades of experience in India’s public sector banking system. A former Executive Director of Bank of India, he has deep expertise in banking operations, risk management, regulatory compliance, credit monitoring, and human resource management. His previous board-level roles across banking, asset management, and insurance institutions add to his leadership credentials. As Chairman, he is expected to provide strategic guidance, ensure strong corporate governance, and support long-term sustainability, which is crucial for small finance banks focused on financial inclusion and stability.