Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Karthik Narain, a seasoned technology executive and former CTO of Accenture, has been appointed as the Chief Product and Business Officer at Google Cloud. In this role, he will oversee product and engineering teams across cloud, AI, developer tools, and Applied AI, while also leading the go-to-market strategy and collaborating with the public sector division. Narain’s appointment strengthens Google Cloud’s leadership team amid intense competition with AWS and Microsoft Azure. With over 25 years of experience in enterprise systems, AI, and cloud innovation, he is expected to accelerate Google Cloud’s global growth and drive AI-driven digital transformation for enterprise customers.

Masaki Kashiwara, a renowned Japanese mathematician, received the Abel Prize in 2025 for his pioneering work in algebraic analysis and representation theory. He is celebrated for developing the theory of D-modules, which provides an algebraic framework to study systems of linear partial differential equations (PDEs). The Abel Prize, often regarded as the mathematics equivalent of the Nobel Prize, honours outstanding contributions that have profoundly influenced mathematical research. Kashiwara’s work has had a lasting impact on both pure mathematics and its applications, establishing him as a leading figure in modern mathematical theory.

Tarun Garg has been appointed as the first Indian MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India Limited, effective January 1, 2026. With over 30 years of experience in the automobile industry, Garg previously held leadership roles at Maruti Suzuki and joined Hyundai in 2019 as Director of Sales, Marketing, and Service. Promoted to COO in 2023, he led record-breaking sales and strategic operations. His appointment marks a historic shift from Korean to Indian leadership, emphasizing local talent empowerment and signaling Hyundai’s commitment to India as a critical growth market while maintaining continuity in global strategic vision.

Nirmal Kumar Minda, Executive Chairman of Uno Minda Group, has been appointed as the President of Assocham, India’s prominent industry chamber. With over five decades of experience in the auto component sector, Minda is known for driving innovation, building robust supply chains, and fostering customer-centric and people-oriented leadership. Under his guidance, Uno Minda has expanded into a global enterprise with a diverse product portfolio. His leadership at Assocham is expected to emphasise technological advancement, competitiveness, and supply chain resilience, while aligning industry advocacy with emerging trends in manufacturing and business innovation.

Harsh Sanghavi was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat on 17 October 2025 as part of a major cabinet reshuffle led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. This reshuffle involved the induction of 25 ministers, with the aim of improving regional and caste representation and preparing for future elections. Sanghavi, a three-time MLA from Majura, Surat, also received independent charge of the Home Department, a portfolio traditionally held by the Chief Minister. At age 40, his appointment reflects a focus on youth leadership and administrative experience, marking the revival of the Deputy CM post after four years.