Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Nidhi Tewari has been appointed as the private secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) since November 2022. Hailing from Mehmurganj in Varanasi, Tewari’s appointment marks a significant addition to the PM’s team. This role is crucial as it involves managing the Prime Minister’s schedules, correspondence, and official communications. She follows in the footsteps of previous private secretaries, Vivek Kumar and Hardik Satishchandra Shah, who have served in this capacity.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian-American scientist and professor of Health Policy at Stanford University, has been confirmed as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by the U.S. Senate. Nominated by President Donald Trump in November 2024, his confirmation was secured through a 53-47 vote on March 25, 2025. Dr. Bhattacharya, known for his expertise in medical research, public health, and economics, gained prominence as a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, advocating for focused protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership at the NIH is expected to emphasize data-driven, innovative public health strategies.

Challa Sreenivasalu Setty, also known as CS Setty, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) for the upcoming fiscal year. Setty, who currently serves as the Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), will lead the IBA in advocating for the banking sector, addressing industry challenges, and ensuring policy support. His appointment was confirmed after the IBA managing committee meeting held on March 28, 2025, succeeding MV Rao, the Chief Executive of the Central Bank of India.

Sunil Kakkar has been appointed as an Additional Director and Whole-Time Director at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, holding the position of Director (Corporate Planning) for the tenure from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. With over 35 years of experience at Maruti Suzuki, he has significantly contributed to corporate planning, supply chain management, and localisation initiatives. Kakkar’s leadership in strategic joint ventures and his role in advancing industry collaborations have been pivotal to Maruti Suzuki’s growth and the development of the Indian automotive sector.

Rajneet Kohli has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Foods and Refreshment Division at Hindustan Unilever (HUL), effective from April 7, 2025. Kohli, who previously served as the CEO of Britannia Industries, brings nearly 30 years of experience in the consumer and retail sectors, including roles at Asian Paints, Coca-Cola, and Jubilant FoodWorks. His leadership at Britannia was marked by driving product innovation and digital transformation. At HUL, he will focus on expanding the company’s foods and beverages segment, succeeding Shiva Krishnamurthy.