Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Shailesh Jejurikar has been appointed as the Global CEO of Procter & Gamble (P&G), effective January 1, 2026, making him the first Indian to hold this prestigious position. With a career at P&G spanning over three decades, Jejurikar has led key global divisions such as Fabric & Home Care, contributing significantly to the company's supply chain, digital transformation, and operational excellence. His deep understanding of both developed and emerging markets, combined with a strong track record of innovation and performance, positions him to lead P&G into its next phase of sustainable growth and global leadership in the consumer goods industry.

Utpal Kumar Singh, a veteran administrator and the current Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, has been appointed as the CEO of Sansad TV. With a distinguished background in the Indian Administrative Service and an academic foundation in history and public policy, Singh brings decades of experience in governance at both state and central levels. His leadership in the Kedarnath redevelopment project after the 2013 floods earned national recognition, showcasing his capability in crisis management and heritage preservation. His new role at Sansad TV signifies a continued effort to enhance parliamentary outreach and communication, reinforcing transparency and accessibility in democratic processes.

Anuradha Thakur, serving as Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, was nominated by the Central Government as a Director on the RBI Central Board, replacing Ajay Seth. Her appointment comes at a strategically important time, ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for early August 2025. With extensive experience in economic affairs and administration, Thakur's inclusion aims to bolster policy coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the RBI. Her expertise will support the Central Board’s mandate to uphold price stability, banking regulation, and monetary policy management, strengthening the RBI’s governance during a critical economic period.

Geetanjali Shree, a prominent Hindi novelist, received the PEN Translates Award 2025 for her book Once Elephants Lived Here, which was translated into English by Daisy Rockwell. This recognition adds to her growing international acclaim, following her International Booker Prize win in 2022 for Tomb of Sand. The PEN Translates Award, presented by English PEN, aims to make world literature more accessible in English and acknowledges both the author and the translator's contributions. This award not only highlights the richness of Hindi literature but also underscores the global importance of regional voices and the translators who carry them across linguistic borders.

Dr. V Narayanan, the current Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space, was honoured with the GP Birla Memorial Award in 2025. The award recognises his exceptional contributions to India's space programme, particularly in advancing cryogenic propulsion systems and leading landmark missions like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-3, and Aditya-L1. His leadership has significantly elevated India’s status in global space research. Conferred by the GP Birla Archaeological, Astronomical and Scientific Institute, this prestigious award celebrates individuals who have made notable impacts in science and education, further placing Dr. Narayanan alongside some of India’s most renowned scientific minds.