Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Ram Mohan M K has been appointed as the new Director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), bringing with him over two decades of experience in the marine export sector. His professional journey within MPEDA since 2003 includes key roles in marketing, quality assurance, and infrastructure development. He also served as Resident Director in Tokyo, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening India-Japan seafood trade relations. An alumnus of CMFRI and holding a Ph.D. from CIFE, Mumbai, Ram Mohan’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to enhance India's seafood export performance and global trade compliance.

India received the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma from the World Health Organisation (WHO) during the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva. This recognition marks a significant public health achievement, as India became the third country in the Southeast Asia region to eliminate Trachoma as a public health concern. The event took place on October 8th, 2024, and underscores India's progress in combating infectious diseases and improving eye health for millions through sustained government and community health efforts. Geneva, the headquarters of the WHO, is a central location for such international recognition.

On May 19, 2025, Kamil al-Taib Idris was appointed as Sudan’s first prime minister since the civil war erupted in 2023. This appointment marks a crucial step toward political stabilization and the formation of a transitional civilian government after intense conflict between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Kamil Idris is a respected legal expert and diplomat, known for his neutrality and non-partisan stance, which enhances his acceptance among different factions. His leadership aims to restore political legitimacy, facilitate elections, and address the humanitarian crisis facing Sudan’s population.

Anurag Bhushan, a senior Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1995 batch, has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to Sweden. This appointment reflects India’s intent to deepen diplomatic and economic relations with Sweden, a key partner in clean energy, technology, and sustainable development. Bhushan’s role is strategically important for advancing bilateral cooperation in innovation, climate action, and trade. His diplomatic experience and current position as Additional Secretary in the MEA prepare him to strengthen India’s presence in Northern Europe and support joint initiatives like LeadIT 2.0 on low-carbon industrial transitions.

Bhawna Agarwal has been appointed as the Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) India. With over 25 years of experience in technology, digital startups, and media, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. Agarwal joined HPE in 2019 and quickly rose through the ranks, playing a key role in expanding the company’s business and client relationships. She takes over from Som Satsangi, a veteran with more than 27 years at HPE, who will remain with the company until July 2025 to support a smooth leadership transition. Her leadership supports HPE’s growing focus on India’s digital transformation and local manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.