Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey, a distinguished civil servant and former Finance Secretary of India, has been appointed Vice-President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). His appointment reflects India’s growing influence in global financial institutions. Pandey’s extensive experience in governance, finance, and infrastructure policy, including his leadership in launching Aadhaar and the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), makes him well-suited for his new role. As vice president, he will oversee crucial departments like Investment Solutions, Sustainability, and Portfolio Management, contributing to AIIB’s strategic goals in the international finance sector.

The National Highways Excellence Awards (NHEA) 2023 marked the celebration of its 6th edition, recognizing excellence in highway development across India. The event highlighted the achievements of infrastructure companies and their significant contributions through innovative practices. Awards were presented for exemplary work in areas like Project Management and Green Highways, with several firms receiving accolades for their work in different states. The 6th edition not only acknowledged technical excellence but also underscored the government’s emphasis on sustainable and efficient highway development.

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, an Olympic silver medallist and one of India’s most accomplished weightlifters was appointed as the Chairperson of the newly formed Athletes Commission under the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) in April 2025. With multiple accolades, including Commonwealth Games gold medals and an Olympic podium finish, Chanu brings unmatched credibility and athlete-first advocacy to the role. Her focus as Chairperson is to bridge the gap between athletes and administration, ensuring that weightlifters' voices are heard and that they can concentrate on their performance without off-field distractions. Her leadership marks a progressive step in athlete representation within Indian sports governance.

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad, received the prestigious ‘Legends of Endoscopy’ award at the Tokyo Live Global Endoscopy 2025 event held at SHOWA Medical University Koto Toyosu Hospital, Tokyo. The award, presented by the Japanese gastroenterology community, acknowledges his pioneering contributions to the field of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Dr. Reddy’s live demonstrations of complex procedures at the event highlighted his expertise and reinforced India’s leadership in minimally invasive medical innovations. This recognition not only honours his personal achievements but also reflects the growing global stature of Indian medical professionals in advanced healthcare domains.

Aamir Khan received the ‘Master Humor Award’ at the 2025 Macau International Comedy Festival, held in China. This event also marked his first official public appearance with his partner, Gauri Spratt. Aamir has a massive fan following in China, where he is fondly called ‘Uncle Mi’ due to the widespread popularity of his films such as 3 Idiots, PK, Dangal, and Secret Superstar, which performed exceptionally well at the Chinese box office. His recognition at the festival highlights the deep cross-cultural impact of his work, especially in comedy and socially relevant cinema that resonates with international audiences.