Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

P. Sivakami, a distinguished writer, retired IAS officer, and activist, was honoured with the Verchol Dalit Literary Award 2025 by the Neelam Cultural Centre in Chennai. This recognition of not only acknowledges her outstanding literary work but also her powerful voice in advocating for Dalit identity and rights. Along with the award, she received a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. Through her speech, she emphasized the role of Dalit literature in confronting dominant narratives, disrupting traditional aesthetic norms, and asserting the rightful place of marginalized voices in mainstream discourse. Her work reflects a blend of artistic expression and social resistance, making her a transformative figure in Indian literature.

Rajesh Unni, the founder of Synergy Marine Group, received the prestigious National Maritime Varuna Award on April 5, 2025, during the 62nd National Maritime Day celebrations in Mumbai. This award, conferred by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), is the highest individual recognition in India’s maritime sector. It honours individuals who have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to maritime development. Rajesh Unni was recognized for his leadership and innovation in the industry, especially through his work with Synergy Marine Group, which has become a leading name in ship management and sustainability-focused maritime solutions in India and beyond.

Viral Davda has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Officer at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to spearhead its technological advancement initiatives. With over 20 years of experience in IT and finance, including his role as CTO at NCDEX, Davda is expected to play a key role in modernizing BSE’s IT infrastructure. His leadership is crucial for managing large-scale digital transformations, including hybrid cloud adoption and operational optimization. Recognized as CTO of the Year in 2022 (NBFC category), his strategic insight aligns with BSE’s goals of maintaining high performance, processing massive data volumes, and ensuring resilience in a rapidly evolving market.

Dr. Mohan Rajan, Chairman and Medical Director of Rajan Eye Care Hospital in Chennai, has been elected as the Vice-President of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), a prominent professional organization comprising over 29,000 ophthalmologists across India. The announcement was made during the AIOS general body meeting at the Asia Pacific Academy Congress in New Delhi on April 5, 2025. Dr. Rajan’s election marks a significant achievement, making him the fifth ophthalmologist from Tamil Nadu to hold this prestigious position in the 84-year history of AIOS. His leadership is anticipated to bring valuable advancements to the field of ophthalmology nationwide.

The 2024–25 National Awards & Exhibition, organized by BriBooks and Education World to honour young authors, took place in New Delhi. This prestigious event recognized student finalists selected from over 5 lakh book submissions made through BriBooks’ Gen-AI platform. The celebration brought together notable personalities such as Smriti Irani and internationally renowned authors, who acknowledged and encouraged the imagination and talent of India’s youth. Hosting the event in New Delhi underscores the city’s significance as a hub for national-level educational and literary initiatives, making it a fitting venue for such an inspiring celebration.