Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

V. Hanumantha Rao was appointed as the Advisor for Backwards Classes Welfare and Development by the Telangana government. This position carries the rank of a State Cabinet Minister, highlighting its significance in policymaking and governance. He is an experienced political figure who has previously served as both a Member of the Legislative Assembly and a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. His appointment reflects the government’s focus on strengthening welfare initiatives for backward classes. Alongside his appointment, other advisory roles were also filled, contributing to a broader administrative framework in the state.

Suresh Sethi was appointed as the Group Country Manager for India and South Asia by Visa, a major global digital payments company. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing business strategy and operations across six South Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Based in Mumbai, he reports to the Regional President for Asia Pacific. Prior to this role, he served as Managing Director and CEO of Protean e-Gov Technologies Ltd, where he played a key role in developing Digital Public Infrastructure. His leadership experience makes him well-suited for this strategic regional position.

PV Sindhu assumed a significant leadership role in international badminton governance after being elected as the Chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission. This position also grants her a voting role in the BWF Council, enabling her to influence key decisions shaping the sport globally. Her leadership focuses on advocating for player welfare, including fair prize money distribution, reduced tournament pressure, and addressing competition format concerns. As an active elite athlete, her involvement ensures that players' perspectives are effectively represented at the highest level, strengthening the governance framework and promoting balanced development in badminton worldwide.

Ramesh Babu was reappointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Karur Vysya Bank for a third consecutive term following approval by the Reserve Bank of India. This extension reflects confidence in his leadership and the bank’s performance under his guidance. The tenure has been approved for two more years and complies with regulatory provisions under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. His continued leadership ensures stability and strategic continuity in the bank’s operations. The reappointment was formally communicated to stock exchanges, maintaining transparency and adherence to corporate governance standards.

Jayant Chaudhary launched Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development to address gender gaps in emerging skill sectors. The initiative focuses on empowering women by enhancing their participation in advanced technological domains such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductors. It serves as a research and training hub aimed at developing industry-relevant curricula and fostering collaboration between