Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the 25th-anniversary edition of FICCI Frames, India’s premier global media and entertainment convention. This marks a significant milestone for the event, and Ayushmann expressed his honour and commitment to promoting the theme “RISE: Redefining Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence” to celebrate and propel the media and entertainment industry’s contributions globally.

In June 2024, Akhil Gupta, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, was appointed as the Chairman of Bharti AXA Life Insurance. Gupta brings over 40 years of experience, having played a pivotal role in Bharti Airtel's growth and forging strategic partnerships with leading investors such as Warburg Pincus, Temasek, and Sequoia Capital. His leadership has been instrumental in Bharti Enterprises' expansion, including overseeing public listings and joint ventures, cementing his reputation as a key figure in corporate governance and strategy.

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) has emerged as the winner of a 300 MW solar project from NHPC through a competitive bidding process conducted via an e-reverse auction. The bid was made by NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), a subsidiary focused on renewable energy projects. This project is part of a broader 1200 MW solar initiative aimed at enhancing India’s renewable energy capacity. By leveraging the interstate transmission system (ISTS), the project will contribute significantly to the country's commitment to clean energy and meeting its sustainability goals. This milestone underlines NGEL's growing leadership in India's renewable energy sector.

Neeraj Parakh has been appointed as the CEO and Executive Director of Reliance Power, effective from January 20, 2025. With over 29 years of experience, Parakh has played a crucial role in leading major projects within the Reliance Group, particularly in thermal power and renewable energy ventures. He has been integral in executing large-scale projects like Yamuna Nagar and Sasan, contributing significantly to power generation. Parakh's leadership skills have been essential in driving technological advancements, vendor localization, and regulatory compliance within the company.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), located in Hyderabad, won the 2025 Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar in the Institutional Category. Known for its excellence in disaster preparedness, INCOIS operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre and innovative tools like SARAT. Recognized by UNESCO as a leading Tsunami Service Provider, INCOIS plays a crucial role in ocean-based disaster management and mitigation.