Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Nitu Samra was appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport following regulatory requirements set by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). She has served as the Chief Financial Officer since October 2021, bringing financial and administrative experience to the role. The appointment aligns with BCAS norms mandating that the CEO of an Indian airport must be an Indian national. This leadership change is part of the broader development of the airport, which is being built under a Public-Private Partnership and is expected to significantly expand passenger handling capacity in the coming years.

Ashok Kumar Lahiri was appointed as the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, the premier policy think tank of the Government of India. He succeeded Suman K. Bery and took charge following the reconstitution of the institution. Lahiri, a noted economist, brings extensive experience in economic policy and governance. His appointment is part of a broader restructuring that also introduced new full-time members to the Aayog. NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in shaping India’s development agenda through cooperative federalism and strategic policy planning, making this leadership change significant for governance and policymaking.

Rajneesh Karnatak and Debadatta Chand were granted three-year extensions as Managing Directors and CEOs of Bank of India and Bank of Baroda, respectively, by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. These extensions ensure leadership continuity in two major public sector banks. The approvals were based on proposals from the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance. Such extensions reflect the government’s confidence in its leadership and performance. Stable executive leadership is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency, implementing reforms, and strengthening the banking sector in a competitive financial environment.

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Fractal, has been appointed as the Chairperson of Nasscom. He succeeds Sindhu Gangadharan and brings extensive experience from his prior role as Vice Chairperson and Executive Council member for over six years. Under his leadership, Nasscom is expected to focus on advancing enterprise AI, agentic AI, and autonomous multi-agent systems. His appointment reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in India’s technology sector. Along with Vice Chairperson Kishor Patil and President Rajesh Nambiar, he will help shape the strategic direction of the IT industry.

Parminder Singh has been appointed as the CEO of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited, a joint venture focused on advancing enterprise artificial intelligence in India. The company combines Reliance’s infrastructure and connectivity with Meta’s AI capabilities to drive digital transformation. Parminder Singh brings extensive global experience, having held leadership roles at major technology companies such as Google, Apple, Twitter, and IBM. He has also served as Chief Commercial and Digital Officer at Mediacorp and co-founded AI-focused initiatives like ClayboxAI and WeKamp, making him well-equipped to lead REIL’s AI-driven strategy.