Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Deepak Agarwal, a 2000-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, as the Managing Director of NAFED for a term of five years. This decision brings stability to NAFED's leadership, which temporarily had Pankaj Kumar Bansal from the Ministry of Cooperation in the role. Agarwal's extensive experience in public administration, particularly in the agricultural and cooperative sectors, positions him to lead NAFED in strengthening agricultural marketing and supporting India's agricultural sector.

Amitabh Chaudhry has been re-appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Bank for a new term effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. His re-appointment was approved by shareholders at the bank’s 30th Annual General Meeting in July, with final approval granted by the Reserve Bank of India on October 24, 2024. Chaudhry has been at the helm since 2019 and has significantly contributed to expanding the bank’s retail services and enhancing its digital capabilities, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the market.

Pranav Chawda, a seasoned banking professional with over 20 years of experience, has taken the reins as CEO of JP Morgan Chase India. His appointment, approved by the Reserve Bank of India, marks a significant leadership transition for the American multinational finance company in India. As the current head of commercial banking at JP Morgan, Chawda brings invaluable expertise to his new role. He succeeds Prabhdev Singh, paving the way for strategic growth and expansion of JP Morgan Chase's operations in India under his guidance. Chawda's chartered accountant background and extensive industry knowledge will likely shape the company's future direction.

Urmila Chaudhary, a Nepali activist, was honoured with the Global Anti-Racism Championship Award 2024 by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. This recognition acknowledges her tireless efforts to promote human rights and racial equity, particularly for marginalized castes and ethnic communities in Nepal. Chaudhary's personal experience as a former child servant and her work with the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, empowering ex-bonded labourers, demonstrate her unwavering dedication to social justice. Currently pursuing law, Chaudhary continues to advocate for those in need.

SAIL, the largest government-owned steel producer in India, was recognized with SHRM HR Excellence Awards for ‘Inclusion, Equity & Diversity’ and ‘Managing the Distributed Workforce’ at the SHRM India Annual Conference 2024. Incorporated in 1973 and headquartered in New Delhi, SAIL is a 'Maharatna' company, with a turnover exceeding ₹1 lakh crore. These awards highlight SAIL's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce while efficiently managing its widespread operations.